A hardtop is nice to have, if you have the means to take it off plus store it.
When I bought my TJ brand new, it had both the hardtop and soft top. I used the hardtop only in the winter for a few years. But honestly, I prefer the soft top.
When I think Jeep, I think of the following:
1. A bad ass fucking vehicle.
2. A TJ.
3. A bad ass fucking vehicle.
4. Soft top.
5. A TJ.
I always think a Jeep looks better with a soft top. I sold my hardtop years ago because I didn’t have a place to store it. I used the cash to build an AR15. Which has turned into a road bike.