For those of you who live in the Mid-Atlantic area or are otherwise not planning to make the big Detroit North American International Auto Show next month, the Washington, D.C. Auto Show starts this Sunday, December 26, at the new Washington Convention Center (the old one was demolished a couple of days ago) and will run through Sunday, January 2. Show details and hours can be found at 1-866-WASH-AUTO or at www.washingtonautoshow.com. Free Guest passes...or discount Show passes...... can sometimes be picked by at many local auto dealerships ( I always get a bunch of them from auto salespeople I know or who I have dealt with, both for me and for others). Many of the dealers are willing to give them out...they WANT people to go to the show, of course. Discount coupons can also be picked up at local McDonald's
The show, of course, is not as large as the Detroit Show, nor does it have as many new introductions or concept vehicles......but is a really interesting and fun place to go. It is one of my favorite events each year. One of the best displays they usually have there is one of the Subaru Forester's AWD systems mounted up at an tilt-angle operating through a see-through transmission case, differentials, etc......so you can see all the systems (engine, transmission, CV joints, U-joints, drive shafts, differentials, wheels, spinning inside clear cases. VERY interesting.
I will be there (as always) at LEAST 3-4 days myself (not sure which ones yet), both alone and with friends, fellow car enthusiasts, and new-car shoppers.
For those of you who want to go and not in walking distance, don't even think of driving downtown and trying to park....for many reasons. I STRONGLY recommend taking the Metro Subway Green or Yellow line to the Mt. Vernon Ave. / Convention Center station....the show's side entrance's glass doors are literally at the top of the escalator...just ahead, so there's no walking in the cold. If you park in a Metro parking lot to catch the subway, ($3.75 M-F, free on holidays / weekends), you MUST have a Metro Smarttrip card to get out of the parking garage during the hours the exit fee is being charged. (The card is $5 at any station if you don't already have one). Cash is no longer taken. The subway fare, of course, will vary with the station you're coming from and the time of day. The Metro system is usually reliable but be prepared for minor delays and glitches in the fare machines.
Also, wear comfortable and well-padded shoes....you will be on your feet a long time.
If any of you want to go and have any further questions, PM me and I'll be glad to answer them for you.........though I know many of you will be going the huge Detroit Show instead.

 

Will the new GS be at the washington show?
Only reason I am driving from baltimore to go.

 

Mmarshall, do the McDonalds in nova have the free tickets? I m not sure where the closest McDonalds to the convention center are inside DC. Eric, the washington car show website sometimes tells which vehicles will be on display. Thanks.

 

McDonald's restaurants do NOT have free tickets, as far as I know...only discounted ones.
You can get free ones at local dealerships here in the Washington area...after all, the show is sponsored by the Washington Area Dealers' Association. Some dealers have the free Guest passes NOW...some do not. If you're not going on multiple days like I am, then the discount coupons aren't that bad a deal.
There is a McDonalds restaurant above ground at the Metro Center on the Red and Orange lines.....maybe 5-6 blocks south of the new Convention Center. At least there was one the last time I looked...if it has not closed up recently.
McDonalds has a web site you can check locations on at
http://go.mappoint.net/mcdonaldsxInput.aspx

 

No.....probably not...but this is not 100% definite.

Well, Erick, I'm interested in the new GS too, just like you. I've gotten conflicting information both from the local Lexus dealerships and the Lexus marketing people about the D.C. Show, but from what I've been able to make out so far, the 2005 GS, which is basically the EXISTING GS300/430 model rolled over until spring of next year, WILL be at the D.C. show. The all-new 2006 model GS330 V6, 330 AWD, and 430 ( which I think is the car you are asking about ) will probably NOT be at the D.C. show. As usual, as a brand-new product, that is likely to be unveiled first at the Detroit Show. So......as of now.....(and if that is the only reason you want to see the D.C show), don't plan on definitely seeing it here. I will be at the show several days.....If I DO see it here, I will post it on CL so you guys can come on down and check it out.

If you don't (or can't ) make the Detroit Show, here's the good news for you, since you live in Baltimore: having been already shown at Detroit, it will almost certainly be shown at the Baltimore Auto Show from February 10-13. ( I might also make that show...we'll see).
It is scheduled to go on sale starting in March.

 

My local dealer told me the DC show is in a higher class show then baltimore
and they should have the new GS in DC.. Len stoler is doing the baltimore show
and they told me no 06 Gs that they knew of..

Dont want to wait till march to see it

Erick G

 

Like I said, Erick, I got conflicting data, too....but I would be very surprised to see it here before they unveil it in Detroit. However, if it IS here the DC show, I promise.....I'll post it that night as soon as I get home to my computer.

Even though Baltimore is not a high-rated show, I still think you'll probably see it there in February.

The D.C show used to be rated only a "C". class show. It has now been uprated to a "B" class show. Detroit, of course, is an "A"...along with Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo, and, to a slightly lesser extent, Los Angeles.

Just my opinion....but BOTH the D.C. and Baltimore shows SHOULD be rated as "A" and are not. Why? Simple. The number of new vehicles sold in this area is enormous.....SIX TIMES the number sold in the Detroit area....where the biggest show is held. The Washington-Baltimore area.....as I have mentioned many times......is the second-largest new car market in the country....second in sheer numbers only to Southern California. Also, the Government is here.....with Congress, the EPA, DOT, NHTSA, Center for Auto safety, and all of the other government and insurance organizations that are deeply involved in the auto industry. The Detroit Show is big only because it is a tradition and the fact that it has some corporate headquarters.

 

I totally agree
keep us posted

thanks

Erick G

 

Will be at DC, Detroit, and now that I know about it, probably Baltimore.

Hopefully HBL and/or BMW of Fairfax will have free DC auto show tix to give away.

 

The Autoshow has been setup since last weekend. Every vehicle which is open to public that was to have working gauges/stero/NAV/DVD/ ect. needed modified wiring, plus much more so power from floor outlets can be used. I work at the Lexus dealer where all the cars at the show are from.
I can tell you for a fact the new GS is already there.. It's better in person then the pics floating online. The new GS isn't the only major item at the Lexus section, as the other models there have some cool new freatures and packages.
ENJOY
Kevin

 

You forgot a biggie: Geneva - just down the road from me.

 

I plan to go on new year's day. Those of you who go earlier, could you confirm whether the new GS is there or not. Thank you!!

 

THE new 06 GS is at the show and will be there..

 

Mmarshall,
Do you happen to know which dealers offer free tickets? Thanks.

 

I think I'm going Tuesday night. mmarshall, will you be there? I'd be interested to meet you.