I am looking at buying either a Cherokee or Grand Cherokee and trying to dicede which one.  I have narrowed it down to 1991-2001 XJ or all of the ZJ 1993-1998.  I have also decided that I only want the 4.0L engine.  The rest is to be decided on.
I have only owned GM trucks (and ALWAYS will) and have good knowledge on them but have never owned a Jeep. Wikipedia.org has been helpful for information, but I would like to hear from owners of any of these to find out good and bad points of either.  I have found some good information on the XJ but not enough on the ZJ.
It will mainly be for my daughter and wife to drive (she won't drive any of my full size trucks and I won't let her drive my Suburban or my wifes car), but could still see a mild build like up to 31" tires, I will save the big stuff for my full size GM trucks.
I am not real interested in wild builds on these at this time, mostly stock to very mild build for mostly street and some light off road.
Any information that you would like to give on what you like and don't like, durability, what stock parts are better than others, etc. would be greatly appreciated.  

there is a ton more options for the xj, although the zj has coils on all four corners like the TJ and a v-8 option, just think of that 5.9 r/t option, the xj may be the better choice for simplicity and cost. the zj has a better ride and can be lifted a couple inches with coil spacers and shocks for a 3" lift give it plenty of flex or a all out suspension system that can make a TJ look sad. heres a link for a basic teraflex if you look a little further you'll find and awesome long arm kit.
I've always been a die hard fullsize chevy fan, then I drove a new rubicon near the end of 02 for the heck of it, since then the chev just sits there and looks like it could have the jeep for lunch.
if cost is an option and it wont be around long I'd say go for the xj.  check out Rusty's off road also.

http://www.teraflex.biz/pages/jeepbuilder.php?jeepID=33&prodID=84&subID=2  

XJ is a better choice as there is more for it and it weighs a bit less and is a bit smaller too. V8 ZJ's can have cooling issues too off road and can really guzzle gas if it is a 360 and limit off road time and fun. While many seem to think that a a large size and weight is a asset off road, it is not. YOu do not want to weigh anymore than you have too and small rigs can squeak through place that big one cannot and are a LOT easier to get unstuck too when  you do get hung up. XJ's are still in demand today and would still sell if they were made today!  

you could say that for sure, cooling issue aside, the xj transfer case is also more desirable. now the nitro is coming around, just not a great rig for off road period.  

ZJ. It's like an XJ just way more comfy...  

A 97 ZJ is perfect for what you want it for. My first vehicle was a 97 ZJ I had a 3 in. BDS suspension lift with 31 in. all terrain tires. The ride was smooth as a Caddilac and offroad it put every Chevy to shame. Mine came with a 5.3 L V8 and I managed to get 20 MPG out of it after a throttle body spacer and a K&N air intake. I got over three hundred thousand miles out of mine " With only minor repairs here and there" before I stripped it down and got insane with it. Now I have a Rusty's Offroad 5.5 in. lift with 35 in. tires and the same engine,"rebuilt of course". Of corse I had to beef up the front end Rear end and steering along with an atlas two twin stick transfer case and longer driveshafts. But everything else is prettymuch still the same. But it has been great to me and I'll never get rid of it. All in all they are great for mild builds with comfy rides and all the power you need , and if you tweek it right good gas mileage too. The only draw back is they're hard to make wild builds but any lift under 4 inches is great.
P.S. If you put a lift bigger than 2.5 in. you'll need to convert the front driveshaft from a CV Front yolk to a regular U joint. Tom Woods drive shaft makes a great kit that worked out great for me. They'll send you the conversion kit and a drive shaft to go along with it.  

I have been a chevy guy since i was ten, and very stuborn about it too, i just bought an 89 xj and i love it, zj or xj doesnt really matter, find a used car lot and test drive both the xj and zj and see what you like more than go on craigslist and find one in your budget, and build it up to your liking.  

FourWheeler Web Editor:
ZJ. It's like an XJ just way more comfy...

What he said...