2010 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS)

[Whelan]

I will get pictures up later. I took a LONG lunch break and walked the show for 2 hours. It's a perk to working in the city I guess, lol. Anyways, I can definitely say I am getting older cause I skipped a lot of cars I would oggle over. The Lambo's, Porsche's, Audi's, etc. and spent more time in models I would consider buying. So here is my list, they may not all be new when I buy them but it's what I'm considering so keep an open mind.Ford Focus 5-door:top of the list so far, and after seeing it even on a turntable and sitting in the Ford Fiesta the materials should be top notch and fit and finish very high. There may be a loaded Focus in my future yet.Mazdaspeed 3:The materials and fit seem over-the-top. The outside screams power and fun and the inside finished it off with a sense of dare I say luxury sport? The big smile looks better in speed3 trim than in base or GT form. And for the money in its segment, it is def. #1 on my book should I pull the trigger before the Focus comes out.Chevy Cruze:I must say, I am impressed at the materials used. Even going to have a not all plastic dash is quite enticing. The car feels comfortable and has loads of space both backseat and trunk. You really don't feel like your in a small car. Maybe not the top of my list but definitely in the running.Chevy Volt:The price is up there but seeing this in person really helped to solidify it as a choice. It is the ONLY hybrid I would consider owning and the exterior and interior styling are just phenomenal. It may get a test drive yet.I skipped VW cause I can't stand the GTI and Jetta, but took a look at the Buick Regal GS up close. It is way out of my range for price by several grand but man what a looker. It will give Lexus and Acura both something to consider when redesigning the TSX and IS series.Mercedes C300 and GLK320:I know even used they are out of my range but man it's a whole 'nother level. I won't go into detail as they most likely will not come to fruition, but they really do make you almost justify spending the money you don't have to get one. I swear they leave the windows up on purpose. nothing says noise deadening like being closed in a MB in the middle of an auto show.Hyundai Genesis Coupe:So far the only 2-door I would consider. You can tell the materials may be a little behind compared to Chevy and Ford (I know astonishing) but it's true. Either way the Genesis Coupe offers a lot of car (Altima Coupe, Accord Coupe are dated in comparison) for what you pay.Hyundai Sonata:Read my lips, "they changed the game". The new Sonata looks better and feels better inside and out than the competition from Toyota, Honda, Nissan, etc. If I had to pick the top cars in this class the Fusion and Sonata would be 1 and 2 (not in and specific order). From the seats to the options it is insane what they give you at such a price point. And the materials feel 1000% better than a Honda/Toyota to me.Toyota Matrix:For giggles I stepped in one to see how I liked it compared to my 2005 XR AWD. Umm, step backwards I would say. My interior feels higher grade and a class above compared to this thing. The HUGE plastic central dash and flat styled seats. It just lost it's connection with the driver. I feel comfortable and upscale in my 05 Matrix. But this new one has lost every ounce of appeal. Toyota has totally gone flacid with it's design and model lineup. They had a bunch of accapela guys on stage called "The Toyotas" singing safety tunes and what not. Blech!Honda Civic Si sedan:I sat in it, played with it, and lost my urge for it. You can tell the current Civic is showing it's age with materials and feel. The Mazdaspeed3 had oodles more in that department (not to mention others), so I can only hope the new Focus can match/exceed. I know I have a HUGE segment I'm looking at cause I even checked out the Chevy Equinox, the cousin Terrain, the subaru WRX (btw the new sedan version is nicer than the hatch), and some Jeeps. But for me the Ford and Mazda group still outshined their competition. Ford is really striving to nameplate themselves and the number of people surrounding the new Mustang and Taurus proved it. I got pictures of the new Foci coming tonight along with others. But it looks like I am getting closer and closer to going back to my roots (1984 Ford Escort) and getting the new Focus next year when it debuts.

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »Hyundai Sonata:Read my lips, "they changed the game". The new Sonata looks better and feels better inside and out than the competition from Toyota, Honda, Nissan, etc. If I had to pick the top cars in this class the Fusion and Sonata would be 1 and 2 (not in and specific order). From the seats to the options it is insane what they give you at such a price point. And the materials feel 1000% better than a Honda/Toyota to me.That is an extremely nice car. I always liked the last gen but this new one is simply stunning! A lot of people are pissed about losing the V6 but with the GDI turbo version pumping out 274 HP and still can attain 34 MPG who cares about the lost displacement! That's more than enough power for a family sedan.I like how they mixed up the hybrid game a bit by keeping a normal 6-speed auto and not using some CVT crap like the others all use. 39 MPG highway for a car of that size is pretty impressive.This car is a game changer indeed!

[jake75]

I went from a 2003 Vibe to a 2009 Vibe. Perhaps I am not that picky but I didn't really see much difference in the interior quality. Trading up was a no-brainer given the small difference in what I paid for the new '09 and what I got for the '03 in a private sale. My wife was interested in the new safety features -multiple air bags, abs, stability control. I found my worst fear - lack of visibility out of the smaller windows - was unfounded. I would have preferred to keep the hydraulic power steering and the manual throttle but I am getting used to that as well. The '09 seems quieter which is a plus. Toyota didn't even include a Matrix in the mix at the Columbus auto show so I have not seen a new gen Matrix up close - assume it is much like the Vibe.

[NascarXprt]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »Toyota didn't even include a Matrix in the mix at the Columbus auto show so I have not seen a new gen Matrix up close - assume it is much like the Vibe. interior yes its the exact same pretty much.

