Pics from Chicago auto show / Cadillac meet

[Jesda]

http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...6.jpgLoading up..

http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...0.jpg...and heading out.

Something was on fire AGAIN in Illinois:http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...2.jpg

Doubletree room in the suburbs was $35/nighthttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...8.jpg

YAY INTERNETShttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...0.jpg

JD's Mark 7http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...2.jpg

Stopped at Jewel to say hello to Nickihttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...3.jpg

Autotrader Latino?http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...4.jpg

An ominous head start for Garyhttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...8.jpg

Cash register nerdshttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...9.jpg

Chad's Regal GS with only 69,000 miles.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...0.jpgh ... ...5.jpgSo nice. I'll post a video later.

Marvin appears.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...4.jpg

Sent Ian to get food. He came back with awfulness.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...5.jpg

Cozy.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...6.jpg

Found on the floor in the hotel cafe: "Javier reported a sewer backup in the kitchen."http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...8.jpg

Breakfasthttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...9.jpg

Sal rented a GMC Terrain. Its ugly, but comfy.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...2.jpgh ... s/...2.jpg

Pez dispenser Volvo dealershiphttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...5.jpg

UAW gave out some dumb brochures which were quickly discarded by many.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...7.jpgh ... s/...6.jpg

Infiniti G convertible is bulbous and fat in person, like an enlarged SC430.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...9.jpgh ... s/...0.jpg

New M looks dull in person, despite seeming promising in photos. It looks like a fat Maxima, and the current Maxima is gimmicky and plump.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...6.jpgh ... s/...2.jpg

Land Rover displayhttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...3.jpg

All the douchebags were crowded around the GTR, but this is the only Nissan that matters, and it matters a lot.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...8.jpgh ... s/...9.jpg

The Cube feels tinny.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...0.jpg

Hot dog, Chicago style with no ketchup and crayola-bright toppings.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...2.jpg

One of the few cars that looked much better in person than in photos, the Jaguar XK coupe.The tail forms a clean teardrop shape.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...3.jpg

Supercharged Jaguar XJ has a big butt.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...5.jpgh ... s/...1.jpg

The LS460 is cheapened inside compared to the LS430 and LS400. Its nice, but its not the top-tier interior it used to be.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...4.jpgh ... s/...5.jpg

The LS460's glove box was poorly damped, light, and ill-fitting.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...6.jpg

The seat controls are surrounded by cheap plastic, very un-Lexus.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...7.jpg

Interesting handheld pointing device in the 250h.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...8.jpg

I was hoping the Lexus GX460 would have been a significant improvement over the GX470. My mom's GX is poorly packaged, too narrow, and ugly. The 460 looks better but has less interior space and retains that STUPID rear hatch that swings to the right instead of up.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...9.jpgh ... s/...1.jpg

Dumb, dumb, dumb. Not fun on a windy day or when parallel parked.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...2.jpg

Pointless sliding cover over the audio controls. Not motorized, just in the way, like the front doors on computer cases.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...4.jpg

With Lotus and Lambo within view of the Lexus display, it was hard to get excited over the LFA.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...8.jpgh ... s/...7.jpg

I DO like the Lexus IS convertible. It defies the Toyota styling norm by looking sharp and clean instead of bulbous and awkward. Hopefully it drives as well as it looks.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...9.jpgh ... s/...0.jpg

Lotushttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...1.jpg

Fisker brought their plug-in hybrids.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...4.jpgh ... s/...4.jpg

Mercedes SLS. One of the few MBs I seriously want.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...5.jpgh ... s/...9.jpg

The Maybach is already dated and boring, which might be exactly what the buyer of a supersedan wants.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...8.jpgh ... s/...9.jpg

E-class convertible is actually a C-class.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...0.jpg

Toyota ran a video pledging their commitment to quality, showing some footage from factory workers in Indiana. Lots of chatter at the show revolved around Toyotas being poorly made.

Mazda 2 is happy to see everyone.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...4.jpg

The NC Miata is getting better with what -appears- to be less gap in the wheel well and a sharper nose.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...5.jpgh ... s/...7.jpg

Audi S5 cabriohttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...8.jpg

Razor blade face on the new A8.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...9.jpgh ... s/...0.jpg

R8 convertible. DO WANT.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...2.jpgh ... s/...6.jpg

R8 has LED headlights.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...5.jpgh ... s/...7.jpg

Alpina B7 based on the 7-series.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...8.jpgh ... s/...9.jpg

Ford hybrid displayhttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...4.jpghttp://w ... s/...5.jpg

I like the Ford Transithttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...6.jpg

UAW replacementhttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...7.jpg

Doggy ramp for the Honda Element. Neat, except my dog would refuse to enter a netted cage.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...4.jpg

New Dodge logo sucks.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...5.jpg

Fiat-based Chrysler hatchback.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...0.jpgh ... s/...5.jpg

Chrysler video promising to make desirable cars againhttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...2.jpg

Big Jeep thingy. Looks like a Broncohttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...6.jpghttp://w ... s/...7.jpg

Upside down Ramhttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...8.jpg

Lincoln MKT display with stars on the ceiling and a video projected on the wall in front.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...0.jpgh ... s/...5.jpg

HOT TWINS MODELING FOR FIAT. Fiat displayed a gas and electric 500.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...5.jpgh ... s/...4.jpg

Maserati Granturismohttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...6.jpghttp://w ... s/...0.jpg

New Hyundai Sonata looks like a Volkswagen CChttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...4.jpghttp://w ... s/...6.jpg

Hyundai Genesishttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...7.jpghttp://w ... s/...0.jpg

Cadillac engineshttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...2.jpg

Cadillac XTS concept carhttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...3.jpghttp://w ... Incredible details, beautiful lighting.

