A couple weeks ago back on voting day (Nov. 7th), I took in the 2006 New England International Autoshow in Boston, Mass.. I try to take in at least one autoshow per year for the pure entertainment of looking at cars and trying them out, you know, seeing what's new.
My impressions: The only lows to this autoshow was the ticket/parking prices. $10 a ticket ($8 with coupon) and $12 to park. $8 ticket fine, but $12 to park isn't, thats saying it lightly, even parking in a garage is cheaper by more than $7. The other downside, I was expecting to see Camp Jeep and a Chrysler Concept car, but no the both. For the vehicles, there were no real surprises.
The highs: Thinking back to the autoshow, there were a couple of vehicles I was looking to see, the Jeep Compass, Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, Dodge Caliber and Nitro. The published reviews are in most ways harsh, so heres mine.
Starting with the Dodge Caliber/Jeep Compass, these two vehicles are basically the same with some expections, but I liked them both. The interiers are fine, they are not cheap, there good for there price range, the Compass is a Jeep Lite and its not Trail Rated, but both vehicles were not build for that, rather for people who want either a AWD or 4WD vehicle to get them to and from home/work, that includes going on highways, main and backroads with all weather including snow. Simply put, they were built for light duty and thats what they do. I would consider buying either vehicle, the Caliber R/T AWD would be a good pick for me.
The Nitro is basically the Jeep Liberty (which my family owns one) and the only downside is 16 mpg (18 mpg with a better cold air intake). The Jeep Wrangler 2 & 4 dr, I like hard-top, and the overall design looks good with little change from last year. Again, the downsides was under 20 MPG and the price vs. options. Otherwise, the Chrysler Camp did a good job on them all.
Note to Chrysler Camp (DCX), work on the MPG.
One manufacturer that is getting more interesting in styling, is Mazda, with its Mazda3 and Mazda6, both gets high marks in style.
I was a little surpised on the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and the Subaru WRX, why do both of these car companies continue to change the styling almost yearly. The Silverado's frontend is over kill, if you want to upgrade in style from a Silverado, look at GMC.
I was most impressed with the Chevrolet Corvette, it keeps getting better, front to back. any angle and in almost any color. The corvette is the only vehicle that can pull of most colors including yellow, orange and etc. Looks great in black.
For the highlights of this autoshow in photography, click here to check out the gallery.
All in all, I look forward to going back next year, but the difference between last year and this year, was the family was searching for a new or pre-owned vehicle. Camp Jeep and the love afair of wanting a Jeep sold my father on buying a Jeep Liberty and with the expection of the 18 MPG and the narrow tires, its great. On the other hand, maybe I will try the autoshow in Providence, RI.
