All Cars, All the Time

2006 LA Auto Show--West Hall Recap

The only way I'm going to get this out is to chop up the sections. Here's my take on the West Hall.

We got to the show around 3:30. I directed my wife towards the parking lot that I normally use, but it said “No Auto Show Parking.” DOH! Off to the West Hall parking on Cherry Street. There are two lines getting into the parking garage. One of the lines is backed up so we pick the other line. We speed right through while the other line doesn’t move. Some gal at the front of the line is calling on a land line, the handset cord snaking into her window. What the? If I was behind her, I would’ve had a heart attack.

Here we go! Let us in! The ticket line…arrrgh, I can’t take it! Impatient like me? Pay the $1.25 convenience fee and buy your ticket online by clicking here.

West Hall. We’re in, up the escalator, goody, goody. What? The wife wants a snack? Mercy! Finally, here we go. Take a deep breath.

First stop is Dodge. The Mega Cab “It is that big.” I can’t imagine these quad cabs getting any bigger. The Sprinter is locked...There’s the DUB Charger with the suicide doors. Okay, on we go. Maybach and Mercedes are always jammed with people. Can’t breath! Walk over to the new S-Class. I just don’t like the dash with the nonsymmetrical hoods for the instruments and Command system. I can’t say that I’m bowled over by the exterior design either. Granted the car isn’t slab sided like some of the previous generations, but it just doesn’t stir my loins. Walking through Infiniti and Nissan—nothing really new here. Mercury is desolate. Echo Echo Echo Not very many people are putting Mercury on their list! Speeding through Lincoln, we’ve already checked out the Zephyr in detail at the San Francisco show. Now. Finally we’re getting somewhere! Volvo has the new C70 on display. The wife pronounces that “it’s nice” but then quickly adds “we don’t need to door car.” Fair enough. Sharp design though. A quick perusal of the XC90 Evolve concept—just looks like so many other tricked out cars. Onwards past Land Rover and then the Jaguar display. The 2007 XK is on display. The front end of the car really doesn’t work for me. I know that the excuse is pedestrian safety, but I tend to think that’s a cop out. My loins are only partially stirred. What makes matters worse is that stupid “Gorgeous” campaign is blaring all over the place. On to the Mazda section and the new CX7. Nice. I really like the design of this crossover. Very sport looking. The wife is not moved by the CX7 and still pledges allegiance to the Murano. Over at Ford they have the new Explorer Sport Trac, but I’m more interested in last year’s Fairlane concept. Very sharp! A fresh, smart take on a minivan alternative. Kia has the new Rio’s on display—the Rio5 is a sharp design but the interior matches the price tag. Zipping through Honda and we are done with the West Hall!