Minneapolis Auto Show
Just went tonight. Paid my $9.00 and went in. The last time I went to a car show was two years ago in Chicago. This year I went specifically looking at 2 seaters and comparing them to the Crossfire.
Interior in descending order:
* Porsche 911/Cayman S - Wow, the orange leather interior is amazing.
* The new Audi TT was a very close second. Something about sitting in the car made me feel like I was in something very special. The interior trim wasn't anywhere near as good as the Porsche however.
~~~Crossfire would fit here, I think. It's more elegant than the Z4 but doesn't feel as "high tech" as the TT.
* Z4 - Minimalist design, felt high quality, but honestly a little bit plasticky for my taste.
* S2000 CR - Looks a little "old school" in a way, and things are all over the place, the radio button on the left side of the dash, but feels pretty high quality and very sporty.
* Chevy Corvette Z06 - It feels like they tried, but honestly things felt cheap in here.
* Mazda Miata - Felt pretty cheap.
* Saturn Sky - No comment.
Build Quality in descending order:
* Z4 - Serious "thunk" to the door. No rattle. Everything felt tight.
~~~Crossfire would fit here I think. Honestly, the Crossfire's doors close with a much more solid feel than a 911 and that's saying something. Everything feels really nice and tight in the XFire, and much more elegant than either the TT or the 911.
* Audi TT - Close second. Panel gaps were tight and everything was solid feeling.
* S2000 CR - Better than the Corvette, not quite as solid as the TT, but at least the doors didn't feel like they were going to rattle off like the Porsche.
* Porsche 911/Cayman S. Good panel gaps, better sculpted than the S2000, but man did the doors feel cheap in these things.
* Z06 Corvette - Nothing special here.
* Mazda Miata - ummm...only slightly better than the Saturn Sky and slightly worse than the 'vette.
* Saturn Sky - Err...
Exterior in descending order (this is highly opinionated, you probably won't agree):
* Audi R8 - Totally in a different league. This thing is amazing looking.
* Porsche Cayman S - Curvy and beautiful
* Porsche 911 Carerra S - Not as beautiful as the Cayman S, but the enormous porsche brakes make up for it.
* BMW Z4 great, great roadster body with curves and bulges in the right places.
* Saturn Sky - Great looking, a little too flashy, but it had great curves.
* Z06 Corvette - This car is ENORMOUS, but it is the best looking Corvette to come out since the Stingray.
* Audi TT - Shapeless.
* Mazda Miata - Dated design.
(of course, I think the Crossfire is more beautiful than the R8, but I'm biased!)
* Coolest Cupholder Award goes to....the Saab 9-3!
* Tightest Engine Bay award goes to....the Infiniti G37! I think they designed this for toddlers to work on because only they have fingers small enough to reach the alternator belt.
* Smallest Engine award goes to....the Mazda RX8! This is the engine equivalent of an oompa loompa.
* Biggest Anachronism award goes to....the Lexus SC430! The factory stereo has a Casette Player!!
The 350Z was about on par with the construction of the Miata/Saturn Sky. Really disappointed in the Z.
Saw a JDM Right Hand Drive GT-R! This car is enormous! It's about the size of the new Mustang. Real macho looking for a Japanese car.
Overall, I think the Crossfire still goes toe to toe with the best german 2-seaters out today.
Last edited by sonoronos; Mar 13, 2008 at 06:56 PM.