Detroit Auto Show Thread

[G51989]

~2500 - 3000

Yeah, that will be no problem with a Colorado/Canyon.

Also you can expect much better gas mileage than your old 94, the 3.6 liter direct injected V6 will produce as much power as the old 90s 5.7, and see much better MPG.

 

[G51989]

Another absolutely HIDEOUS, bulky, ballooned interior from GM that reeks of cheapness a la a turn of the century Grand Prix/Grand Am. I don't care how well built it is, it looks disgusting.

God, everyone on the interior design teams (except Corvetts, and *maybe* Camaro) should be fired. Can't they tone down the gaudy bulbousness of EVERYTHING inside every car?

I say this as a GM owner.

I feel that, lots of kids at FSU road around in early 90s GMs, and the interiors were just awful on every single level. Rattly, cheap feeling, ugly.

I like the interior on my 2012 Grand Sport, pretty comfy, looks good, nice materials ( I have the top range Grand Sport Convertible with the uprated interior ), well thought out, and a cool HUD.

Newer GMs are much better imo.

I always thought the company that made the most logical interiors has got to be Volvo.

EDIT: Unrelated, I wish Ford still made the Ranger. There are any number of homeowners out there who want a cheap, small truck for small DIY projects around the house, as a third/fourth spare vehicle for occasional use. I live 1 mile from the St. Paul Ford plant that built the Ranger, and it is currently half torn down. I'd buy a small Ranger, but I would not pay for nor park a big-ass full-size truck in my driveway for the 4-5 times a year I might want to haul stuff.

Word, agree.

I have a bunch of cars as most people here know, and while I do have a F350 V10, and love it. It sucks when I have to go down to NYC ( about a 40 minute drive ), its to much of a pain in ass. But I ALSO have a 2009 4 banger, 5 speed 2WD base ranger with power windows and AC really being the only option, I LOVE it in the city when I need to pick stuff, easy to park, gets nearly 30mpg on the highway, and perfect for runs to the home improvement store or garden center. Saves the trouble of dealing with the huge F350.

If they ever made a truck that small again, Id buy it in a heartbeat. I assume when it Ford rusts away, I'll have to buy a Toyota Tacoma instead.

 

[quagmire]

Yeah, that will be no problem with a Colorado/Canyon.

Also you can expect much better gas mileage than your old 94, the 3.6 liter direct injected V6 will produce as much power as the old 90s 5.7, and see much better MPG.

The 3.6 V6 produces a lot more power than the old Gen II 5.7 V8. The 5.7 V8 made 200 HP. The 3.6 V6 makes 302 HP.

Why a Tacoma? I know outside the 'Vette, you're not much of a GM fan, but GM trucks were never a issue when their reliability was not the best....

 

[G51989]

The 3.6 V6 produces a lot more power than the old Gen II 5.7 V8. The 5.7 V8 made 200 HP. The 3.6 V6 makes 302 HP.

Why a Tacoma? I know outside the 'Vette, you're not much of a GM fan, but GM trucks were never a issue when their reliability was not the best....

Because when my Ranger gives up the ghost one day, or it starts falling apart.

I don't want to be using the F350, or whatever large Ford truck I own years from now to be my main truck for every little tiny thing, I typically mainly use it in really ****** winter conditions, and moving the boat and other big crap around, and sometimes it gets daily driven, but its a complete nightmare in NYC.

The Tacoma is the only thing small enough that I can think of that I'd want to replace the ranger. OR, if I could find a very good condition low milage range years from now.

 

[quagmire]

Because when my Ranger gives up the ghost one day, or it starts falling apart.

I don't want to be using the F350, or whatever large Ford truck I own years from now to be my main truck for every little tiny thing, I typically mainly use it in really ****** winter conditions, and moving the boat and other big crap around, and sometimes it gets daily driven, but its a complete nightmare in NYC.

The Tacoma is the only thing small enough that I can think of that I'd want to replace the ranger. OR, if I could find a very good condition low milage range years from now.

Oh I understand why you want a small truck, but why not the Colorado/Canyon? Much better than a Tacoma.... 😉

 

[G51989]

Oh I understand why you want a small truck, but why not the Colorado/Canyon? Much better than a Tacoma.... 😉

Well, assuming I eventually retire the Ranger to on property duty, I wouldn't mind something that isn't so goddamn scary on the highway ( Foot to the floor in 5th doing 67mph lol ).

I like the way the Tacoma looks more, I prefer its stance, I like the interior better, and if that concept that came about is anything like the next refresh, I'm sold. Plus the Tacoma is a little bit cheaper.

If I was gonna buy an American truck that isn't an F350 sized truck, I would probably buy a RAM1500

 

[puma1552]

RAM1500

Same, that is one beautiful truck. That's what a full size truck should look like IMO and they'd get my money in an instant.

 

[G51989]

Same, that is one beautiful truck. That's what a full size truck should look like IMO and they'd get my money in an instant.

