Cars of Interest at the 2005 NY Auto Show

Ah, so many cars, so many models, so many people slamming against us as we try to get a glimpse of that... what the hell is that? Ow! My foot. Anyway, we found a lot of cars at the 2005 NY Auto Show that we'd get slapped in if our sweet bod was still in the meat market. Some auto folks are talking all about the new M-series from Infiniti or the new 3-series from BMW or the new truck from that truck maker company. Here are some cars that caught our attention:

Chevy Cobalt
Cobalt is getting a lot of good press and now we read that GM expects to trick it out; that's a good idea. Here's why the Cobalt (a small car) is important: GM has essentially alienated an entire generation of buyers by making crappy cars for twenty years (roughly 1980-2000) and now those folks are used to buying imports (Accords, Camrys). In fact, it's probably why GM's "older" brands like Buick have seen a 50% decrease in sales in the last 15 years. Those older buyers who have been burned by GM are a lost cause and GM is smart to go after the folks it hasn't screwed over: the kids. And that's why it's smart to offer a tricked out version of the Cobalt. Autoblog covers this souped up Cobalt.

Dodge Charger
We've already mentioned we like this tough-looking sedan. At the show it was dressed as a cop car and it looked total badass. Lookit! lookit! lookit! As you might know, Ford sells a lot of Crown Victorias as cop cars and there's almost no competition. You might also know Ford's gotten into a peck of trouble with said cars exploding. No competition and exploding? What is this, some sort of Microsoft dealie? Anyway, Ford should now face some decent competition in the cop market segment. And that's cool, 'cause lookit! We might have to make some traffical infarctions in order to get pulled over by one of these bad boys. Once we do (it's only a matter of time) we'll post some pics.

Mercedes-Benz CLS class
Man, we can't understand why this just-announced line of cars is being crapped on by so many people. Here at Cars! Cars! Cars! we took a simple tally and it's unanimous -- we dig it. If we sold coke we'd surely get one (and be able to afford one). In fact, the CLS makes every other Mercedes-Benz look like your grandfather's M-B. We bet the entire line of cars from M-B follows the lead of the CLS (for better or worse). And in regards to the CLS-class, as the saying goes: "If you're tall and forced into the tiny back seat of a fancy car and your head rubs against the ceiling, well, you're just a loser. There's plenty of head room up here in the front seat for us non-losers!" Uh, we're still working on that saying...

Mini Cooper
Oh the Mini Cooper has been out for a while but, damn it all, it's the perfect city car. We live in NYC and our neighborhood (Park Slope) is just chock full o' Minis. It's got style, great roadability and the perfect parking size. And starting around $17k, it's affordable, too. We acknowledge BMW's effort to stay true to the Mini's roots -- it's a hell of a great little car.

Volkswagen Phaeton
This car isn't exactly new but unless you are a typical car nerd (we love you!) you might not have heard about it. It's a VW and the one we examined was a wallet shuddering $103,000. Yessiree Bob, you read that right: one hundred and three thousands somolians. You know what? It felt like it. The Phaeton is the best car you've never heard of and will never see on the road. In fact, the Phaeton is so good, VW should make the Phaeton its own division. Get the big ol' "VW" off the car and have the new division only make that one car.

Be sure to check out all our Auto Show coverage

These images belong to the car manufacturers and are used here because who wants to read about cars without seeing 'em?

Comments

[Limousine]

I like all this cars! BUT!!!!!
I Like Hummer Limo..... is the best car for me. The Hummer limousine is the ideal vehicle for a fun night out, for proms, for the bachelor party, for your best friends’ bridal shower, for the exclusive weddings and so on. When you rent a hummer limousine you can have it fitted to suit the specific event perfectly. A Hummer limousine is up to 38 feet long which means that there will be plenty of room for all sorts of decorations and equipment. The romantic honey moon couple can choose a Hummer limousine with a luxurious Jacuzzi and have the car decorated with roses. Let the stereo play romantic tunes and relax with some champagne from the bar. For the wild party night, you can instead choose a Hummer limousine that is virtually a night club on wheels with a supreme sound system, subwoofers, speakers and of course your favourite party music. Top it of with brightly coloured lights that reflect in the decorative mirrors and two fully stocked bars. You can also use the flat TV screens to project your favourite music videos while you are celebrating.

[kenny brooks]

the phaeton is mucho car,
sophistication and much more. but if it was 52to 55 thousand, then vw could stomp on some serious competitors asses!! but well give me an a8 short wheelbase and hot damn get outta the way. had the privelege of being hot shoe chauffered around road atlanta in an a8l doing 125
and whata ride! ac and sterio blastin!!this is "the" car to beat in a contest with the other germans. oh yeah!!meanwhile on the mpg circuit, i"ll keep on driving my 99 metro( quit laffin, dammit) 44 mpg, 152000 miles on the odometer and no it dont leak oil. a one owner,ben
taken care of little econobox that gm should still be building and improving.instead of the crap like they are building.

[Daryl McGirt]

I think you guys were dead on the nail with the truth about Ford , it is like they are not even

trying at all to turn heads with what they are
bringing to the Market , they proclaimed this
would be the year of the car but with the Ford Five Hundred it looks like a Taurus upgraded
hatchback or a full sized focus , the town car
is losing interest to cadillac because it looks
like a $40,000 Crown Vic, with no on star
and Limo like feel like the Coach like TOwn Cars
of The Late 80s and 90s, I would like to see lincoln to retro rear end , and roof on the next
town car that goes back to the Late 80s or 90s
when they were outselling Cadillac because of Distinction and class

[Hwapper]

VW does have a Phaeton division. It's called Audi.

[Steve-O]

Great choices of 'lookit!' cars from the NY Int'l Auto show... Especially the Mini! As a fellow Park Slope resident (and Mini Cooper S owner) you hit the nail right on the head! Keep up the good work!