Might be gettin an automatic

Hell i'd be excited too man! I had a 4.0 cherokee with 240k on it before i gave it to a neighbor. Ran like a top, no issues with anything and it was all original. My current DD 2007 Escape just clicked 185k, *knocks on wood* no issues yet other then general maintenance. I'm religious with fluid changes, and i do not beat on it. Its just my DD I run the parkway with to and from work

I completely agree with what you want to do. Marauders are BA cars. When you feel the need to shift, go get that fine t-top you built!

My 93 LX 5.0 5 speed has 169,000 plus and I bought it new when I was 23. It has allot of highway miles though and was retired from every aspect of life for 5 years. My daily is a 6 speed which is great on an open road but sometimes during my commute, in DFW, I wish I had gone auto. Especially on snow days.