Chicago Auto Show

[Blue Bowtie]

Hey guys/gals, I was at the Chicago Auto Show yesterday, so I thought I would post my thoughts on some of the GM trucks that I saw there!  

2003 GMC Sierra Okay, let me tell you that the restyle on the Sierra is nice!  The front end of it looks a little tougher, I think it is an improvement of the "old" style.  With the interior improvements, GM has definitely improved this truck, without a doubt.  There will be more Sierra's out on the road soon, but not because of a decrease in the sale of the...

2003 Chevy Silverado Let me tell you that when I first saw the restyle of this, I thought that the front end looked pasted on, but seeing it in person is definitely better!  The 2003 Silverado that was displayed at the auto show was the 1500 HD.  This is a nice looking truck, the front end looks a little meaner than the "old" front end.  The taillights are nice, more of the look of the Trailblazer.  I know that a lot of people seem to be disappointed in this restyle...but let me tell you, in person the truck really looks nice...I did not hear one person saying "look at that butt ugly thing" so don't worry!  GM is making definite improvements to our trucks, better interiors, more bold styling, and technological innovations.  Why would anybody want to complain about a better made truck?  My prediction...more 2003 Silverado's will be sold than the previous model year...it looks nice!

Sierra Denali Well, if I had $40,000 extra dollars, I would spend it on this truck!  The quadrasteer seems to be such a nice feature, and that 6.0 V8 under the hood is a nice benefit too!  If you want to go in style, this is the only way to go...once nice truck!

Yukon XL w/Quadrasteer I was impressed to see that GM will be offering 4 wheel steering on the Yukon XL...it is good to see.  As far as technological improvements, and innovations, GM is ahead of everybody hands down from what I saw.

Envoy/Trailblazer XL When I first saw the "extra long" versions of these vehicles, I immediately thought that it looked like a minivan...but seeing it in person is different.  These are some nice looking vehicles, and they will definitely be taking some sales away from the Explorer with the availability of the 3rd row seat.  They don't look as much like a "soccer mom" vehicle as I first thought!

Sonoma ZR5 Crew Cab This is such a nice "little" truck, the ZR5 package really makes the standard 4X4 crew cab look sporty.  It will definitely be competing with, and taking away sales from the Nissan Frontier.  I was extremely impressed with the heated leather seats offered in this truck, they are very comfortable, wish this was an option when I bought my S10!

Cadillac Escalade/EXT Okay, in my mind, I saved the best for last...if you want luxury, this is the way to go.  The standard Escalade, and the "Avalanche minus the plastic" EXT are the most comfortable vehicles that I sat in all day at the auto show.  In fact, my folks are thinking of purchasing one...but they will be waiting at least a year, I want GM to put the interior improvements that they are putting into the fullsize trucks into these.  I'm sure this will be soon, that new steering wheel from the fullsize trucks is a lot nicer looking than the old style steering wheel...audio controls are much more accessible!  

Overall, the GM display at the auto show really impressed me...it was above and beyond the best display there!  Folks, don't worry...GM is making our vehicles better all the time!  

 

Brandon

[RyanbabZ71]

I did not hear one person saying "look at that butt ugly thing"

 

While standing by the 2003 and 2002 (gray 1500HD) i heard about 6-8 people saying how the new style didnt look as good as the 2002.  3 of them were commenting on how "guess ill have to keep what i have"

[chevy4x4trucks]

I did not hear one person saying "look at that butt ugly thing"

 

While standing by the 2003 and 2002 (gray 1500HD) i heard about 6-8 people saying how the new style didnt look as good as the 2002.  3 of them were commenting on how "guess ill have to keep what i have"

Really?!?!?!?!?  Ryan, when I was there I hardly saw anyone looking at it, even on saturday when there were about 3x as many people there.

 

But, what do I know, because I like it and Newbie said he'd buy me one if I stop talking about his daughter.

[RyanbabZ71]

when I was there I hardly saw anyone looking at it

 

That tells you something doesnt it?

 

So ugly it made everyone stay away

[firecadet613]

Ya on Friday when I went with Jon we were the only people within 10 feet of it, I guess it says something.

 

Jon, think about it, I don't think you can stop talking about Newbie's daughter, even if you'll get a $35,000 truck out of it!

 

Joe

[chevy4x4trucks]

when I was there I hardly saw anyone looking at it

 

That tells you something doesnt it?

 

So ugly it made everyone stay away

I wouldn't really say that.  I bet if we took the time to ask about 90% of the people wouldn't have even known there was a difference.  But, I guess there's no convincing you that it looks good.

[RyanbabZ71]

I guess there's no convincing you that it looks good.

 

Only way to convince me would be to throw a sheet over the whole front.  Trust me everyone i have showed the pics to (friends family gf who even seeen it up close) said it looked totally different.  No one i have showed the pic to or talked tohas liked it.  

 

Oh well at least you will be able to buy one and there wont be any constraint problems  

[CMNTMXR81]

Nobody complained about it when I was there either.  It is much better in person than in pictures.  Plus if it weren't green, it'd have looked even better.

 

Two of the reasons why many people were not flocking aroud it were A) there was only that 1 truck there and it was a 1500HD...not a regular 1500 or a Z71 option package and B) It was way in the back in the corner where no foot traffic went anyway.  ####, my G/F had to ask where the Silverado was aside from the two or three 2500HD's and 3500's that were prominently displayed.  The only way it'd have been more concealed would be if the physically parked it behind Buick's big display!

 

As to the Escalade's being the most comfortable, I think I could argue that point.  Did you sit in the back of the Deville DTS?  WOW!!!  It even has your own DIGITALLY controlled climate control settings in the back.  Then there's the Seville STS with it's ROCKING sound system that hands down blows the Escalade's away.  Nothing against the Escalade's Bose system, but there's a lot more cabin in that thing to fill with sound.  The Seville's sound system is blended in with the HVAC controls and whatever else in the touch screen controlled info center.  Then the electroluminscent/3D gauges on it are the best I have yet to see on ANY automobile.

 

You know, one thing that pisses me off, is all the non-informed, automotive ignorant individuals at an autoshow.  They had an SSR up on a spinning showcase.  The G/F has had her undies "moistened" for the SSR since I showed it to her when it was a concept vehicle some two to three years ago.  I was amazed by all the people that came up to it and said "What is it?"  Or, "That's ugly!" or "Is it a p/u or a car?"  Moron's, sheer moron's!!!

[Sprinter]

I was there Saturday the 16th.  The '03 Siverado does look better in person than it did in the pictures.  Still not sure I like it though.  The GMC looks better.  Not may people around it.  I agree it wasn't exactly showcased like it should have been.  Just kinda parked there.

 

I've been going to the Chicago Auto Show since 1972, and this is the most crowded I've seen it so early (10:10AM).  Didn't used to be that bad until noon or 1 PM.

 

Guess I'll have to start going during the week.

[CMNTMXR81]

The best time is during the week and as close to 10pm as possible (when they close).

 

One year I was helping our dealership there and at 10pm it was absolutely friggin awesome.  I looked at more cars from 9:30pm till they shut the lights off at about 10:30pm than I could going to the show for 4 hours on a Sunday.

 

Free room to take pictures and since there are few people there, I actually started talking to other GM reps and got the keys to a few of them to play with some stuff.