2009 Canadian International AutoShow- Anyone going?

[xpoint9]

did anyone go? if so how was it? is it worth going?
My friends and I want to go, but don't know if it'll be worth the admission and the drive.

http://www.autoshow.ca/2009/whereandwhen.php

let me know
thanks

[First.Dog]

not me

This reminds me of the old Comdex shows in Vegas and Chicago, the internet killed them by providing new product information instantly.

We can now do 80% of our new car research online and the last 20% at a few select dealers. IMHO, I think new car shows have become irrelevant.

[lordzod]

The wife and I went yesterday.

Being in the market for a new car it was good way to check out alot of cars quickly with no sales people around. I was able to cross out a number of cars on my short list very quickly just by sitting in them.

If we weren't car shopping we probably wouldn't have gone. I'm not the type to go out and look at cars just for the sake of looking at cars.

The show itself was ok. We probably spent around 3-3.5 hours there. GM and Chrysler's areas were very low key, their current financial troubles showing through. Basically not much of a display, just a group of cars parked on the floor. It was a little crowded. My biggest gripe was with people that spend way too much time in a car showing no consideration to the many others wishing to check out the same vehicle.

[beerbaron105]

not me

This reminds me of the old Comdex shows in Vegas and Chicago, the internet killed them by providing new product information instantly.

We can now do 80% of our new car research online and the last 20% at a few select dealers. IMHO, I think new car shows have become irrelevant.

can't sit in a car on the net brah.

[beerbaron105]

The wife and I went yesterday.

Being in the market for a new car it was good way to check out alot of cars quickly with no sales people around. I was able to cross out a number of cars on my short list very quickly just by sitting in them.

If we weren't car shopping we probably wouldn't have gone. I'm not the type to go out and look at cars just for the sake of looking at cars.

The show itself was ok. We probably spent around 3-3.5 hours there. GM and Chrysler's areas were very low key, their current financial troubles showing through. Basically not much of a display, just a group of cars parked on the floor. It was a little crowded. My biggest gripe was with people that spend way too much time in a car showing no consideration to the many others wishing to check out the same vehicle.

You went on the weekend, terrible time to actually sit in the vehicle, way too many children inside screwing around with them to even bother waiting in line to sit in one.

Go during the week! it's dead!!!

[lordzod]

You went on the weekend, terrible time to actually sit in the vehicle, way too many children inside screwing around with them to even bother waiting in line to sit in one.

Go during the week! it's dead!!!



I know but we had to do a weekend. The wifes and my work schedules don't mesh too good on the weekdays, the weekend is the only time we could go together.

I didn't see too many children there, maybe around 4-5 total. Mostly adults and a few groups of teens.

[VivienM]

I went yesterday...

Memo to Lexus: why did you bring two stripper ISes to the show? and no decently-equipped ones?

Also, the MB test track thing is fun...

[-=phelan=-]

went yesterday with my g/f and looked at a few cars, spent 6.5 hrs there

Cars that caught my eyes

IS250
TL
RX350
RDX
GLX -Mercedes (forgot the rest of the model #)
B200
A3
A3 TDI
A4
EX35
G37 Sedan
M35 Sedan

Just my 2 cents on cars i'm interested in buying in a few yrs probably used.

[Ziggy007]

Is the Genesis Coupe there? I would go just to check out that car

[bembol]

The past years there was a reason to with Nissan GT-R, Audi R8...

Skipping this year.

[-=phelan=-]

^^ well they still had the gtr there and also the r8. A few other supercars there, ferraris, porches, lotus elise, jags etc.

[VivienM]

Is the Genesis Coupe there? I would go just to check out that car

Yup, they have two of them, I think... but you can't sit in it :(

The sedans are there too... and those are fully accessible.

[jacky76]

Is the Genesis Coupe there? I would go just to check out that car

Genesis couple is there........worth to check it out but not available to sit inside.

the Hyundai booth has a red one but don't forget there's a white one in the North building, you can get a much closer look outside and inside although the windows are tinted.

have fun :cheesygri

[Sepiraph]

Genesis couple is there........worth to check it out but not available to sit inside.