I can agree with that, as much as I love my F350 V10, which is super quiet, comfy, and gets an AMAZING 12mpg. I have considered selling it and buying the new RAM1500, which would still be big enough, but roughly double my MPG and be more managable in the city.

Still would keep my ranger for the city tho, the thing is easier to park than most cars.

 

[trewyn15]

Hmm, looks exactly like every other 911 ever made.

I don't know how Porsche pulls that off.

Not to say the 911 isnt a great drivers car, it is. But they all look the same.

Kind of like all fords these days

 

[G51989]

Kind of like all fords these days

Eh, Ford goes through phases of making everything they make look the same. ( Cept the stang ), Porsche 911s have never really changed much in the looks department.

 

[trewyn15]

Eh, Ford goes through phases of making everything they make look the same. ( Cept the stang ), Porsche 911s have never really changed much in the looks department.

I think the Mustang looks pretty damn similar to the rest of their line right now lol

I just don't like that big front grille. Personally not a Mustang fan, but I appreciate a clean one. These new ones just lost it for me.

 

[AustinIllini]

Eh, Ford goes through phases of making everything they make look the same. ( Cept the stang ), Porsche 911s have never really changed much in the looks department.

Porsche is an anomaly. They look the same every year, and they're not exactly stunning to look at. That being said, I really want one. They're amazing.

 

[G51989]

Porsche is an anomaly. They look the same every year, and they're not exactly stunning to look at. That being said, I really want one. They're amazing.

Indeed, the Cayman and the Boxster do change quite a bit, and look not all that bad.

The 911 is a great car, I often refer to it as the " European Corvette " because its one of the very few European sports cars that can be driven every day without any issues.

 

[AustinIllini]

Acura TLX

😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

 

[MacNut]

If I was gonna buy an American truck that isn't an F350 sized truck, I would probably buy a RAM1500

I really think the RAM is the nicest looking truck out there now. With the Silverado second and the F-150 a distant third.

 

[palmerc2]

Sure it is, it gets awesome gas milage.

My Grand Sport gets 18-23mpg!ishhhhhh

----------



I would say he needs to talk the mrs into it for sure.

But I would disagree that its only a weekend car, as long as its nice weather, I drive my Grand Sport convertible every day, rain or shine. Just keep it out of the snow, and I've driven it cross country more than once.

Though keep in mind a Grand Sport is much more DD friendly than a Z06.

That's what I've always liked about newer Corvettes, fast and fun. And unlike a super delicate European super car, you CAN use them every day. Not to say I wouldn't kill for a Ferrari, the 458 is one of the best cars Ive ever driven in my life. It looks stunning, its perfectly balanced. The engine sounds like the voice of the automotive god. And with the roof down, you cant beat it. ( Rented one for a week in France, that wasn't cheap lol ). But as great as it is, you could never use it everyday. A Corvette, you can.

Interesting insight....I've never owned a sports car like this, I guess I was comparing the corvette to the way I drive the classics. I have a '69 Camaro and my dad has a '70 Challenger, each with over 700HP, so we're lucky to get 8MPG haha! So it truly is a one day a week cruiser, also since there's no traction control never drive in the rain. Wouldn't drive in the rain anyway to save the paint. In fact they've never touched water, just been all detailing and waxing! I really want to get a corvette and given your insight would probably drive it more than one day a week hehe.

 

[puma1552]

Eh, Ford goes through phases of making everything they make look the same. ( Cept the stang ), Porsche 911s have never really changed much in the looks department.

I think the Mustang looks pretty damn similar to the rest of their line right now lol

I just don't like that big front grille. Personally not a Mustang fan, but I appreciate a clean one. These new ones just lost it for me.

I think the '13-'14 Mustang is the best looking since the Fox body days...in fact I'm trying to get price quotes from dealers now and trying to figure out when the last day I can special order one is. The '15 is going to be a sweet car, but it just isn't doing it for me, at least not now. It definitely will look dated against it's own mid-cycle refresh in 3-4 years, as most cars always do...at least with the '13-'14, it's the best looking of the entire '05'-'14 run so they will always look fantastic.

Porsche is an anomaly. They look the same every year, and they're not exactly stunning to look at. That being said, I really want one. They're amazing.

They are sweet cars, but my god are they boring to look at. Seen one, you seen 'em all. Someone else put it right, a $100k better break my neck as it drives by.

 

[heehee]

Anyone been to Detroit or lives in Detroit? I'm planning to go to the Autoshow and staying at the Westin Book Cadillac. Is it generally safe? 😕

 

[zioxide]

I want the new '15 WRX STI. 😀

 

[obeygiant]

Anyone been to Detroit or lives in Detroit? I'm planning to go to the Autoshow and staying at the Westin Book Cadillac. Is it generally safe? 😕

Yes absolutely. Downtown Detroit is perfectly fine. Once you head out of the city a couple miles things get a little dicey. Even so if you have a rental car just take a tour of all the blight around Woodward/8mile and Corktown. Lock your doors maybe. 🙂

 

[SkyBell]

Put me in with the camp that wishes there were still a compact truck option on the market today. I've had a couple of Ford Rangers, and loved them all. But I truly wish Toyota hadn't upsized the Tacoma years back - my dad has a '90 model that I learned to drive in. Bare-bones, 4-spd manual single cab pickup, and two people can almost lift it off the ground by themselves. 😛 It's been to hell and back, and it isn't exactly a pretty sight these days, but it still fires up and does a damn good job of hauling whatever you can fit in it, even after 24 years and 250,000 miles.

