Detroit Auto Show/NAIAS, Anyone else go/plan to? Options

[Akimbo]

I just got back, very good. Downstairs had some modified cars. The GT-40 is pretty schweet. I LOVE SCIONS. Downstairs had pimped out cars, and they had an xA and xB. Scion was also showing the tC, which was very nice indeed. The new 7th gen was there, and I didn't see a big difference. I talked to a Toyota rep and they assured me that the Celica won't be discontinued in the United States because, "that would be absurd".
Sadly, they did say that they have no plans to make a new Supra, at least not for a long time as they are swinging into an economical mode. Toyota had some hybrid econo cars, not too bad of stuff for daily drivers.

Acura had what is, I'm guessing, the new NSX. It was called the HPC or something for short, and was a concept. The new Eclipse was pretty neat, kind of odd looking though.

I snagged a bunch of free goodies, posters, books, bags, stuff like that. The best stuff was from Scion, they gave away nice pewter-looking keychains, and a music CD sampler with 29 tracks.

Who else went? Or is going to go? Costs 12 bucks to get in, and bring a drink in your vehicle, pop is 3 bucks for a 20 oz and hot dogs are 4 bucks.

Edit: I didn't have my digicam, unfortunately a regular film camera, but I will scan them if they come out decently.

This post has been edited by Akimbo: Jan 10, 2004 - 4:50 PM

[Uriel]

I'm going Sunday...WOOT....i'll try to remember to bring my digital camera so you all can see the BEAUTIFUL RIDES!!!

[boosted_K2]

i was supposed to go today but my friend had to work. how crowded was it? im thinking of heading down during the week so it isnt as crowded.

[CelicaQT]

I plan on going. We get to go for work also and take a half day paid. No free tix this year though, but at least we get our $3 GM discount! Than I'm going again with my b/f and friends.

[Akimbo]

Dude it really wasn't all that bad. A must is going downstairs, DO NOT FORGET! It's by the food court, bunch of neat ass stuff DOWNSTAIRS! Scions done up w/ aftermarket parts and stuff.

Most stuff was easy to get too, but seing the big namers (Vette, GT40, Stang and Cobra) were pretty difficult to see, as many people flocked to them. Make sure you get all the leet free stuff from Scion and Mazda...music cd's, keychains, antenna toppers, 350z DVD...lots of awesome freebies.

This post has been edited by Akimbo: Jan 10, 2004 - 10:50 PM

[CelicaQT]

I was watching the Black Tie Event they showed on Friday. And they had a little clip of how "Tuners" are making a big impact with the automotive industry and how they're focusing on this generation of tuners within automotive companies. More now than before. It was cool, showed a lot of young adults and their cars. Saw a few people that I knew on the clip.

I can't wait to go, but I'm not looking forward to the hords of people! lol

[boosted_K2]

thats why you go early on a weekday

[CelicaQT]

[boosted_K2]

haha exactly, im gunna get around 100 pictures hehe, hopefully my battery in my camera can hold out this year.

[qatar11]

I went, I saw, I enoyed, I left....


Toyota better enjoy they're ride while they can, the only thing keeping them so high is they're quality. They have already lost this fan's excitement. Their cars no longer strike a cord in my imagination, there is no excitement in their lineup. Its very mass market friendly - which is a good way to make money if you are in the business to make money. I think Toyota used to be in the business to make cars - the same thing happened to GM and Ford and I think (big LEAP of faith) they may be trying to get back into the business of making cars... a good eample is the new Vette which comes standard with the 5 speed now. It used to come standard with an Auto... The Automatic would appeal to more people but its like cutting the balls off that car.

The new Celica hasn't changed since '99 thats criminal, its as bad the cavilere if you ask me. Toyota is going... Joe Nascar with they're vehicles they have a nas truck thing.. and that V8 RWD Celica???? (nothing says import car more than a V8 powered, RWD tube frame with a fiberglass body and stickers for headlights) Its a matter of time before Toyota enters into hick racing (read NASCAR) and "dominates" a race that relies on 40 year old technology (CARBARATION) with unified body shapes Turning Left. F'in Joke

back to the Autoshow - sorry to all the ladies on this board but the eye candy at the autoshow was not the cars gentlemen - the girls here are among the most beauftiful and I will hold that up against Cal or Fla.

