I finally got to the San Francisco International Auto Show on its last day. I had planned on going earlier with my brother or my stepson, however my father died suddenly and unexpectedly on the 14th and I wasn’t able to attend until the last day (sadly alone). I trudged out in a heavy downpour after watching my 49ers choke in the 4th quarter and knowing the Raiders would probably do the same.

I started at the Chevrolet display, made my rounds to all the other significant makes, before returning to Chevrolet where I made a thorough inspection of all the vehicles. Here are my initial thoughts on Chevrolet.

Camaro concept. To say I was disappointed it was the red non-running version instead of the silver running one is an understatement. I wanted to see the interior first hand to see if it is really as bad as everyone says it is. However, you truly do see lines and styling cues in person that no photo on the internet can show you. I can’t wait for this thing to come out. It truly isn’t “retro”, at least not in the sense that Mustang and Challenger are.

Silverado. I want this truck! I’ve been thinking about buying a truck again for quite some time. The new Silverado is drop dead gorgeous in person. The interior quality and style are far better than I’d have expected for a pick-up truck. I love the hidden storage under the center section in the 60/40 front bench. I see an extended cab Silverado in my future; I just need to figure out how I can accomplish this without hampering my plans for a new Camaro in ’09 or ’10.

Tahoe. I’m loving the new Tahoe more and more each time I see it. Even though I have two Tahoes now (one needs to be sold in the next 6 months.) I’d consider a new Tahoe as they have added a lot of new features. My major dislikes are that they no longer offer it in Patriot Red (why not when you can get a Silverado in that color); and the 3rd-row seat tracks look like they’d cause problems with some loads. I use my Tahoes as utility vehicles, any thing I’d do with a truck; I want to do with my Tahoe. (Except for hauling tall loads.)

Suburban. Dang it’s long. But I do like the space available behind the 3rd-row seats. Still I think a Tahoe is big enough for my lifestyle.

Avalanche. Not for me. The rubber mat in the bed area looks cheap. (I even looked under it.) Also even though they removed most of the plastic body armor, that which remains still looks cheesy. I’d rather have a Silverado extended-cab or even a crew-cab.

Colorado. Cute. Not big enough to consider.

Malibu sedan. I was impressed with the amount of room inside. It was very Impala like. My wife and I have been talking about trading our fleet of Tahoes for a pick-up and a sedan. The Malibu was always on my short-list, along with the Impala (which my wife doesn’t like.) Perhaps when the new model comes out, I’ll take a serious look at Malibu. However I do like the looks of the current model. (I need to test drive one to see if the performance is acceptable, it’s been a long time since I’ve driven a vehicle that didn’t have a V8.)

Impala SS. A couple guys were ripping the quality of the gaps when I walked up. I didn’t see it. Still I like everything about the Impala SS, I just love the new Camaro more. Maybe when I turn 50, the Impala will make sense.

HHR. Ok, first off, I loved the HHR when it first came out. I panned it when I got to test drive one at GM Auto Show in Motion, mainly because my head was hitting the roof and I’m only 5-9. Scott was right; there must’ve been something wrong with the seat. No headroom issues with the LT, I sat in. Visibility was adequate. I love the HHR again. The panel version looked cool, but I can’t see buying one without the backseat. (At least not for me personally.) If gas prices continue northward, I might consider the HHR. (Although my wife thinks it’s too small.)

Cobalt SS sedan. Cool little car. I couldn’t force myself to sit in the yellow coupe. Gosh I hate that park-bench-sized rear wing. However, it’s too small inside for me to consider. (I’m a wide body and need my space.)

Aveo sedan. Ok, I don’t get it, but I got the impression that there was more room in the Aveo than the Cobalt. Am I alone on this? I sheepishly admit I’m curious to see what the next gen 5-door looks like in person, however offer a turboed SS-version for under $18k, and I might buy one just for giggles.

Z06. Long line. Plus if I sat in one, I’d probably for say “what Camaro”. Too tempting.

More later on the other cars I saw.

P.S. What was up with the dyno display? I felt like I was the only one that thought the engine wasn't really running.

 

Didn't go this year. Might not go to LA's either.

Not so much scheduling problems.

San Fran tends to get the cars that were shown at the start of the year in Detroit, and I was at detroit last year. The boy would get a kick out of the SF show, but he's in Phoenix.

As for LA, GM is still treating the LA show as an ecology-friendly, "green" freak show, despite Los Angeles being the largest single car market in the US, and perhaps the planet. Despite being the biggest consumer of Mustangs, Camaros, GTOs, BMWs, & imports of all sorts, IMHO GM sends cars that are lame & should be on display in San Francisco or San Jose's show is in LA. The notable exception... the entire Cobalt line 1st saw the light of day in public at the Los Angeles show.

When Lincoln was part of Ford's PAG, most all Lincoln debuts, concepts and quite a few Fords could be counted on. Pacific rim makers also do alot at LA.

The biggest thing is that I don't agree with the new date they picked for the show. It might be good for SEMA stuff (which we got anyway), and we get a few new unveilings, but lets be honest and realistic here: NOBODY is going to pull the covers off of a new & exciting concept if they can get a bigger splash in Detroit a few weeks later!

At least when LA competed with Detroit, car makers had to choose, or as in the case with a few Chryslers and last year's Camaro, some vehicles were unveiled and concepts shown at both shows. I can see moving it to between Detroit and Chicago, or Chicago and New York. But moving it to right after Thanksgiving???

Who knows....I still might go.

 

That is removable. Some people still asked for a steel bed, they is why they left it. You can always go Line-X

That spoiler is now optional. I've seen supercharged SS '07s with the smaller spoiler at the dealer and they look much better.


It is amazing how much room that little car actually has. I'm stating to warm up to the idea of a performance 5-door version.

 

An interesting thing I heard at the SF auto show. KGO was doing an interveiw with Bob Lutz and he said if you park the prototype Camaro and the production version side by side, most people couldnt tell the difference.