View Full Version : Trip to the LA Auto Show


RotorMotor
01-08-2003, 07:23 PM
I just got back from the LA Auto Show a few minutes ago. I drove up with a buddy of mine this morning, didn't run into too much traffic, and had an awesome time!

The good:
The car was absolutely beautiful.... Almost exactly what I expected, but there were a few surprises. I ordered mine a few minutes ago and chose the Titanium with the brown leather (the brown leather looked nice with the red at the show and would look better with the titanium I think). Although I chose titanium, I must say that the mica red is absolutely stunning!

The headlights and tail lights I found especially cool. I'm not too sure what it was, but they looked better in person than in any of the pictures that I've seen. The seats were very comfortable and the headroom was nice. It was pretty easy to get in and out of the backseat with somebody sitting in the front as well (although I didn't try it when the person in front had his seatbelt fastened). I also thought that the design of the rear door handle was fantastic.

The...eh, not too bad:
The backseats were a little smaller than I expected. I wasn't thinking Lincoln Navigator back seats before I went, but there were a little crampped. That said, it would be very easy for somebody my size (5' 10", 160) to ride in the back comfortably for 2 or 3 hours.

The visors were a little strange. They weren't cloth like I'd expect, but plastic and they had little holes drilled through them (kinda like a peg-board). I'm not too sure if I like that or not.

Other than that, the only real problem with the car was all the freakin' people standing around it obstructing my view!!!! :D :D

The down-right ugly:
The bafoon that Mazda had standing there was absolutely worthless. He knew nothing about the car other than what was on the info sheet. He was quoting incorrect prices to people that asked (and quite a few seemed very interested). I was waiting around for this other guy to stop asking questions so I could try to weasel some insider information out of him, but after listening to what he was telling the other guy, I realized that I'd be wasting time.

I have a few pictures to post too, but the cable for my camera's at work so it'll have to wait 'til morning.

Oh, BTW, the X-2 car was sweet as well. I wish that color combination was available in production.....

HottRodder
01-09-2003, 09:26 AM
RM: Was this a production car or the X-men car? I'd like to see the real thing too provided you can sit in and play with it a little.

RotorMotor
01-09-2003, 10:23 AM
Apparently it was the car that was used in the movie, but it was up on a turn-table and you couldn't sit in it or anything. Look don't touch....

Puppy1
01-09-2003, 10:25 AM
Originally posted by HottRodder
RM: Was this a production car or the X-men car? I'd like to see the real thing too provided you can sit in and play with it a little.
You can't touch the X-men car. It is on a rotating stage. But you can play with the real thing right next to it.

EDIT: LOOKS LIKE MY ANSWER ARRIAVED TOO LATE :(

Puppy1
01-09-2003, 10:41 AM
Originally posted by RotorMotor
though I chose titanium, I must say that the mica red is absolutely stunning.>>> Agreed! The red made me think twice about the Titanium.

The headlights and tail lights I found especially cool. I'm not too sure what it was, but they looked better in person than in any of the pictures that I've seen.>>>AGREED! I didn't find the rear lights too ricey at all.

The seats were very comfortable and the headroom was nice. It was pretty easy to get in and out of the backseat with somebody sitting in the front as well... I also thought that the design of the rear door handle was fantastic.>>AGREED! Opening the door felt totally natural.

The visors were a little strange. They weren't cloth like I'd expect, but plastic and they had little holes drilled through them (kinda like a peg-board). I'm not too sure if I like that or not.>>>I LOVED THEM. I thought it was one more excellent example of the attention to weight savings Mazda had done.

The bafoon that Mazda had standing there was absolutely worthless. He knew nothing about the car other than what was on the info sheet. He was quoting incorrect prices to people that asked (and quite a few seemed very interested). I was waiting around for this other guy to stop asking questions so I could try to weasel some insider information out of him, but after listening to what he was telling the other guy, I realized that I'd be wasting time.>>>WHAT THE HELL MAZDA??????? I couldn't belive you would pay for some "plastic dummys" to represent the one car that is critical to your very survival! MAZADA YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD ATLEAST ONE OF YOUR OWN STAFF THERE WHO ACTUALLY KNEW SOMETHING ABOUT THE DAMM CAR!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't belive that I had to be the one to teach them and answer the questions of the public. MAZDA WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!!!!! p.s. if any of those people in your display were actually Mazda employees FIRE THEIR ASSES NOW!

marke1
01-09-2003, 12:27 PM
Originally posted by RotorMotor

The visors were a little strange. They weren't cloth like I'd expect, but plastic and they had little holes drilled through them (kinda like a peg-board). I'm not too sure if I like that or not.

The "unusual" sun visors were mentioned in the press kit. Here's the description:

new style sun visors: Sun visors use a punched metal motif. The design conveys a weight-saving image befitting a genuine sports car, and lends a clear-cut look to the interior. Mazda designers optimized the size and pitch of the punched holes to assure shading capability. Sun visors are also fitted with a lighted vanity mirror.