Jesus Chrysler!
I did indeed make it to the 2004 North American International Auto Show this weekend (thanks to M.Ace for the link). I spent a couple of happy hours collecting promotional geegaws for my kids, sitting inside of vehicles that I'd never own, and letting that erotic new-car aroma seep into me.
Hard to pinpoint a solid trend this year, but judging by the slew of convertible sport coupes and giant Hummers, I'd have to guess that the automakers are either going after baldheaded men in full mid-life crisis, or urban guerillas (or both). A lot of these big, bulky vehicles reminded me of the cars in Frank Miller's ultraviolent comic opus Hard Boiled. I found myself wandering the showfloor muttering, "My name is Nixon, I'm a tax collector!" None of these monsters appealed to me, I'm lusting after the new Mini Coopers.