THE CARS - The tC was interesting - optional TRD supercharger.... the Saturn Red line is under powered - they won't compete with the SRT-4. Hyundia or Kia had a new car - the S... something it was blue - looked sharp, i didn't see power numbers. The tuner stuff downstairs was mildly annoying - I have no interst in seeing a "tricked out" aztec at this show - and the DUBS display was also rather obnoxious. The Mopar display was pretty slick - they support their cars here like TRD i assum does everywhere but in this country. There is a stage 3 turbo kit for the Neon - and actual larger turbo. which as you may or may not know - 1/2 of the Turbo is molded into the exhaust manifold. they also offer 580? cc injectors and PCM upgrades which can control optional water sprayers... Slick

No Enzo Ferrari - sorta suprising - I guess after Sergei left no one was in the area to loan one for the show...
The Saleen S7 was the one in Bruce Almighty - he charged the movie people $27K for them to be able to drive it down that stretch in the movie. Thats what... a months car payment? lol...

The autoshow here in the D, needs to get bigger - its much too crowded and the NAIAS has threantened to bolt for chicago who recently opened a facility that is 4 times larger than Cobo. I would also like to give a big FU to the people at Cobo for trying to sell me a $3.00 bottle of water. Also Booo to Subaru and Mitsu - both the Evo and STI where ropped off.. I can sit in 90,000 Jags and Audi's but i can't sit in 35K car? FU.

One last joke 150 HP Saleen Focus - are you serious? SVT focus is 170 HP and the RS is over 200 - someone at Saleen is going ot loose they're job.

My Top 10 cars at the NAIAS
1. Ford GT 40 - Perfect in every detail this car is amazing
2. Mercedees SLR McLaren - Finally saw it with all the doors and hood closed
3. Austin Marin Vanquish - Not new... but.......... DAYM
4. Cadillac CTS - redisgned with some SLICK lines - its going in SCCA looked HOT
5. Corvette - Shortened by 5" and much needed redesign of the ass end
6. Neon SRT4 - Very impressed with Mopar's support of the car
7. Kia and Hyundia - Their new cars are all fresh and don't carry a cheap stigma
8. Scion tC - Slick car with some possibilites
9. Mazda Speed MX5 - a very slick, very well done Miata
10. BMW //M3 coupe - ya its over priced at 48K but it holds a special place

This post has been edited by qatar11: Jan 11, 2004 - 12:04 PM

[95WRC]

hey,
qatar11 .. all i can say is i am really glad someone else has the same view of
the auto world as me..

i will be going to chicago (hopefully for free again) to see maybe 10 cars i really want to see..

Toyota does not care about people who like cars anymore they only want people who want to buy a car for A to B travel..

if they did care they would offer for example a Solara w/ 6 spd hell or even just a 5 spd.. sell a car with a turbo in it , or even offer a sporty RWD (non 4-door) car w/ high hp V6 or V8 ..

10 years ago when you went to auto shows Toyota had so many great cars to offer and really get excited about .. i think that all changed say around 98' or so ..

every manufacturer has a "image" car (ie:) viper, vette, 350z and so on .. let think what does Toyota have .. oh wait they don't as their target customers are thinking about retirement in 10 years and could careless about a sporty image car..

everyone is on this high horse about Scion .. i do think it is great that they are trying to reach a new age group and a very important one .. i disagree with overall offerings now but hopfully that will change in the years to come .. i really think they should have brought over Corolla T-SPORT or the Toyota WILL or even the Caldina .. i think Toyota really missed the marked in design with Tc as nothing is orignal at all on car .. the dash is bland and could have been excuted better ..


Right now the auto industry as a whole is in funk and everyone is trying to just make some money ..the Dollar is weak right now and that hurts us getting the cool cars like in the mid 90's when all the fun car were phased out ..

Chicago auto show is huge and i swear i walk a marathon when i go and we too have to pay 10 bucks to park , 1.50 for a can of pop out of a machine and i guess they sell the same 3.00 (water from heaven) Bottled water..

looking into my crystal ball i see me owning my V6 MR2 and st205 celica for years to come as nothing anyone is offering is worth having 5 years of car payments for as my mr2 and gt4 are all paid off .. i hate car payments!!!

maybe in the next few years we will again have some cars that people who like cars can really get in too ..only time will tell ..

[boosted_K2]

make that 3. i am right there with you guys.

but i think there are some nice cars out right now. seems everyone has very nice sports cars out right now besides toyota. even cadillac and bentley, with their new W-12 Twin Turbo. its mind boggling, but i am a bit disappointed a W-12 twin turbo motor is only putting out 500HP ::scratches head::

[qatar11]

there has to be more people who can chime in on this...

[Kwanza26]

[boosted_K2]

122 pics on the way... not bad for day one hehehe im going tomorrow too lol johns going to resize them all for me hehe

[CelicaQT]

Hey I'll be there tomorrow @ open. Then I'll go again on friday. lol

[boosted_K2]

im going with my girlfriend after lunch, today i just went and skimmed it all over and took mass pictures. tomorrow im going to get a little more of a look at some of the good stuff. i want to look at the tC a little closer, as well as a few others.