If you?re in the market for a new car any time in the next year, it?s time to rev up your shopping engine.
The upcoming auto show is the place where you can do all of your shopping and narrow down your choices in a quick, convenient way. Sure, concept cars are a large part of the show, but so are the gleaming new styles that area dealers stock.
“It?s great for car buffs but also for somebody who wants to see all the new styles and is thinking about buying,” said J.C. Beattie Jr. of ACI Performance Products in Baltimore. “The show is perfect. You don?t have to spend twoweeks shopping. You can sit in a car and see if you like it. I have to buy my wife a car soon so that will be what I do.”
Of course, you can?t buy or test drive cars at the show. But that just gives you more time to browse and takes some of the pressure off you and the car reps, say car show veterans.
“It?s a great shopping tool for the consumer,” said Brian Peat, general sales manager at Saab of Baltimore. “A lot of people don?t realize that the majority of consultants they speak with are working at car dealerships; if you find a knowledgeable, friendly salesperson ? give them a chance to earn your business.”
When Peat walks through the auto show he always reconnects with past customers, colleagues and others he?s known through his career.
“Not everyone goes to buy,” he said. “I tell people, go there for your initial shopping. We all see cars we like and say ?Wow! I?d love that.? Then we try one and find out we can?t fit in it. Rather than spending several days shopping, you can accomplish the same thing in hours.”
That?s one reason it?s best to go to the show early in the day, said Kevin Buehler, owner of Patriot Automotive in Eldersburg.
“It always gets crowded, so if you go early you can spend more time getting questions answered,” he said. “That?s especially true of someone who wants to take something home; you don?t want to get there and find out they ran out of brochures.”
Come To The Show
There’s really no better way to shop for cars, discover new auto features and have some fun than to attend the Motor Trend International Auto Show. Here’s just some of what you’ll find:
>> 400 cars, trucks, crossovers and sport/utility vehicles
>> Ultra high-end exotics from the DuPont Registry
>> Green cars
>> Concept Cars
>> Customized vehicles
>> Aftermarket Alley including car customization highlights
>> Full-Size Indy race car and simulator
>> Marriage proposal event (Friday evening)
>> Ladies Night beauty treatments (Thursday evening)
>> Green Trail comparing hybrids and flex-fuel models
Plus, remember that College Two-Fer Day is Thursday. Each student with valid college identification who buys one adult admission ticket will receive a second adults admission free for someone with a second valid college ID.
In addition, attendees receive free one-year subscriptions to Motor Trend Magazine with each online ticket or box office admission purchase.
Motor Trend International Auto Show
When: 12 to 10 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Baltimore Convention Center, One West Pratt St., Baltimore
Admission: $10 adults; $6 military and seniors; $4 kids 7-12
Info.: www.autoshowbaltimore.com
