[Cricket]

Well today was the last day of the HRAS, and I must say it was a good show none the less. The no pressure from anyone to buy, the no distractions that are so ever present in a lot of big name shows, the layout could have been a little better, but for a small dealer show it was a great show.

As I walked through the doors the first two cars that hit you is a c6 zo6 on your right, and on your left a Chrysler 4-12. This quad turbo v-12 le-mans looking race ready car is a magnificent piece of engineering, and work from Chrysler. With it's agressive lines that say "this car has no bullshit."

As I looked around I saw plenty of cars that caught my eye, and plenty of cars that really dissapointed me.

Cars that I liked

Pontiac Solstice -
For a small 2 seater roaster designed to compete with the Mazda MX-5 comes this quite spacious, well designed little 4 cylinder from Pontiac. With a 2.4L ecotec 4 cylinder (either turbo on the GXP, or non-turbo on the base solstice) is a car with quite a nice feel. Everything is easy to reach, and even though it's a 2 seater there is plenty of leg room. I am at least 6 feet tall, and I had to move the seat forward to get comfortable. With a nice 5 speed manual transmission, and a nice smooth clutch the Solstice is a car that I would actually consider buying seeing as how it is a $20,000 roadster.

BMW M6 -
Now BMW did not disapoint me what so ever when I sat down in this car. First thing I noticed was how nicely everything was spaced out, and also the real carbon fiber inserts all over the car, but not overwhelming. For a car worth as much as this is why would I be disapointed? BMW Really did a great job on designing this car. Unfortunately out of my price range.

Nissan 350Z -
This car had such a nice feel to it, and even small engineering ideas that I thought were actually very thought out. Such as putting the cup holder in the door so your not arm wrestling your cup trying to shift into a different gear. Another car with such a nice smooth clutch, and gears that were so extremely easy to find, I was in love with this car. For about $10,000 more than the solstice, better looks, better handling, obviously more power, a 6 speed manual, and a wonderful car I would take a look at the 350z. With it's 3.5L v6 engine that packs quite a powerful punch with it's effortlessly smooth acceleration, and high top end this is a car to be weary of if your not in one. Another car that I would consider buying...if I had the money.

Infinity G35 -
Available in both a coupe and sedan this is car that is able to please even the pickiest of drivers. Another car that was shown as an automatic in this show, but still did not fail to impress me. With it's nice form fitting bucket seats, that may be uncomfortable for larger people seeing as how it was hugging my body pretty tight, but was still very comfortable, with a guage cluster that did make me frown a little bit. It reminded me of the guage cluster in the Chrysler 300 which I absolutely hate. If I have to be monitering stuff at least give me something to look at. Even though it resembled Chrysler cluster, it still is a lot better to look at. Another car that packs quite a powerful punch, and will hug the roads as well as the seats in the car hug you. A car that more people should give a look at. Infinity is now starting to show it's muscle on the road, and what a muscle it has.

Ford Mustang GT -
Being as this was the first V8 with a stock clutch in it I was surprised to find out that Fords clutches aren't as bad as I thought they were. Quite like the v6 on the inside it was still able to put a smile on my face...I'm pretty sure we all know about these Mustangs. (I wanted to get in the 07 GT500, but they wouldn't let me.)

Cars that I didn't Like

Alright the cars that I didn't like I was surprised by some of them.

Subaru WRX STI - Blue Suede shouldn't have gone past shoes, the feel of the car wasn't one that I like. For a car that people talk about how sporty it is, well then make it feel like one. Horrible 5 speed tranny...never have I touched a 5 speed that would be so easy to miss a gear in. Granted the car is amazing for the power it makes, but to me it just now a high boosted turbo 4 cylinder sedan that is uncomfortable.

Mazda RX-8 - This car from a distance looks better. You get up close, and it just starts to look worse, and worse. Granted it felt nice inside, but it is not for tall people seeing as how I managed to hit my head on the car getting before I started to stand up to get out.

Mercedes SLK - Wow...Mercedes really dropped the ball on this car. Seats that are very uncomfortable, over engineered to the point where it may even be confusing for some people. I got in the car and the first thing I said "This car is really shitty for being a Mercedes." (I liked the Civic Si more than this)

Overall the show was a good show, and opened my eyes up to more than just Mustangs. I have been talking about getting a new car, and this has show has been really beneficial to me for making me realize more of my choices. Many of the cars out there were wonderful cars, but only a couple really caught my eye, and then the others made me think very poorly of the companies behind them.

[DSEZ]

almost went....u make me feel bad i didnt

[Cricket]

You should have gone. It was a good show. Companies had some of very nice cars out there. Ford even brought one of their concept trucks. The F-250 Superchief. It is HUGE. The top of the bed is as tall as my mom.

[ChrisJ]

Maybe next year...

Thanks for the review though...

[Cricket]

No prob, I just wish they had a little more room to set up everything a little nicer. Some vendors I thought had too much space, while others had to crowd so many cars in a little area.

[vfast]

just new cars???

[Cricket]

Yep. The HRAS is about the different car companies to show the new products they have comming out, and the products they already have just the new years.