That sucks that you can't sit in a 30k-ish car, did Hyundai think they are Ferrari or something. Last year even Audi let you sit in their R8 (which I was a bit surprised).

But yea looking forward to going next week! :D

[ShadowVlican]

Yup, they have two of them, I think... but you can't sit in it :(

The sedans are there too... and those are fully accessible.
DAMN.... that's a blow...

[VivienM]

That sucks that you can't sit in a 30k-ish car, did Hyundai think they are Ferrari or something. Last year even Audi let you sit in their R8 (which I was a bit surprised).

There's some kind of rule that you can't sit in any models that haven't hit stealership lots yet...

Ford won't let you sit in the 2010 Lincoln MKZ. Audi won't let you sit in the S4 (but will happily let you sit in the more expensive A8). GM won't let you sit in the 2010 Buick Allure. Etc.

It's hard to blame Hyundai for this particular rule, since it seems EVERY automaker does it.

[typespirit]

did anyone go? in the rogers center, on the floor where there are all the small vendors / shops, there was a stand called "unique vision" with some girls modeling with some cars. I cant remember the exact name, but they had some posters and on one of them there were a set of rims that I really liked. I cant find the site / company and its killing me. Does anyone know which stand im talking about?

[coriolis]

Is it open today? Though I think it'll be busy...

[McLaren]

did anyone go? in the rogers center, on the floor where there are all the small vendors / shops, there was a stand called "unique vision" with some girls modeling with some cars. I cant remember the exact name, but they had some posters and on one of them there were a set of rims that I really liked. I cant find the site / company and its killing me. Does anyone know which stand im talking about?

Not sure which one you are referring to, but there was wheels direct, and some other place called rimz (with a z).

All i remember is the stand with the playboy playmate model.

[VorteC]

I'll be going... got staff-pass so might as well go look around. Should be able to get into cars like the Aston's..

[typespirit]

I'll be going... got staff-pass so might as well go look around. Should be able to get into cars like the Aston's..

if you're going today see if you can help me find the name of the company around the vendor area at the rogers center. there are girls handing out posters there and its called Unique Vision or something. :D

[shinichi]

I was there on Sunday,
Benz/BMW/Lexus and Infiniti were the busiest sections, people had to line up to sit in the cars.

Acura/Audi/VW were packed too.

Honda/Nissan/Toyota/Volvo were okay, not too crazy.

All the rest were pretty dead quiet.

[DeimosBeros]

Did any manufacturer NOT show up this year?

[shinichi]

Did any manufacturer NOT show up this year?

I didn't see porsche maybe I missed it somehow

[VorteC]

I didn't see porsche maybe I missed it somehow
Didn't see porsche either. However I didn't goto the Skydome today though..


Anyways, I went today... but didn't really check out anything cept the exotic cars. Got to get up real close and sit in the Exige, the Bentley's, the Aston's.. to take some pics :)

more photos at:
http://flickr.com/photos/vortec/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3327/3287033088_f520ac566a.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3535/3286215381_f52d4ab060.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/3286234191_48d140563f.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/3286232957_7b9859eaa9.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/3286232145_e5681e5d94.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3287047846_59b62f10db.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/3287043322_9bedd4ed66.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3482/3287040026_87483c37a4.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/3287030678_e22357edf1.jpg

[bembol]

I was there on Sunday,
Benz/BMW/Lexus and Infiniti were the busiest sections, people had to line up to sit in the cars.

Acura/Audi/VW were packed too.

Honda/Nissan/Toyota/Volvo were okay, not too crazy.

All the rest were pretty dead quiet.

LOL What else is new. Except for Cadillac, I have never visited ANY of the Domestics.

[gamer123]

i'll be going there tmr with my n82 to point and shoot

[Emancipated]

There's some kind of rule that you can't sit in any models that haven't hit stealership lots yet...

Ford won't let you sit in the 2010 Lincoln MKZ. Audi won't let you sit in the S4 (but will happily let you sit in the more expensive A8). GM won't let you sit in the 2010 Buick Allure. Etc.

It's hard to blame Hyundai for this particular rule, since it seems EVERY automaker does it.

