Thinking about jumping ship.....

[Verbalkint99]

...convince me to stay.

I have a 2000 XJ will several mods that I love to drive, though issues are starting to compound. It needs an engine rebuild, tranny rebuild, the floors are rotting and the roof is rusting along the windshield. At 220,000 miles its ready for pasture.

I found a 99% rust free 2000 XJ with 120,000 miles. I think I will have fun transferring the mods and starting new. However, I also found a clean 2004 Xterra SE/SC (supercharged with LSD and locking front hubs) with 60,000 miles.

With the Xterra, I will have to keep it stock for a year before I can start modding it.

Which way would you go?

 

[xjman88]

Easy decission. Go w the xj. That way u can use your old one for a parts rig. Just a suggestion. I was faced w the same dilemma a while ago too. The zj is a nice expo rig as well. That's what I am driving now after 2 modified xjs.

 

[XJINTX]

Depends on your driving habits. The First gen X's are way underpowered and IFS. If you don't mind they are a great vehicle. I actually had a 2000 and a modded out 2001 but I'm back to XJs.

The IFS was the drawback and for the cost of an SAS I now have a great XJ

 

[jeepdreamer]

Plus there is a bazillion times more after market support and used parts available for an XJ! Now if this was between an XJ and a Grand Cherk... the decision would be harder. But I'm voting XJ.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Ever owned a supercharged vehicle? Just the cost to have the supercharger rebuilt would almost buy you an XJ, not to mention the increased fuel cost of premium over regular unleaded. And then there is the fact that most Jeep owners tend to laugh at Xterras. Just stick with another XJ or even a ZJ, you already know Jeeps and the limitless support for them.

 

[Dr. Marneaus]

are you dying to get a new vehicle, like, this moment? Just wait until you find a newish XJ in good shape with less than 120k miles on it.

 

[Bigjerm]

Ever owned a supercharged vehicle? Just the cost to have the supercharger rebuilt would almost buy you an XJ, not to mention the increased fuel cost of premium over regular unleaded. And then there is the fact that most Jeep owners tend to laugh at Xterras. Just stick with another XJ or even a ZJ, you already know Jeeps and the limitless support for them.

x2. I would be doing a lot of searches on possible failures with the SC.

Why could you not mod the X for a year? A loan I assume? If you got a chance to buy cash vs loan, go for the cash vehicle.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

are you dying to get a new vehicle, like, this moment? Just wait until you find a newish XJ in good shape with less than 120k miles on it.

He said he already found one, he better jump on it before it's gone though.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

x2. I would be doing a lot of searches on possible failures with the SC.

Why could you not mod the X for a year? A loan I assume? If you got a chance to buy cash vs loan, go for the cash vehicle.

I'm thinking warranty needs to run out.

 

[MCObray]

I would definitely stick with an XJ. Cheap, usually reliable, affordable mods... what more could you ask for! Have you ever given thought to a 97-99XJ? I'm sure your aware of the notorious 0331 head with the 00-01 XJs.

 

[JRCCRW]

I am currently on Jeep #5. I gave up on an '83 CJ-7 because of a little rust, and I would give anything to have it back. With the products available on the market today to prevent rust, I would consider busting the rust and foregoing the paint in lieu of a better rust preventing product. the engine/tranny rebuild is a pain in the *****, but it will be less costly in the long run.

 

[ryandavenport]

Actually, some research on your part would point out that the superchargers themselves rarely give issues. The knock sensor on the supercharger sometimes does give issues. If I were the OP, I would try to find a naturally aspirated Xterra as the power difference really isn't that huge.

Also, where do you get the notion that most Jeep owners laugh at Xterras. Every Jeep owner that I have ever lead down a trail (behind my Xterra) has been very impressed with what the platform will do. I may not keep all of my tires on the ground the whole time, but the Xterras do have some options that make them very off road worthy. Also, there is no way that the Xterra in question still has a factory warranty on it. If it is a 2004 and we are in 2012, that is longer than the warranty lasts. My guess is that he would have to spend more on the Xterra up front so modding would take a backseat for a year.

 

[Utah KJ]

Nissan is French-owned... a non-starter for me.

 

[jscusmcvet]

To the OP...

My story is a long and sorted one... so i will cut to the chase. Being a 20 year jeep guy, I flirted with a Land Rover Disco 1 for a few months. It is a great truck, but I found I am in fact a jeep guy. Life is too short and these vehicles consume too much of our time and other precious resources to not go with your heart. To me that is a jeep, to some that might be a rover... you get my point.

If the Xterra speaks to you... go for it. If the cherokee does... go for it. Truth is they will both need mods to get it what you want... so that frees you to choose.

John

 

[Hotcoco74]

Stick with the Jeep. The Xterra is a great truck, but is more expensive to mod. I am a Nissan Master Technician and would own one today. The only reason I don't. The top comes off of my JK. Oh and it has lockers in its solid axles.