Dayton Auto Show - Review

I hope I can safely assume that everyone reading this blog has been to a mall, and if I can assume that, why not go a step further and assume you've been to the food court and have seen all the Chinese people wandering around pushing samples in people's faces. This year's Dayton Auto Show was a little like that in some respects. (Almost) Every major automaker was there, throwing out incentives for test-driving cars, taking brochures, and signing up for mailing lists and other offers. There were plenty of examples of new cars to sit in and admire, but overall, I'd rate this show as more of a "tell", if you know what I mean. It was all very pretty, but entertainment was obviously not its goal.

Another disappointment came when I realized that there were plenty of manufacturers who didn't even show! Audi, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Porsche... even Aston, if you want to take into account the dealership not twenty miles away. Nissan in particular was a real shock, what with the recent release of the GT-R and the popularity of the new 370z roadster, I would have thought this an opportunity for them to gain some more attention from the public. Apparently not.

The highlights of the show were fairly spread out, but all still impressive. The first new model to show its face was the Ford Fiesta, which premiered in a pristine white finish, surrounded by gawking showgoers and advertisements and brochures. They really played to the customers with this car, taking the rising concerns of fuel mileage and price into account. Ford also displayed the new 2010 and 2011 Mustangs, though they didn't bring the GT 500 that everyone was really hoping for.

After Ford, Chevy brought out the big guns, garnering most of the overall attention with a gorgeous Crystal Red Metallic Corvette ZR1. Sitting right alongside was the new Corvette Grand Sport Coupe, looking positively stunning with the convertible top, more balanced body, and somehow classic styling.

Aside from those rarities, the only other points of interest were the Hyundai Genesis 2.0T Coupe, the new BMW e92 M3, and the Cadillac CTS-V, from a performance standpoint. Honda brought out the new Accord Crosstour, the latest edition of Insight, and a few of the already released Civic models, but no trace of the CR-Z, which I suppose isn't a surprise for a show of this size.

At any rate, this show was more about selling than producing interest, so for those of you looking to buy cars in the near future, it's a good show to hit up next year, but if you're just looking for a good time, save your money for some of the other shows that will be coming along this year.

More Fun in Middletown

Last night I took a trip down to Middletown for the weekly cruise in at The Hills. As we pulled up, I noticed plenty of familiar faces and rides, like the World Rally Blue STI that decided to slide through the gravel lot a few times before his exit. I think the best part about the owner, though, was that he brought along his son, and was showing him the other cars. Future car fanatic in the making? Possibly. There was also a beat up Nissan 240sx with rear 30mm widebody fenders and vast 8 inch Pirelli tires. The owner, Aaron, explained the damage with a confident grin.

"Yeah, it gets pretty beat up," he says. "There's a drift competition coming up here in April, and I'm teaching myself how so I can enter. Hopefully I'll be ready, since I've never really tried it with this configuration on the car, and I've still got mods to do before then."

Mods indeed! Lined up for his SX are a full t25 turbo kit, new tires and wheels, and a few surprises that he wanted kept secret.

"All I can say is I'll be making plenty of power by race day. Nobody's gonna get in front of this beast!" he laughed.

There was a huge variety of cars, ranging from brand-new, to restomods, imports to domestics. A 1969 Chevelle was parked next to a 1999 Volkswagen Golf. Some of the other interesting cars of the night were a silky, midnight black Infiniti G35, perfectly slammed and complemented by silver-on-black Ruff rims, a 2010 Mustang GT with a wannabe driver (he got showed up by our pal Aaron in his 240sx later on that night), and a slew of Civics that went from rice to nice, and one hatch that even looked track-bred. Sporting a custom 'graffiti' paint job, it certainly turned heads, but maybe not in the way the owner hoped.

"That piece of sh*t is just a ball of rice," one driver scoffed. "I don't know why he keeps bringing it."

Hate, hate, and more hate. Could it be jealousy? Perhaps. But whether or not everyone appreciates the car, it still carries its own VERY unique style, and that's something to be proud of. It will never be duplicated or imitated, and I have a feeling that's just how the owner likes it.

As the night pulled to a close, a lady at a nearby intersection decided she was going to take a chance at taunting us. "Haven't you fuckers got anything better to do on a goddamn Saturday night?" The roar of engines drowned out the shouting replies, and as she sped off, the parking lot was filled with laughter and jeering. I guess the hate is just part of the scene, sometimes, but what's a game without some competition?

Finals and School

Winter Quarter is coming to an end, and that means projects galore for those of us down at Sinclair. School projects aren't the only ones on our minds, though, as spring is coming closer. "A young man's fancy turns to thoughts of... cars!" I've seen quite a few changes just in Sinclair's parking garage alone. New rims are being installed, tires and body kits are being swapped out, paint is being refreshed. Little by little, the customs and super tuners are working their way back out of the garages and onto the streets.

For those of us in the north, the weather is changing, and soon it'll be warm enough to get out there and start working on our beauties, for those of us without the privilege of owning our own garages. I know I can't wait to get some detailing done, myself. Washing, wet sanding out some of the little scrapes, waxing and polishing. Now's the time, ladies and gents, to get your rides looking their best, because when summer arrives, you've got to be riding in style! Turning heads is what it's all about, whether it be with a fresh paint job, some wicked new wheels, or that custom exhaust that makes it sound just right.

So, with the snow out of the way, it's time to start wrenching again. Get out there and show us what you've got! You want your fifteen minutes of fame? Send pics to team_tristate@yahoo.com along with a description of your car: year, make, model, any mods you've got installed, all of that. If your car makes the cut, we might even set you up with a feature. Interested? Then submit!

May Crazy

May is going to be all kinds of fun for the Ohio/Indiana enthusiasts. Not only is there going to be a Gen5 (www.gen5alive.com) meet in Michigan City Indiana on the 15th, but there's a a swap meet in Springfield, Ohio on the weekend of the 28th! I'll be attending both (for real this time), and my 5th gen Accord will hopefully be ready for showing off by the time the MI city meet comes around. There's a body kit in the works, as well as some new fenders, both of which will need to get painted up nice. I'll have to save up for the whole body paint job, but hey, that's the cost of a hobby like this.

Anyways, the Michigan City is meant only for 5th gens, so if you've got one you're proud of, come show it to us, and meet others who share your passion.