Auto Show Car Reviews

Over the weekend, I went to the New England International Auto Show with the wife to poke around and look at some of the new cars coming out that we have been interested in. We got tickets for free, so we figured it would be an interesting night out. These mini reviews I'm going to lay on you all are from the perspective of an overweight, 6'1'', nearly 31 year old (birthday is tomorrow) automotive nerd, and since I didn't drive anything, they may be useless. I looked at a variety of cars, from vanilla appliances to fun performance cars. Oh well, here goes nothing!

Sedans....

2013 Honda Accord Sport

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I liked it. It looks a lot better than the outgoing model on the outside. It looks smaller and less bloated than the old 2012 model, and it doesn't have the weird headlamps that you can see from the back of the car (my friends and I call these "protruders"). The Sport model adds interesting looking wheels and a lip spoiler, nothing major.

Inside, the interior was NICE. This was not a bad place to be! The instruments were laid out nice, it has a large infotainment screen in the middle, and the controls are all easy to reach and in the right places. My large overweight rear fit well in the car.

Overall, I liked it. It would be a good choice for someone (like me) who has to spend a lot of time racking up miles on their long commute to work. And they offer it with a 3rd pedal option thankfully.

2013 Mazda 6

I also liked this one. They had a couple there, a high trim level one with all the bells and whistles and a cheaper base model. I checked out the highly optioned one closely. On the outside, it looks GREAT. They really knocked it out of the park. The fit and finish was well done. The doors closed with a solid "thud", and you could tell they took their time with this one. Frankly, after the last 6, they needed to.

Inside, it's very sedate, but nice. The interior quality is a small step above my 3, but that's not a bad thing, because I think the 3 has a nice interior. The driving position was nearly identical to the 2012 3 I daily drive as well. One knock I could give it is that the center console cuts in close to my right leg, just as my 3 does. I'm used to it, but the Accord doesn't do this.

I give this new 6 a pass as well. Factor in the fact that they will offer this with 3 pedals AND a Skyactiv Turbo Diesel, and it may be the automotive nerd's dream daily driver.

2013 Dodge Charger SXT AWD

I've been eying the Charger as a potential replacement for my 3. This was my 1st time really checking one out. It was a V6 AWD one, not the R/T I've been lusting over, but whatever. Outside, I can deal with the car. It's not the prettiest car in the world, but it has a unique style like the old Mopars of the 60's and 70's that I dig. I like the "Racetrack" taillights too. They remind me of the Millennium Falcon.

Inside is shockingly nice. Out of all the cars I sat in and messed with, the Charger, yes, a DODGE CHARGER, had the best interior. The gauges were awesome, and the 8.4'' infotainment screen was great. The wheel felt great in my hands, and the leather they used on it was super grippy, unlike the slick leather in my 3. I loved the seats, and there was plenty of room inside. The view out the windshield is a commanding view, and the hood looks cool from the inside of the car like an old muscle car does. Very, very comfortable car.

The Charger is definitely on my radar for my next ride. I've heard that the V6 ones are nice, but the car nerd in me wants a Hemi R/T. Only gripe: no 3rd pedal option.

Big, stupid coupes:

2013 Chevrolet Camaro

I've been interested in these since the rumors of the Camaro's rebirth started flying back in 2004 or so, but this was my 1st time actually checking one out with a potential purchase in mind. The exterior... you can take it or leave it. It has angles where it looks good, and others where it looks like a bloated pig, kinda like checking out a potential mate on Facebook.

A funny thing happened while I was waiting in line to take a seat inside. A bigger, taller guy was in front of me, and he didn't fit. He had trouble getting into the car, and his head stuck out the sunroof. I got into the car no problem, but my head actually hit the headliner! Not good.

I then sat in a regular roof car. Same thing. I was able to adjust the seat back to clear the roof, but that meant that I had to sport a wicked gangsta lean and not be able to see out over the dash or out the slots they called windows.

EPIC FAIL for me. Very disappointed with the Camaro.

2013 Dodge Challenger R/T Blacktop Edition

On the outside, it looks like a Dodge Challenger, which I love. If you want something that looks like a new Muscle Car, this is it. I didn't care for the looks of the "Blacktop Edition" on the outside though. It was black with a wide maroon center stripe and black wheels that looked awful.

Inside, the car was an automatic-equipped one, and although the gauges were straight out of a 1997 Dodge Avenger, the rest was decent. The seats were nice, and there was lots of room to get comfortable. The only thing about the "Blacktop Edition" that was cool is it gives the Auto steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. I could live with these on a daily driver highway cruiser.

Side note: when I was sitting in it, a little kid hopped in the passenger side and he started telling me how cool the car was and made vrooom vrooom noises. Little did he know that I had the very same thoughts. That little dude put a smile on my face.

I give the Challenger a pass. You knew I was going to anyway. Also, the wife approves, and wants one for herself. This is a good thing.

SWMBO-MOBILES:

2013 Mazda CX-5

I think it's the best looking "cute ute" out there. The wife agrees. Not bad on the eyes, and the new Mazda design language is a good departure from the Goofjaw (tm) 2010-2012 cars.

