I attended the TU Auto Show at the Times Union Center in Albany on Saturday April 4. I was both impressed and not impressed, unfortunately, more the latter.
First, parking to the TU center is fairly convenient - parking garage about a block away. But once parked and on the grounds of the TU center, it went downhill from there. You climb perhaps 10 steps from the sidewalk to get to the concourse level where you walk a good distance to the ticket line. That was "ok", but from there, you go back out to near where you came in and had to either climb 80 steps or take the escalator up to the second floor (only active entrance). This was hard for anyone in a wheelchair or with a baby stroller, but I'm sure they'd make any accommodations they could. After entering on the second floor, which essentially is a rim around the top of the center (balcony) - there were several cars and vendors lined up, but the main "attractions" were down on the main floor of the center. $7.50 for the convenience of seeing several brands in one place, rather than trekking from dealer to dealer. Ok, that's acceptable.
The person I went with was handicapped, and I asked a security guard where the elevator or escalator was going down. He didn't know, so slowly, we descended the staircase, one step at a time, slowly and methodically. Kids were running up and down the stairs, which didn't help things as they constantly bumped into us.
We got to the main floor, there were probably 100 cars on display from all major manufacturers, Dodge, Chevrolet, Toyota, GMC, Ford, Honda, Suzuki, etc. Being the owner of a current Dodge vehicle, and in the market for a new one, I was immediately attracted to the red pickup truck that was prominently on display. This actually began my disappointment with the vehicles at this years show.
I found the 2009 Dodge Ram to be very "cheap" looking, lots of plastic and not rich on features. I had anticipated dealers bringing their star vehicles loaded with options and features, instead, this looked like a stripped down current version of a once great truck. I found a nice lady, Doris (Chrysler corporate rep) who had all the "facts" on the truck. She was a rep from Dodge directly, not a local dealership. She explained some of the features, answered a couple basic questions, but in the end all she could do was direct me to
http://www.dodge.com. I'm not impressed, if I wanted to get an impersonal sales version of the truck, I know how to browse the web, I was looking for someone instead to answer questions, Doris wasn't up to the task. I was also least impressed that 30% of a Dodge Ram is manufactured outside the US, according to the sticker on the window. Doris did tell me that the 2010's would be out in about 3 months, and I was welcome to go see one at the NYC Auto Show coming up - and that I could probably get a "great deal" on the 2010's - but not the 2009's. I decided to explore other options.
From Dodge, I went to visit the folks at Toyota, represented by the Lia Toyota dealership on Central Ave. I wasn't holding high expectations, I've never considered a foreign car/truck before because, well, I like to "buy American". First thing I did was look at the sticker. Price - about $1200 less than the Dodge mentioned above. What really caught my eye however was on the sticker on the Toyota Tundra, it received 5 stars for crash ratings - AND ... a disclaimer that 100% of the vehicle is manufactured in the United States. WOW, ok, time for a closer look. The representative from Lia was very helpful and answered a lot of questions for me. Unfortunately, Lia didn't bring out their "A" game, opting instead for a stock white truck, with few options, but their salesman/rep on the floor did have answers I was looking for. By default, the Tundra comes with a lot of extra "perks" - little things that make a difference in the performance, look and feel of the vehicle. I was really getting impressed with this truck, and it's sticker price. It offered the options I needed/wanted - at a price that was reasonable. I took the salesman's card and told him I'd see him at the dealership early this week, probably ready to make a deal (after a test drive, negotiating price, etc).
After being impressed with the Tunda, I wandered to the Chevy display (GM) and, not expecting much, I wasn't disappointed. Their truck, like the Dodge, lacked in features and looked very "plastic" - not what I was looking for, but I did have questions. Despite not seeing a LOT of people wandering around, there were few GM/Chevy reps that were available for questions. One sat on the bumper of a car, laughing and chatting on his cell phone. Another was doing paperwork and when I approached the counter he was at gave me the impression I was "bothering" him. Ok, fine. I've been blown off by better people. I went back, looked at the sticker again and - like the Dodge found out that it was 70% "Made in America". Ok, that's disturbing.
I wandered through the show, stopped to see the GMC pickups, Suzuki's offering and Honda. NONE impressed me to give them a second look. Compared to the Toyota, they paled in comparison.
We left the show (remember, we were already on the main level) - so simply walked out the front door - to our car in the parking garage. Getting out was a lot easier than getting in. The "system" at the TU Center definitely needs to be worked on.
From there, I went to Lia, just to look at what they had on the floor, and available. I was really hoping for a test drive, I'm anxious to get my new truck. There were several people in the dealership, but not one of them would find the time to even say "hello, we'll be right with you" or "come back later" - or even a casual "go sh*t in your hat". That was weird. So I looked around, no Tundra's in the showroom. So, I drove around the lot, only two. Huh? Their "premier" truck at the Auto Show and only two on the lot? Not finding anyone else to answer questions, I intended on coming back in during the week. Certainly there had to be more than 2 on the lot, someplace.
Going home, I decided to go the long way and went to Northway Toyota on Rt 9 in Latham. They had exactly one Tundra on the lot .. a 2007. No new 09's - not even a leftover 08. I asked the salesman - "oh we only got 70, they're gone". He proceeded to explain that because of the gas prices last year and because the truck is 100% made in America, they actually converted their Texas production facility to manufacture their Prius line (hybrid), rather than the Tundras because they're more fuel efficient. He also said that the new 2010's will be out in about 3 months, and they should be in full production, but 09's and 08's were practically non-existent at dealerships.
Ok, so I had part of my answers - why I couldn't find one. That also made me feel better that my choice was based on principle and facts. I'm even more convinced now that the Tundra is the model I want. I guess unless I can find one at another dealership, I'll be waiting till the 2010's come out in July.
Overall, I'm happy with my decision on the Tundra. I'm very disappointed however in this years car show. The ticketing/entrances and handicap accessibility - along with the knowledge of the guard when asked about an elevator are deserving of a failing grade in my opinion. The offerings from the manufacturers at the show were numerous, but in my opinion, the quality of vehicles is sorely lacking. The fact that the "big 3" aren't manufactured in America (100%) is also disappointing considering the "bailouts" they've received. I was surprised by Toyota being manufactured here, I really didn't know that - but I'm also disappointed in the reps from Lia not telling me up front that the model at the show that was highlighted, wasn't even available on their lot.
I likely won't attend another "event" at the TU center (because of the layout) until their entrances are more accessible and easier to navigate. I also decided that I probably won't be buying a "big 3" car again for a long while, they've got a lot to catch up to "the foreigners" - ie. those made in America.
Just my .02
Logged
