[Eric 951]

I had (3)
88 Laredo with 4.0/5 speed
91 Sport with 4.0HO/5 speed
96 Country 4.0HO/auto

I put well over 100K on each--and I purchased the Country with over 100K on the clock already.

Definitely get the 4.0--earlier XJs could be had with a 2.8 V6 and a 2.5(IIRC) 4. the straight 6 4.0 has plenty of power, very reliable, easy to work on.

Check for rust--floor pans/rockers were very common areas along with bottoms of doors.

If you get a manual, you will probably be replacing the slave cylinder at least once(I went through 4 combined)Manuals are hard to find though

Check the 4WD --I am trying to remember if they were vacuum for all years.

Minor niggles from what I remember--
rear struts for the hatch--it is a 1-piece hatch and you will be replacing the struts
clear coat failure and fading was common.
the rear shocks have a blind nut welded for the top mounts in a nearly-inaccessible spot--a PITA to swap rear shocks.
rear wiper were common failures
check the front door hinges for cracks

Other than that--check the normal used car items. I would love another XJ Cherokee(specifically a Briarwood or Wagoneer Limited) but the majority out there have been beat to death.

If you can find a clean one, by all means go for it.