WHAT: Dayton Auto Show
WHEN: Now through March 28
WHERE: Dayton Convention Center; 100 E. Fifth St., Dayton
SHOW TIMES:
March 27, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
March 28, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
ADMISSION: $7 for adults. Children ages 12 & younger are free when accompanied by a paying adult
DISCOUNT COUPON: Go online to DaytonDailyNews.com March 27-28 and look under Hot Topics for a link to a printable $2 coupon
The words of a loquacious coworker sum up some of the reasons for attending the 2010 Dayton Auto Show:
“Hey, the last two cars I bought I saw at an auto show.
“It’s almost like a delicatessen. You see this model, point to that model. You don’t even have to take a number.
“You sit in it, see the roominess of it, sit in the back seat. There’s no pressure at all because they can’t sell there. At the auto show, you can literally ‘just look.’ It’s one-stop shopping without having to travel all around.”
Well said, office mate.
There’s nothing for sale — automotive-wise, anyway — at the show, which takes off the pressure and leaves the pure pleasure of enjoying the hot metal and cool exhibits on display at the Dayton Convention Center, 100 E. Fifth St., Dayton.
The automotive showcase is a concentration of 2010 models available now, specialty vehicles and exhibits and early 2011 production models.
Dan Zinni, auto show director, said there are at least two good reasons to attend.
“The car enthusiasts always wants to see what’s new, the 2010s and 2011s on display.
“Then there are the older vehicles, like a 1929 Ford Model A, from a car club. There’s a lot to see,” Zinni said.
Despite there being fewer automotive brands these days, the show hasn’t been affected.
“We sold just as much floor space, and inside there are 150 vehicles — roughly the same as last year,” he said.
Vehicles range in manufacturer-suggested retail price of $12,605 for a Toyota Yaris to $142,000 for the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG High-Performance Sedan.
Show-goers are welcome to open doors on most of the vehicles and slip behind the wheel of what’s on the floor. Product specialists are available to answer questions.
While the show floor is full, you won’t wear yourself out walking thousands of steps to reach a certain brand or vehicle. Everything is arranged for you to look over at your leisure.
Show highlights include:
• Crossovers
Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Lincoln MKT, Dodge Journey, Cadillac SRX, Mercedes-Benz GLK 350, BMW X5, Acura ZDX, Acura MDX, Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Venza, Honda Accord Crosstour, Honda Pilot, Volvo XC60, Ford Edge, Ford Flex
• Sedans, from small to large, affordable to luxurious
Buick Lucerne, Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Malibu, Cadillac DTS, Mercedes-Benz E350, Chrysler 300C, Hyundai Genesis 4.6, Lincoln MKS, Lexus LS460L, Lexus ES 350, Mercury Milan Premier, Honda Accord EX
• Sporty to sports cars
Too many to mention, but a few highlights are a trio of Chevrolet Camaros, a pair of Dodge Challengers, several Cadillac CTSs, BMW 328i, Acura TSX, Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Edition, Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0 Track M/T.
• 2011s
Ford Fiesta, Ford F-250 Super Duty, Ford Mustang GT, Hyundai Sonata, Lincoln MKX, Ford Edge
• Hybrids
Chevrolet Tahoe AWH Hybrid, Lexus RX 450h, Lexus HS 250h, Mercury Milan Hybrid, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Prius III and Honda Insight EX as well as a host of flexible-fuel vehicles. The 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid, with EPA estimated annual fuel ratings of 31 mpg/city and 35 mpg/highway, offers fuel economy combined with family sedan attributes.
• Recreational/vocational
Jeep Wranglers, Toyota FX Cruiser, Ford F-150 SuperCrew, GMC Sierra, Toyota Tundra, Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy Duty SLT Crew Cab, Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Cummins Turbo Diesel Crew Cab, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Avalanche, Cadillac Escalade EXT
• 2010 North American Car of the Year, North American International Auto Show in Detroit: Ford Fusion Hybrid
• 2010 North American Truck of the Year, North American International Auto Show in Detroit: Ford Transit
• Convertibles
BMW Z4, Volkswagen Eos Komfort, Chrysler Sebring, Lexus IS 350C, Volvo C70
• Minivans
Volkswagen Routan SE, Dodge Grand Caravan SE, Chrysler Town & Country Limited, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna
• Traditional sport utility vehicles
Lexus GX460, GMC Yukon XL Denali, Chevrolet Suburban, Toyota 4Runner, Mercury Mountaineer
• Subarus
Attendees told auto show officials last year that they wanted to see Subarus, which are back for this year’s show.
• Possible financial gain
$1,200 in gas cards given away on both March 27 and 28, an LG LCD TV giveaway (be the closest in “guess the basketballs” contest).
Don’t miss the exhibit space off to the side of the main show floor. That’s where the NCAA Lounge is, complete with seating, ottoman tables and three flat-screen TVs by Audio Inc. Positioned next to it is the Belgian Beer Cafe, selling Stella Artois beer, soda and water.
Other show highlights:
• Ben 10, a character on the Cartoon Network, is scheduled to meet and greet fans young and old on Saturday, March 27 from noon to 4 p.m.
• A free NASCAR simulator is being brought in to give show-goers a glimpse of what it’s like to be a NASCAR driver. The experience lasts from two to three minutes.
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