The Wrangler is Jeep's best-selling vehicle this year, but sales are plummeting. I suspect that's because more than two years of recession have produced a more practical car buyer who doesn't need something with capabilities he'll never use. That shift — long responsible for the demise of truck-based SUVs — may have finally affected Jeep's original hit.

Reality bites, and the Wrangler's once-broad weekend appeal — taking the top down, cranking some tunes and forgetting about tomorrow — faces some serious Monday-morning limitations. Off-road enthusiasts love their Wranglers, and for the diehards, this Jeep is a worthy product. I just wonder if anyone else should really consider it.