AMC I4 VS AMC I6

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck) 09/09/2016 at 03:04 • Filed to: car shopping

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Unbeknownst to me, XJs also came with a 4-banger. From what I’ve seen on some Cherokee forums, the 2.5 I4 is good but not as beloved as the legendary I6. It is also, they say, painfully slow, about as poor fuel economy, and not as long-lasting. What say you?

The reason I ask is because I keep window shopping XJs (along with many other cars), and I’m noticing that many 2-doors have the 2.5, and are certainly more affordable, and typically in much better condition because 2.5s are apparently not good for offroading so they aren’t as abused.

I dunno. Just hard to find a stock 2 door with the I6 that isn’t totally ruined.

slipperysallylikespenguins > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/09/2016 at 03:10

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They are terribly slow, that is all I really know about them. I test drove a late 80s Pioneer? trim(all leather, sunroof, power everything) a few years ago that was really nice. Just couldn’t look past the lack of power, even with the manual. It’s especially bad if you test drive one back to back with an I6.

PS. They also came with a V6 which is even worse than the I4 and a diesel unavailable in our market.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/09/2016 at 03:30

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slow. like very slow. also mpg is terrible for a 4 cylinder.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/09/2016 at 03:32

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I daily a 1995 4.0 4x4 Manual XJ, well I do until I can silence the catless beauty that is my truck. I will tell you this much: the 4.0 in an XJ is a Rocket, I can only imagine what its like in a YJ or a TJ. From what Ive heard; the 2.5 is just about as reliable as the 4.o, wont last as long (but hey what will last 300k miles plus these days anyway?) but yeah theyre annoyingly slow

JEM > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/09/2016 at 03:34

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Trolling?

That’s the only answer I can come up with why you wouldn’t want an I-6 in any application.

AMC/Renauledge > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/09/2016 at 03:41

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The 4 is slower, buzzier, but gets somewhat better economy. If it was good enough to supersede Chrysler’s own 4cyl in the Dakota, it’s good enough for the Cherokee. Those who run 4.0s are spoiled by having one of the best engines ever made.

The 2.5 is a perfectly good engine in its own right.

XJDano > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/09/2016 at 03:56

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The I4 was also available in the wranglers of the era.

I would hold out for a 4.0.

TheHondaBro > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/09/2016 at 04:12

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Tristan > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/09/2016 at 04:44

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I’ve driven a couple. Terribly, terribly slow. The abysmal fuel economy is due to the fact that you have to constantly wring it out to go anywhere. They aren’t terrible off road, just expect to use low range everywhere.

As for the 4.0 being a rocket in the XJ... I have one each ‘97 XJ that refuses to get out of its own way. Good lord almighty it’s a gutless wonder of a 4.0. It has a clean bill of health, too... Good fuel pressure, no CEL, 150-155 PSI in every cylinder. I may yank the valve cover off soon to check valve lift. I’m starting to think the cam lobes may be wiped. I’ve had this engine for 14 years- back in high school it could whoop up on the cool kids’ 3.1 V6 Grand Prixs.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/09/2016 at 06:57

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Two of my friends own XJs, so I know way more about then than I’d like to. The I6 is what gives these cars character. But yes most 2 doors are trashed... Dat long rear side window tho!! 10/10. Nice 6 cyl XJs are already expensive no matter how many doors they have

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/09/2016 at 07:01

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The I4 is based heavily on the old 4.2L I6, so it’s a pretty stout, reliable engine but it’s an absolute dog in terms of power. My old roommate had a Wrangler with the I4 and he would have to downshift to climb even moderate grades on the highway.

Wacko > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/09/2016 at 07:27

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I had a 97 TJ with the 2.5. And man was it slow. Ok for city use, but hated it on the highways. I would have to speed up as much as I can before an incline. Then I bought one with a 4.0 with a 4 inch lift kit riding on 35s. The 4.0 would follow and pass well on highways. And my fear of inclines was gone.

DipodomysDeserti > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/09/2016 at 07:52

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I had a friend kill a low mileage I4 on a Wrangler. You definitely don’t want to put oversized tires on a truck with one.

BunkyTheMelon > Tristan 09/09/2016 at 07:55

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4.0 gutless? Mine has no problem frying 31x10.50's into a beautiful cloud of awesome with relative ease. I haven’t modified the engine in any way, and it has 150k on its clock. Sounds like yours needs some work, friend.

Party-vi > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/09/2016 at 08:15

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The 2.5L engine is better served as a boat anchor. Also the only difference between a two-door and four-door is the length of the doors and openings. The interior layout is the same, the rear seats and cargo area is the same, the biggest difference is you’ll have less room to open your doors when you park in a parking lot.

yamahog > BunkyTheMelon 09/09/2016 at 09:21

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years and miles take their toll. I had a 97 with 256k and it was not roasting 31s.

BunkyTheMelon > yamahog 09/09/2016 at 09:29

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As mine is an ‘01, i’m just waiting on the cylinder head failure to happen. Sad face...

Monkey B > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/09/2016 at 10:19

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it’s a fine mill in an old beater Wrangler you don’t want to go fast in, otherwise meh. 2 door I6 XJ in good condition....hahahaha. It’s hard enough finding good 4 door XJ’s that are reasonably priced. Earlier this year I was looking for an average condition beater/spare car/junk hauler. Ended up with a Subaru Outback because the XJ market is nuts. At least here in the northeast.

Kanaric > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/09/2016 at 11:23

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american 4 cylinders from before modern times are mostly a waste of time. There are a few exceptions and this isn’t one of them lol.

Tristan > BunkyTheMelon 09/09/2016 at 11:48

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That was the gist of my comment, yes. It used to completely rule the peg leg burnout. Over the years, though, it had gradually gotten more and more gutless.