Organizers of the Toledo Auto Show pitch the annual event in part as a great way for prospective buyers to get in some low-pressure comparison shopping, and many of the show’s early visitors on Thursday were doing just that.
“This is like the perfect place for us to come and be able to look at things,” Sarah Boykin said shortly after she and her husband Chris climbed out of a Chevrolet Silverado.
The Toledo couple is in the early stage of looking for a new truck or sport utility vehicle that will primarily be his vehicle.
“Now that the kids are all gone I can actually move up without worrying about paying for everything,” Mr. Boykin joked.
The show, which opened Thursday afternoon and runs through Sunday, brings about 200 cars, trucks, and SUVs from 23 manufacturers.
One of the highlight vehicles this year is the redesigned 2018 Ford Mustang, which the company just unveiled last week at events in Los Angeles, Detroit, and New York. The one on display in Toledo is a red GT version.
When: Today noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Seagate Convention Centre, 401 Jefferson Ave.
Tickets: $7 (or $5 if bought online); students $5; children under 10 free; Senior Day Friday, $5.
Information: toledoautoshow.org
The new Mustang, which will go on sale later this year, features an available 10-speed transmission and a new all-digital instrument cluster.
All Mustangs are built at Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant, which is about 45 miles north of Toledo.
Another highlight was the 505-horsepower Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, which starts at about $73,000.
Point Place resident Debbie Fisher was more impressed with a blacked out Chevrolet Tahoe
“I don’t know a lot about cars, I just know what I like,” she said. “This is beautiful.”
Ms. Fisher was at the show with her 8-year-old grandson, her sister, two nephews, and a niece. She said they decided to come downtown for the car show and some pizza.
“It’s just something fun to do, it wasn’t really expensive tickets so I thought we’d get out and take a look. We don’t usually get to do stuff like this,” she said.
Donovan Peoples was also enjoying the show.
“We just came the auto show to look around,” he said. “Really what I liked most, I’d probably have to say the Mercedes CLA250. I really like Mercedes a lot so seeing those was nice.”
John and Becky Szozda of Rossford were shopping early for a replacement to their 2010 Honda CR-V.
“Our Honda’s a good vehicle, but there’s no luxury or any softness to it at all. It’s a rough ride, a roller skate,” Mrs. Szozda said. “It’s fun to drive, but if you’re in the passenger seat it’s no fun.”
They had a list of crossovers they plan to look at, saying they prioritized good fuel economy, storage capacity, and ground clearance for their trips to northern Michigan.
The show, which is held in the Seagate Convention Centre, also includes test drive opportunities from Toyota and Fiat Chrysler, and a two-year lease giveaway on a 2017 Chevy Cruze hatchback courtesy of Northwest Ohio Chevy Dealers.
New this year is a interactive distracted-driving simulator from Maria’s Message, a Columbus-based organization trying to end teen distracted driving. There are also a handful of classic cars in the concourse area, including a 1937 Oldsmobile, a 1969 Pontiac Firebird convertible, and a 1954 Buick Riviera.
Contact Tyrel Linkhorn at tlinkhorn@theblade.com or 419-724-6134.
First Published January 27, 2017, 5:00 a.m.
