Question just fell in love with jeeps

I have the oppurtunity to buy either a 97 sport with about 100,000 miles from a dealer. This has the 4.0 motor, or I can buy a 99 SE with about 80,000 thousand miles. Which would be the better choice, more reliable? I already know the 4.0 is more fun. How many miles do these motors usually last?

I cant tell you about how long the motor will last other than I've heard from friends that the 2.5's can go into the 250's, or how reliable it is, but I just bought a '01 SE with 64000 about a month ago. I just put a 2" spacer lift and 31's on it and last weekend I took it out wheelin' on some pretty badass trails and it did more than what I was expecting. I personally think if I wanted to go with 33's I would lose some serious power though (I can already feel it going to the 31's) unless I re-geared it.

The reliability of both is about the same, its a non issue. Both engines should last well into the 200000 range if theyve been maintained.
Which one is better, that would depend on what you intend to use it for. The 4 cyl is fine if you leave it fairly stock and just use it to putt around or commute. If you intend to build it up, I would start with a six cyl.

test drive them both make sure you get on a high way too my 4 cyl has problems going 70mph

Thanks guys,

I do plan on doing modifications to it, so the six cylinder would probably be the best bet. I just drove it, and it is probibly the best choice. The only problem is it has chrome everything that you can think of on a red jeep, so I am definatly going to have to take that off. No bling-bling here.

I absolutely love my 4.0 '02 Wrangler X. It's on 33s and is not regeared... which is a plus for me since I do a decent amount of highway driving and I can do something like 1000RPMS at 70-75mph. For a lifted Wrangler I get some decent gas mileage. ...Basically, get the 4.0, or a regeared 2.5... Either will be great off-road and can get decent gas mileage if driven well. There is more potential with the 4.0 if you are looking to go all out, and it will have a greater resale value. ::2cents::

both engines are good but i would go with the 6

ive got a friend with the 4.0 and he has 285000 original miles on it. hes only had to replace normal maintinence stuff on it. the things a beast