California Autos Examiner

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

SF Auto Show

Another show in SF, this one being my son's first ever! Aidan managed to drool over quite a few steering wheels and boy did he draw over all the "product specialists." If I were a single man I'd highly recommend borrowing a cute baby and hitting the show floor.

As for observations:

My first would be the disappointment with the Saturn Aura's interior. The top of the dash is covered in some fabulous, soft touch material but just about everything else was brittle. The doors even had some trim that was slightly a different color. Perhaps the show car had been on the circuit for awhile and had pre-production trim. But why would you put such a car in public view? From the outside the car was very sharp, but the trim and lack of things such as no grab handles in the headliner, no dual zone climate, and no rear center armrest really dulled the excitement. Make no mistake this car is a huge improvement, but why stop short? A few extra dollars on interior bits and pieces would go a long way.

The G35 is a great sedan that really has my attention. I'm not in the market for a four door, but if you ask me this is one sports sedan done right. I light the tightening of the lines on the outside and the inside has been spiffed up quite nicely.

The Camaro was on display and looked just as great in person as it has on the web. I've got little to quibble with this one. I hope that the production version stays close to this design.

The Edge and MKX were on spinning pedestals so I couldn't check out the interiors. Both look modern and sleek from the outside, but boy car magazines sure have been hammering them. From what I've read mags say that the vehicles are decent, but they're no '86 Taurus redux.

The new GM full size trucks are well turned out. When I sat in the drivers seat I didn't get the buzz like I did when the current generation F150 came out. Certainly the interiors are miles ahead of the previous generation, but given what Ford did years ago GM had to step up, didn't they?

The new Toyota full size truck was also on display however it too was on a spinning pedestal. Each time Toyota tries to crack this market, things get better but at least from an outward appearance I can’t say that this truck redefines the market in any shape or form. Not that the conservative full size market is looking for a shake up, but when you’ve got to overcome years of consumer loyalty you’ve got to do something bold. I’m sure that the new Toyota will sell more than the previous generation but I don’t see it setting any records.

Wow, all that pickup news really has me curious to see what Ford has up its sleeve for F150!

Sitting inside the new Suzuki SX4 was less fun than I though it would be. Those funky A pillar quarter windows really look funky from the inside. Kinda freaked me out actually. I’m not sure how visibility would be, perhaps a test drive is in order? The rest of the vehicle was okay, but no exactly loin stirring. I guess I was hoping for more. I still really like the exterior design, though.

Walking past the Nissan display: boy what a droopy snout lineup in the car department. The glorious Z car is as sexy as ever, but the rest of the car lineup. Yeesh! Okay, the new Altima is decent and new Altima coupe looks promising in spy shots, but the grills on these puppies really isn’t that appealing. Too bad because I really was a big fan of the Maxima, but lately that car had taken a big hit in the styling department. I like the chunky styling of the Pathfinder…If I was still a big time mountain biker/camper I’d give it strong consideration.

Well I’d say that’s it for now…I have to ease back into things. I hope to have more on my quest for a useable Bluetooth solution for my car posted in the near future. I also have a less than stellar Tire Rack experience to relate as well. Once again thanks to all of you who keep dropping by ACATT!

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