Dallas Auto Show

[dboat]

I am just a big fan of going to the Auto Show. Been to the North Ameican Auto Show in Detroit a couple of times, the New York Auto Show once, almost every year since I could drive I have gone to the show either in Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Erie, Pittsburgh, etc. Its just fun to go and see the new cars and then there are usually lots of car related vendors too.

Anyway, the wife and I are going there this morning, and I knew the tickets to get in were going to be $12, looked around for some coupons but couldnt find anything at this late date, but that was ok. Well, we get there and freakin' parking is $12:flaming::flaming::flaming:. So we drove around a bit and found $10 parking a LONGGGG ways away.. I am no paying $36 to go to the auto show... it just isnt worth it.. This is ridiculous in my opinion, first the entry fee and then the parking.. just not going to do it..

So we left and went to the Gun Show.. $8 to get in and free parking.. so I bought me a new gun.. I feel much better.

Dana

[Moonshine]

IMHO, you didn't miss much. I went on Thurs when they had a free LE day, so I didn't have to buy a ticket, but I did have to pay $15 to park. Yeoww! There's a Boss 302 Mustang there, a C6 ZR1, and uh, pretty much all the usual stuff you see as you drive past any dealership in the metroplex. Oh, there was a Raptor. The only concept vehicle I saw that impressed me was a GMC All Terrain HD concept vehicle, which is like a much more tasteful Raptor based on a GMC 2500 crew cab SB. Nice looking truck.

As I get older I find that all things seem to be cyclical, auto design being one of them. We seem to be moving back to a "style" where a gazzilion little buttons, swoops, angles, and geegaws are more common than clean lines and simple, easy to use controls. Think a hi-tech version of the late 50's, push button trannys, fins, acres of chrome, and continental kits. I sat in a Camaro for the first time and found it claustrophobic, with an overly retro interior. Although the new style Mustang interior seemed really plasticky and cheap when they first came out, the current version has the most usable, livable interior of any of the pony cars.

Prices were stunning. You want a 4WD 4 door pickup? OK, figure $32k for a Tacoma that hasn't seen a redesign in a decade. Anything bigger (F150, Silverado, Ram 1500, Tundra) you're looking at $42-45. Step up to anything diesel or 3/4 ton and sticker is $60k min, with several well into the $70's.

You want a comfortable, but not extravagant 4 dr sedan? The Camry, Accord, or Mazda 6 are all in the low $30's. Move up to a Maxima, Infiniti, Lexus, or Acura, and you're looking low to mid $40's. And most of those had unusable rear seats. Mind you, I'm talking MSRP on all of these, but still.

I walked out of there not having seen anything that really impressed or excited me, and being perfectly content with my $0 monthly car payment.

[Silver_2000]

I didnt go to the show because I didnt want either end of the spectrum

I didnt want to find something I liked and
I didnt want to find NOTHING I liked ...

;-):rll::rll:

[dboat]

IMHO, you didn't miss much. I went on Thurs when they had a free LE day, so I didn't have to buy a ticket, but I did have to pay $15 to park. Yeoww! There's a Boss 302 Mustang there, a C6 ZR1, and uh, pretty much all the usual stuff you see as you drive past any dealership in the metroplex. Oh, there was a Raptor. The only concept vehicle I saw that impressed me was a GMC All Terrain HD concept vehicle, which is like a much more tasteful Raptor based on a GMC 2500 crew cab SB. Nice looking truck.

As I get older I find that all things seem to be cyclical, auto design being one of them. We seem to be moving back to a "style" where a gazzilion little buttons, swoops, angles, and geegaws are more common than clean lines and simple, easy to use controls. Think a hi-tech version of the late 50's, push button trannys, fins, acres of chrome, and continental kits. I sat in a Camaro for the first time and found it claustrophobic, with an overly retro interior. Although the new style Mustang interior seemed really plasticky and cheap when they first came out, the current version has the most usable, livable interior of any of the pony cars.

Prices were stunning. You want a 4WD 4 door pickup? OK, figure $32k for a Tacoma that hasn't seen a redesign in a decade. Anything bigger (F150, Silverado, Ram 1500, Tundra) you're looking at $42-45. Step up to anything diesel or 3/4 ton and sticker is $60k min, with several well into the $70's.

You want a comfortable, but not extravagant 4 dr sedan? The Camry, Accord, or Mazda 6 are all in the low $30's. Move up to a Maxima, Infiniti, Lexus, or Acura, and you're looking low to mid $40's. And most of those had unusable rear seats. Mind you, I'm talking MSRP on all of these, but still.

I walked out of there not having seen anything that really impressed or excited me, and being perfectly content with my $0 monthly car payment.

I feel a little better but I just cant get over the price of admission plus parking. That is just freakin ridiculous.. I guess the home theater is making more and more sense all the time.. well, that and going to the gun show.

Dana