Hello all! I know most of you probably visit this site for the lease rates. However, every so often, I like to add other news that relate to the automotive world. In this case, I thought I’d share some of the pictures I took at the LA Auto Show back in November 2008. I know, this is about 2 months late, but I have an excuse (holidays, vacation, catching up with my blogs, emails, day-job, trying to make sure I don’t get laid off, etc…). I’m sure you all forgive me, right? LOL.
Anyway, here are my thoughts on the auto show. It sucked. There was clearly an economic impact on the show. Very little in terms of concept cars (compared to previous years), the Chevy Volt was removed by the time I got to there, so no pics on that. The good news is that there were still some pretty nice rides out there, which HOPEFULLY, the automakers will consider building (assuming some of them survive the economic downturn).
The one ride that probably impressed me the most way the Buick Riviera. That car just looks oh so very sexy. I highly doubt the gull-wing doors will stay, but if they keep 90% of the rest of the design, I think GM will have some good sales on this ride, specially in China.
The 370Z and the GTR were both as awesome as advertised. On the 370Z, Nissan clearly decided to import the interior design of their Infiniti line of cars. That is a good thing because the Z looks simply amazing from the inside out. The GTR, of course, was as awesome as ever.
The Audi R8 and S5 are spectacular as always. Not much I can say about them really. They lease like crap, but they are very pleasant to the eyes.
Dodge’s EV concept car needed a new paint job, but other than that, Lotus did a great job with the exterior. Funny story. At that display, a couple car nuts were asking the “spokesmodel” about the car and here’s her answer…”I don’t know anything”. LOL. I guess Dodge only hires them for their looks.
The Dodge Zeo looks very promising, but we all know Dodge ain’t gonna build it so there’s no point to speculate much of anything.
The Challenger RT was pretty disappointing. The car looks fine on the outside, but the interior felt very cheap. Think 300C with a lot more plastic. That about sums it up.
The G37 Convertible was okay. I didn’t think it looked very good with the top up. With the top down on the other hand, it looked very elegant, A total lady’s ride if you ask me.
There was this weird Saturn concept car that had 2 Segway-looking things hanging on the back. That was interesting to see, but I’m pretty sure that doesn’t get past the concept stage.
The Camaro is a cool as advertised. I’m really digging the black with the red halos. Here’s the problem, GM isn’t planning to sell it with that option (a very GM thing to do by the way). Bummer huh? Dunno what they are thinking if you ask me. Still, that car is really positioned to make a slash.
The “moocher” award of that show goes to the Hyundai. Nothing says “clone of G37″ like the Genesis coupe. Seriously, how do they get away with this crap? This isn’t a Chinese company (no offense to Chinese people, but the fact is that Chinese automakers are known for this stuff), its Korean! Oh well, whatever…I’m sure someone will buy it. Even the specs are similar to the G37…Anyway, I’m just gonna leave it at that, I could go on forever…
The new Ford Mustang got a nice face-lift, however, I don’t think it compares to the Camaro’s aggressive design. Mustang seems more tame in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong though, it still looks better than the outgoing version.
Then there’s Honda’s Prius, err Insight. Yes, the 2nd “moocher” award goes to Honda…it is rather shocking to see this coming from a Japanese company…Then again, I never really thought of Honda as the car company that had “innovative” design. That award goes to folks like Pininfarina or Mazda.
I’m also not too crazy about the CR-Z…that big grill bothers me….reminds me of the pet goldfish I lost last year. RIP Red Bull….yes I named him Red Bull. LOL.
Disappointments of the show included: Lexus…nothing exciting in that booth; Mitsubishi…nothing you can’t already see in their dealerships; Mazda…I didn’t see no concept cars, how could this be?; MB…same boring stuff; BMW…same boring stuff X2; Caddy…CTS-V was semi-interesting; Exotics…eye candy, not much else. I’m not talking about the cars. Haahaa; The rest…yawn..
That’s about it folks. Hopefully this year’s show will look better, but I’m not so sure it will considering how bad the auto industry is suffering at the moment. Let us hope things pick up, for all of us.
‘Till the next show!
I understand your confusion about the new Honda Insight and the Prius, but if you do a little research, way back Honda offered the CRX (including vertical back glass) which was promptly copied by the Prius…
So the “mooching” award should go to Toyota…
As far as excitement, not much at Audi either (the R8 and TDI and the S5 are over one year old).
Also, there were a couple of very exciting production-ready hybrids from Tesla and Fisker worth mentioning (Ferrari/Porsche like performance in a nicer, greener package). Any good leases on those?
Haahaa come to think of it, I do remember the CRX’s vertical back glass. Good call there PalosGros! I guess everyone mooches off everyone else. Part of the business it seems. lol.
As for the Tesla, I don’t think they’ll be leasing those any time soon (back ordered, and they are made to order). However, the Tesla sedan should be unveiled in May, which will go for around 59k and up. I think those, if mass produced, will have a higher chance of being leased. Wouldn’t that be nice?