That Camaro is so nice, right size, clean style. It attracted the most camera action at the San Jose auto show.

 

This is probably the best D.C. show yet......almost the equal of the Detroit show.

Yesterday I took in the top floor....I summed that up above.

I took in the bottom floor today...spent several hours there. A lot of new and future vehicles were also there. The Tesla cars, new Lexus IS350 convertible, new RX350, Audi Q5, Mercedes GLK, Nissan 370Z, Honda Insight Hybrid, Honda FCX fuel-cell car (for lease only), Mercedes B-Class Fuel-cell version, Kia Soul, a camoflauged version of the Hyundai Genesis coupe, a 2-seat concept VW roadster...all that, and much more. Even Rolls-Royce and Bentley had a big display area.....haven't seen that at the D.C. show for awhile.

Porsche and Suzuki, however, two former regulars, were not there. Porsche didn't do the Detroit Auto Show this year, either, and Suzuki is so small now that they are almost completely devoid of dealerships in the D.C. area now. I've got a feeling (though nothing positive) that they will be the next foreign auto manufacturer to leave the American market, after Isuzu.

I'm going back Saturday or Sunday for a final once over.....and maybe with friends.

 

What's your visual opinion of the Q5? How about compared to the GLK? Thanks.

 

The Q5, in general, IMO, is better looking than the GLK, except, like other Audis, having one of those big, garish, Audi grilles that I have never liked. But overall, outside, it is better-looking than the GLK. I didn't get a real close-up of the Q5's interior, though, as it was up, off the floor, on a display stand....but from what I could see, it was not a whole lot different inside than the Audi A3 and A4.

Mercedes had two new GLK's out on the floor, unlocked (a blue one and a gold one), so I looked them over pretty well....almost as much as I would have for a static review. I don't care for the GLK's body styling as much as the Q5, especially the somewhat frumpy-looking rear end and D-Pillars. But the GLK's overall quality level seems to be a step above other recent Mercedes products I've seen lately.......there were some nice materials inside; the doors opened and shut reasonably solidly, and the hood, mounted on a combination of gas struts AND springs (haven't seen that for awhile), felt and shut like the Rock of Gibraltar. The GLK's did have one annoying feature inside, though...the same double turn signal and cruise-control stalks on the left side of the steering column that I have complained about in other German-designed vehicles...it is easy to confuse one stalk for another when you are signaling for a turn or using the cruise control. Mercedes still hasn't gotten around to redoing that yet.

 

Not surprising. The F-body fans have been waiting some time for it. I personally think that GM delayed too long getting it ready.

Did you make the San Jose show, BTW? My guess is that it probably wasn't as big as either the L.A. or D.C. shows, although California is, admittedly, a huge auto market, even apart from L.A. (as is D.C.)

Here, so far, the Nissan GT-R and the Chevy Volt seem to be getting the most attention, but it's still the workweek. The D.C. Show's crowds should peak this weekend.....probably tomorrow. That may be the best test of the Camaro's appeal here.

We're also expecting a lot of Government people at the D.C. show this weekend....those who did not make it on Press/VIP day Tuesday, the day before it opened to the public.

 

+1 on the reviews... some of the best info in helping me with my decision!!! Sorry I won't be there...

 

Sat in the GLK yesterday, heard the sound system (NUTS!!) but I thought the Audi (at least the Q7) was much more refined than the MBs, even the ML AMG- holy

 

Comon people, where are the pictures!

 

Yeah, sorry about that. I thought more about you guys when I forgot my camera than I did myself. I went after work yesterday, as I work 5 blocks from the convention center, and it was wonderful. Definetly better than last years, with all the 2010's and concepts they had.

Everything MMARSHALL said was spot on, but he did forget to mention that the Fisker Karma and the Concept Convertible were there as well. Ohhh I love those cars.

They also had the Range Rover Sport in the limited dark brown, which is not pictured on their website, but on display.

Great show, may head back today after work.

 

I don't have a digital camera or the skills to use it, and I'm not sure my laptop would take the downloading if I did. That's why I usually post Google images with my reviews.

 

The whole idea and success of digital photography is that it requires no skill. And it's a lot less expensive than regular photography. I'm living proof of the "no-skill" requirement.

Consider giving it a try.

 

Though it was not out on the floor, I finally got to take a good look at the Q5 today, up on the stand, on the last day of the D.C. Auto Show today. It is very impressive, IMO, in its looks and slick interior, and, IMO, will compete extremely well against its new competition, the Mercedes GLK. I think Audi is going to have a real hit on their hands with this one. The Audi people told me pricing will start at just under 38K. This vehicle, by request, is next on my review list....I will review it ASAP. The first ones should start coming in next week...but most, if not all, of them are already pre-sold.