Past Garage Vol. 3 - 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport

2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport - My father had bought a black Wrangler Rubicon brand new in spring of 2003. I remember coming home for spring break in college, seeing it parked in the driveway. It was immediately intriguing. He had an old CJ when I was really young, but I remember being scared of it and hating it, the V8 was too loud and he stomped on the gas all the time. However, I do remember wishing I had that in high school, rather than the Blazer - once I was into off roading and reading Petersons. When I saw this new Jeep in the driveway, all of those fantasies of off roading, mud tires, and lifts came back into my mind. It was a stick though, so I couldn't drive it - but he eventually used it to teach me - only for like 5 minutes though - "you'll figure it out". Later that summer, I saw a blue  Wrangler parked out front of Milford Nissan with "2003" on the window - I wondered my the Nissan dealer had a brand new Wrangler for sale? I stopped to look, and saw it only had 2K miles on it - and it was only $18K. That was a big chunk off the sticker of a new one, and barely had any miles. I asked my parents for some help, and ended up getting it a week later. My first "new" car - new enough for sure. The 4.0 inline six, with a manual transmission. I had to drive it off the lot with only the minimal instructions my dad had given me - I stalled it so many times that first week I owned it!I took it to college senior year, and got really interested in off reading. Going out with the local Jeep clubs at the power line trails around the state. I got a budget boost lift kit, and some 32 inch tires. It looked awesome! I added a full stereo system too. Taking the top down and doors off in the summer. I really loved this thing.