Would you buy a 2000-2001 XJ?

[collkid]

So,

Needing to find a stock XJ for winter driving for my parents. They just want something they can use when the weather is bad and their little cars aren't going to cut it.

I'm looking at Criagslist everyday and see a bunch of Junk and/or way too high price and/or way too modified. But, there happens to be a couple 2000-2001 Xj's.

Knowing the Head issue (0331), would you buy one?



J

 

[md21722]

It depends what kind of owner you are.

The 2000-2001 XJ's are slightly more refined than earlier years but have the head issue. They also went to a four O2 sensor and mini-cat exhaust in 2001.

I have a 01 XJ and had to pull the head twice and rebuilt the steering and suspension this summer. It has 324,000 miles. I've had it since 36,000.

If it's truly a beater then id guess almost anything with good tires would work, but don't expect it to be maintenance free or like a new car. Alternators, radiators, water pumps and stuff like that will fail the same as on any XJ.

 

[Kittrell]

If you can do your own work and have no performance aspirations, then there is no reason not to get a 2000-2001.

 

[in4aride]

Buy a same year durango for half the price.

 

[Kittrell]

Buy a same year durango for half the price.

I won't disagree with this. Nice XJ's are hard to find and demand a stupid premium. If you are not looking for something to build, i.e. parents, you can get something nicer for less.

 

[collkid]

I just know XJ's. Are Durango's any good?

 

[in4aride]

It's a grand cherokee with more room.

 

[puttzer]

Durango has a full frame...... Grand Cherokee is a unibody.

 

[in4aride]

^ irrelevant as a DD. Was thinking in Mindset of a 50 something parent needing a winter dd.
Multiple motors 4.7 5.2 5.9
Trans are like grands and can be junk so feel it out in test drive.
Smoother due to ifs.

 

[Kittrell]

This is not local but a prime example.

2003 Durango SLT, 35,864 miles, nicer leather interior - $10,990

http://www.autotrader.com/ATCarID/AT-16C62E3B

1996 Cherokee Country, 37,563 miles - $13,100.00 and did not even hit the reserve.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Garage-Kept...LYXDXWsmxIlxs4caCbPSw%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

 

[in4aride]

Local. 2000. W/100k.
http://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/4755115011.html

What would that cost you for same
Options in a xj same condition?

 

[Kittrell]

What would that cost you for same
Options in a xj same condition?

Assuming you could even find leather.....

 

[in4aride]

Ya. It's crazy how it works. If my girl comes out here I'll pick up a durango for me(she'll take truck) instead of trading her taco in for something else. They are too cheap and common and easy to get pars for. Actually frustrated I never looked at them before. Even without a SAS up front they would be plenty capable for the trails most people run, with a mild lift and some 33/35's. Or for DD duty you could run it hard and not be too upset.

 

[Hypoid]

I keep hearing the older Grand Cherokees are selling cheap.

 

[SolarBell]

From what I see anymore on the roads, the WJ's and ZJ's are the new XJ's. Cheaper to buy, decently capable, and cheap to mod.

 

[Rob Patterson]

I'm trying to get a nice Durango to become my fun wheeler and tow vehicle for our 2 door JK. The Durango is cheap for what you get. I'm looking for a 1998-1999 for the saginaw style steering and doing a SAS conversion with Dana 60s and 37" tires.

If it is for your parents I would look for a 2001-2003 with the rack and pinion steering. you can get the 4.7 v8 or the 5.9 magnum in the RT model.

 

[collkid]

Hum, Durango. Maybe something I'll look into.

 

[Rob Patterson]

They offer 3rd row seating, leather seats, rear ac, full time or Part time 4wd.

I'm found a 99 with 5.9 and bad trans for $800. I'm now looking for a manual trans to make it cooler for me.

 

[akascrambled]

I am, and always will be, a firmly planted jeep fanatic...Heck, I currently own four Jeeps, two CJ8's, an XJ and a WJ. However, I now also own a modified Durango which has quickly become my favorite vehicle. Especially since I can fit all three of my kids, my wife and a weekends worth of camping gear in one vehicle. Only big downside of the Durango build is the limited aftermarket support. So one had better be happy fabricating his own mods etc. So far, I have not found any place that I could not have taken my Durango, and found myself wishing we were in my built Scrambler(S) or XJ. And, as I've found out...buying a used Durango, modifying it to better suit my needs has been a damn lot cheaper than buying, and building any 4dr JK I have ever stumbled across.

 

[jimgrms]

My red xj was a 01 with 60 k when i got it and i put 100k on it with no problems except hi centering on rocks .Yella was the spotter