[Whelan]

Pictures as promised! Sorry not more, but I only snapped what I wanted, unfortunately didn't get the WRX sedan in red, it was hot. The phone has a 3.2 megapixel camera so they came out pretty well.Quick ride on the E train to Penn Station, then 3 blocks down to the Javits Center Ford Focus Corvette ZR-1 Chevy Volt Bumblebee Camaro Buick Regal GS Lexus LF-A A-Team Bunny MobileYeah this lady has a purpler Smart convertible with matching purple wheels and that STUPID bunny ear and nose combo that they use now like the reindeer ears.

[star_deceiver]

Like the front of the new Focus.... not so much from the rear....I also like the look of the volt... but if I'm spending that $$$ I'd buy the Camaro!!!

[djkeev]

So, does the Volt drag that extension cord everywhere it goes like a electric lawn mower!?!I do like the new Focus. Now that the Vibe is gone the day will come where we will all move on to another brand, except the diehards of us who NEVER purchase a new car.Haven't been to that auto show since the early 70's, guess I should trek into the city and take a look one of these years.Dave

[ColonelPanic]

It's going to be nice when Chevrolet can finally donate turntable space to something other than the Volt. I'm getting sick of seeing it, I think it's the 4th time I've seen it there? Don't get me wrong, it's an important car for them but it's turning out to be just like the Camaro. They parade that thing in front of us year after year until we're sick of seeing it... Then when it becomes available who cares!

[ParknVibe]

I was at the NY Auto Show on Monday. as I always do the day after Easter. I took over 230 pictures. I also like the look of the Ford Focus. I wished the 2009 Vibe had that style. I spent a lot of time looking at wheel well liners. Most have black asphaltic coatings, other have plastic liners, and some high end cars had soft felt fabic liners that help keep the road noise to a min. In addition to wheel wells. I have been reviewing how cars have been sealing the gap or wall at the door hinge mount from the engine compartment. Good cars have no holes through the fender door gap wall. Most have a foam block stuffed in there. Other. have a thin form seal between the metals. Toyota and the Vibe has a foam block with a 1 by 3 inch air gap at the top. You can see through between the engine and the door. The Vibe's driver and passengers door interior panels have 1/2" by 6-10 inch long air gaps on the front edge and the bottom edge. This lets road noise to enter into the door cavity. Again, I was also checking how tightly the interior panel are fitted to the door's metal frame at the show.What I am really is studying is road noise, engine noise, and how they enter the interior. This is what I want to know. Other then that, the Auto Show was less of a show then last year. It just didn't have the good VIBES anymore.

[Whelan]

They also had a TON of Camaros in different colors and options. Similar to the Dodge Challenger display. A little overkill and only showcased two Chevy Cruze's, one you could not even sit in. Meanwhile Ford displayed the new Focus in both trims on a HUGE turntable with promoters and loads of other goodies on display. The Mazda section was nice as well. I'll tell you what, sit in a Mazdaspeed3 and you forget the front end is smiling at everyone. The fit/finish is incredible for a car at this price. It just sucks that they are not offering the 0% on the speed3 (only the regular 3) otherwise I would have already traded in my Matrix. I thought they were offering the Zoom Zoom event, but I guess you can't Zoom Zoom too fast, stick to the base models.

[ParknVibe]

It is great to see a lot of people come to the NY auto show, however nearly every time I am taking a picture with my slow camera, someone is always (walking) (running) (J-walking) into the shot. Everybody just gets to excited about these cars...they cut into everyone's way. Picture People should have the RIGHT of WAY. All others should YIELD!!! or STOP!!!

[Caretaker]

I was very close to the Javits Center (Port Authority) during the show. When i was walking around Times Square, Hyundai had 4 groups of mimes walking around, drawing attention to the upcoming H Sonata Blue, which is the hybrid coming out at the end of the year. The jumbotron was flashing commercials for the HS Blue. I sat in the current Sonata at the dealer yesterday and found it to be OK up front, but a joke for the rear passengers. Absolutely no head room, as H sloped the roof radically to allow air to flow in a matter that would get it 35 mpg on the highway.The Ford Focus wagon was on my "wish my wife wasn't giving the Vibe away" wish list, but MotorWeek already reported that Ford is NOT sending the wagon to the US. That was the end of my fascination with Ford. Your picture reaffirmed to me that the 5 door is NOT worth waiting for. The roof line, like the current Sonata, falls off way too fast in the back, thus killing any headroom potential for the rear passengers. Thanks for posting the pictures nonetheless.

[ParknVibe]

Ford had a hatchback Focus three or more years ago that was pretty nice looking. I was going to look at it at the past show, but for some reason, Ford drop the hatchback. I never got a close look at it. It is another reason I bought the 2009 Vibe. Was always looking for a small hatchback with a wide rear opening. I also like the Kompresser C-Class hatchback by Mercedes-Benz. It was only in the market for only few years. I would of paid the $25000 for it. I just like small crossover type cars. I would never buy SUV trucky car with BIG wheels. Yet alot of new crossovers have BIG wheels and tires...and stand six feet tall. I have trouble washing the roof of my Vibe and removing the snow as well.

[cptnsolo77]

Thx for posting! That Regal GS looks very nice!Whats up with this A-Team movie??? How could anyone play Mr T except Mr T himself???

[Whelan]

Quote, originally posted by cptnsolo77 »Thx for posting! That Regal GS looks very nice!Whats up with this A-Team movie??? How could anyone play Mr T except Mr T himself???Did you see the preview yet? I saw Date Night on Friday (HYSTERICAL btw) and they had a trailer. It looks insane!