Its auto show time again here in Indianapolis. We don't get any concepts or reveals of new models but its still fun to go to and plop your ass down in the seats and fiddle with the controls of a good majority of the current model rides out on the market. Some mental notes from the show:
1. The Hyundai Veloster is cool. It's stylish looking without seeming gimmicky and looks more upscale than the price tag indicates. I could see myself driving one but its back seats are pretty much just a formality. The third door is an interesting design element but I can't see fitting anyone back there with any degree of comfort. Thus, while a cool ride it doesn't really stack up enough performance wise to make it fully desirable. If I'm making a commitment to a two seat ride its going to have some performance specs and rear drive.
2. Speaking of two seat rear drive fun specs, the BMW 135 is damn nice. That's a commitment I could feel good about.
3. Against what I feel like should be my better judgement, I like the Mini Countryman. It's bumped up ride height, four doors and general diversion from what the Mini is at its core are maybe just good reasons I don't need to be such a traditionalist rather than a misled diversification of the brand. I'd like to cruise around in one on a good snowy day.
4. The new Ford Focus is a good looking car. They're reaching though, with the 30,000 dollar Titanium trimmed model at the show. Nice two tone leather seats, really great looking wheels and all the electronic gadgetry. 30k though for a Focus seems a bit like a violation.
5. The new Dodge SRT 8 Chargers are very cool looking. I wouldn't want to put tires on em though. 20"s, shit man.
6. Am I all grown up? Upon my gaze at the Subaru booth at the WRX STI, I decided I could never drive such a garish ride. Its the wing. Is there a wing delete option? Somewhere in a parallel universe a 16 year old version of myself died a little bit.
7. Boy are Toyotas boring. Also no FR-S at the Scion booth, bummer.
8. Cadillac's Diamond Black paint is beautiful, and so was the lineup of CTS V models wearing said paint. I'll echo what's always said about the CTS V wagon, I don't know how that thing got made but stuffing an engine that bad in a wagon is one of the coolest things going.
9. Speaking of wagons, Acuras TSX wagon is really sharp. Its really too bad we don't get a manual transmission.
10. New car smell, so good.
