NY Auto Show

Tomorrow I make my annual pilgrimage to the NY Auto Show. Being able to attend press day is a perk of being a financial writer. However, this year, I am not enthusiastic. As Dave Wallens stated in his April column, car buyers are attracted by connectivity and electronics. Therefore, that is on what automakers are focused (have to go where the money is). For me (and I am not technology challenged - I have owned a computer since 1982) personal technology features are, well, boring. Cars are being turned into electronic nannies. Lift gates with height memory, back-up sensors so one does not hit anything or anyone, stability control and (my most hated feature) self-parking features. For me, cars have always been about freedom, adventure and excitement. Now I have only a passing interest in new cars.

In years past, I would eagerly await the Show, contemplating which new exciting model, within my realistic financial reach, I would like to investigate. This year, there are only three cars which I could afford which are if interest to me; the Subaru BRZ/Scion FRS, the ever-attractive Miata and, possibly, the Mini. However, I have seen them already. If not for work duties, I would probably pass on the show.

Am I the only one out there who feels this way? What does the board say?

I remember attending the Chicago Auto Show when the Miata was first introduced - I was totally pumped at how cool this car was.

I attended the Chicago Auto Show this year with a church youth outing and we missed the Mazda booth since they were running around like goofs (9-11 year old boys) and for some odd reason I don't even care. I did attempt to bend my 6'4" body into an FR-S and was not happy - but I still like the car

Technology used to excite me related to cars. Remember when the 3000GT came out? Active aero, active mufflers, AWD, 4WS, twin-turbos...that thing was packed with tech that made it go faster and handle better. (OK, it was heavy, but still). Even the Diamond Star triplets had AWD available and a turbo 4-Cyl. Compared to the Mustangs of the day, that was Tech giving you a real performance advantage!

Today, BMW is using turbos to balance performance with economy, but who's got $50K to drop on a new car? VW still makes a hot hatch, but it is 50hp short of where it needs to be and/or $10K too expensive. Where is the VW Polo GTi with the supercharged and turbocharged engine for $22K? That would be technology that I want to see.

In reply to pinchvalve: I should clarify. I am not anti-technology. I am just dismayed that the bulk of development has gone making vehicles into "ICars." Technology which improves engine management (power with fule efficiency and lower emissions) excites me. Technology which allows me to chat with friends, parks my car for me or absolves me from the responsibility of checking my blind spots does not. Cars have grown heavier during the pas decade. Now a 3000 lb car is considered to be fairly light.

I am not excited by a car which permits me to access the cloud or to post on social media platforms while traveling. A car is first and foremost a source of transportation. It should not be an extension of your living room.

Lesley is there, she should be able to give us the dirt on some awesome stuff.

We've been going every year for awhile and plan to go this year as well. With my g/f and her zero interest in anything Asian and few things domestic, we tend to burn through the whole show in a couple of hours and leave right after lunch. I'm hoping to at least look at the trucks this year since I'm sort of in the market for one - and I can do my annual drooling session as I climb around/through the Sprinter on display.

Moparman wrote: In reply to pinchvalve: I should clarify. I am not anti-technology. I am just dismayed that the bulk of development has gone making vehicles into "ICars." Technology which improves engine management (power with fule efficiency and lower emissions) excites me. Technology which allows me to chat with friends, parks my car for me or absolves me from the responsibility of checking my blind spots does not. Cars have grown heavier during the pas decade. Now a 3000 lb car is considered to be fairly light. I am not excited by a car which permits me to access the cloud or to post on social media platforms while traveling. A car is first and foremost a source of transportation. It should not be an extension of your living room.

Totally agree on the tech stuff - most it's a distraction and not even remotely necessary in a car.

There is one nice exception to the weight issue that's being introduced today - the new Audi A3. It's spec'ed at ~2650 Lbs, which puts it in MINI/Miata territory. I like that, and am looking forward to the hatch version.