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Post by sgtmajor on Nov 19, 2015 22:23:06 GMT -5
After years of wanting to go......but missing the LA Auto Show......I finally succeeded in obtaining tickets for this Saturday.
In years past something either came up.....or I just missed the show completely......or tickets were sold out etc., etc.
However, even though I'll have to fight the BAD traffic and all the thousands of people......I'm anxious to finally get to attend.
Hmmm......better go find my camera and see if I can get it charged up. (smile)
Cheers,
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Post by bhk on Nov 19, 2015 23:30:46 GMT -5
You lucky devil! Have fun....and LOTS of photos of exotic cars....and girls.  |
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Post by sgtmajor on Nov 19, 2015 23:46:26 GMT -5
You lucky devil! Have fun....and LOTS of photos of exotic cars....and girls. Now more than ever, I wished you lived a tad closer! (smile) This is going to be more of a research project. For many....MANY years now, I've told my wife that when I get within striking distance of retirement, I'm going to purchase my last vehicle. Wasn't sure exactly what it was going to be....but wanted a good car....something fun to drive......yet something I can take into senior life. I've considered various types of cars over the years.....everything from very....VERY expensive....to reasonable. The strange thing is.....the older I get....the less I wish to spend on a car. Maybe wisdom does come with old age. (smile) I'm quite sure I'll see several cars Saturday that I'll fall in love with. Something about that new car smell is so appealing. (smile) Cheers, |
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Post by bhk on Nov 20, 2015 1:31:30 GMT -5
.... The strange thing is.....the older I get....the less I wish to spend on a car. Maybe wisdom does come with old age. (smile) I can empathise with that sentiment, Steve. However, I really do miss the Monaro; on the trip we did a month ago to Canberra and return I kept thinking how great it would have been to be driving that car on those roads and then on the eastern freeways once again. I sold that car before I tired of it and....in retrospect and with the benefit of three years hindsight....I should have held onto it. If I had the money I wouldn't hesitate in buying another because, if I had the money, fuel cost wouldn't matter.  |
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Post by sgtmajor on Nov 20, 2015 8:51:54 GMT -5
Can't say I blame you Bruce....your Monaro was a very nice looking car!! We don't have that model here in the States....at least, it's not called a Monaro, however, I've had a couple cars I've let go a little early and wish I would have kept.
I'm still not exactly sure what I'll end up with....probably a convertible.....and probably a roadster I think. Perhaps this trip to the auto show will bring about new ideas. (smile)
Cheers,
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Post by bhk on Nov 20, 2015 14:22:18 GMT -5
....We don't have that model here in the States....at least, it's not called a Monaro,... In 2004/2005 it was exported from Oz in l-h drive format badged as a Pontiac and sold in the USA as the Pontiac GTO. Withdrawn in 2006 when Monaro production ceased here.  |
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Post by sgtmajor on Nov 20, 2015 19:22:26 GMT -5
Ah....a GTO....yes indeed, I can see that now.
A friend of mine had a couple different GTO's over the years....probably early 70's. Both cars were very fast and very nice indeed!!!
Cheers,
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Post by sgtmajor on Nov 21, 2015 20:11:22 GMT -5
Well.....I survived the show. Had a wonderful time, however, that's a lot to do in one day!!! Two hour drive each way.....tickets to get in $16.50.....parking..$20.00.....snacks/lunch $15.00.....not a cheap excursion by any sense...but enjoyable. Saw a lot of cars that have not yet hit the market here in the States, etc., etc. The most amazing thing.....the cars I was anxious to view/see....after seeing them up close....not such a big deal. Saw this one and thought of you Bruce......just what you need. The Fiat 500 Storm Trooper:   Here's an article with better pictures: autoweek.com/article/los-angeles-auto-show/star-wars-stormtrooper-themed-fiat-500e-rolls-la-auto-showOne of the cars I was really excited to see....(I'm considering a purchase)......is the soon to be released Fiat Spider 124:   It will have the engine of the Abarth (160 hp).....and really brings back some of the classic looks. With that said.....there are always cars that "surprise" you. One such car...........The Alfa Romero Guilia   To be honest.....I'm not sure if it was the Italian Cars that was so much fun to hang around.....or perhaps the Italian spokes people. (smile) Sorry.....thought about trying to get a few pictures....but it felt too much like a pervert or something so I passed. But trust me.....they were the best!!! (smile) Then of course there was all the exotic "new" stuff. A company that takes old VW's and turns them into electric cars. Battery life is suppose to be 160,000 miles.....with a range of 80-100 miles between charge. About the same as the modern day electrics.     Well......there you have it folks. Most everything else you can google and get better pictures and stories, but I had a good time none-the-less. Only got lost a few times.....MAN that place is HUGH!!!!!!! I didn't realize just how large the convention center is. Nice day today....should sleep very well tonight! Cheers, |
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Post by cptroyce on Nov 21, 2015 22:15:30 GMT -5
Love the looks of the new Alpha as well..the grill, badge, nothing like Italian styling.
