Just got back, and what a mess. The Javits Center is either too small for this kind of show, or NY just has too many people who want to see it. I went Sunday evening, just two and a half hours before the show closed for good, thinking it would be less crowded. WRONG! There were throngs of people still trying to get in. They closed admission at 6:00 PM, which gave me a little time to circulate and see the cars better, as the crowd quickly thinned out.

Stars of the show? The new BMW 645 Coupe was mobbed. It's a nice piece, but the convertible version doesn't translate as well somehow. The new Mini drop-top was there, just the car for your teenage daughter. Cleverly, they used external hinges on the rear "trunklid" to gain interior space.

The new Cad XLR was cool, although somehow it already looked dated- maybe because they've been shlepping pre-production versions to so many shows for too long. The new Cad STS was also a nice piece. Ford's new "Five Hundred" is the nicest Crown Vic you ever saw.

The RX-8 attracted good crowds too, with a line to get in and sit in it. The white Hydro powered 8 was there too, with a technical explanation beside it. They had a red and sunlight silver one. The RX-8 continues to amaze- I have never seen a car in my 30+ years history of salivating over car designs that looks so much better in person than it photographs. New 3's, 6s and Miatas were there too.

I liked Pontiac's Solstice a lot, and if it stickers for 20 grand like they say, it'll be hard to get one. Buick had a really beautiful 2 seat concept too. Great job.

The new Audi sedans were there, and it's amazing how the TT just doesn't wow anymore. The R32 Golf was there, the ultimate in German rice! Nice car, stuffed with all the goodies- literally.

A Mitsubishi Elclipse concept was also neat, in iradescent orange.

Ferrari USA had a stand just to sell books, T-shirts and Ferrari and Maserati kitsch. As you may know, Ferrari licensing earns more than the car business itself.

To top it off, the Morgan Aero 8, Lambo Gallardo, Maybach, Bentley Azure, and all the other unobtainables were there, ogled by the New York's odd combination of Great Unwashed, ward heelers and working classes, all rubbing elbows together and wisecracking in their inimitable style.

I had a good time- it was at least the 25th NY show I had attended- mission accomplished.

I saw someone get into a chauffer drivern Maybach stretch just outside the show. That was cool.

The high point of the show for me...I got to sit in the Lotus elise and play with the shifter. I love the looks and performance of the elise, but after sitting in, I realized it is definitley not a daily driver. you are sitting on the floor, and getting in/ out is a joke.

After siitng all those BMW's and sports cars, getting back into my 8 made me happier than ever. To me it's the perfect combination of luxury and sport, practicality and handling, with great looks to boot. If the M flash and Canzoomers unit (hopefully will have both done this week) help at all with straight line performance and MPG- this will truly be an almost perfect car (at least for me anyway)

I even purchased at the show an AUto Art 1:18 scale titanium I had been looking for, for $50. (plus bought that $100 3 night vacation on the jersey shore to see timeshares- I felt I had to since I dragged my Girlfreind with me, and she hates carshows, racing, etc)

As a side note- I was able to find a parking spot right on 11th Ave 3 block down from Javits on saturday afternoon- THE DREAM SPOT! I took it rather than pay $30 for a parking lot that would probably flood and ding my 8 anyway.

ABout 10PM I came out to find a HUGE truck with a towing hitch ( i hate those) had parked in the already tight spot in front of me. (i even put a flattened cardboard box against the nose of my 8 to protect it since the car that was ahead of me when I pulled in had so little room to get out)

ANyway coming back I see the box on the side walk and this huge truck bumper and hitch inches away from my nose- and prepared for the worst as I examined it. Well I guess he must have been an auto enthiusast as well at the show because someone must have guided him in- no damage at all! either that- or the 3M coating can really take a beating.

a great show all in all.

You have to be brave to drive and/or park your car in the city... or nuts. Though with all the Porche's and Bimmer's and Mercede's that I see driving around I must be the only one who feels that way. I take the train to Penn and the show is a short walk down from there.

Originally posted by flatso
You have to be brave to drive and/or park your car in the city... or nuts.


I resent ... err, I mean...resemble all those comments.

You must think I am totally insane - since I got an 8 and live and drive in Manhattan. I have a garage in my building (which is luckily park and lock), but when I take the 8 out (which is at least 5 nights a week) I always park on the street.

Garages here are the worst for cars - and especially with the flooding issue.

luckily no one seems interested in keying cars around here- another poster said his got keyed in Queens, but I think since mine is titanium, it just blends in at night on a dark street- it's not too flashy like a red or yellow would be. ANd thats the way I like - subtle and cool.

Originally posted by emailists


The high point of the show for me...I got to sit in the Lotus elise and play with the shifter. I love the looks and performance of the elise, but after sitting in, I realized it is definitley not a daily driver. you are sitting on the floor, and getting in/ out is a joke.

After siitng all those BMW's and sports cars, getting back into my 8 made me happier than ever. To me it's the perfect combination of luxury and sport, practicality and handling, with great looks to boot. since I dragged my Girlfreind with me, and she hates carshows, racing, etc)

a great show all in all.

I agree. What makes the 8 so special is that it appeals to so many groups- older people like me who need a seat for the kids, the younger and more affluent driver who wants a little style and luxury, and even the ricer. I wish I had a chance to sit in more cars myself but just to many people.

the best time to go to the show is during the week. The weekends are too crowded and my pet peeve is the little kids sitting in the cars playing with everything like it's a video game. Now I know someone is going to say "don't you remember how excited you got when you were a kid flatso" and I will respond "yes I do now get the f outa the Mercedes you little brat I want to sit in it" :D