NC Auto Expo vs NC Int Auto Show (Raleigh: coupon, 2009)

[resnostyle]

So I hear two car shows are coming.

NC Auto Expo | Raleigh Car Show | North Carolina Auto Show

2009 North Carolina International Auto Show

I am little confused, is there a difference between the two? One arrives next week, and the other on Valentines weekend.

[miamiblue]

Originally Posted by resnostyle

So I hear two car shows are coming.

NC Auto Expo | Raleigh Car Show | North Carolina Auto Show

2009 North Carolina International Auto Show

I am little confused, is there a difference between the two? One arrives next week, and the other on Valentines weekend.

The International Auto Show seems like it will have a few more makes on display than the Expo, such as Acura, Mercedes, Nissan, Audi, Maserati, Smart, VW, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls, etc. (this is comparing the Expo's floorplan to the NC Auto Show's list of brands).

Either way, neither one has make of my car, so I will not be attending! So disappointing compared to the International Auto Show I am used to. :sigh:

[dansdrive]

I have a hard time figuring out why anyone would want to attend either and actually pay to go.... $5 per person in this economy? All cars makes/models/year are on display in their respective auto showrooms for FREE. FREE. FREE. I'm sure they will have some special equipped cars that one will not find in the showrooms but the average Joe can't afford them anyway. I'll save the $5 and invest it in another car whenever that maybe. No time soon!

I have a better idea, the expo's should pay $5 to everyone that enters the door to come and see a new car. That would fill the place! If they do that, count me in both of them!

[miamiblue]

Originally Posted by dansdrive

I have a hard time figuring out why anyone would want to attend either and actually pay to go.... $5 per person in this economy? All cars makes/models/year are on display in their respective auto showrooms for FREE. FREE. FREE. I'm sure they will have some special equipped cars that one will not find in the showrooms but the average Joe can't afford them anyway. I'll save the $5 and invest it in another car whenever that maybe. No time soon!

I have a better idea, the expo's should pay $5 to everyone that enters the door to come and see a new car. That would fill the place! If they do that, count me in both of them!

I have never been to the ones here in NC, but the South Florida International Auto Show was something that I never missed and always looked forward to. They would always have a coupon on their website that you could print out to get a discount on admission.

That auto show is definitely worth going to if you are in the market for a new car or just enjoy keeping up to speed on what is out there in the auto world. Almost all makes and most models are represented in one convention center. Many of the vehicles are open and allow you to get inside, fiddle with all the interior items, check the cargo space, etc. You do not have to run from dealer to dealer to make comparisons on your initial shopping around. They have representatives there to answer question and who are not trying to sell you a car while you gather your information. Not to mention, you can see many concept vechicles, some of which make it to production, others that do not. They often would also have a motorcycle section, a classic car section, and a "million dollar alley" of very high end vehicles that you rarely get to see up close.

[resnostyle]

Before living here I went every year, and was excited to see how soon it would be here. Then I started hearing advertisements for the other one and wondered what the major differences between the two if any.

[dansdrive]

Originally Posted by miamiblue

I have never been to the ones here in NC, but the South Florida International Auto Show was something that I never missed and always looked forward to. They would always have a coupon on their website that you could print out to get a discount on admission.

That auto show is definitely worth going to if you are in the market for a new car or just enjoy keeping up to speed on what is out there in the auto world. Almost all makes and most models are represented in one convention center. Many of the vehicles are open and allow you to get inside, fiddle with all the interior items, check the cargo space, etc. You do not have to run from dealer to dealer to make comparisons on your initial shopping around. They have representatives there to answer question and who are not trying to sell you a car while you gather your information. Not to mention, you can see many concept vehicles, some of which make it to production, others that do not. They often would also have a motorcycle section, a classic car section, and a "million dollar alley" of very high end vehicles that you rarely get to see up close.

Exactly my point! To attend an auto show to see the things you mentioned should be FREE. What is one paying for????? Everyone should be paid $5 to go! It would fill the place to capacity. Everyone today can use $5 over a new car. I think GM & Chrysler should give each Tax Payer $5 as an appreciation gift for the loan we gave them.

But I do appreciate your enthusiasm for seeing "million dollar alley" cars which got us in the economic mess we are all in!

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Originally Posted by resnostyle

So I hear two car shows are coming.

NC Auto Expo | Raleigh Car Show | North Carolina Auto Show

2009 North Carolina International Auto Show

I am little confused, is there a difference between the two? One arrives next week, and the other on Valentines weekend.

That is a great question. I've spent some time on both websites and can't tell the difference other than one will take place at the State Fair Grounds and the other will be at the new convention center.

[miamiblue]

Originally Posted by dansdrive

Exactly my point! To attend an auto show to see the things you mentioned should be FREE. What is one paying for????? Everyone should be paid $5 to go! It would fill the place to capacity. Everyone today can use $5 over a new car. I think GM & Chrysler should give each Tax Payer $5 as an appreciation gift for the loan we gave them.

But I do appreciate your enthusiasm for seeing "million dollar alley" cars which got us in the economic mess we are all in!

Hey, some people are interested in cars enough to pay to go and see them before they hit showrooms and car lots (at least this was how it was with the one I went to, not the case with the ones here since the new model year started around October). If enough people are willing to pay, then they will charge and entry fee. In the same vein, some people are willing to pay $5 to go to an art festival when they could go to a bunch of different galleries for free. I can definitely see both sides of the coin, but the good thing is that if you don't want to go you don't have to. Some people will want to go.

I am most certainly not enthused about the high end vehicles (in fact, I couldn't be more disinterested, having seen plenty drive past on the road for free ). But there are some people who are interested in that kind of thing. I was just trying to give an example of some of the things that draw people to these types of events.

Back to the OP's question - I don't see a huge difference between the two local auto shows, other than one may have a few more brands there than the other. That being said, I am not planning to attend either of them.

Let us know what you think if you go.

[NewUser]

The International Auto Show starts today, I believe. Does anyone know for sure if the cars will be open so that you can sit in them? I have a 3 1/2 year old son who is already ga-ga about cars and he would love to go to this. Plus, it's free for kids 12 and under. A great way for a dad and son to spend an hour or two.

[adlnc07]

I'd think you'd be able to sit in the production models, but I'm not sure about the really fancy cars. I remember the concept cars were usually roped off at the shows I've been to. You could always give them a call and ask.