Inside, it's sedate, but nice. Very similar to the 6. Seats were comfortable, and there was a good amount of room in the back hatch area.

I like it, and so does the wife.

2013 Hyundai Tuscon

Another "cute ute". I'm not a fan of the exterior, but the wife liked it. I don't like the front end. It looks strange and busy.

The interior was pretty nice, though. It was a step up from her old 2007 Elantra, that's for sure. It seemed to have a bit less room than the CX-5, but not by much.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

This was interesting. Did you know they offer this with the 2.0 turbo motor now? I sure didn't! Potential sleeper here! The Sport package looked nice, and it was cleaner looking than the Tuscon.

Inside, it was very, very similar to the Tuscon. One thing I found strange was the gauges. The "barrels" for the Speedometer and Tach are on their sides. On most cars, the longest part of the tunnel of these barrels is on the top to prevent sun glare. Not on these.

I give it a pass. Because Turbo AWD. The wife liked the slightly smaller Tuscon better. Go figure.

Sporty cars that GRM will buy in 10 years when they are under $5K used:

Hyundai Veloster Turbo

Outside, well, it's polarizing. I can't tell if I love it or hate it, but I could live with it. I love the directional wheels and the honkin' twin tip center exit exhaust. I don't care for much else, LOL!

Inside, I found it very nice, especially for the price point. The driving position was good, if not great. I liked the wheel, shifter and pedal placement, and I was able to fit my large rear in the car no problem. Only thing I found strange was that it was kinda narrow inside. Side-to side room was minimal.

I give it a pass, but for me, there are better options out there. This is one of those cars that I think will be an absolute steal on the used market in a few years.

The Infamous Toyobaru

There were two FR-S's and a BRZ at the chow. I checked them all out.

I like the looks of the BRZ better in the front, but like the rear of the FR-S. The BRZ they had there had the spoiler on it which looks like they stole it off of a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am GT. It looks completely wrong on the car.

Inside, they were pretty much all identical. I had a hard time squeezing in, but I fit. This is the kind of car you put on like a pair of tight jeans. It felt to me a lot like an early Z-car as far as driving position goes, so take what you will from that. I couldn't live with it every day as a daily driver, but if you are skinny and shorter than me, you might be able to.

Overall, I give it a pass. I would love one as a track toy or weekend car. Once the rumored turbo ones come out, watch for these to plummet in value to GRM-friendly prices.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of Silverfleet Car Review Theater. Feel free to comment!

So what is the "pocket rocket" car that you like? When I walk around Road America in the summer I always look to see what the enthusiast's drive - a car that "might" be somewhat affordable - fun.....

For Sport Compact stuff, I like a few of them. I've had 2 WRX's, one was a 2002 wagon, and the other was a 2009 5-door. I really liked the 2002. If I ever got another, I'd find the rare 2006 WRX wagon. Those had the 4-pot brakes and the aluminum front control arms (maybe only the sedans did, can't remember).

I also like the 2007-2011 Civic Si, especially the sedan. It's a nice handling car that makes all the right noises. I almost bought one instead of my 3, but the new 3 was cheaper than a clean used Si.

Miatas are great too, but I don't fit in them.

The 2007-2009 Mazdaspeed 3 is a great car, and they are FAST.

Also, I got my first opportunity behind the wheel of an E36 323is over the weekend (thanks MA$$hole!). I really liked that car too.

Some other notes about the show:

-I didn't bother with the new MS3 because it's essentially the same inside as my 3, but with uglier seats.

-The WRX hasn't changed inside since 2008 and not under the hood since 2009, and I have been there and done that.

-I really wanted to check out the new Focus ST, but they had that on a display where you couldn't touch it.

-There was an Mitsubishi Evo there too, but it was locked and had a sticker price of almost $40k. I didn't even know they still made them. Mitsubishi on a whole should just pack it in. They had a few cars at the show, but they were locked up like the Evo. Aside from the iMev lump they brought, everything else looked like it was from 2007.

-The new Dart is kinda bland on the outside, but they did a great job on the inside. I can't wait for the SRT model.

I really liked the high end Hyundais, the fit and finish is like an 80s Mercedes, for Cadillac money.

Hyundais have come a long way in a short amount of time. While we didn't have much luck with the wife's 2007 Elantra (don't get me started with that one), I'd consider giving them a go again if the price was right.

I just hope they moved the PCM out from under the cupholders on the newer ones.

I walked by two new genesis coupes in my wife's parking garage yesterday and they are a fine looking car. They actually look small and light to me, though I know that's an illusion. One had the bright red brembos and quite frankly I wanted to drive it. If only it didn't weigh 3500 lbs.

In reply to mazdeuce:

They had one there too, but it was a base V6 Automatic, so I wasn't really interested. I kinda like the turbo ones, but I'm not big on the styling. The new one looks better than the old one though.

Oh, they also had the trio of CTS-V body styles. I practically drooled on the hood of each one. I want all 3!!!!