noozdawg's carblog: As I was saying ...

Where was I? Oh, yes.

The new Wrangler.

It's ugly, and another giant leap removed from the rugged military Jeep that everyone loves, but what do I know? The Chrysler Group says Wrangler sales are up like 50%, and helped drive Jeep's overall market share to 3%, even as dealers throw thousands of dollars on the hood of the Grand Cherokee (already too small and too big at the same time), the Commander (too big and too big) and the Liberty (cannibalized by Patriot and Compass).

In Jeep circles, there's something known as the "Wrangler wave." If you're in a Wrangler and you approach another one, you're supposed to wave to each other. You know, gotta represent and all that. Around these parts, the wave is usually a peace sign, or a two-finger raise from the hand that's invariably gripping the top of the wheel. I don't find myself driving our Wrangler that much, but when I do, I engage in this custom, not wanting to be perceived as rude.

But I don't wave at the 4-doors.