OT: Talking Cars (Wednesday?): NAIAS edition.

Submitted by JFW on

Living up north, I rarely get to go to the yearly worship of the new steel. But I loved to go. 

 

Who has been? What is your favorite vehicle? New Ranger? New Bronco? Something else? 

Yabadabablue

January 17th, 2018 at 9:56 AM ^

Going today for industry preview day. Had to go multiple times last year for work benchmarking projects. this year I have no projects to do so I will be able to take my time and enjoy it. 

Goggles Paisano

January 17th, 2018 at 10:24 AM ^

I thought it was cool to hear the Ranger is coming back.  Haven't seen the new Bronco yet though.  I'm assuming the new Bronco will provide a much smoother ride than the old.  

ckersh74

January 17th, 2018 at 11:25 AM ^

I had two of them, a 1999 and a 2003, after I wrecked the ‘99. I loved both of them. I still regret trading my ‘03 in in my Fusion, although the Fusion has been a good car. I will probably get a Ranger in either 2019 or 2020, but I’m not spending $14 plus parking to go to the auto show just to look at that. I’m not interested in purchasing anything else, so I have no need to go now.

julesh

January 17th, 2018 at 10:28 AM ^

When I was working in research in the automotive industry most car companies had moved to spending their big bucks and revealing new cars at the LA car show. NAIAS was very much on the decline. Not sure if that's changed in the last three years.

JFW

January 17th, 2018 at 10:56 AM ^

I went 2 years ago and it seemed awesome. But I've only been to the NAIAS. I used to go all the time even when it was the Detroit Auto Show. :-)

 

I hope it's not on the decline. There were some awfully fun years. But as with anything, things can ebb and flow. IIRC the DAS was on the decline, then right around NAIAS time it boomed back up. 

JFW

January 17th, 2018 at 12:35 PM ^

One thing that drives me nuts in alot of car magazines and auto coverage in general is that it will test the new McClaren/Bugatti/Ferrari/R8 and give them tons of ink but not much to the new Impala. 

I want to hear more about the cars I might actually drive and own. 

 

 

I'm Batman

January 17th, 2018 at 11:32 AM ^

I just so happen to sell high quality low mileage used vehicles in Plainwell Michigan. If anyone is ever looking for an excellent used vehicle, feel free to reach out to me here. 



Not sure what the policy is here about listing websites, or giving out my number, but i can be reached by email at [email protected].



My apologies to the Moms if i have crossed a line, but keep in mind i can get any of you a $100 dollars for any referrals that result in a sale.  

Tex_Ind_Blue

January 17th, 2018 at 12:02 PM ^

Been at the NAIAS once, in 2005. Was awed by it. Interested in the new Ranger. If there is a comparable trim to a 4x4 Tacoma, then I am listening. I guess I am looking for a small Raptor with a Ranger badge. :) 

LSAClassOf2000

January 17th, 2018 at 12:05 PM ^

We're definitely going when it opens to the public - I grew up in a General Motors family, so we went every year going back to when it was just the Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS began in 1989 with the addition of Lexus and Infiniti, I think). Because of my dad's position, by the time we got to go, it was typically his third or fourth time there because of industry week, plus the charity preview. 

I kept that tradition through the 90s and college and into married life and kids actually - my son loves the NAIAS. 

The Mad Hatter

January 17th, 2018 at 12:37 PM ^

In the early 90's I was a DJ on my HS radio station.  I convinced the station manager that I should get a press pass to cover the auto show for the station.  So he sent in a fax on station letterhead and there were passes waiting for me and another guy.

On charity preview night! 

It was awesome.  They let us go in cars that the public usually isn't allowed near, Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls, etc.

And there was free champagne.

 

The Mad Hatter

January 17th, 2018 at 1:04 PM ^

I was actually really good at it.  I won the Michigan Association of Educational Broadcasters award for best air-check one year (competing against HS and college students). 

At the time, I just couldn't see a future in it.  DJ's start off making minimum wage and working crap hours, plus you have to be willing to move anywhere for work, pretty much at a moment's notice (when stations change their formats everyone gets fired, with no notice).

Looking back?  I probably should have tried to make a go of it.  Especially when no-talent assclowns are making millions screaming into their mics on AM stations nationwide.

I've thought about maybe getting back in as a hobby, doing weekend shifts or overnights at some low-power or AM station.  I'd have to renew my FCC license though, or start from scratch more likely.

Maybe a podcast?

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

January 17th, 2018 at 1:02 PM ^

Similar story - I was a judge one year for the Detroit News people's choice award.  No charity preview night, but before the public show; the floor was like 1/20th as full as usual and all the cool stuff was open to everyone.  It's amazing what a clipboard and press pass will do for access to things.

No free champagne, though.

M2NASA

January 17th, 2018 at 1:32 PM ^

I wish Mercedes hadn't screwed with the SLK after 2011.  The hat tip to the SLR McLaren in the design was fantastic and to make it an SL knockoff was too bad.

I had a 2010 and I'm actually looking at getting it back as a used car.  Phenomenal vehicle for what it was.  The SLC ain't got shit on it.

CJRockford

January 17th, 2018 at 5:33 PM ^

I moved back to Michigan 4 years ago after having moved to Florida when I was 10. I’ve gone every year I’ve been back and I’m going again this Saturday. Always have a great time there.