The vehicle I’ve been pining away for is the most impractical and unprofessional of the group, has the worst reliability rating, and owns the poor resale value category. I just wanted it, but I could not justify buying it.
Fate stepped in two days ago, when my boss and I were walking to our cars after work. Someone driving “one of those” was parked next to the building, and my boss asked if I had checked the new ones out.
When I shared my thoughts he stopped in his tracks, turned and said,”Pupster, it’s your car. Buy what you want, and screw the rest of that crap. How much would it cost, outfitted the way you want it?“
We talked over some numbers right there in the parking lot, and the next day we re-worked my employment contract to make it easier to pull the trigger on a new car. He’s a good boss. I’m very lucky.
The last day of the month is the best/worst time to buy a car, dealers want to make their numbers so you can sometimes get a bargain, but the salespersons also ratchet up the pressure to get you to sign before the close of business. I made my offer, stood firm, and got the price I wanted. I signed the paper. 
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X.
I spent another two blasted hours at the mercy of the dealership today, re-negotiating, haggling over financing, threatening to walk, getting talked back to the table. I made it through two “let me talk to my manager” moments, and then I waited on this person in finance and that person in detailing until finally, I could drive my Jeep home.
The whole Pupster Family was excited, and I had been looking forward to taking a drive with the top off. The sky was getting dark when I pulled into my driveway, and the weatherman said strong storms were approaching.
I started reading the manual, “How to Remove the Soft Top (4 door)”. Ugh. Who in the hell writes these things? The whole process is going to be a blog post in itself, so I’ll just say that Mrs. Pupster herded the Pupster boys back to the house after about step two or three of the process. I may have lost my cool a little. The soft top removal section of the manual is 15 pages long. It’s not easy, folks.
The fit an finish of the soft-top re-enforced all my preconceived notions of the American car industry.
Undaunted by Detroit, and with a few minor alterations to standard top down procedure, we were on our way.
I started watching the clouds and estimating soft top reinstall time. It took me about an hour to demo, and it’s always easier to tear down than to reassemble. I decided to stick close to the house and just enjoy the open air blowing through the cab.
A trip to Burger King and a cruise around the neighborhood had never been this awesome. I’m very, very happy with the new Pupstermobile.
The Pupster boys immediately set about marking their territory with the fast food tools at hand. There was a minor incident involving a rampaging mosquito, but Pupster boy 1 defended himself admirably with a chicken nugget shaped fly swatter, smashing it into the carpet and grinding it to dust for good measure. You can never be too careful.
It really is my Jeep now. It smells like new car, soft top angst, and over processed chicken.
I’m hoping for sunny skies tomorrow, mostly because my Jeep (I love the way that sounds) fits in the garage, so I haven’t put the top back on yet.
Thanks for all your feedback, dear readers. I owe you a ride with the top off.
Special Hat Tip to Skinbad, who suggested the name ”Charlie Wrangler”.
