1997 SE or 2005 SE

[billiebob]

My sons looking at 2 perfect SEs. a '97, 2.5L and an '05, 2.4L. Both with clutches. Both under 60K miles. Both 1 owner.... garaged their whole lives.

He might run 30x9.50 KOs but never bigger. It will be his only wheels but working downtown means it will be in the garage 5 days a week since he takes Transit to work.

Is there any mechanical advantage between the 2 SEs? axles? 2.5 vx 2.4? gearing?

1997

2005

 

[Michael Roberson]

Buy both!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Chris]

The 2.4 has a tad bit more power (supposedly). They'll either have 3.73 gears or 4.10, depending on the transmission.

So I would simply buy the one that is the cleanest and most well taken care of.

 

[Fouledplugs]

If Chris is right and the differences are nothing significant, I vote for the 97. I like the color combo more than the 05.

 

[Rob5589]

2.4 has more hp and tq. Mine came with 3.73's and 6 spd. The 05 will have the 6 spd which can be clunky but has the nice low 4.xx first gear. The 05 might have the gas splashback issue. Both engines have good reported reliability. Mine is an 05 Khaki so I say the 05 is better
Tell him to pick the one he likes best and be happy. And post up some pics.

 

[Kiwi TJ]

Looks like it just boils down to a colour choice ....I vote for the Khaki as well.(very 'desert storm' looking)

 

[billiebob]

yeah, the '97 has 55K miles. The '05 has 62K miles. Me I like the older one because in 5 years it will be classed as a classic and plates, insurance will 10% of the '05s, since it will never be driven to work.

 

[Fouledplugs]

Wow you guys found some good ones! Nice picks

 

[StG58]

It's a wash. Go for the color he likes and the one in the best shape. The 2.5 is a slightly simpler engine, if that makes a difference.

 

[billiebob]

It's a wash. Go for the color he likes and the one in the best shape. The 2.5 is a slightly simpler engine, if that makes a difference.

Thats what I was looking for. Many thanks StG58 !!

 

[StG58]

You're welcome @billiebob. The manual 2.5 SE's can also be run without a computer, for anyone interested. Pretty straight foreward, bolt on conversion to points and condenser distributor, mechanical gauges & etc. Don't know why anyone would want to do that, but there it is. Autometer sells the gauge package, and I've seen the panel online. Pretty sweet looking, actually. A Weber two barrel can be used on an early xk TB manifold. An early SE can be simplified to an extreme, if the situation demands it.

 

[glwood]

One thing to consider is the '97 has the wheels and tires that came on the optional factory 30" tire & wheel package that was offered in the late 90's. Not to say they've been on there since 1997, but those tires could be pretty old.

When I got my '04 TJ last year, it only had 18k, and still had the original Goodyear MTR tires. Not many miles on them, but they were still 12 years old...first thing I replaced.

 

[billiebob]

^^^Very right !!

Awesome website Chris.

 

[billiebob]

well the '97 went on line Wednesday... I was planning on seeing it tomorrow but.... SOLD !!

 

[StG58]

well the '97 went on line Wednesday... I was planning on seeing it tomorrow but.... SOLD !!

Man, that unfortunate. Gotta snap these things up when they appear.

 

[Mike_H]

Makes the decision easier tho!

 

[JP98]

I think it was six of one or a half dozen of the other either way. I'm sure your son will love the '05.

 

[CB-TJ99]

That's my thought on the 97 also. I have a 99 and can't wait for that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk