- 10,620
- gtp_jimprower
Okay, explanation. The Central Illinois Auto Dealers have their little auto show to show off the new models. I'll say this...I was very happy when I'd left. I saw a Nissan GT-R.
But, first things first.
CHRYSLER/DODGE/JEEP:
First exhibit. Most Laughable exhibit. Seriously, the plastic in those cars was worse than that in MINE. and MINE is 20 years old!!! And the Cheapest car in the line at it's time at that!!! I snickered to one guy who was looking in. "Complete rubbish." I left the Sebring laughing like Clarkson after May and Hammond broke both boats. The fake wood on the Town and Country was obviously so, and the steering wheel center looked like it could easily be pried right off. Same on Dodges, and the Jeep Compass.
They had the Challenger there...It looked great on the outside, AMAZING on the outside, and that's the case with many of the Chrysler products...but...the inside...and It was on a pedestal. I couldn't dream of sitting in it. Didn't much matter: all I had to do was look in...
MITSUBISHI:
Oh, did the Evo ever feel good after that!!! Actually, it was one of my favorite cars there, at least, that I got to sit in. Everything feels right on that car, and it doesn't feel that big.
The Eclipse wasn't that bad either. I wish it didn't drive so badly...It's not a bad place to be. The Galant's new taillights are pure sex...a bit of a surprise.
SUBARU:
NOT IMPREZZED. The new WRX Sedan is TERRIBLE inside. The shifter feels like gum compared to the Evo, the plastic feels...I hate to say this...a step above Chrysler. That's roughly equivalent with the Kias I sat in. Ugly, too.
They had an STI there, but...it was cordoned off like some sort of superstar. Like the GT-R. Even the GT500KR wasn't cordoned off, but was locked. I don't get it. Mitsubishi lets you sit in the Evo and mess around. I even closed the bootlid.
The Legacy, however, is MUCH better. How can Subie be so hit-and-miss?
TOYOTA/LEXUS/SCION:
They're...nice places to be. The IS-F is pretty cool...they had one there. Probably the only one I'd take. Only one with a -GE engine...
Poked around a Yaris, even lifted the hood. No, I don't like the center gauges, but it is about the low end of the size I could live with. I might take an xD instead, since speed parts are more readily available, and the gauges are in the right spot. and the Yaris's shifter could only be described in Truck terms. Semi Truck. Rubbery, Throws that take a foot to row.
KIA:
Uh...They're cheap. and Korean. One step above Chrysler...
HYUNDAI:
I am ashamed to say, YSSMAN. I will not take the G8.
The Genesis has swayed me.
I must be one of the first guys on this forum to sit in one. DAMN. That thing is impressive. The one I sat in had a chrome mesh grille (Much better than that waterfall-thing) and a V6 engine...I mean, if they're gonna appoint the V6 model that well, I can't WAIT for the V8.
Hell of a car, guys. Hell of a car.
VOLVO:
Main interest here was the C30...But, I guess, I wasn't much interested in an automatic version. So I passed. But they're nice cars.
FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY:
I've already mentioned that they had the GT500KR there. They had a Bullitt, too...wrong color. Both were in the open, but locked. I could get into a white GT model they had, and it's not too bad. There were worse shifters there.
The seating position in the "baby Eater" Focus was...interesting. Felt like a Van, real high up. One more reason for me to hate it.
MAZDA:
Heh...I lost my shades as I played around in the Mazdaspeed 3. Heck, even without the shifter knob (many had them off to prevent them from being stolen) It felt pretty good. I thought about asking the guys if when it went around a corner, the rear wheel cocked up just a bit. But then I realised my shades were missing...
The MX5 is a nice place to be, too. It's not too luxurious for my tastes, either.
NISSAN:
GEE. TEE. ARE.
It was RHD. It was Silver. It was THERE. and it was cordoned off. I never got up the bravery to ask if I could sit in it.
I was so excited I don't even remember what else Nissan had there. There was a Z33 Coupe, I think, and an Altima.
I hope this means that Uftring will be getting one. Perhaps I can sit in the one in the showroom...
PORSCHE:
Sorry. Was on a GT-R buzz. Besides, they were all roped off, anyway.
VW/AUDI:
I always get in the Golf they have there at the Auto show, and this time it was the R32. Had the DSG. It's probably more fun in motion, but I couldn't play with the shifter.
The one thing I noticed was how much Nicer...and bigger...the current Golf..oh, I'm sorry, Rabbit...is than they were when dad bought his first-year Mk II.
I also tried the Audi TT. I might've enjoyed it better if the SEAT WEREN'T ALL THE WAY BACK!!! I'm 5'8...I think Clarkson would've had trouble reaching the pedals with the seat all the way back.
MERCEDES:
I tried on the C-Class for size. I guess it's nice. About the European cars - I really wasn't that enthusiastic about any of them. I'm sorry for those of you who actually live in Europe...but I can't get excited about them. They're nice inside.
JAGUAR:
They only had the XF. and I must say this...I miss that J-Gate. It was quirky. It was unique.
Now, it has a knob. a knob. and it pops up when you start the car. Wow. Haven't seen a gimmick like that since pushbutton trannies.
Worst of all? It reminds me of I-Drive. Even though it has NOTHING to do with that system. It's a HUGE knob on the Console.
PORSCHE AGAIN:
I Quoted Clarkson to the rep. "Ah, the Volkswagen Beetle on Steroids." He smiled.
HONDA/ACURA:
Back to the main hall. I hopped into the S2000. Still a sweet little roadster.
I got into a Civic Si. One of two: there was a Mugen on a stand, but the normal Si had HFP wheels on it. It also had a great shifter...'till I tried to get it into fifth. I kept going into REVERSE!!! or trying to. First time I've ever been embarrased by a car.
I left after a madenning minute of trying. It probably would've helped to put a shifter knob on it.
I skimmed Acura. Nothing interesting.
BMW:
There was a white M3 there...but it was cordoned off...and didn't much catch my attention. The 1-series coupe was interesting for a moment...until I glanced inside. They brought an automatic. In fact, I looked through the BMWS...they were ALL autos! What the hell? Aren't the BMWs supposed to be Ultimate Driving Machines?
SUZUKI:
I looked around the SX4 a bit. I actually liked it better than the Impreza WRX, which I'd just gotten out of. What's wrong with this picture?
CHEVROLET:
Okay, first car I got in...Corvette Z06. I actually had a nice conversation with a couple...and told them about the ZR1. They were AMAZED.
Okay, YSS, I know I said I'd take the Genesis over the G8. However...I'll take the Malibu over ANYTHING ELSE in the Hyundai range...and Toyota Camry...and Honda Accord. Maybe not Mazda 6 or Legacy, simply for sporting creds. But...wow. The damn thing is REALLY GOOD inside. I could knock it for plastics...but the Euro cars had similar plastics. So I can't. It's that good.
There was also a Ricer Cobalt from the local Community College's (My alma mater...I'm ashamed) auto program. I'd rather the stock version.
By the way...picked up a flyer. The Cobalt Turbo...'spring '08.
yeah, baby.
PONTIAC:
Moment of truth time. Is the G8 all that good, at least, on the inside?
Before answering that, I tried the Solstice. Not bad...but NEVER lend the car to anyone who has to adjust the seat. The backrest adjustment knob is hard to turn and harder to get at, even with the door open!!!
Okay, moment of Truth time. For real. I got into the G8 and...
I'm sorry guys. It didn't blow me away. I mean, it's probably a great PERFORMING car, But the interior just...It's okay, but it's not even up to the Malibu's standard. Nor the Genesis.
I did talk to the reps...mentioned how rubbish the Charger's interior was. the rep seemed surprised.
SATURN:
So I headed for the 3-door Astra hatch. Mixed bag. It was better than Kia and WRX...but the Shifter rubbernecked much like the Subie's and Yaris's, and the stalks behind the steering wheel did much the same.
I got out...apparently, I look like the exact target clientelle for this car, because the Rep came up to me. He asked me what I thought, and I was honest: I didn't like the shifter or stalks. He then asked me what I drove...
I was also honest here. He couldn't believe that I could be this knowledgeable, and still own an '88 Nova. I mentioned that I knew you guys, and all was explained. I also mentioned that I hoped a Red Line version would get a trick diff or something, because I know about the way the VXR/OPC models work...UNDERSTEER...
CADILLAC:
Star was the CTS. I think I can redeem myself for the G8 here, too. The CTS is absolutely up to par. To prove it to myself, I sat in a Lexus LS immediately afterwards. The CTS is still good after sitting in what I call the "Great Pretender." I blanked on the sport suspension name...a rep didn't know it either, but Now I remember...FE3. Ah, well. It wasn't an FE3 car they had there, but it didn't matter, since it wasn't going anywhere. I rather liked it.
TUNERS:
There were a couple Roush 'stangs there. Kinda neat. Also some F-150s with big rims, some GM Performance parts cars, and a couple Scions with vinyl plastered all over them, as well as the aforementioned Cobalt.
So that was my tour. We don't have a local MINI dealer, nor Infiniti, or, at least, they weren't there with representative vehicles. (Sorry, Joey.)
But, first things first.
