Which XJ? - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM Jeep News Australia and New Zealand

mixtli · #1 10-01-2005

Hi folks,
We're about to trade our aging corolla in on a Jeep with a view to taking a driving holiday to darwin...we're moving there from perth soon and a road trip will be a good holiday for us.
I'm torn between 2 XJ sport wagons... a purple '96 and a black '99. The tricky part is that the '96 has only 53k on the clock while the '99 already has 113k on it and they're asking the same price! The older unit has a factory bullbar fitted to it as well which I spose must come into consideration. I'm swaying towards the lower km unit while she who frightens the enemy likes the look of the newer one - it's got cupholders

I'll be test driving them both this week but was wondering if anyone here knows of any major issues I should look out for.
I guess my primary worry is that the 96 might have been wound back...53k seems like bugger all for that vintage...mind you, being purple might have something to do with it

Thanks in advance for any info

Chopper in Oz · #2 10-01-2005

go the new one!

(it's got a prettier dash

)

Dave'n'Wen · #3 10-01-2005

That would depend on the style you are looking for. The '99 is a more modern Jeep with a better laid out interior and rounded features like lights and panels. The 4.0 engines in the jeeps are a good engine, so 113k is not to bad for the year. I got a 2000 XJ and its just reached 97k. also the trip computer the '99 is more advance.

What is the price on the Jeeps? Does the '96 have a tow bar? It may be thats all it was used for.

Happy hunting.

mixtli · #4 10-01-2005

They're both in yards listed at $19990 and both vehicles have factory towbars fitted to them...the 99's at a jeep dealer while the '96 lives at a smaller yard south of the river.
I'm not terribly fussed with style so much...I'm more interested in an XJ that'll last us as long and as reliably as the little car it's replacing.
In all honesty, I'd rather buy privately but I've been looking for over a week now and the yards _seem_ to have better, lower km examples.
Looks like I'll have some fun with salesmen this week

murray · #5 10-01-2005

yuo have pm

Bogged · #6 10-01-2005

go the later model. more K's, but hen again, the older one might have gone round once already!

i found the later one to be more comfortable seating & ergonomic wise. plus you get the High Output engine ( did we ever not get that engine??) mines 2001 and ive clocked 97k km

tuckerbox · #7 10-01-2005

anyone knows of any around the same year in sydney ..please let me know ..

dont mean to hijack thread ...just similar interests in different states

cheers