Sharp11
04-09-2015, 11:10 PM
I went Wednesday night, it was a good time to go, crowds were relatively light and driving in and out of the city was a breeze - it always feels good to be fleeced by the garage gonnifs and vendors, who supply the only parking and food within blocks of the Javits center. What a surprise ;)
The Honda HRV is impressive; they'll sell bucket loads of them to young people and empty nesters. A manual is available in FWD models, but unfortunately, you get the CVT with AWD. Nicely trimmed; in fact, the interior of the one I sat in was nicer than any of the CRV's and Pilots on display.
The Mustangs were pretty neat - they had one flipped on its side so you could get a closeup look at the suspension - lots of aluminum, an indy rear with substantial control arms, and a nicely trimmed floor pan (though not quite BMW smooth).
A lot of dudes were checking out the Avalon "Dub" package at the Toyota display.
There's a new "Smart For Two" which had a sport package and a manual transmission. If you don't look over your right shoulder, it almost seems like a real car.
The Dodge Hellcat has over 700 HP, but it's the dash that sells it, it's the most beautiful gauge cluster and lighting package I think I've ever seen. I'm not kidding, you could sit there for hours.
Trucks were huge, both in popularity and size - the Ford Laramie with extended cab, a diesel and every option was something ... a small ranch home could fit in the back.
"Transporters" (tall passenger trucks) are becoming popular - there were models from Mercedes, Ford and a couple of others.
Acura was a total bore, as was Lexus and unfortunately, Nissan/Infiniti - which seems to be struggling through an identity crisis these days - some nice models and some real dogs.
I was struck by how stunningly beautiful the Aston martins on display were - there was a convertible that, if I could have written a check right there for, I would have, but alas, i don't have that worry.
BMW didn't have a single Z4 to show - I'm wondering if it's on the short list to cancellation :(. They did have an I8 and I3 though, both interesting - the I3 would sell like crazy .... if it were a hybrid, I think. Everything about it screams eco, but nicely done eco. The M2 is ok, but nothing about the BMW line screams "you want this".
Mercedes has brought back the Maybach - it's wretched excess wrapped in what looked like the S Class body. The marque was showing a new SUV (and the aforementioned Smart Car For Two).
I realized, after we left, we either missed the Mini display, or they weren't there this year.
Saw the new Miata, which I quite liked, but I think I'm done with that small size.
The new Boxster and Cayman were on display. Nice too, but ...
I saved the best for last; in terms of value, nothing beats the Corvette - the company had a well optioned model on the floor, it was priced at 60 grand and it had an enormous V8, really nice seats/ergonomics and excellent gas mileage ratings for the class - it's a lightweight car and it shows. Right next to was a Camaro Z28 - which cost more, weighs almost a 1000 lbs more and sucks more fuel.
As a general observation, perforated seats and trim have really caught on with many carmakers, and seats have gotten comfortable and more substantial in the economy class - at least for quick in/out ass checks.
The Honda HRV is impressive; they'll sell bucket loads of them to young people and empty nesters. A manual is available in FWD models, but unfortunately, you get the CVT with AWD. Nicely trimmed; in fact, the interior of the one I sat in was nicer than any of the CRV's and Pilots on display.
The Mustangs were pretty neat - they had one flipped on its side so you could get a closeup look at the suspension - lots of aluminum, an indy rear with substantial control arms, and a nicely trimmed floor pan (though not quite BMW smooth).
A lot of dudes were checking out the Avalon "Dub" package at the Toyota display.
There's a new "Smart For Two" which had a sport package and a manual transmission. If you don't look over your right shoulder, it almost seems like a real car.
The Dodge Hellcat has over 700 HP, but it's the dash that sells it, it's the most beautiful gauge cluster and lighting package I think I've ever seen. I'm not kidding, you could sit there for hours.
Trucks were huge, both in popularity and size - the Ford Laramie with extended cab, a diesel and every option was something ... a small ranch home could fit in the back.
"Transporters" (tall passenger trucks) are becoming popular - there were models from Mercedes, Ford and a couple of others.
Acura was a total bore, as was Lexus and unfortunately, Nissan/Infiniti - which seems to be struggling through an identity crisis these days - some nice models and some real dogs.
I was struck by how stunningly beautiful the Aston martins on display were - there was a convertible that, if I could have written a check right there for, I would have, but alas, i don't have that worry.
BMW didn't have a single Z4 to show - I'm wondering if it's on the short list to cancellation :(. They did have an I8 and I3 though, both interesting - the I3 would sell like crazy .... if it were a hybrid, I think. Everything about it screams eco, but nicely done eco. The M2 is ok, but nothing about the BMW line screams "you want this".
Mercedes has brought back the Maybach - it's wretched excess wrapped in what looked like the S Class body. The marque was showing a new SUV (and the aforementioned Smart Car For Two).
I realized, after we left, we either missed the Mini display, or they weren't there this year.
Saw the new Miata, which I quite liked, but I think I'm done with that small size.
The new Boxster and Cayman were on display. Nice too, but ...
I saved the best for last; in terms of value, nothing beats the Corvette - the company had a well optioned model on the floor, it was priced at 60 grand and it had an enormous V8, really nice seats/ergonomics and excellent gas mileage ratings for the class - it's a lightweight car and it shows. Right next to was a Camaro Z28 - which cost more, weighs almost a 1000 lbs more and sucks more fuel.
As a general observation, perforated seats and trim have really caught on with many carmakers, and seats have gotten comfortable and more substantial in the economy class - at least for quick in/out ass checks.