The Chicago Auto Show

[Elwood 2000]

Went on Wednesday and it was a pretty good show. It seemed like every manufacturer there was really pushing hybrid vehicles, but GM was pushing E-85 vehicles instead. They had the new Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon, Denali, Avalanche and entire Caddy SUV line up there. The only ones you could sit in though were the Tahoes. They were very nice. The quality of the interior has jumped a lot and the design and layout is very nice. The switches feel solid, not cheap and cheesy. The dash still is very "plasticy" (is that even a word???) It looks like and is textured like a basketball, but many areas are hard plastic instead of a soft plastic of some sort. Not the quality feel I was expecting from the pictures I had seen, but still a lot better than current models. The cluster looks nice and legroom was fine in front. With the seat all the way back though, leg room for second row passengers was very limited. I would say for kids only. Of course, not everyone is 6'2" and likes to stretch out like I do either. The seams on the rig are very nice and tight everywhere. It looks like quality.

 

Overall, it was very nice. Hopefully the ride and drive is as good as the looks.

 

The new Camaro Concept looked pretty cool, but I must say the Challenger concept looked better. The Camaro is a bit too "edgy" and sharp in comparison and the Challenger seems to flow better. They also had a Shelby GT 500 Mustang that they will produce there too. I sat in a new Mustang GT and all I can say is WOW! A great looking car with the cheapest, crappiest looking interior of any car at the show. The design looks great, but the materials are very cheap and it screams, "Rattle and squeek"!

 

Sat in the new Z06 and it felt so nice, my "stick" almost got caught in the steering wheel and trapped me inside for a while, but that would not be a bad thing either!

 

I must say though, Dodge and Jeep had the best displays. They had driving areas where you could drive any vehicle that you wanted to and Jeep had the most impressive one with steep hills, water, rocks, dirt and a little bit of mud. The line was long and I did not feel like waiting, but that Jeep Rubicon was really pulling me in! The new Jeep Wrangler looks great as well. I think they did a good job with it.

 

The new Dodge Mega-Cab was very nice, but Dodges new dash style is ugly. The room was great though! I hope GM takes this into consideration when they build the 900 series crew cabs!

 

Back to GM: The trucks, with the exception of the 900 platform was dead and really dated looking compared to the new stuff. Cadillac probly had the best showing of interest when I was there for GM. They really have great looking cars and compared to their respective import competition, I think they will hold thier own very well. Many things we really like a lot better about Caddy than the imports, especially when it comes to room and comfort! Not everyone is 5'6" tall and 135 pounds!

 

I sat in the GTO and it is really a very nice car, with the exception of the switches and knobs. The interior is really nice and of quality, except for the very cheap knobs and switches they put on it. In person, it is really a very nice car and now it has hood scoops to make it look a bit more aggressive. Too bad they are going to can the GTO. It was really one of the better cars GM had there.

 

There were very few concepts there, unlike other shows I had attended. It seems like most of the manufacturers are REALLY pushing what is available to buy today instead of seeing what people like for the future.

 

The biggest disappointment of the day was the lack of a Lamborghini at the show. I almost buy one every year, but since they were not at the show, I am really going to pass on them this time! I will buy a Ferrari instead!

[RyanbabZ71]

I will be missing the show this yr First time since 99

 

Hopefully my brother will take some pictures sunday when he goes.

 

Id love to see the camaro up close

[Elwood 2000]

Going to the Illini game today, if I get time, I will download the pictures I took and post on here. It was on a turn-table, but I think I got some pretty decent shots.

[RyanbabZ71]

I should be getting some photos this afternoon!

[CHevyHD4x4]

Going to the Illini game today, if I get time, I will download the pictures I took and post on here. It was on a turn-table, but I think I got some pretty decent shots.

 

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where do you live ?

 

 

sorry for the highjack

[Elwood 2000]

The HUGE city of Hoopeston!