I bought a 94 YJ new in late 93. Had it for nine years. Sold it at 275 thousand kms for 4K. It saw lots of off-road use and took some unspeakable abuse. Only manufacturing related issue was the main seal on the transmission leaked at 115,000 km and took out the clutch with leaking gear lube. There was a rust spot on the input shaft that slowly over time wore out the seal. The alternator went at somewhere in the low 200s. Everything else was typical consumables, some due to excessive abuse.
My Jeep had the old 4 cyl, manual tranny, 4.11 gears. With the 4.11 gears the four had plenty of off-road power (never had problems pulling others out). In four low it could pull the front wheels on the street. The YJs still had leaf springs on all four corners and were bullet proof due to being as complicated as a wood stove.
Unless you are going crazy I would stay away from too much lift. I never had a problem with stock lift and aggressive 245 tires. Lift looks cool but unless you are going crazy and have all the hardware to back it up (improved transfercase, differentials, axles etc.) it is mostly looks IMO. In fact the only time I got stuck and had to do the walk of shame for help, most of the "lifted guys" could not even get to where I was!
It was great in the city, short wheel base, tight turning radius, good torque.
The downsides. It was terrible on the highway, wind noise, mileage. It road like well a jeep. Heater was pretty good but still a little cold in winter. Rust...
If you are driving it in the winter make sure to get full doors and a hard top. They both come off but you will need them in winter.
If I was to buy one again, I think I would go old CJ/YJ due to the woodstove durability. Might be hard to find a good one but at least they should be cheap. I could be wrong but the newer stuff, TJ and on, just does not look or feel as durable, but I bet they are better on-road. Maybe it is just romance on my part...
I've never had one so I can't comment..but there ya have it!
