XJ as a first car?

[nd4spd]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums here and I'm thinking about buying an XJ for my first car, preferably in a 5spd. I've got about a $2000 budget and i've heard they've got plenty of low-end torque, and make great daily drivers. Can anyone tell me how the general performance of these are? Can I burnout with a stock 5spd XJ?

[Chero-King]

Well I could burnout in my stock auto., so you should be able to with a 5spd.
Yeah they do have a lot of tourque for a 6 cylinder and they're great for a DD, reliable and tons and tons parts for them.
I'd look for around an '88 to 95' any newer than that and they start getting a little more expensive.

[nd4spd]

Alright awesome, thanks. I've been trying to find the 91+ models considering they have the HO 4.0's. What's an average 1/4 time for a bone stock 5spd XJ?

[jeepdude10000]

u are going to get very mixed answers to this.
I have a 89 XJ renix and after replacing a bunch of sensors, cat, and cleaning trottle body, it runs great, but with my auto, i cannot spin tires on dry pavement(dont know Y)

If u look at some try to get one with a full time 4x4 (selectrac) i like mine alot, got me hooked on jeeps.

as for a std tranny u should be able to spin tires easy, if the engine is tuned.

[Menzenski]

My five-speed XJ is my first vehicle. Personally, I love it. I had my mind made up to buy an XJ from the time I was 16, and finally found the perfect one after I started college.

I don't know if you can do a burnout with a stock five-speed, since I don't like breaking u-joints and other drivetrain parts for no reason. If you want to do burnouts, I'd recommend saving a large part of your budget for replacement parts.

What are you looking for in your first car? An XJ is no race car. If you want something utilitarian, with space for a couple of friends and a fair amount of cargo, that's reliable and straightforward to work on, that's a very capable off-road vehicle in stock form, than I think an XJ would be a good choice. If you want something to race your friends in, it makes no sense to get an XJ. It's a brick on wheels.

What's an average 1/4 time for a bone stock 5spd XJ?
In mine (admittedly not stock), a couple minutes.

[Menzenski]

I've been trying to find the 91+ models considering they have the HO 4.0's.
Just because they're called 'high-output' doesn't necessarily mean that they're better. I'd rather have my RENIX, and sacrifice the fifteen-or-so horsepower advantage of the H.O. for an engine system that can be diagnosed with just a simple multimeter.

[nd4spd]

Just because they're called 'high-output' doesn't necessarily mean that they're better. I'd rather have my RENIX, and sacrifice the fifteen-or-so horsepower advantage of the H.O. for an engine system that can be diagnosed with just a simple multimeter.

I was unaware that there was a change (besides horsepower) in the HO 4.0's. What changed?

[jeepdude10000]

What's an average 1/4 time for a bone stock 5spd XJ?

I dont know about std but by auto, i belive is 19-20 seconds.

and my caddy with perfomance toys is about 13-14 seconds.

i dont use my XJ for racing, dont like to be left behind.

[jeepdude10000]

I was unaware that there was a change (besides horsepower) in the HO 4.0's. What changed?

ya it went to a different fuel mangment computer.

[nd4spd]

What are you looking for in your first car? An XJ is no race car. If you want something utilitarian, with space for a couple of friends and a fair amount of cargo, that's reliable and straightforward to work on, that's a very capable off-road vehicle in stock form, than I think an XJ would be a good choice. If you want something to race your friends in, it makes no sense to get an XJ. It's a brick on wheels.

I'm looking for something that's fun, somewhat fast, reliable, and inexpensive. I figured the best way to accomplish the fun and somewhat fast is to pick almost anything with a 5spd. Considering the relatively inexpensive cost of XJ's and the fact that they have such great 4wd and offroad capabilities, I figured I might as well try to find one. Before considering an XJ, I was looking at the like's of late 80's/early 90's Civics/Integras but figured the XJ would be more practical and should be a little quicker due to the MUCH higher torque over the 4-bangers.

