North American International Auto Show

I just got back from spending 4 hours at the auto show. The good news is there's lots of nice ,smaller cars to entice me the next time I need a DD. GM had the Cruze and the new Sonic hatch. I could see myself in a Fiesta ,or the new Focus hatch from Ford. There was a really sleek looking Impreza concept that look production ready.Hyundai had the new Elantra and several "concept" Velosters. I really liked the look of the Veloster but I'm not sure about the 3 doors. The next Honda Civic Si looked pretty nice. Now I'll have to go on a test driving binge to see which ones have dynamics to match their looks. The Fiats looked entertaining ,but I can't sit on the passenger side for a lack of headroom. The driver's side was just tolerable if I lowered the seat as far as it would go. Overall, it was encouraging to see the amount of choiceand particularly nice to see decent small offerings from GM and Ford.

Is it worth going this year? I was pretty disappointed in the show the last couple years

I might need to buy an "American" car for work next month. What good cars does Ford or Chevrolet have? Estimate 30,000 miles a year covering 8 midwestern states. Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, KY + a few more.....

Industrial salesman's car - take customers out for lunch + carry brochures in trunk + not look to rich like a Cadillac or too poor.....

My focus is always on the smaller cars,that's just my preference. There were lots of larger vehicles to review too,though. For an American mid-size for a sales guy there's Fusions,Malibus,the new Chrysler 200 (did nothing for me, but...).The Ford Explorer caught my wife's eye, and the Chev Equinox. I've felt the show wasn't offering much the last 3 or 4 years,too, but there seemed to be more this year. And ,if humungous trucks are your thing ,there were several choices. GM had their answer to the Ford Raptor. There was a loaded (tooled leather !!) Ram. Price tags in the 50's. Something for everyone.

In reply to pete240z:

How about a Ford Fusion. It is basically build on a Mazda6 and can be had with a manual transmission. 4 or 6cyl. Bonus is available AWD.

In reply to pete240z:
My first answer is Fusion. I actually got to the point where when I rented from National and you choose your car on the lot, I would take the Fusions over the Camry, Altima, Accord, Malibu.
The car handed to me as a company car is a Ford Escape. It is not bad but if I had a choice I think I would have chosen the Fusion.
New Escort is coming too and that moves upscale leaving the Fiesta to fill it typical role.

In reply to DeadSkunk:

My brother and sister-in-law have a Malibu with the 4 cylinder and he hates it ! had to get the 4 because of cash for clunkers....

Just my 2 cents

My daughter-in-law has a 6 cylinder Malibu and she and my son both like it. I haven't driven one myself though.

In reply to DeadSkunk:

From what he's said if it was a 6 cyl he'd be happy, the 4 just doesn't pull hard enough. I've not driven or ridden in it....

the fusion might be cool - $500 month allowance covers car, oil, title, plates, and any maintenance and all repairs. The company pays gas and insurance.

I don't want to get too expensive of a car as it will have close to 100,000 miles just over three years also it would be nice to sock some money away for future repairs.

pete240z wrote: I might need to buy an "American" car for work next month. What good cars does Ford or Chevrolet have? Estimate 30,000 miles a year covering 8 midwestern states. Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, KY + a few more..... Industrial salesman's car - take customers out for lunch + carry brochures in trunk + not look to rich like a Cadillac or too poor.....

How about the new Charger? Looks sweet, 27 mpg on the highway and comfy inside. Trust me, drive one before you dismiss it.

The Charger is another car that looked better in the flesh than in pictures. I had a Dodge Magnum as my last company car before I retired, and that thing was nice for covering distances. The Hemi made it entertaining, too!

In reply to pete240z:

another vote for Fusion here, especially if you go upscale with it, ie the SEL V6 or perhaps even the Sport. The Malibu is a very solid choice as well, but i prefer the Fusion styling.

I'm going on Saturday...

IF anyone in the Metro Area wants to hook up with Joel and I at 5:45pm at Suburban Imports of Farmington Hills tomorrow night we are running down there. I hear they are giving out free BMWs to the right people.

Be sure to check out the Nissan exhibit!!!

I'd like to say I was very impressed with the Chevy Cruze. 6 speed manual gearbox, tilt/telescoping wheel standard, nice interior, big trunk. If it were a little less expensive for the Eco model I'd already have my next car picked out.

i'm so cheap, i got comp tix at work and am taking my wife for a date-night on Friday.