After ten years, I finally broke down and bought a new vehicle. It’s funny, because I wouldn’t think twice about buying a new motorcycle (or two… or three…) but I waited about three years too long to get a new Jeep. My truck, a 1994 Dodge Ram had been “telling” me for some time it wanted to retire. Every time I would close the door, a piece of paint or rust would fall off. The worsening exhaust leak made the truck sound like a steroid-enhanced lawnmower. The shocks were so bad that if I hit a bump the right way, the front tire would jump up and down, and everything in the truck would shake as if riding out an earthquake. I could accept all that, since my longest drive is to the airport and back. I was finally convinced it was time to move on when the hood suddenly flew up and blocked the windshield one day.

I’ve always liked Jeeps. They are fun and can go off road, and like motorcycles, Jeep owners wave when they go by.

I rode the Hayabusa to the dealership, because I didn’t want them to see the condition of my “trade-in”. I was afraid they would say no if they saw the sad and rusted truck. We made a fair deal, and I became the owner of a dark blue Jeep Wrangler.

But of course, just like my house (roots clogging the sewer pipe) , my BMW motorcycle, (burned a piston and blew up a head gasket) and every Christmas present I have ever received, (missing parts or directions) something was wrong with it. In this case, after driving home in the rain, I noticed water in the passenger floorboard. Yes, my Jeep with four miles on it was leaking.

I took it back to the dealer, then flew out for a two week run. My father graciously offered to pick it up and “Jeep-sit” while I am away. I guess it is just payback for all the times I borrowed his car.

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[l\ _, [____],
l—L –OlllllllO–
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Author: frenchy