2008 NAIAS - Sat Jan 26 Trip

**MrClean** · #1 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 03:18 AM

Anyone interested in heading to Detroit on Saturday for the Auto Show?

So far there are three of us that will be going.

If interested, post here, PM me or just plan to meet us at the McDonalds off 23 just north of Powell Road (across the street from Meijer) at 6:45 am.

As you may have heard, Porsche is NOT going to be there this year. However, the Chinese will be there to take their place (j/k). Seriously, it is a must see show for any car enthusiast - I am saying this to anyone who has not been.

A few cars I am looking forward to seeing...

-Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept
-Audi R8 Diesel
-Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Plenty others are worthy too.

Hope to see some of you there!

plaifatt · #2 (**permalink**) 01-27-2008, 03:17 PM

I went on the 17th......great as usual but seemed busier this year. Porsche was not there as expected. For those interested, I have several photos here:

Peter Lai Fatt (Foto-Box) : photos : NAIAS- powered by SmugMug

Hert is one of the ZR1.

**MrClean** · #3 (**permalink**) 01-28-2008, 04:15 PM

Good times were had on Saturday.

John_Copeland, a friend of mine from S2k boards and I did the one day trek up to Detroit (boy does that city look bad).

John took more pictures of me with models than of the cars (blackmail) that I imagine he'll be posting later.

As posted in the OT forum...
(2008 NAIAS - Who's going? Who's been?)

---
The show turned out to be pretty good, even without Porsche.

Crowds stayed away until mid afternoon. Most of the day, you could actually walk around without bumping into people and get photos of the hot models... err cars without having your buddy doing crowd control.

The R8 Diesel in person is an amazing looking vehicle, very aggressive! This was my top pick for production cars. Oh and compared to this new R8, the regular R8 looks "decaffeinated" in comparison.

The ZR1 is badass! That is one helleva car for the money.

My favorite concept was the CTS Coupe. Can you imagine the new CTS-V engine in this car? Wow!

Nothing in my price range that I would buy as a replacement to my current cars - to the relief of my wife.

**samwY** · #4 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 03:56 AM

Those are really quality pictures, the ZR1 looks vicious.

Gary I'll call you this week to check out your ride. Hopefully it stays dry??

**MrClean** · #5 (**permalink**) 01-31-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samwY

Those are really quality pictures, the ZR1 looks vicious.

Gary I'll call you this week to check out your ride. Hopefully it stays dry??

Sounds good. Give me a ring, Sammy

====

Yeah, the ZR1 was one of my favorites of the show.

Funny thing, I was initially just as excited to see the Skyline GTR (hoping the pictures didn't do it justice). However, once I saw the GTR in person, I was just ho-hum about its looks. There were some angles with the wide fender flaring that was not as apparent in the photos, but all in all the car did not *move* me like other car designs do in its category (i.e. Porsche 911, Corvette Z06, etc). The performance is impressive and for many, this will make up for its looks, especially for the money. But if were in the market for a car of this caliber, I would rather fork over the extra dough for a 911 Turbo or take the Carrera with its lesser performance for the same money - based on what I saw at the show.

And based on the crowds (or lack thereof) around the GTR versus the mob scene around the ZR1, I think I am not the only one that feels this way.

Anyone else have this same feeling after seeing the GTR in person?