Rich,
I concur with everything that Moses has posted here, and I'll add few comments of my own. When you consider TCO (total cost of ownership), the XJ Cherokee is unbeatable and unmatched. It's perhaps the smartest choice on the planet when considering a used SUV. The track record for these vehicles as far as maintenance and repair has been widely chronicled. This may seem to be a bold statement, but no vehicle in the history of the automobile can parallel the XJ when you consider all of it's attributes. The 4.0L, beam axles, Dana rears, rugged interiors, an abundace of OEM parts and a huge aftermarket industry surrounding it, all combine to make the XJ one of the best values ever. You would be hard pressed to find any vehicle, made anywhere in the world, with it's longevity and TCO credentials. Owners love them, and garage guys hate them because they can't make money off of their repair.
I agree with Moses on the Nissan Pathfinder. Your money is better spent considering the Jeeps. I can see why you would have interest in them. At first glance, and at face value, they seem like decent vehicles. However the enjoyment will stop when the bank account runs dry. I'm not picking on it as I'm as open to, and have interest in, many vehicles. Just consider the overall value and what you're getting for your dollar in the long run. TCO for the Pathfinder would be much higher that that of the XJ Cherokee, and even the Grand Cherokee.
If you have your heart set on on a Grand Cherokee, I would consider a ZJ or a WJ as Moses points out. If you want a ZJ, focus on the later 96 through 98 model years as they have the best track record. I have an uncle who put almost 350,000 miles on his before going to the WJ. In my opinion, the WJ Grand Cherokee is the best and most reliable 'Grand' built to date. The WJ had the benefit of all that was experienced in the ZJ. It offered a slightly roomier and more efficient cabin, and still maintained all of the proven drive train goodies that made the ZJ so attractive.
I'd be interested in how you make out. Let us know what you decided on and we wish you the best of luck with whatever you purchase.
Tim Swank