I've seen a picture on Gencoupe.com where someone claimed a dealership in Ontario has already started selling them. In fact, out West they have been selling them so I don't know about that rule.

[bananaman]

Mercedes was offering test drive, so I did. You get shuttled to a track which is really a parking lot with pylons.

It wasn't busy on Saturday so you could test drive all the cars on the track if you wanted to.

They had the SLR for test drive...just kidding. I only test drove the smart car.

[march9]

went and test drove the C, E and smart car...pretty sweet.

[gwu]

Any nice posters this year?

I know in the past, BMW always gave one out... Nissan had GTR posters...I still have my Benz SLR McLaren one.
What's available this year?

[radeonboy]

Didn't see porsche either. However I didn't goto the Skydome today though..


Anyways, I went today... but didn't really check out anything cept the exotic cars. Got to get up real close and sit in the Exige, the Bentley's, the Aston's.. to take some pics :)

more photos at:


Nice photos. Were you scolded for using your speedlite by any chance? This will be my first autoshow and I guess photography (with flash) is allowed right?

[puff_daddy_58_99]

I'm heading over after work today, first time for a mid-week visit and I'm hoping it's a lot less busy than it has been on the weekends

[gh05t]

Thank You for the pics Vortec.

Decided to pass on the show this year.

Hope some of you who visit and take pics post some.

[DaVibe]

Went once already, anticipating going again this weekend ...
Don't know why, but I enjoyed the show ... it wasn't very busy when I went, so I was able to sit in all the cars any time I liked, not to mention take photos when I felt like it ...

However, there's a couple of members that put up their photos from the show (as I've seen in previous years) that are just amazing. I literally take LESS photos because I know the ones I'll see online will look much better and if anything, I'll copy them!

Overall, I enjoyed it though. Didn't see a lot of freebies though, guess that's the sign of what year and current economic times we're in right now ...

[beerbaron105]

Was really impressed with the RX-8, even though its an aging model, still has amazing lines, and impressive interior, conformed to my body.

Also was a fan of the Base model Camaro, 300hp for 27k, I'll take one please!

Liked the 1-series BMW as well!

Was not impressed that the Cobalt SS turbo was locked! It's just a Cobalt!!!

[onecoolloser]

I went on Family Day.

It's not that bad. Got a Jag XF poster, a cheesy Honda one (anyone want it?) and a Mercedes GLK350 one.

The Mercedes Test Track was pretty fun. You get to drive around C300, B200 (reg and turbo), Smart ForTwo, GLK350, and the E320 BlueTEC around the track. It's free and its fun...they shuttle you out of the show to a parking lot and you jump in the cars and go!

That was my highlight. There were R8's, Lambos, Ferarris and the regular exotics. Nothing else that was very intersting.

They also had an IS and G37 convertible...didnt like it at ALL.

I got some pics, if anyones interested. It was allright, not the best though.

[namdeeps]

Any nice posters this year?

I know in the past, BMW always gave one out... Nissan had GTR posters...I still have my Benz SLR McLaren one.
What's available this year?

i got the mb glk and a ford f 150 poster

[XxXSnake23XxX]

The Mercedes Test Track was pretty fun. You get to drive around C300, B200 (reg and turbo), Smart ForTwo, GLK350, and the E320 BlueTEC around the track. It's free and its fun...they shuttle you out of the show to a parking lot and you jump in the cars and go!



that was sooo sick!

nothing really stood out...

[Eddie_Jai]

Yea, the benz test drives were pretty nice, but they were the only ones offering, I remember you used to be able to go for ride and drives with some of the GM cars and sometimes if you looked like you were looking to buy you could squeeze one out of some of the other makers as well.

Did anyone go to the Benz lounge...? that thing was really woobly, Nothing beat 2003 were you could sit in an SLR

[luxome]

maybe.

i'm really looking forward to see the Hyundai Genesis and the R8

[XxXSnake23XxX]

maybe.

i'm really looking forward to see the Hyundai Genesis and the R8

couldn't sit in either :(

i saw a pic of the genesis coupe concept but i didn't see it there :(
will they be offering the coupe in the orange?

[rayt-]

couldn't sit in either :(

i saw a pic of the genesis coupe concept but i didn't see it there :(
will they be offering the coupe in the orange?