Buick Regal GS concepthttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...3.jpghttp://w ... s/...7.jpg

2010 Buick Lacrossehttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...9.jpghttp://w ... ..0.jpgIts awkwardly tall, but the sculpted hood makes it appear lower.

GM had some snazzy logo displays.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...2.jpg

Acadia Denali. I dont get it.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...3.jpgh ... s/...4.jpg

Sierra Denali. I get it, and want it.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...5.jpg

GMC Granite concept. Blech.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...9.jpgh ... s/...2.jpg

New Subaru Legacy has a hideous Sebring face.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...5.jpgh ... s/...0.jpg

Boxer powerhttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...8.jpg

The Suzuki Kizashi! One of the few new sedans I was excited about.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...1.jpgh ... s/...3.jpg

Hyundai Equus. Conspicuous Korean luxury. Poorly timed?http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...6.jpgh ... s/...0.jpg

Ford Mustang 3.7http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...4.jpg

Our poor feet.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...7.jpg

Porsche Panamerahttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...9.jpg

New BMW Z4http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...0.jpg

New BMW 750Li. Somewhat bland. Seemed a bit nicer and better built than the LS460.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...4.jpgh ... s/...5.jpg

Fail and AIDS from Acurahttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...0.jpghttp://w ... s/...1.jpg

Crap leather in the ZDXhttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...4.jpg

Small Lamborghini displayhttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...7.jpghttp://w ... s/...9.jpg

MORE HOT TWINS FROM FIAThttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...9.jpghttp://w ... s/...7.jpg

Cute Viper girlhttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...0.jpghttp://w ... s/...5.jpg

The Viper no longer looks as bold as it used tohttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...2.jpg

Jeep modelhttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...8.jpghttp://w ... s/...7.jpg

Cutout of a heavy duty Ramhttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...9.jpghttp://w ... s/...1.jpg

Volvo C70 convertiblehttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...2.jpghttp://w ... /...5.jpgI prefer soft tops except on the Cadillac XLR.

Volvo S80 with beautiful unpolished natural wood.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...6.jpgh ... s/...8.jpg

Big hood spring on the S80http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...9.jpg

Lexus interactive game needed a reboot.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...0.jpg

Pizza at Giordano'shttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...4.jpghttp://w ... s/...2.jpg

Old coupe in the parking lothttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...3.jpghttp://w ... s/...5.jpg

Marvin's Eldorado with train horns, carputer, and angel eyes.http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...7.jpg

SAAB FLAG! Picked this up at the auto show for $25http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...8.jpg

Took JD's Mark 7 for a drivehttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...6.jpghttp://w ... s/...6.jpg

Gary enjoying himselfhttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...7.jpghttp://w ... s/...0.jpg

"Liquid cocaine"http://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...8.jpg

Portillos for hot dogs and italian beefhttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...7.jpghttp://w ... s/...9.jpg

Sneaking a creepy picture of the hot girl in the cornerhttp://www.q45.org/cpg/albums/...2.jpg

I lost a chrome "STS" wheel cap on the way home. Illinois roads SUCK.

CONCLUSION: There wasn't much new/exciting this year (to me) except for the Fiat 500, Audi R8 convertible, and Suzuki Kizashi. My dream car, the Cadillac XLR-V, is in its final year of production and was absent from the show. I'm eager to drive a Mazda 2. Lincoln also looked promising. Chrysler had a lot of junk on display, but easily had the hottest models. At least a few of the exotic brands made it this time. In 2009 it was pretty barren.Saab was completely absent. I can't remember if Mercury was there or not.

Most crowded: AudiLeast crowded: Acura

Best display: Jeep/Dodge riding off-road course, Fiat 500 twin models

[MinisterofDOOM]

Did you notice that the NC Miata has lost the horribly protruding cupholders? They're now fully integrated into the door handle, which means they no longer interfere with knee space.

All the Porsches were locked in their booth at the Salt Lake show. What a bunch of douchebags. It's not like they're Ferraris. Even the Cayman was locked. My dad and I had a loud discussion about how stupid it was that all their cars were locked, then moved on to the next booth. Pretty stupid that I can sit in a ZR1 but not a Cayman or a Panamera.

[Jesda]

There were a lot of really uninteresting cars that were locked. I suspect they were too lazy or didnt make the time to remove knobs/antennas or prep the electronics for auto show people. Pretty freaking lame.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Why bring the car to the show if you're not willing to show it?!