2014 Washington DC Auto Show starts today

[KuroNekko]

I've gone every year for the last 3 years. It's quite impressive as they have nearly all makes and models there in addition to modified cars and specialty cars.

It's in the Washington Convention Center and it occupies both floors. The top floor is typically all Domestics. The bottom level is Import brands.

I recommend going if you don't live too far from DC. I usually spend over 5 hours and still don't get to see enough as there are hundreds of cars there. I'll aim for 8 hours or so this time (which means I'll go alone. Hahaha.... is that sad?) or go twice as it's within walking distance from my office.

Here's more info:
http://www.washingtonautoshow.com/2014-show-info/

[Woodie]

Does seem as if it's grown since I was disappointed previously, it's been seven or eight years since I've gone. Back then it wasn't much more than just going to Automobile Blvd in Silver Spring where the eight dealers are right together.

[KuroNekko]

I'm going tonight so I'll post some pictures. I've gone every year for the last 3 years and it's been a blast. They feature concepts and new releases as well, but those are usually up on display. Production models are on the floor so you can all but drive them. Nearly every car from every maker is present so it's awesome for people who are in the new car market. I'll probably go again next week with my boss who is looking for a new car.

[KuroNekko]

I went last night and stayed about 5 hours until it closed. Even then, I did not get to see every car I wanted to.

They had recent releases there, but in usual fashion, they were locked and/or roped off. Some are on display pedestals.

They had the new Mustang (looks better in person), new Chrysler 200, new WRX STI, Kia K900, Hyundai Genesis, and the new Ford F150 but all were on display only.

New cars already in production like the BMW 2 Series, 4 Series, Corvette, Viper, Jeep Cherokee, etc. were on the floor and you could get in them.

Overall, the most impressionable cars for me included the BMW 2 Series, Ford Fiesta ST, Ford Focus ST, Mazda3, Mazda6, Honda Accord Hybrid, Jaguar F-Type, Audi A7, Scion FR-S/Subaru BR-Z, Toyota 4Runner, Subaru Forester, Mercedes Benz E 250 Diesel, Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (nicer than I expected), and some others.

I did not get a chance to sit in the 'Vette or the Viper as there were too many people drooling over them.

Some photos I took with the iPhone:

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[murcod]

Thanks for the pics!

We used to get a Motorshow every year where I live, but the number of manufacturers started to dwindle each year and then they canned them completely. It was good to see what was out there without having to go into a dealer, getting hounded by sales people.

[KuroNekko]

I didn't take many this time, but when I go back again next week, I can take more photos.

[SamirD]

I've been to the LA auto show once and to SEMA twice. These things are ridiculously fun, even solo. In fact, I find them the most fun when I go solo since I'm in such a hurry and want to spend time on what I like. Plus, I'll take a gazillion photos. I still have over 2000 to post on my site from a single day at SEMA.

[KuroNekko]

I went back to the auto show yesterday.
I took more photos, but sorry that some are poor quality. I only had my iPhone with me to take them. I took photos of cars that were of interest to me or what were discussed by members on this forum.


Chevrolet Impala. This new model scored an astonishing 95/100 in Consumer Report's review, not that CR is reputable place for actual car reviews. Regardless, this new full size domestic is nice. I really like everything about it. The styling, the interior, the materials, etc. It's impressive. I'd like to rent one someday soon to drive it.

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Chevrolet Corvette. They had a few including the convertible, the hardtop, and the Z06. The only car I could not sit in due to a long line of balding men eager to sit in it. The Z06's carbon fiber roof fits in the trunk. CF roof is 13 pounds. The American sports car is reloaded.

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SRT (formerly Dodge) Viper. This thing is a beast. "Even Corvette drivers need heroes too" or so the saying goes. The clutch pedal and the shifter feels celestial. I told the Viper rep that the shifter feels as one should and he grinned.

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Toyota FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) powered by hydrogen. I listened to the rep's schpeel. Elon Musk of Tesla once famously laughed when journalists asked what he thought of hydrogen cars against Tesla's EVs. I would too. A little about the FCV and hydrogen: "0 to 60 in 10 seconds... 300 mile range... 100 hydrogen fuel station in the state of California only..." It's an utter waste of R&D and the reason why Toyota is getting dusted in EV tech from rivals. Much like Sony and their reluctance to drop MiniDisc for MP3 players, Toyota and Honda are hurting themselves wasting so much money and effort on something that is far inferior to EVs. We know what happened to Sony once Apple came along with their iPod and Sony did not adapt quickly enough.

