Things To Look For -And Look Out For- At The L.A. Auto Show

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Car guys, rejoice (and remember, car guy is a gender-nonspecific term): The L.A. Auto Show opens Friday for a run through Thanksgiving weekend.

Things to look for:

Mazda's Shinari concept car (South Hall): no, it'll never be in showrooms, but its look is a sign of the new direction Mazda styling is leaning.  I love the grill, and the creased angles.

The Jaguar CX75 (South Hall): another one that'll  never be on the dealer's lot --remember, concept cars usually signal what approach the company's taking in the future. As radical as it looks, I'm intrigued more by the power system:  an electric motor at each wheel, with 2 tiny 77-pound turbine engines to generate the electricity.

Both these cars had their --ahem-- EXCLUSIVE WORLD DEBUTS on CBS2 News, 4:30-7 a.m. I ran into an industry friend of mine at the show who said 'none of the other TV stations had those cars;' to which I responded, 'That's why I'm glad I work here.' Hehehehe. Jag's stand is next to Range Rover's, with its new Evoque: also, a big departure from the past -- but this one you can buy.  

Chrysler (North Hall):  The new bosses at Fiat are sending over the little 500. It'll be the new Mini. And with a heated-up engine, it'll make a great rally car. Also, good to see some life at the Chrysler display:  two years ago, I wasn't so sure.

Don't forget Kentia Hall, under the South Hall.... some really nice tuner cars and accessories. Take ear plugs; they crank the sound.

 Things to look out for:

Give yourself 15 full minutes to park and get to the box office. The parking entrances to the Convention Center, with all the downtown one-way streets, has never been simple.  Parking, BTW, is $12. You might find a lot across the street for less. Or take the Blue line to the Pico or Grand stop.

You can't take your own food inside. They have places to eat/get coffee. But they ain't givin' it away. Hey!  You're not there to eat! Allow 3 hours: 4, if you go on a weekend. Don't go on the weekend. Weekdays and Thanksgiving are less crowded. You didn't want to do dishes with your in-laws anyway.

Leave the models alone. They're professionals who've learned their lines about horsepower and suspension. Got a suggestive question about whether they come with the car? Try it: I'm sure they've never heard it before.

Have a car show story you want to share?  Leave it in Comments, below. (L.A. Auto Show: $12/adult, $10/online. Accompanied kids under 12 are free. For God's sake, wear comfortable shoes. Photo credits: the manufacturers.)