[Menzenski]

I was unaware that there was a change (besides horsepower) in the HO 4.0's. What changed?
In a nutshell:

RENIX (1990-):
- engine control system designed by RENault/BendIX
- 'closed' cooling system
- doesn't store or throw diagnostic codes (pre-OBD)

H.O. (1991+):
- Chrysler-designed engine control system
- 'open' cooling system
- OBD-1, stores and throws codes
- slight horsepower increase over RENIX 4.0 engines

Another thing for you to consider, if you're looking for a five-speed, get one that's 1990 or newer model year. Up through most of the 1989 model year, the manual transmission behind the 4.0 engine was the Peugoet BA/10, which is crap. Beginning in late 1989 MY, the AX-15 was used instead; it's a much better transmission.

[Chero-King]

Also the HO changed the throttle body and has a slightly higher flowing intake and exhaust.
And if i recall.. the average 1/4 mile time was around 18-19 seconds, which isnt bad considering is a 4wd SUV.

[jeepdude10000]

And if i recall.. the average 1/4 mile time was around 18-19 seconds, which isnt bad considering is a 4wd SUV.

ok what u consider slow, and what i consider slow seems to be off. LOL

[nd4spd]

In a nutshell:

RENIX (1990-):
- engine control system designed by RENault/BendIX
- 'closed' cooling system
- doesn't store or throw diagnostic codes (pre-OBD)

H.O. (1991+):
- Chrysler-designed engine control system
- 'open' cooling system
- OBD-1, stores and throws codes
- slight horsepower increase over RENIX 4.0 engines

Another thing for you to consider, if you're looking for a five-speed, get one that's 1990 or newer model year. Up through most of the 1989 model year, the manual transmission behind the 4.0 engine was the Peugoet BA/10, which is crap. Beginning in late 1989 MY, the AX-15 was used instead; it's a much better transmission.

Alright thanks for the info, so basically if you choose a 91+ HO your getting alot more electronic equipment (stuff to go wrong or mess up), but the benefit of about 10 or so horsepower/ft lbs of torque. Yeah I've read that the AX-15 is quite a bit better, how's the cruising on it? What RPM is it at holding 60 mph in 5th?

[Menzenski]

What RPM is it at holding 60 mph in 5th?
That's going to depend on your tire size and gear ratio. XJs were geared rather tall from the factory; all XJs with a 4.0/five-speed combo had 3.07:1 axle gears. If you want to be a little quicker off the line, it might be worth swapping in the axles out of an automatic XJ to get 3.55s.

[Chero-King]

ok what u consider slow, and what i consider slow seems to be off. LOL


haha yeahh it is damn slow for a 1/4M time but considering these things werent meant to run 10's its not too bad.

[Ramsey]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums here and I'm thinking about buying an XJ for my first car, preferably in a 5spd. I've got about a $2000 budget and i've heard they've got plenty of low-end torque, and make great daily drivers. Can anyone tell me how the general performance of these are? Can I burnout with a stock 5spd XJ?
Try not to wind up in THIS (http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=90381) Thread.

Aside from that, you will be happy with an xj.

[yardape]

That's going to depend on your tire size and gear ratio. XJs were geared rather tall from the factory; all XJs with a 4.0/five-speed combo had 3.07:1 axle gears. If you want to be a little quicker off the line, it might be worth swapping in the axles out of an automatic XJ to get 3.55s.

This was the response I was lwaiting for. The 3.07's are granny gears. You're not going to beat anyone off the line with a 5-speed. You're also going to be consuming more gas than if you lean toward the aforementioned foreign automobiles. At $3.15 a gallon that might matter to you particularly considering your $2,000 budget for a first vehicle.

Good Luck with whaterever you decide.

[Matthew Currie]

I think an XJ makes a pretty good first vehicle, because it's solid and predictable, reasonably safe and not too expensive to keep in repair, and it's not so wimpy that you worry about being able to pass. When my stepson turned 16 and needed a car for college, etc. we got him an XJ, and it served him very well for years. He got a couple of speeding tickets, as any teenager will, but never crashed it, never blew it up, and (obviously) did not manage to kill himself or anyone else with it.

