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2006 NAIAS :: Reviews and Interviews

2006 NAIAS Detroit Auto Show Editorial

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

This Ferrari FXX is worth over $1 million.

by Jim Jermanus

AmericaJR.com Webteam

 

After walking through the North American International Auto Show one thing struck me as funny. The FRAUD the Auto Industry is putting over on the buying public -- called EGO, EGO, EGO !!!!!!!!!!

The big question to me is: What car is worth a $100,000 or $50,000 or $20,000? I personally own a $22,000 Pontiac Grand Prix. I get 20 miles per gallon or more every tank of gas. So when I looked at the $97,000 BMW M-6 Coupe and the Mercedes Benz SLR Sport Coupe at $57,000 and realize that the "luxury" you're buying gets you the same ride as my GP and less performance (18 mpg) you actually only get to put your nose in the air for all that extra money. You may get a few extra tech. options that aren't necessary to driving the car for all those thousands of fluff dollars but value isn't really there.

The Industry is selling "image" for a lot of money but not "value". Is it worth it? I used to have Pontiac Firebird when I was 20 years younger and now I get that same sporty ride from this Grand Prix that I have -- only no racing decals and stripes.

I think the public has to look at VALUE when doing their car shopping especially in view of the soon to be normal $3 plus cost of gas per gallon. The money saved by shopping VALUE if invested for the future will save a lot of worry when retirement rolls around. So my point of this whole thing is to shop wisely and what you are really getting for your hard earned dollar.

Enjoy the new cars this year -- Many are GREAT VALUES.

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

The Pontiac GTO is a more practical car.

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