The LA Auto Show

Well, I made it. After complaining about the auto show in my hometown, I had the opportunity to attend the LA Auto Show. International and national vehicles debuted at the Los Angeles Convention Center. There is an air of imitation as I can see that this is the best balance in a new breed of sedans masquerading as coupes found in the Mercedes-Benz CLS, BMW 550i Gran Turismo, and yes, the other four-door Porsche, the Panamera. And you know? The offspring of the 928GT didn't look as awkward in person as it had on the printed page. An ugly duckling of sorts, maybe. But would I buy one? A used one? Probably. I was also impressed by Audi's products but a little disappointed in BMW. The X6 M looked eerily like a Pontiac Aztek! Could it be that Pontiac was the true visionary, ahead of its time, and sadly, just a few years too early to save itself from bankruptcy? Well, it was a GM product, and they would have found a way to ruin that success, so probably not.


There were a buzz in the air that wasn't weather induced. Known for its smog, LA actually experienced inclement weather during Friday's show. Was I impressed? Let me say this, my enthusiasm for some exhibits forced me to tour particular manufacturer's offerings more than once. Much love for the Audi R8 convertible and the whole wing dedicated to Porsche. The Panamera is big. Big and Tall. Like a plus man's shop with all the clothing and accessories that one could muster. There is an elegance to this heft, however. Maybe it was the color. Maybe it was the vibe (no not the Pontiac Vibe). Or maybe it was the fact that I just wanted to love the car. Well, it is a Porsche after all. Sat in the front, sat the back, had a photo taken. I was impressed, probably more so by the fact that a child's car seat fits squarely in the back without crushing any limbs (yours or a child's). And yes, an adult fits back there, too.

The LA Auto Show, the LA Times, and Be Your Own Auto Critic

Hey, a chance to see what's happening in the automotive world and it starts today on my birthday!?!? Woo hoo, it's the LA Auto Show! I am particularly pleased that this will be the World Debut of the Porsche Boxster Spyder! I love all things Porsche and I will take a Boxster in a pinch. Other cars set to launch their North American debut include the Audi R8 Spyder, Jaguar XJ, Lexus LF-A, Mercedes SLS AMG ( A vintage Gullwing throwback), and the Rolls-Royce Ghost.

At least automotive design is thriving and making the best of a bad economic situation. The Auto Show did happen to stop in my hometown and the only highlight was the free parking after being comped admission. I was pleased to see the Porsche Panamera, while I admired its "uniqueness" and surprising height for being the sedan of the 911 world.

We all rely on media sources for info and news that we can use. In reviewing the horrendous recall by Toyota, I was further horrified that LA Times business contributor, Martin Zimmerman, cited a former Lexus owner's fear forcing the purchase of a Buick Acadia. Hmmm...a Buick Acadia, is that the new name for a Buick & GMC hybrid!?!? Did GM sell its very own GMC to Buick (and not at a profit, of course)? I think not, and I hate to find fault with a minor error, such as the correct make and model of a vehicle (GMC Acadia), but hey!!! This is an automotive safety article in the business section of the LA Times! A sad case of a fact checker skipping a box on the fact checking checklist, but I digress...be sure to look for the new Hummer Solstice and Pontiac H2 Alpha at dealerships (and sadly, brands) that don't exist.

Lastly, my 6th grade fondness of Car&Driver has lead me to find one of the best features ever in their 10Best issue. A chance to be an automotive reviewer (p29). Sure it looks like a Mad Libs form, but hey, who can resist a compelling review of a 1998 Nissan Maxima or that 1997 Jeep Wrangler (4 cylinder version, of course)? Not me, I cannot wait to get this adjective and adverb party started!

For the love of all that is fashionable! Say "NO" to Crocs the Porsche Way.

I love a good love story, and the Porsche Cayman is one of those. In pursuit of the, "you've got your chocolate in my peanut butter and you've got your peanut butter in my chocolate," controversy and decades long debacle, the Porsche Cayman is the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of conglomerations. Sure it's a Boxster with a permanent hard top. And sure Porsche put a lower performing 6-cylinder engine under its mid-engined frame as not to step on the 911's toes. But toe stepping, indeed! Crocs, the lovable shoe salvation of the scrubs-wearing (and often chain smoking, but never around oxygen tanks) employee, and those that throw caution to the Birkenstock wind, have fallen prey to whims of the auto manufacturer.

In a surprising, and quite humorous, move (wait for it...wait for it), Crocs named their latest $30 shoe the Crocs Cayman. (0-60 in what!?!? You are actually wearing those outside of the house!?!?) Hold on a sec. A Porche Cayman is $50K and the Crocs version a mere $30? Porsche is calling foul and saying that name infringement exists. Crocs have every intention of defending its namesake versus that of Stuttgart fame, Nurburgring speed, and a reputation of nationalism as the all-around purveyor of the global cold shoulder.

And the stage is set to be settled on none other than the Cayman Islands in the ultimate name infringement battle royale! Tickets are on sale and the proceeds with go to pay for ever-increasing fuel costs as duty-free shopping and that special discount jewelery purchase await. Bah-humbug to frivolous lawsuits and bah-humbug to the lyrical shoe stylings to those that come up with lame names for shoes (and some cars). Smelling blood in the water and adding insult to injury, Crocs was further under fire by a new lawsuit citing another name infringement. Championing the cause from the other side was a familiar face and advocate of all things croc (no, not those Crocs). Crikey! With Crocs and it's legal entanglements, the time couldn't be better to get your Porsche on!