What part of the word "requirement" do you not understand?

I find myself in a position I never thought I'd ever find myself.  I'm in the market for a "new" (to me) car.

In 30+ years driving, and buying/driving half a dozen cars or so, they've always been "pre-owned" AKA "used".  Some would qualify as "very used".  At least one qualified as a "historic vehicle" in my home state of Arizona.  I have never before purchased a new car, nor did I think I'd every be in a position to do so.  But here I am due to my own tight fiscal policies.

So while investigating used car prices, it seemed appropriate to check out new car prices.  To that end followed through the TrueCar website which in turn forwarded my contact info (uninvited) to several local dealers.

I explained to each of them "here are my requirements:  crew cab, manual transmission and air conditioning".

TWO reps came back asking "are you at all flexible on your transmission choice"  My first reaction was to berate them with "JUST WHAT PART OF THE WORD REQUIREMENT DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND"?   But that wouldn't be helpful.  Instead  I replied with re-iterating my requirements: crew cab, manual transmission and air conditioning*.

I take their "are you flexible on this REQUIREMENT(my emphasis)" response to mean " I have several crew cabs models  with AC on our lot  that I need to move, but they all are automatic transmissions."

If I were to purchase a vehicle without any of these three REQUIREMENTS I would be PO'd and disgusted that I'd settled for less than what I wanted.  Even if you gave me the car, I'd be still disappointed every single trip.

A little help for  these dealers, from Websters, here's the definition of REQUIREMENT:

re·quire·ment
 noun \-ˈkwī(-ə)r-mənt\: something that is needed or that must be done

Sidebar....thirty-ish years ago a sailing rag called latitude 38 (wonderful folk and I'm a long time happy reader) ran a story about a Santa Cruz boat builder.  He made the point that rings true today.  (paraphrasing)

I promise a boat delivery on a certain date but if I have to cut corners to make the delivery, the owner will likely be PO'd every time he steps foot on the boat.  But if I take an extra week or two to make sure it's done right, he'll curse me for two weeks, then thank me every day thereafter,

I think that's sage advice and that's where I am... I have three requirements, you know what they are.

One dealer has come back saying "the factory never manufactured that combination", which I know is factually untrue.  So they are off the list, thank you for playing our game.  You may pick up the home version on your way out of the studio. LOOOOOSER!

Friendly tip, when I use the word "requirement" I mean "I WILL NOT BUY ANYTHING LACKING THESE FEATURES".  Capitol letters implying shouting intended.

I have the advantage that time is on my side.  I do not have to purchase a vehicle by any particular date, So I can wait for the right deal.

* I should have probably added "no black paint" as a requirement, though I'm more flexible on color than on the power train.  Black paint absorbs all solar radiation while other colors do not.  Color is not a specific requirement,  but black is out. Who TF buys a black car  in the desert?  I need a lighter color like white or silver.

** BTW, you have a small sized pickup meeting these REQUIREMENTS :  2005-2010 crew cab PU with manual transmission & air conditioning,  Make is less important:  Nissan Frontier is what we are looking at.   I think I saw a Ford "explorer-ish" size wise but with a bed but I don't find a similar model on the website,  If you have something that might fill the bill, lets talk!,  Crew cab Air conditioned, manual transmission.  Black paint is a minus,  I'm open to offers in AZ and adjacent states,

SCTP nationals 2014 edition

I meant to post these awhile ago...  But better late than never.  And there will be more!

Here are my two favorite shots from Sparta:

First we have the SCSon in the box while a younger shooter from the next squad visualizes the shot:

This is actually one of a sequence of two pics where he younger's hands tracks the action of the shooter!

The pic makes much more sense when taken into context of the pic taken a few seconds earlier where SCSon's squad mate 'M' (a lefty) coaches* a younger team mate on visualization:

The picture I was hoping to catch was the three from a high angle (Coach 'M', Shooter "SCSon" and pupil 'X' all inn the same shot.  I see it clearly in my memory, but failed to capture the bits.  *sigh*  It was about a 1 second window and I got 1.5 out of 3 :-(  These are the pixels collected.  I'm just glad to have set up in position to nab what I did.

* Squad mates can coach each other but coaches (and parents?) are forbidden from coaching during a competition.  In my case it's a "don't care" as the SCSon now knows more about hitting the birds and has more experience than I do.  He coaches me when we shoot :-|  Color me humbly proud!  (But Don't get cocky kid!)

Still I love that Arizona Flag, displayed loud and proud!