http://www.automochatter.com/forum/s...ead.php?t=3867

Just got back from from the Chicago show press preview.

I just wanted to get some random thoughts down.


Challenger:

Very cool car. Doesn't seem as big in the flesh, as it does in pictures. Also the interior is much nicer in the flesh, than I expected after seeing pictures. Speaking of interiors, I was expecting the Challenger to have a very roomy rear seat, something along the lines of a Monte Carlo. Not really though, the rear seat seemed surprisingly cramped. If you get two people back there, they won't be happy. Three, and they better be VERY little kids.
Looks sharp in black though.

G8:

Once again, much nicer in person than in pictures. Very comfortable interior. I don't even mind the fake hoodscoops. The GT rocks.

CTSv:

BADASS!!!! From it's suede covered steering wheel, to it's G-meter on the instrument panel, this car has got it going on.

CTS Coupe Concept:

Hot. What else can you say? It makes BMW's 6 look like your grandma's car.

BMW 135:

This car is gonna sell like crazy. Loved it!

Riviera Concept:

Ehhh. Wasn't too crazy about. Alittle over the top, and seeing Chinese character emblems on it was weird.

GMC Denali XT Concept:

I liked it WAY more than I thought I would. It kinda looks like a VERY large sedan with a pick-up bed. Oh, about that 4.9L smallblock that nobody's ever heard of? I don't foresee that displacement coming anytime soon. For all I know, the concept could have had the Tahoe's 6.0L hybrid powertrain, and that "4.9" displacement came out of PR thin air.

Hyundai Genesis:

It's okay. Interior is about the quality of...oh, say, a Nissan. Styling, is well, non-offensive. But it does pack a V8 and RWD.

Traverse:

Probably the best looking Lambda.

ZR1:

Scott Settlemire made sure I got on the platform to climb into it. Cool, but outta my league. Congrats to the lucky few who get them. Mandatory driving school will also probably be included for the price of admission.

Be back later.....

 

Ohhhh man...I WANA SIT IN A ZR1!!!
PLEASE SCOTT, PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE!

 

Cant wait to make it there next friday. Ive been itching to check out all the Lambdas back to back to back. Not necessarily for me, but for the parents.

 

Damn, how cool is that!!!

 

Not just cool, damn smart!!!

 

I agree, it'd be neat if GM(outside the ZR1)-Ford-DC offered high performance driving schools featuring thier products. I'd sign up in a heartbeat.

 

Challenger: How does that big a car have a small back seat?

Traverse: Best looking Lambda? Dude, you're an eye doctor....have you had your eyes checked lately.

ZR1: Glad to hear a 'non enthusiast' still got VIP treatment.

 

So is that your website?

 

That 1 series is looking like a real winner. If it comes between that, and a Z28/SS/whatever midlevel V8... Well...

 

My thoughts-

Challenger-

Tail lights looked much better to me than in pictures. Best part was the video intro that showed the car sliding around on dirt roads Dukes of Hazzard style. The press kit has pics of the car smoking the rear tires and one with all 4 wheels off the ground. There is nothing politically correct about how they plan to market this one

G8-

Everytime I sit in one I get that much closer to buying one. And I hate 4 door cars. Also, one of the things that kept me away from the Aussie GTO was the seating position wasn't comfortable for me. No such problem in this car.

CTSv-

Ditto.

CTS Coupe-

The rear quarter panel was questionable to me in pics. In person however this car is pure automotive perfection. Build it and build it now. Rearward visability looks to be a hope and a prayer without some tweaking though.

BMW 135-

Didn't look at it hat closely yet-will do today. I will say I heard a kot of concerns about the price-point for this car-both base and fully optioned...

Riviera-

Definitely over the top. Just like a true concept is supposed to be as opposed to a thinly veiled production car.

Denali XT-

I'm a fan. I even love the interior.

Genesis-

The sedan was an 'also-ran' for me. I didn't even sit in it. It just just didn't interest me. The coupe concept however was sharp and seems to me to be much more of a G37 competitor than Camaro. Unless maybe if they drop the 375hp V8 from the sedan into it . Nah, not even then. I would think Camaro buyers are seeking out bold American styling. None of that here.

Traverse-

Nice enough but imo the Lambdas go Enclave-Acadia-Traverse-Outlook in terms of styling.

ZR1-

Still drooling.

 

Fear not Timmy. I'm an enthusiast again.

 

Yeah, when I saw the stills of the Challenger in the air, I thought it was a PS or something. But when Chrysler played the video, I thought, "holy crap, that there's a Challenger actually flying through the air".

Again, my big surprise was how cramped the back seat was. I know, I know, all the people who have sent in their deposits to pre-sell out, the first year's production, couldn't care less. I just figure a car that size would have more practicality.

 

Good post. I also think the Traverse is the best looking CUV now that I've seen it more, and will probably out sell the other 3 combined. The BMW 1 series seems to be what the 3 series used to be until the 3 grew in size. Still not liking the Challenger. Luxury car from Hyundai? Talk about an oxy-moron!

 

Yup. Although we may be looking for an administrator though. Anyone think they're up for it?

 

Guy's been using that line to try to justify the bulk of this elephant.....wonder what he's gonna' say now....