CHRYSLER/DODGE/JEEP:
First exhibit. Most Laughable exhibit. Seriously, the plastic in those cars was worse than that in MINE. and MINE is 20 years old!!! And the Cheapest car in the line at it's time at that!!! I snickered to one guy who was looking in. "Complete rubbish." I left the Sebring laughing like Clarkson after May and Hammond broke both boats. The fake wood on the Town and Country was obviously so, and the steering wheel center looked like it could easily be pried right off. Same on Dodges, and the Jeep Compass.
They had the Challenger there...It looked great on the outside, AMAZING on the outside, and that's the case with many of the Chrysler products...but...the inside...and It was on a pedestal. I couldn't dream of sitting in it. Didn't much matter: all I had to do was look in...
MITSUBISHI:
Oh, did the Evo ever feel good after that!!! Actually, it was one of my favorite cars there, at least, that I got to sit in. Everything feels right on that car, and it doesn't feel that big.
The Eclipse wasn't that bad either. I wish it didn't drive so badly...It's not a bad place to be. The Galant's new taillights are pure sex...a bit of a surprise.
SUBARU:
NOT IMPREZZED. The new WRX Sedan is TERRIBLE inside. The shifter feels like gum compared to the Evo, the plastic feels...I hate to say this...a step above Chrysler. That's roughly equivalent with the Kias I sat in. Ugly, too.
They had an STI there, but...it was cordoned off like some sort of superstar. Like the GT-R. Even the GT500KR wasn't cordoned off, but was locked. I don't get it. Mitsubishi lets you sit in the Evo and mess around. I even closed the bootlid.
The Legacy, however, is MUCH better. How can Subie be so hit-and-miss?
TOYOTA/LEXUS/SCION:
They're...nice places to be. The IS-F is pretty cool...they had one there. Probably the only one I'd take. Only one with a -GE engine...
Poked around a Yaris, even lifted the hood. No, I don't like the center gauges, but it is about the low end of the size I could live with. I might take an xD instead, since speed parts are more readily available, and the gauges are in the right spot. and the Yaris's shifter could only be described in Truck terms. Semi Truck. Rubbery, Throws that take a foot to row.
KIA:
Uh...They're cheap. and Korean. One step above Chrysler...
HYUNDAI:
I am ashamed to say, YSSMAN. I will not take the G8.
The Genesis has swayed me.
I must be one of the first guys on this forum to sit in one. DAMN. That thing is impressive. The one I sat in had a chrome mesh grille (Much better than that waterfall-thing) and a V6 engine...I mean, if they're gonna appoint the V6 model that well, I can't WAIT for the V8.
Hell of a car, guys. Hell of a car.
VOLVO:
Main interest here was the C30...But, I guess, I wasn't much interested in an automatic version. So I passed. But they're nice cars.
FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY:
I've already mentioned that they had the GT500KR there. They had a Bullitt, too...wrong color. Both were in the open, but locked. I could get into a white GT model they had, and it's not too bad. There were worse shifters there.
The seating position in the "baby Eater" Focus was...interesting. Felt like a Van, real high up. One more reason for me to hate it.
MAZDA:
Heh...I lost my shades as I played around in the Mazdaspeed 3. Heck, even without the shifter knob (many had them off to prevent them from being stolen) It felt pretty good. I thought about asking the guys if when it went around a corner, the rear wheel cocked up just a bit. But then I realised my shades were missing...
The MX5 is a nice place to be, too. It's not too luxurious for my tastes, either.
NISSAN:
GEE. TEE. ARE.
It was RHD. It was Silver. It was THERE. and it was cordoned off. I never got up the bravery to ask if I could sit in it.
I was so excited I don't even remember what else Nissan had there. There was a Z33 Coupe, I think, and an Altima.
I hope this means that Uftring will be getting one. Perhaps I can sit in the one in the showroom...
PORSCHE:
Sorry. Was on a GT-R buzz. Besides, they were all roped off, anyway.
VW/AUDI:
I always get in the Golf they have there at the Auto show, and this time it was the R32. Had the DSG. It's probably more fun in motion, but I couldn't play with the shifter.
The one thing I noticed was how much Nicer...and bigger...the current Golf..oh, I'm sorry, Rabbit...is than they were when dad bought his first-year Mk II.
I also tried the Audi TT. I might've enjoyed it better if the SEAT WEREN'T ALL THE WAY BACK!!! I'm 5'8...I think Clarkson would've had trouble reaching the pedals with the seat all the way back.
MERCEDES:
I tried on the C-Class for size. I guess it's nice. About the European cars - I really wasn't that enthusiastic about any of them. I'm sorry for those of you who actually live in Europe...but I can't get excited about them. They're nice inside.
