About those teens...
rarl,
It sounds like you are a good candidate for this fun truck. Your questions about reliability indicate you are mainly concerned about whether it'll get you there...no problem. Notice the vast majority of the issues with the top still didn't keep people from using their SSR. In this area, I would say yes, most (if not all) of the problems have been addressed. I think the General learned to use heat treated hinges early in production and adjustments are not near the mystery they once were.
Like Marc, I cannot state you will have zero problems, but it's a low risk compared to the fun. You really will notice even more people envying you than with your chopper.
Now, the thing that concerns me most. Those kids! Are you going to set the rules up front? No dates in the SSR, no cruising with friends, and definitely no loaned rides to their buds! When you're gone for the weekend, it's gonna be a real temptation...can you deal with it? Maybe you should decide now that anytime you are gone from home the SSR is, too.