Cars, Cars and More Cars...

Ever since we rented the Toyota Sienna (minivan) to drive from Chicago to Maryland last year, we've been rather enamored with the idea of replacing our 17-18 year old Honda Odyssey (minivan) which has served us well though we haven't used it much. It's got about 60,000 miles on it. Art used it to haul construction material, traveling cross country and car pooling.

Now Art has heard that minivans are made to hold 8 people. He likes the idea of the updated safety features, rear view camera and the blind spot monitor.

"Don't do it," said my son-in-law.

"Not a good idea," said my daughter.

"I'm tending to agree with them," said our son.

They felt that it would be more cost effective to just rent a minivan when we needed it. It's true, actually... I know that. Art knows that.

However...
First Hawaiian Bank was giving away FREE tickets to the Friday Auto Show. I didn't want to go. I'm not a car person. "But you'll have something to blog about," said Art.

When I went back to First Hawaiian Bank at almost closing time to pick up tickets for my sister-in-law, the bankers said it was the last day to pick up tickets so I should take the stack that was left. I said I didn't need them, but they insisted.

So we went.

It's amazing what I'll do to have something to blog about.

Art tells me this is a Ferrari.

I took a photo and he said I needed to take a photo of the front hood because it has a horse on it.

Oops! Sorry, I don't see the horse.

Then we went in. Ummmm... There were a LOT of cars!

Here's the 2017 Honda Odyssey.

But YIKES! It's $45,325 + an added destination fee.

Good grief! Prices have sure gone up!!!

It had that great extra middle seat though.

Here's the Toyota Sienna that we liked so much.

I saw the $33,205 price and thought it was more reasonable. But if you wanted the blind spot monitor you had to pay $42,950!

I was texting photos to the kids. My son-in-law especially loves cars but he texted back, "You don't need a huge van. That's for cross country trips."

So I sent him this photo telling him that it would fit the whole family when they came to visit.

He texted back, "You'll never find parking for that at the grocery store."

When I saw the brown car that Art said was a Maserati, I asked how much it cost.

He said....... "If you have to ask, you can't afford it."

I saw the fine print. Yikes!!!

Then there was this Toyota Hydrogen Car. The only problem is there's only one place on the island where you can fill up with hydrogen. The $58,365 price tag is daunting though.

This made the new Prius price seem almost reasonable.

My son-in-law texted, "It's ugly though."

Then there were these collectible cars.

And then there were these.

No idea what they are.

I hope everyone paid attention to these signs.

The BEST, ABSOLUTE BEST part happened when we were leaving. I still had about 10 tickets left in my bag.

I started looking for friendly people and began giving them out. There were some Japanese tourists walking toward the Convention Center. They were overjoyed when I gave them tickets. It would have cost them $10 a person otherwise.

There was a solitary fellow walking briskly toward the Center. He could hardly contain his excitement and even asked for my email so he could thank me. I told him more thanks was unnecessary. He left beaming happily. I was beaming too.

Wow! I'm so glad I went to the Auto Show!

And what about replacing the minivan? Ah well... I guess we'll just keep using our Odyssey until it goes to car heaven and then rent as needed. Sigh...