I’ve been to the car show every year since I was old enough to know what “steering wheel” meant, though I didn’t truly appreciate what I was seeing until I had figured out things like “coilover suspension” and “symmetrical all-wheel drive.”
But one thing that’s remained constant throughout the years aside from my love of all things four-wheeled is my acceptance of crowds. I’ve been a part of this city my whole life, so I learned to shrug off the various unpleasant odors and cacophonous cries of pre-pubescent boys. So this year, when I was able to attend as an official member of the press, I was greeted with quite a culture shock: past the ticket and ID-checking points, the Javits Center was hushed.
No bored wives digressing loudly on their Blackberries, complaining while their husbands are enamored with the models on the Mercedes platforms. No directionless masses stumbling into pictures like Resident Evil zombies brought to life.
Hell, not even any six year olds bawling their brains out because their corn dogs just fell on the ground.
It felt quite inauspicious, indeed. Perhaps even a bit lonely. And BMW’s confectionaries, while monumentally delicious, could not deter me from noticing the lack of energy within the Javits Center. It felt like Broadway circa I Am Legend. I could not help but let the lethargic, understated tone affect my energy towards the end of the day.
More importantly, however, no crowds = I get to look at and extensively inspect anything I damn well please. Now, I constantly check sites like Autoblog and scour the net for press releases, so the big stars of the show weren’t really shocking – the 2012 Focus and Fiesta in particular caught the eyes of many journalists, including my own. I’ve been following the new Focus since its global platform was announced over a year ago, so there were no surprises there – a pretty car that’s good on gas, handles well, comes with either of two fantastic transmissions, and (if you go for that kind of thing) can be loaded up with tech normally reserved for 35K+ cars.
What’s not to like? Were I a family man or planning to become one soon, the Focus would top a very short list of versatile family hatchbacks. Its only true competitor for me is the Elantra Touring, and that’s technically a wagon – a stigma many Americans are still uncomfortable with.
The Fiesta impressed me once again, bringing plenty of new design to the compact world, while keeping some elements I loved about the old ZX3/ZX5: the gauge cluster design and headlight switch, along with the steering wheel feel like direct descendents of the original Focus. And that’s a fantastic thing, because to this day I haven’t found a compact car I like more than the original Focus.
The lime squeeze Fiesta Ford had on display does suffer in the same area that the ZX5 did, however; if the driver is large (like my 6’1, 205 pound self), good luck to the passenger behind him. Some reviewers would mark the Fiesta off for that, but let’s be real here: if you’re carrying passengers often enough for the rear legroom to be a deciding factor in your purchase, you’re shopping in the wrong segment, pal. But if you’re in the market for a small, affordable, good-looking car that handles excellently and fits a big man behind the wheel AND can fit a good amount of luggage/guitar equipment/whatever in the hatch, I present to you your next ride.
Another car that truly impressed me this year was – and I can’t believe I’m going to use “impressed” and this manufacturer’s name in the same sentence – the Buick Regal GS. Yep, the same name that my grandpa (and probably yours) loved is back to kick some ass. With Jaguar XK-like styling, 2.0T engine, AWD, a six-speed manual (in a BUICK?!), and leather/navigation for around 33 large ones, GM had my attention. Sitting in the Regal GS is such a different experience from GM luxury cars of the past, and even some of the present. The new Cadillac CTS, for example, felt about as welcoming inside as a ’99 Cavalier and just as well-built. But this Regal has the space, the comfort, the fit & finish, the style, AND the balls to give the Bavarians and the Japanese a serious kick in the pants. The perfect daily driver for a 30-something family man.
“30 year old man? In a Buick? Man, you’re crazy!” You might think so, but just watch, Buick’s aiming to seriously change the minds of the public and the automotive journalism industry. I can safely say that they’ve got a fan in me. And I’m barely old enough to buy myself a beer.
The last car that caught my eye was a concept from struggling Saab. Again, I can hardly believe I’m saying this, but it’s the first Saab I haven’t been bored by. There are two swooping, raised planes running from the rear quarter panels to the front of the roof; it’s definitely a striking vehicle. Unfortunately it’s a concept, and therefore worth millions, so I couldn’t sit inside. I was free to admire the concept, apparently dubbed “Phoenix,” from the outside, however. Noting the lack of side view mirrors, I took a quick peek inside. Sure enough, within the dash there are two screens displaying the feed from two cameras on the Phoenix’s wings – brilliant. The driver never has to turn his head. It’s definitely a striking vehicle any way you look at it, For Saab’s sake, I hope it can help the company rise from the ashes.
Five hours and some ridiculously expensive champagne later (big ups, Rolls-Royce) later, I had seen everything I wanted to see. Not once was I bothered. Not once did I have to wait to see a vehicle or deal with a stranger fiddling with the sunroof while I’m trying to assess the dash. Definitely a new experience, in many ways much better than all years prior.
But you know what? Driving through the mountains, no matter how good the road, eventually gets lonely. Sometimes you need good company out there, because the best things in life are meant to be shared.
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