The eight annual runnning of the familial Philly Auto Show has come and gone, and I have to say – Best Car Show Ever.
First, a few thoughts: This is the year of the consumer. For the most part, cars are well designed and well thought out, with some exceptions. There’s a return to retro, a more classic styling with modern touches. And gas mileage is definetely in. The American car is coming back in a spectacular way, with many releases that topped even last year (if that were at all possible).
Interestingly, the onboard navigation coupled with LCDs was in full effect. Not just one – many had two or more LCDs will full DVD touchscreen capability. The Infiniti QX40 even had the ability to input external sources – well rounded vehicles, for only two years ago all this was considered aftermarket!
Here’s my basic impression of the 2005 lineup of cars:
The Absolute Best (and Amazing)
Scion tC
Infiniti QX
Nissan Murano
Toyota Landcruiser
Dodge Magnum
Pleasantly Surprised
Lexus GX 370
Lexus LX 470
Honda Pilot
Infiniti Vehicles as a whole
Nissan Vehicles as a whole
Chevy Nomad
Dodge Slingshot
Worst/Disappointments
Acura RSX
Acura MDX
Toyota 4Runner (!!!)
Honda CRV
Honda Element
Mercedes Benz as a whole (minus the Maybach)
Neither here nor there
LandRover
Kia
Hummer
Hyundai
Mazda
Mitsubishi
Best displays overall:
Scion/Toyota/Lexus
Infiniti/Nissan
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Far and away the Scion tC was ultimately the best. A japanese vehicle from the ground up, this machine has a ton of options for little cost – well equipped (including the dual sunroof!) pushed 16,500! It has excellent gas mileage, six speaker pioneer mp3 player system and most of all, 160hp. Sixteen inch rims are standard. And quoting my sister, it’s the perfect car for Lisa. I’m determined, come September, Lisa test drive and buy this machine – it fits her perfectly. And I’d love to be seen in it. So, for everyone else – hands off!
I’m biased for Scion, I guess. I love Toyotas, and besides, Scion gave Jaya and I free hats. 
The American cars, especially Ford and Chevy, did not disappoint. Dodge’s Slingshot is a fantastic little supercharged speedster. I truly loved the spaciousness and power of the Dodge Magnum, especially given its amazing utility and space. Ford’s redesign of the Mustang is an instant classic. The Chevy Nomad is stunning, even though it is still in the concept stages. There’s a lineup that is vying for national attention, and I think they’ll get it. It’s been many years since I could say that. And this includes, to a lesser extent, Saturn, Lincoln, and GMC.
I was really surprised by Nissan, especially since I have no affinity for their cars or their company, and up until last year I really disliked them. They have improved on their build quality by leaps and bounds, and both brands have taken significant steps to being a legitimate top teir contender. But don’t take my word for it – look at all the Muranos and Altimas on the road. Simply splendid. If I were to buy an SUV, it’d have to be the Murano or the Infinit FX45… now that the 4Runner went to hell…
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Speaking of disappointments, my seminal SUV is now the worst disappointment this year. And it didn’t have to be this way! The Toyota 4Runner, a vehicle with a proud history, has seen its time pass. Let me cite a conversation between Jaya and I:
Me: (after pulling up a tab on the console revealing a strange uneven platform with no overt purpose)”What the hell is this?”
Jaya: (after little contemplation) “Retarded?”
While that’s not PC, it’s true. There’s no cup holders. And we can’t figure out what the hell that thing was. Trust me, we tried. And I couldn’t believe they charged $25,000+ for the piece of garbage?!
Oh beloved 4Runner, I knew (and loved thee) well.
Other disappointments included Honda, where we learned that Honda still charges more for ultimately less. Take for instance, the Element, where I successfully pulled off a gray body panel made of plastic. And this, two years ago, was the vehicle that I almost went with, rather than the Matrix!
The CRV, also once a fantastic vehicle when released in 95, was the most bizarre SUV we’d seen. Gone was the center console, replaced by cupholders and a narrow tray, which could be folded down… for what purpose myself, Jaya nor two strangers could figure out. The shifter knob was displaced by an oddly phallic parking brake, and where the parking brake should’ve been was the gas cap release. The shift was right by the… radio? Oddly, only a year or two ago it was on (more logically) the steering column.
Mind you, the CRV was drastically different two years ago. And it was also almost 80% Japanese content. Amazingly, only 15% of the car is made with japanese parts, the other 85% being American, including the transmission. The Acura MDX was built in the same fashion, and assembled in the same place – Mississippi. The RSX was clearly a cheap build, most notably the A/C vents could be snapped in half with two fingers (doesn’t really matter which two). Thankfully the Pilot was built in Japan, with 75% Japanese content.
If you were wondering, the element was only 5% Japanese parts. But the price was certainly irreflective of that.
Mercedes was a disappointment for their failure to build better cars, plain and simple. And they continue to produce the same type of car, so as far as disappointments go, they’re as bad as the Phillies (most losingest team in all sports, all time).
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You betta’ recognize!’ and some other fun things
The Landcruiser was too much fun for its own good. The LC, last year, was a horrendous disappoinment, but bounced back this year in a big way, regaining its niche as a somewhat smaller-big SUV compared to the Sequoia, but loaded with features. The tri zone climate control, plus the nifty navigation system makes for a fantastic vehicle. And price, at close to $70,000 after tax and title.
I still love the Murano. Fanastic vehicle, especially with the onboard Nissan software.
I think Lisa will agree, once seeing that tC, it’s the car for her. Sexier than a Jetta, faster than a Corolla, more equipped than an Accord (dual sunroof? come on!).
Jaya is going to get an xA. I’m going to get an xB. We’ll be team Scion. Ok, I’m not getting an xB. But, Jaya may find herself persuaded by the fun four door hatchback priced at only 12,000 and 14,500 well equipped (with stuff that she probably won’t need, like Neon). I’m going to have my Matrix, with all 50,000+ beat up chassis miles.
SUVs aren’t my thing – they’re my sister’s. And I have to admit, I was impressed by some of the offerings this year, including the Chevy Equinox. Great, great SUV.
If I could have a pickup truck, it’d be the Tacoma X-Runner.
The sports car is making a come back. Go figure, the baby boomers are hitting the mid life crisis. Rejoice! Buick has a great new sports car – a convertible with a big block V8 that seats five comfortably.
The tradition of going to car shows started in ’97 when my dad wanted to see the Mercedes Benz Ml320 in person. He ended up not buying it.
Jaya and I have been going by ourselves for the last four years.
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If you have any questions or comments or would like me to expound, please do. I know I’m a Toyota junkie, (and the rest of my family including Jaya are Honda fanatics) but I recognize good/great cars when I see them. And lemons, which make me cringe (I shed a tear for the 4Runner, may you rest in peace).
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