My son Joe and I attended the 2002 edition of the Portland Auto Show this month with express desire to see the new BMW Mini. Having one on order we figured it was best to finally see one in person. We decided to visit on Saturday with Super bowl Sunday right around the corner. Bad decision. Approaching the temporary ticket booths in front of the Portland Convention Center, a sign: Due to mitigating circumstances these cars will not be shown; New Mini Cooper, Suzuki, Daewoo...Unbelievable..the bastards...
Joe and I decided to plunk down the $8.00 apiece; those of you with kids know I plunked down the $16 bucks. Packed with people, cars and the usual Booth Babes babbling on 'bout them new cars, Joe and I started our analytic rounds. First Dodge and the new 2002 Viper!!! Very nice way to start. Wonderful new rear spoiler. Off to Nissan, Chrysler (awful PT Cruiser with fake woody look but the opposite opinion on a Panel version, way cool), Mitsubishi, Toyota (nice booth babe); Ford (New T-bird, great looking but expensive..), Chevy (new 2002 Corvette with 405HP!!!!, beautiful, Al Kinney eat your heart out, sell something and you can afford one), Cadillac (Escalade, got to tell you, can see myself driving one but one ugly rig), Jeep (new Liberty is sure smaller than the Cherokee), Honda (S2000, Who's your daddy!). VW was the next stop; we were all over a new 2002 Jetta Wagon with new Turbo Diesel (TDI). The '98 Volvo may be gone for this one. Audi next, boy I want an All Road so bad I can taste it, 260HP twin turbo station wagon but the $48,800 sticker is way too much for me.
Out of the main hall to the usual Ron Tonkin token Ferrari, very nice Aston Martin (very nice 2002 ASTON MARTIN V12 VANQUISH ). BMW...talked with the North American Factory rep, a striking brunette and inquired as to the "mitigating circumstances" for no Mini. Some bullshit about only 5 cars and the LA auto show, interrupted her and said "Market size!" She finally said "Yep!!" Still bastards. Off to Jeff Butts' and Don Harrison's glorified VW coral; Porsche. Only three cars this year... A quick stop upstairs to the Saab, Land Rover (amazingly priced SUV at $69,000!!!..), and finally Mercedes Benz.
Impressions: Good thing Jeff or I have not yet secured warehouse space for our club toys or a new "Vette" could be in the corner. Viper was the vote for #1 from #1 son. Only problem, #2 son will be pissed when he reads this and missed the show...
Kelly Sweeney