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Post by sgtmajor on Nov 21, 2015 22:24:26 GMT -5
Love the looks of the new Alpha as well..the grill, badge, nothing like Italian styling. Yes indeed....I'm glad to see them making a come-back here in the States. I "oogle" at the 4C every time I take my Fiat in for service....and actually at one time I "toy-ed" with the idea of a purchase. However, common sense kicked in and I realized I'd make such a spectacle out of myself every time I drove anywhere and had to try to crawl out of the car gracefully. (smile) For some reason....the old knees, hips and joints just don't quite work the same as when I was 20. (smile) Seriously.....I can't imagine it riding that smoothly on these terrible California freeways. (smile) However, the Guilia...........Hmmmmmm......I'm going to have to give this some thought. (smile) Cheers, |
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Post by bhk on Nov 22, 2015 16:03:00 GMT -5
Steve.....I don't think I'll buy a "Stormtrooper 500"!! The Fiat 124 certainly brings back a well-known model type from the 1960s-1970s. Looks very nice, too. Alfa Romeo's (and Fiat's) had a bad reputation down here in those days.....mechanical unreliability, high cost of service/repairs and also prone to rusting due to insufficient or badly-applied underbody corrosion protection. But now the situation has changed significantly. That Giulia looks like testosterone on wheels! I notice that it's wearing Alfa's traditional "quadrafolglio" (sp?)on its flanks. |
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Post by sgtmajor on Nov 22, 2015 17:15:37 GMT -5
That Giulia looks like testosterone on wheels! I notice that it's wearing Alfa's traditional "quadrafolglio" (sp?)on its flanks. That pretty much sums it up!! 0-60 in 3.8 seconds @ 500 hp!! Yes....the first release this next summer is the Quadrafolglio series! The car was gorgeous...something I could very easily fall in love with. Believe it or not.....it's the 500 hp & 0-60 that scares me.......sounds like traffic tickets waiting to happen. (smile) Out of all the cars I sat in yesterday......one of my very favorite's is still the Mercedes Benz SLK-350. Very nicely done and I like the new items for 2016, although it isn't changing much. Because of the price.....I'll probably settle for something less expensive....perhaps the Fiat Spider? I've been very pleased with my Fiat these last 3 years. Very reliable....easy on the pocket book and it really is fun to drive. Nothing like the Fiat's I remember from back in the early 70's. Cheers! BTW.....did you every have any takers on your Storm trooper movie poster/display piece you put on e-bay? |
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Post by bhk on Nov 22, 2015 20:39:29 GMT -5
BTW.....did you every have any takers on your Storm trooper movie poster/display piece you put on e-bay? Steve, would you believe that I sold it in October to a lady from Brisbane who has a family (3 boys, 1 girl) of Star Wars fanatics? One was having a birthday very close to the release of the latest SW movie and she had a small collection of SW "stuff". Boba Fett was the cherry on top of the cake - she drove down from Brisbane to pick it up, accompanied by her (lovely) daughter, as a surprise for the lad having the birthday. And if you don't get a Mercedes then get the Alfa Giulia. Bruce |
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Post by sgtmajor on Nov 23, 2015 0:02:01 GMT -5
And if you don't get a Mercedes then get the Alfa Giulia. My thoughts exactly Bruce!! They are both about the same amount of $$$$$$...... but I'm extremely fond of the Mercedes brand as I've owned several over the years. Perhaps I'll buy a lottery ticket and win..........then I can buy one of each!!! (smile) I had no doubt you'd find a home for your Star Wars items. It's still a very big draw here in the States. Glad to hear it went to a very good home!! Cheers, |
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