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Chrysler 200. Thoroughly impressed from what I can see. No floor models to get into, but everything looks nice as it rotated on the platform. AWD standard on V6 model. (And yes, it does have the Kizashi's trunk design.) I think this will turn it around for Chrysler. I really dig this car so far.

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Hyundai Genesis. Looks nice. Another platform only car. Will be featured in a Superbowl ad.

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Jaguar F-Type. Beautiful. British design prowess is their redemption for such shoddy reliability.

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Cadillac ATS. Honestly, I like this car better than the more expensive models. It feels right. Said to be the only car that seriously challenges the BMW 3 Series as a real sports sedan. 6 speed manual offered in 2.0 turbo models with RWD.

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Honda Accord Sport. This car is just nice. Comfortable and quality abound. Manual offered as well. Reminds me of the Kizashi most.

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Mazda Mazda3's steering wheel and instrument cluster. Try to find something like this in another car in the same segment. Honestly, the new Mazda3 is the best compact out there. Case closed once you drive them.

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Subaru Forester. This is what Moto's new car would look like if attacked by angry ninjas.

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Subaru BRZ. Love this car. Feels so right. Shifter feels great with short throws. I'd like to own one one day, but the trunk won't even fit my suitcase.

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Lotus Evora S. Again, beautiful British design. Lotus left the US market because they no longer could comply with more demanding US safety specs.

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Nissan Versa Note. The car is much more comfortable than the size and price would imply. The rear seats are spacious and the most comfortable in its class. Good city car.

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Lincoln MKZ. People hate on it, but I'm a fan. Love the design, inside and out. Haters say it's not luxury nor a sports sedan. Maybe they are right, but if it's a nicer version of the Ford Fusion I rented, this is a solid, comfortable cruiser which is what most Americans want anyways.

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BMW 228i. I usually don't like BMWs. Owners fit the stereotype and the brand does not seem to care. They also break down quite a bit. However, this new 2 Series has got me salivating. It feels and looks so good. The 228i comes with a 2.0 turbo and offered in 6 speed manual... around 30K. If I ever get a Beemer, this would be it.

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BMW 435i. Another new BMW. Supposed to be the new line of two doors instead of 3 Series Coupes and two door convertibles... all until they recently revealed the new 4 Series Grand Coupe, a four door sedan. German alphanumeric nomenclature no longer makes sense. I give up.

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Volvo S60 R-Design. While not German sports sedan level in luxury or performance, these Volvos are nice. They are so comfortable and quality is great.

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Lexus IS 350 F Sport. Haters hate the face. Maybe they should, but I don't think it's that bad. The Japanese have for a long time been criticized for copying the Germans. They do something totally their own and they get criticized anyways. Whatever. The interior is very nice and the fit and finish is, well Lexus. Oh and it will be running after your lease is over and long after that.

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Toyota Land Cruiser. The most expensive Toyota at 78K. The world's most reliable vehicle and trusted from Antarctica to Africa. You want a car to last you 400K miles? Start here. Diesels versions also available outside the US.

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Toyota 4Runner. Foreign market versions are called the Hilux Surf. Recently redesigned. As with many Japanese products, polarizing design. I like it. Given most can't afford a Land Cruiser, this one is usually next on the list as a reliable, long lasting SUV.

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[~tc~]

Re:corvette - you said hood, but meant roof

BMW made a big deal out of changing their nomenclature this year - odd numbers for 4 doors, even for 2 doors

[KuroNekko]

Re:corvette - you said hood, but meant roof

BMW made a big deal out of changing their nomenclature this year - odd numbers for 4 doors, even for 2 doors

Thanks for catching that. I've found typos and errors every time I go over it.

Yeah, the German naming system is no longer logical like it used to be.
Back in the day, a BMW 330i meant it was a 3 Series sedan with a 3.0 liter gasoline engine. 3 = Series, 30 = engine displacement, and i = injection for gasoline.

Now, they have models like the 328i and the 335i, but neither have a 2.8 liter or 3.5 liter engine. They have a 2.0 liter and a 3.0 liter, respectively and are both turbocharged.

Mercedes is doing the same thing. The CLA 250 and the CLA 45 AMG both have a 2.0 turbo engine. The difference is the turbocharger and power output. The AMG version also has AWD.

The argument is that engines are getting smaller due to forced induction, but showing the smaller displacement in name badges looks weak so they are keeping the older numbers "out of tradition".

Infiniti is doing what Audi has done and basically requires you to memorize their line up to know what car is what since they are all Q or QX. I liked the old names better like the G, M, and FX. Truth be told, I like the JDM names best like the Skyline (G sedan) and Fuga (M sedan).