They had a red one and a white one there. Along with a black sedan version. Just came back from it.

[at1212b]

Its definitely worth it when you are in the near-term looking for a car.

That way you can actually see it, how big it is, etc. Seeing pictures, a car may look small or bigger, but ends up alot different then expected, mainly because the proportions can make a car look smaller then it is (ie. cars are getting shorter, but higher and fatter) and just the presence can be very different.

Sitting in it and checking out the blindspot, seat comforts, are good reasons. And you get to see the sticker price so its more fresh and the impression lasts longer. I haven't gone in years, though I think around 2005 was the last night.

I was extremely surprised at how much more 'hype' it had gotten since I went around 99. I think I would want to check it out, mainly to just see the mood, and car companies trying to put on a brave face (when you know the reps there are probably scared crapless that their jobs may be gone soon).

[SuPaFleXx]

apart from the new cars......any different things happening this year compared to last year?

[SoNgMaN]

I've seen a picture on Gencoupe.com where someone claimed a dealership in Ontario has already started selling them. In fact, out West they have been selling them so I don't know about that rule.

they may have "started" "selling " them but they haven't been delivered yet.

[dcue]

it was my first trip to the autoshow, and i was satisfied w/ my trip there today. me and my wife were able to get a good feel of the int/ext of the cars that are on our short list (lancer gts/fit/civic/mazda3 2010/sentra se-r), and it really changed our opinions on which one we like better... i know test drive would change those opinions dramatically, but knowing the car's int/ext w/o the pressure of the car salesman was the best.

we were there for almost 4 hrs, had fun checking other cars as well, those cars that aren't on our radar but might be in the future, like the wagons/CUVs, mid/full sedans and minivans.

in the end, it was well worth the $20/ea for admission if you're in the market for a new car, or at least will be in the near future.

[VorteC]

I actually asked the Aston & Bentley & Rolls & "Sports cars of the world" rep if I could get a closer look and sit in them and he let me.. and this was on a busy saturday haha. Maybe you guys can try the same.

[Qwest905]

it was my first trip to the autoshow, and i was satisfied w/ my trip there today. me and my wife were able to get a good feel of the int/ext of the cars that are on our short list (lancer gts/fit/civic/mazda3 2010/sentra se-r), and it really changed our opinions on which one we like better... i know test drive would change those opinions dramatically, but knowing the car's int/ext w/o the pressure of the car salesman was the best.

we were there for almost 4 hrs, had fun checking other cars as well, those cars that aren't on our radar but might be in the future, like the wagons/CUVs, mid/full sedans and minivans.

in the end, it was well worth the $20/ea for admission if you're in the market for a new car, or at least will be in the near future.

nice so what car did you like the best out of those 5?

[dcue]

nice so what car did you like the best out of those 5?

what actually stood out for me/us was the mazda3 2010, at least the GT model. overall style, and the interior - from the features on the dash to the quality and comfort of the seats (front/back), not something you'd see on an econobox. Lancer GTS was a close second, the non-SI civic and fit sport's ext was nice but the int feels like cheap for what you're paying for (compared to the other similar econoboxes). heck, the sentra se-r wasn't even considered before due to it's yaris-like front, but the int was better than expected, at least it looked better than honda's.

I like the SI, but not really on our list. I'm just a lil disappointed on honda as the int/ext of the regular civics and even the Fit Sport pales in comparison to the SI's (especially on the int part). I know I could get flamed for this by honda fanboys as SI is on a different level, but just looking at Mazda3's GS/GX vs GT and Lancer's DE(iirc) vs GTS, you'll know what i mean. well, this is just my opinion.

[radeonboy]

Had a fun time there due to my brother and his friend going along so we got to do some crazy stupid stuff like "test out" if those motorized trunk lid on the SUV's work haha. My bros friend actually sat in the trunk while the lid closed on his kneecaps while this woman was staring like WTF lol. We knew they had sensors from testing on another vehicle. Surprisingly each manufacturer all had different levels of sensor strength and would kick in quickly or a lil slow.

I took tons of pictures (900 worth, editing now lol)