However, I'm a little worried that the first qualification you ask about is whether you can do a burnout! It's a little truck, you know. Short wheelbase, solid axles, high center of gravity. Driven skilfully and carefully, it's a versatile all-purpose vehicle and a safe daily driver, and of course it's the berries in snow country, but it's not made for street performance, and it's relatively easy to get into trouble if you forget what it is.

Anyway, speaking as a stodgy old parent, I have to say that any beginning driver whose first concern is tire-burning, accident-tempting cowboy driving probably shouldn't be looking for a car at all yet.

[IslanderOffRoad]

I'd look at something else

If you get into Jeeps, you'll be broke like the rest of us all the time.

[Beej]

Anyway, speaking as a stodgy old parent, I have to say that any beginning driver whose first concern is tire-burning, accident-tempting cowboy driving probably shouldn't be looking for a car at all yet. Agreed. nd4spd, just judging by your name "need for speed" you might want to rethink the XJ altogether. Its not a rocketship; as was already said, its a brick on wheels. It also doesn't drift well, burnout well or corner well at speed. Its not great for high speed maneuvers either. That said, there's a guy in town that I've seen who has a lowered 2wd XJ with obvious performance parts. I've seen him burning down the road a few times and it seems to handle okay. We were side by side on the highway once and when I gunned it to go past him, he put the pedal to the metal and easily walked away from me. Overall though, this is a sport utility vehicle with the emphasis on utility, not sport. The potent I6 is a great workhorse with plenty of power, but unless you can drop a thousand pounds from a stock XJ, its not going to be a street performer. If you want to know what they can do with a few mods, check out the street/performance forum and read up. Otherwise, consider a smaller, lighter performance vehicle. At least you'll kill less people that way...
:D

[XJ Jeepin Girl]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums here and I'm thinking about buying an XJ for my first car, preferably in a 5spd. I've got about a $2000 budget and i've heard they've got plenty of low-end torque, and make great daily drivers. Can anyone tell me how the general performance of these are? Can I burnout with a stock 5spd XJ?

I highly encourage you to get a Cherokee as your first car. My '96 is my first car, and hopefully this baby will keep running me through college. Just a great practicle car. Can't tell yah much about performance, however.

[rocklandxjer]

the XJ is great, but if you are into burning out and quarter mile times, id strongly advise you not to get an xj, the purpose of an SUV like the cherokee is not to burnout, or fly down the highway, though it is CAPABLE of both, it was not designed for those purposes. the I6 is a very reliable motor, no wonder why they started putting them in the new wranglers. All the parts are easily accessed and are not too expensive. it is very versatile on and off road, even stock, and has very large trunkspace, especially with the rear seat folded down.

as stated before, the 5 spd's come with 3.07 gears, which, stock are great for the highway gas, but are by no means the best for accelleration or anything "race" oriented.

think about what you want,
and definately rethink your parameters for wanting to buy a car. Im not much older, but i sure as hell know that "burning out" and racing down backroads are terrible ideas. not only can they get you into trouble, but they risk causing harm to others. (click the link near the top to see what i mean)

if you DO get a jeep, take it off road and see how it handles, youd be surprised at the rush you get climbing a steep grade compared to flooring it and wasting all that gas of which you get less than 17 miles per gallon anyway.

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[Rob Mayercik]

If u look at some try to get one with a full time 4x4 (selectrac) i like mine alot, got me hooked on jeeps

Selec-Trac (NP-242) was never offered on any 5-spd XJs. It was only available from the factory with an automatic trans. All XJs with 5-spd got the part-time Command-Trac NP-231) case. The only way to get a 5-spd/242 combo is to get the truck and case and figure out how to mate them up yourself.

Rob

[streetpirate]

ive got an '87 thats my first car. its got power, even though its got 210k, its dirt cheap to buy parts for it at the junkyard, hauls 4 people with plenty of room, hauls cargo, hauls trailers, and ive got the suspension set up to handle better than most stock sedans, (saying a lot for a 4X4 JEEP WITH SOLID AXLES) \
we welcome you here and you should check out the street and performance section of the forum.

i see you live in oregon, what part?