I just went to Omaha's "Midland's International Auto Show" at our new Qwest Convention Center. I must say that there were a lot more vehicles at this new building than in year's past. I am sure it is still no where as big as the LA Auto Show or the Detroit Auto Show, but I was still impressed. They actually had the new 2005 Ford "GT" (supposedly 1 out of the 3 on the auto show circuit), 2005 Mustang, and 2005 Five-Hundred. All 3 vehicles were very nice. There was no 2005 King Ranch F150, but I didn't expect to see one.

Of course, Toyota had their new Tundra Crew Cab and Nissan had their Titan there. I must say, both vehicles looked better than I expected, however, I still would not buy one over a Ford (I am a die hard Ford Fan). I really liked that sliding down rear window on the Tundra. Both the Tundra and Titan had a better rear seat than the F150 in my opinion. Both vehicles had more rear seat storage. The Tundra seat has a way deeper and cushier seat that the F150. I also checked out a 2004 F-250 King Ranch which has a new rear seat design. The seat back folds forward for storage behind, or the seat bottom folds up like the new F150's does. Also, when the seat is folded up, a hard metal panel can be folded out to protect the floor. Why didn't Ford use this seat in the new F150. The front seats seemed more comfortable too.

Chevy's product offerings didn't impress me at all. The interiors just didn't seem up to Ford quality. The exteriors just didn't seem all that refined. The Silverado SS is nothing more than a regular Silverado with a 6.0 engine, white gauges, wheels, and a new front bumper.

Dodge's product offerings didn't impress me much either. The new Durango doesn't seem as nice as the old one. The materials on the door panels seem cheap. The gauges are nothing special. The Ram is still the same and feels somewhat minivan-like when looking at the dash. The new SRT-10 Ram was there. It looked pretty good. I think it will be a good contender for the Lighning, at least until the all-new Lightning comes out.

Well, that is about all. I don't have any pics if you were expecting some, sorry. Everything I have said is purely opinion and I don't mean to offend anyone if you like or have any of the non-Ford vehicles I have just mentioned.

 

Cant wait for the Auto Show up here in the Twin Cities. Good review...did you happen to see the Chrysler 300C or Dodge Magnum? I like the idea behind these, but the grille on the 300 is a little too much in photos, not sure in person. Also I think they really messed up the Magnum with those headlights, the concept version kicked a$$...now it looks like a minivan. Maybe they will offer them on a future SRT model, there are rumors of a supercharged Hemi.

I do have one correction to make on your observation of the Silverado SS though. The truck is a little more modified that what you describe. It has the H.O. 6.0 with 345 hp (I think the regular 6.0 is 325 hp), it also comes with full-time AWD and a heavier duty 4L-85E transmission. The stance is also dropped and is more performance tuned.

Its a nice truck but I do wish Chevy would come up with something better to compete with the Lighting and SRT-10. They need to make the concept that they had recently; Reg cab/shortbox, with the 6 speed Tremec manual. Not sure which engine it had in it but it could definitely give a Lightning an attitude adjustment.

 

I didn't see the Chrysler 300C or Dodge Magnum. They might have been there and I didn't see them. I guess now that you say it, I remember reading that the Chevy SS did have 345HP, an HD transmission, and an AWD system. Thanks for the correction