JAGUAR:
They only had the XF. and I must say this...I miss that J-Gate. It was quirky. It was unique.
Now, it has a knob. a knob. and it pops up when you start the car. Wow. Haven't seen a gimmick like that since pushbutton trannies.
Worst of all? It reminds me of I-Drive. Even though it has NOTHING to do with that system. It's a HUGE knob on the Console.
PORSCHE AGAIN:
I Quoted Clarkson to the rep. "Ah, the Volkswagen Beetle on Steroids." He smiled.
HONDA/ACURA:
Back to the main hall. I hopped into the S2000. Still a sweet little roadster.
I got into a Civic Si. One of two: there was a Mugen on a stand, but the normal Si had HFP wheels on it. It also had a great shifter...'till I tried to get it into fifth. I kept going into REVERSE!!! or trying to. First time I've ever been embarrased by a car.
I left after a madenning minute of trying. It probably would've helped to put a shifter knob on it.
I skimmed Acura. Nothing interesting.
BMW:
There was a white M3 there...but it was cordoned off...and didn't much catch my attention. The 1-series coupe was interesting for a moment...until I glanced inside. They brought an automatic. In fact, I looked through the BMWS...they were ALL autos! What the hell? Aren't the BMWs supposed to be Ultimate Driving Machines?
SUZUKI:
I looked around the SX4 a bit. I actually liked it better than the Impreza WRX, which I'd just gotten out of. What's wrong with this picture?
CHEVROLET:
Okay, first car I got in...Corvette Z06. I actually had a nice conversation with a couple...and told them about the ZR1. They were AMAZED.
Okay, YSS, I know I said I'd take the Genesis over the G8. However...I'll take the Malibu over ANYTHING ELSE in the Hyundai range...and Toyota Camry...and Honda Accord. Maybe not Mazda 6 or Legacy, simply for sporting creds. But...wow. The damn thing is REALLY GOOD inside. I could knock it for plastics...but the Euro cars had similar plastics. So I can't. It's that good.
There was also a Ricer Cobalt from the local Community College's (My alma mater...I'm ashamed) auto program. I'd rather the stock version.
By the way...picked up a flyer. The Cobalt Turbo...'spring '08.
yeah, baby.
PONTIAC:
Moment of truth time. Is the G8 all that good, at least, on the inside?
Before answering that, I tried the Solstice. Not bad...but NEVER lend the car to anyone who has to adjust the seat. The backrest adjustment knob is hard to turn and harder to get at, even with the door open!!!
Okay, moment of Truth time. For real. I got into the G8 and...
I'm sorry guys. It didn't blow me away. I mean, it's probably a great PERFORMING car, But the interior just...It's okay, but it's not even up to the Malibu's standard. Nor the Genesis.
I did talk to the reps...mentioned how rubbish the Charger's interior was. the rep seemed surprised.
SATURN:
So I headed for the 3-door Astra hatch. Mixed bag. It was better than Kia and WRX...but the Shifter rubbernecked much like the Subie's and Yaris's, and the stalks behind the steering wheel did much the same.
I got out...apparently, I look like the exact target clientelle for this car, because the Rep came up to me. He asked me what I thought, and I was honest: I didn't like the shifter or stalks. He then asked me what I drove...
I was also honest here. He couldn't believe that I could be this knowledgeable, and still own an '88 Nova. I mentioned that I knew you guys, and all was explained. I also mentioned that I hoped a Red Line version would get a trick diff or something, because I know about the way the VXR/OPC models work...UNDERSTEER...
CADILLAC:
Star was the CTS. I think I can redeem myself for the G8 here, too. The CTS is absolutely up to par. To prove it to myself, I sat in a Lexus LS immediately afterwards. The CTS is still good after sitting in what I call the "Great Pretender." I blanked on the sport suspension name...a rep didn't know it either, but Now I remember...FE3. Ah, well. It wasn't an FE3 car they had there, but it didn't matter, since it wasn't going anywhere. I rather liked it.
TUNERS:
There were a couple Roush 'stangs there. Kinda neat. Also some F-150s with big rims, some GM Performance parts cars, and a couple Scions with vinyl plastered all over them, as well as the aforementioned Cobalt.
So that was my tour. We don't have a local MINI dealer, nor Infiniti, or, at least, they weren't there with representative vehicles. (Sorry, Joey.)
I wanted to see the GEE TEE ARE myself. And how can you NOT get excited about the new C-class!?!! I saw a C300 today in white and it was just stunning--my camera was acting up so I couldn't take a pic. God, that Merc looks fan-freaking-tastic.
@ Semi shifter in the Yaris.
