New Wheels

 Mark had been talking about selling or trading our Tahoe for a new vehicle for at least 2 years. He had a few vehicles in mind, an Infinity, a Lincoln, and some others. He wanted to get a fancy luxury vehicle. In 2020, Jayden sent me a link about a new SUV, a Jeep Wagoneer. I liked everything about it and also liked the idea of something completely new in the industry. Jeep has never had a full sized SUV. The release date was supposed to be winter to early 2021. We spoke to dealers and were watching the progress. Spring 2021, production came to a halt, like many other auto industries seeking parts made in China. Eventually in 2020, the Wagoneer was released. Mark told me since I would be the one driving it, I could pick it out and I didn't want anything too flashy. He wanted me to look into the Grand Wagoneer, the top of the line version.  I got to take one for a drive and really liked it, but the Grand Wagoneer did not impress me. The caramel color seats, the console in the center between the bucket seats had a giant screen monitor for all the temperature, window, locks and controls was too much. It also had a monitor in the front center and for the passenger and DVD monitors in the headrests of all the remaining back seating. It also included the capability of screening Amazon videos. It had so many controls, bells, and whistles on the screen for adjustments it was too much. I also did not like the electronic side panels that raise and lower when you open the door. An SUV is not that high off the ground that I would even use a running board. I asked a lot of questions and wanted to take the same vehicle and simplify some things. The color options were also very important to me. I think black and white are such boring colors. I really like maroon in a vehicle color, but Mark does not. I knew the Wagoneer came in a color called River Rock. The description was a grey with a little blue. I liked the idea and wanted the unique color. I searched for a Jeep vehicle in that color, but there were none in Iowa. It was all black or white. I also spoke with several dealers until I found one I liked to work with.  Over the phone I met Roger, he was no pressure, and an older man. When Mark and I met Roger, we talked about rodeoing and raising cattle, all of which he did. Roger was in his late 70's, he went to college and rode broncs. He told us we could custom order a Wagoneer just the way we want with no obligation to buy and nothing down. That seemed too good to be real. I went online and picked out the vehicle just how I wanted it. I picked the river rock color, I wanted light sand interior, I wanted bucket center seats, no hydraulic running boards, no sunroof, no dvd players, and no extra screens. Friday we gave the Wagoneer a test drive. It was smooth, quick, quiet, and styling. A Grand Wagoneer was an additional 30,000. When Mark teases me about having to get me new wheels, I remind him that I saved him 30,000. My new wheels, just how I like it. She runs smooth and she runs with power. I think she will be a great fit. She is taller, longer, and wider than my tahoe. We had to do some rearranging our garage so I could open the back hatch in the garage. Let the fun begin. I think I look pretty good in my new wheels, thanks honey!

6/27 Jake drove me to Ankeny to pick up my new Wagoneer once it came in. Ironically Jake was driving his 1976 Thunderbird to pick up my 2022 Wagoneer. There is a stark difference in the two. HIs car had no air condition and it was a super hot day. We sweat the entire hour drive to Ankeny. I was sad, the reason Jake was driving the Thunderbird, he was trading it. He doesn't keep anything for very long. I tried many times to convince him to keep this one. It is so unique and so cool. He has had so many people like it and tell him not to keep it. It is a head turner on the road. I have no doubt in my mind he will look back on that one as a big regret. He claims the car had issues and he kept putting money into it. I just can't get over how cool the white seat, red carpet interior was. She was a beauty and now she is gone. The trade in was for a red 1962 Buick. 

At some point over the summer, Jake got his old brown Caprice car back. He missed driving that car and managed to buy it back. O Jake, you keep things interesting and heads turning.