I suppose when the time comes to retire my current '08 Ranger...I'm getting another one. 😉

 

[heehee]

Yes absolutely. Downtown Detroit is perfectly fine. Once you head out of the city a couple miles things get a little dicey. Even so if you have a rental car just take a tour of all the blight around Woodward/8mile and Corktown. Lock your doors maybe. 🙂

Thanks. I'll probably just walk to and from the hotel to the show and maybe drive/walk to somewhere for a nice dinner.

I'll lock my doors and keep my car in first gear when I'm at the lights. 😛

 

[AustinIllini]

I want the new '15 WRX STI. 😀

Image

I wanted the concept

But the production model will do.

 

[G51989]

Interesting insight....I've never owned a sports car like this, I guess I was comparing the corvette to the way I drive the classics. I have a '69 Camaro and my dad has a '70 Challenger, each with over 700HP, so we're lucky to get 8MPG haha! So it truly is a one day a week cruiser, also since there's no traction control never drive in the rain. Wouldn't drive in the rain anyway to save the paint. In fact they've never touched water, just been all detailing and waxing! I really want to get a corvette and given your insight would probably drive it more than one day a week hehe.

My Grand Sport is a 2012, all that fancy fuel injection and what not 😉

I've owned it a couple years, basically as soon as the 2012 model year came out I snatched mine up. I've got a couple mods on it, exhaust, tune and intake. Put it on a dyno and its producing about 515 horsepower from the 6.2 Liter V8.

It'll do zero to 60 in under 4 seconds, and tops out ( on paper, I've never tried on a public road ) at 195mph. Handles very well, 6 speed manual of course.

I've got a nice leather interior, easy to shift 6 speed transmission with a light clutch, a nice big V8 with tons of power, that's actually very quiet when your not on it, I've got manually controlled butterfly valves ( with different settings ), so its quiet when I want it to be and loud when I want it to be. It's got AC, power seats, sat nav. And I drive it all the time, hell it sometimes turns into my daily driver.

You should get a newer vette, you can do a mind blowing lap on your local track, then drive it home like any other car.

Hell, I've driven it cross country three times already, its seen lots of rain, desert, and even mountain snow. Drive it all the time when its not winter here in NY, it already has 64,000 miles on it, and on the highway I've seen nearly 29 MPG when going 70

I actually have a 69 Camaro myself, Yellow with black stripes, Z28 with a built 350 and a 4 speed. It only gets around 10mpg and is not something I'd drive every day.

 

[palmerc2]

My Grand Sport is a 2012, all that fancy fuel injection and what not 😉

I've owned it a couple years, basically as soon as the 2012 model year came out I snatched mine up. I've got a couple mods on it, exhaust, tune and intake. Put it on a dyno and its producing about 515 horsepower from the 6.2 Liter V8.

It'll do zero to 60 in under 4 seconds, and tops out ( on paper, I've never tried on a public road ) at 195mph. Handles very well, 6 speed manual of course.

I've got a nice leather interior, easy to shift 6 speed transmission with a light clutch, a nice big V8 with tons of power, that's actually very quiet when your not on it, I've got manually controlled butterfly valves ( with different settings ), so its quiet when I want it to be and loud when I want it to be. It's got AC, power seats, sat nav. And I drive it all the time, hell it sometimes turns into my daily driver.

You should get a newer vette, you can do a mind blowing lap on your local track, then drive it home like any other car.

Hell, I've driven it cross country three times already, its seen lots of rain, desert, and even mountain snow. Drive it all the time when its not winter here in NY, it already has 64,000 miles on it, and on the highway I've seen nearly 29 MPG when going 70

I actually have a 69 Camaro myself, Yellow with black stripes, Z28 with a built 350 and a 4 speed. It only gets around 10mpg and is not something I'd drive every day.

Sick!! You've got some sweet rides man. The corvette sounds incredible, 515HP is more than enough on a car as light as a honda. I bet it'll snap your neck back in the headrest, that's for sure! In all honesty when it comes to a sports car or a muscle car, I don't care about the sat nav, radio, etc. Just me, the car, the road, and those amazing exhaust notes!

Also props on your Z/28 as well. I bet that 350 small block sounds gooooood. Mine has a 454, obviously not stock at all heh, there's something I just love about a good small block. I'd like to possibly look into getting a '67 Chevelle and putting a 350 in it. I figure I already have a big block, may as well have a small block too.

Check out this video. This is a '69 RS/SS with a 350 bored out to a 355 (I'm guessing to fit high performance pistons). I'm also guessing it also has at least over 550HP. I'm a huge fan of muscle cars, I can go all day 😀

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6R5lU1Q2LSk