[JeepinGirlCT]

My husband wanted me to share with you that he does 135 miles a day on I-95 going through Stamford and Bridgeport - "The Highway of Death" as he affectionately calls it. He manages. It's all about gas milage for us, which was one reason for the 5 speed. We had a '95 Explorer auto trans which always had tranny problems. It kind of soured us on autos. We just gave a '98 Escort with a manual to my in-laws with 176+K on it (and they're thrilled to have it), and it still has the original clutch. GO MANUALS

Seriously-there's something for everyone. It's all good.

[Gramps]

The old 727 Torqueflites were a good trans. The newer OD units based on the smaller 904s are really crap! I've been filling my head with all of the info that I can gather on the CVTs and with a lot fewer parts, I can see them lasting a looooog time. I still like to dial my own from time to time, just not on a daily basis. This is also the age of hydraulic slaves on the clutch so it saves wear and tear on the old knee.

[redsoxski]

Don't flame me MK owners, I own a TJ and and XJ and never yet have driven one of the newer Compasses or Patriots so I can't comment on whether the OP would like one coming from his XJ. From a $$ stand point though I think that if you liked your XJ why not get another one? There are a lot of well kept low mileage ones out there to be had cheap. The advantages I see to going this route is that you aren't going to see as marked a depreciation as you will for the newer ones (as was mentioned in an earlier post in this forum). Second, the XJ is a classic and 10 years from now will still be a classic and may even be worth more then than when you bought it now. Lastly there are a ton of parts out there and they are easy to work on, saves a lot of $$ in repairs. Did I mention insurance? True, you don't have the modern creature comforts you will have with the newer ones but then I guess you would be the one to decide if that is important. Whatever you decide I'm sure you'll be happy as long as it is a Jeep. Good luck...

[Gramps]

I try to make sure that NO Jeeps get flamed over here, your safe. I like the old stuff, much easier to work on but as a daily driver? I'll leave that for the younger crowd. Love those heated seats.

[redsoxski]

We can fix that easy enough...

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...013565/c-10108