Topic: Cdn Int'l Auto Show (Toronto)

[sirAQUAMAN64]

So, was just given an exhibitor ticket/pass from work for one freebie admittance to the TO Show and on the ticket it states "regular admission $20".

Wasn't the show $12 or $14 last year???

I still can't logon to www.AutoShow.ca - says 'under construction' and I don't want to clear anything b/c I'll have to re-enter passwords on other sites.

Show is Feb 18th-27th, for those unaware or wondering.

[wing]

Clear your cache or something because the autoshow.ca has worked since November.  I check it everyday and enter the contest.

The tickets are $20, last year I believe it was $17.50 a ticket.

[mobil]

Does it get really crowded there (more so than Detroit?)...I'm planning to make the drive from Ottawa for the Show...

[wing]

I would suspect the weekend with free parking would be busy.  I went last year for the first time, on a Friday, the openning Friday.  I plan to do the same thing again this year.

It wasn't that busy last year, you can see from my pics here: http://members.tripod.com/jamesbe2 it wasn't bad at all.

[mobil]

Good Stuff...I went to Detroit 3 yrs ago on the opening Fri to attempt to beat the crowds...Still was crowded as hell!...

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Wow James... I've never seen it so dead.  

Mobil - nice Celica by the way - I usually find that Saturdays are pretty darned busy in Toronto.

I was in Detroit last Sunday, and Toronto is busier.  

All depends on the days, but even on a Saturday I don't find the waits to get into cars too, too bad. The thing I can't stand is where there's a whole family inside of a hot new product and just sitting there for a breather while the kids jump all over the centre console. I'm standing right there, and they just sit talking - tellin' a life story. Drive me bonkers, and what I usually do is open the driver's door all the way, just stand and look, or bend down to start fiddling with things inside the car while they're in it. A polite "can I sit in this please?" usually doesn't work, as their ears appear defective.

Come to the show though. It's good!

[mrthompson]

If someone is in my way I'll bellow out 'EXCUSE ME'...it usually works.

[barrie1]

Watch Out for the pickpockets. These creeps are there every year and sometimes get caught. Good. I have seen them in action so be careful.

[tpl]

I usually go on a Wednesday morning at opening time with some kind of discount ticket. No kids, just hard core car people who can sneak off from work for 1/2 day

This year tho' the only thing I'd want to see waon't be there so maybe I won't bother

[Turbo Bob]

Which is?

[Bladerunner]

It's not really worth the $20 admission since you can't sit inside the Jaguar, BMW's, Mercedes, Lexus etc, (unless you ask one of the reps on the floor), although you can sit inside the Acura's and Volvo's. I guess it's a good way to quickly gauge the quality of interiors between many different vehicles. I remember not being impressed by the VW's last year. Compared to the Toyota's they had much cheaper looking plastics and flimsy doors. After sitting in the new Mazda 3, I thought it would sell like hotcakes and the Acura TL would sell like hotcakes with a side order of hash browns. Maybe I'll go this year to look at the new Volvo S40, other than that I can't think of any new models worth seeing.

[Shnak]

In Montreal, you could sit in all the Lexus and Mercedes models (except the new ones that were only on rotating display, of course). All BMWs were locked, and Jaguar wasn't there at all.

And personally, I don't go to car shows to look at cars I'll never be able to afford... I go there to check out stuff that might eventually interest me... I couldn't care less about the Lambos, Ferraris or even cheap stuff like the Mustangs... If I don't see myself possibly driving one in the future, it simply doesn't interest me.

[wing]

I go to the car show for just that.  To see cars I'll never get to sit in otherwise.

Why else would I pay $20 to go in, I would just go to the dealer and drive it if I wanted to buy it one day.

(Message edited by jamesbe on January 26, 2005)

[Shnak]

I doubt you'll be able to compare 200-300 vehicles hands-on on the same day any other way. That's what I like about car shows.

[ghost]

My friends and I are going on the 25th. gonna take a friday off to avoid weekend crowds. And I got my tickets for $12.

[Giant Dwarf]

Shnak, I doubt I'd ever want to compare 200-300 vehicles hands-on.  I don't think there are that many vehicles that I'd want to choose between at any given time.

I'm with James -- go to the car show for the cars... the good, the bad, the cheap, the expensive, the sexy and the ugly.  I don't care -- I'm there for all of it!

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I'm there for it all, but spend most of the time evaluating and comparing more reasonably priced models in one day, and checkin' out 'what's new'.

I don't spend much time at the exotics, but do take a gander just to see 'em, and mostly to see how they set-up the display and how they're presenting it.

[safristi]

For those that haven't been before it is a feast for the eyes,though lately,somewhat tamer IMHO.I think after years of regular attendance I will make it a tri-ennial event.
          Fewer cars open,less eye candy,less freebies(my best year was second prize ,a Bridgestone Jacket..First Prize was a track day fer you and 9 other buds..Grrrr!!SO CLOSE).
   If you can go mid week ,early am start is best..you can go out fer a beverage and lunch and scope the office pulchritude(M&F..musn't ferget "B"!)..and rejoin the fray well rested and attack the SkyDome displays...are their any  
driving events outside this year..seem to remember a off road test thingy one year..missed it but that would be fun) Hell whats $20 these days(Snowies daily coffee allowance?) Maybe Ghost can get you ALL IN fer $12......GO   ENJOY....

[wing]

I don't think I sat in 1 car last year, I was there from 10am till about 4pm.  Non stop walking around.  So much to see, so little time.  I took a picture and moved on.

[Snowman]

Crowds don’t bother me…..I have a medical condition which allows me to develop a buffer zone when attending major functions. I prepare myself with a large high protein breakfast which is enhanced by a fast food stop along the way. I surreptitiously pass gas while approaching the focus of my attention. Then I enjoy the sounds of dismay and disgust as the crowed dissipates gasping for fresh air…..and I move in.