12th Annual Detroit Auto Show GTG - NAIAS 2019 - the FINAL Winterfest!

VeeDubTDI

Wanderluster, Traveler, TDIClub Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Location
Springfield, VA
TDI
‘18 Tesla Model 3D+, ‘14 Cadillac ELR, ‘13 Fiat 500e
Well folks, it's time for the 12th annual and final Winterfest GTG, as the North American International Auto Show will be moving to summer starting in 2020.

WHEN:
The first public day of the show: Saturday, January 19th, 2019

As usual, due to the large number of out-of-towners, this event will cover the bulk of the weekend, beginning with a meet & greet and dinner in Ypsilanti, MI on Friday evening and concluding with breakfast at The Bomber on Sunday morning.

http://naias.com for more information on the auto show.

I have not yet planned this year's activities. Last year's visit to The Henry Ford Museum and River Rouge factory tour was a lot of fun and I think it would be fun to incorporate similar activities this year. If you have any suggestions, please post in the thread.

LODGING:
Once again, I'm hoping to stay at the Ypsilanti Marriott. It's a 40 minute drive from the COBO Center, it's a great place to stay, and Ypsi is an awesome town with great food (and not far from Ann Arbor).

The hotel is $144/night + tax. Please use the link below to book your room.

Click here to book your hotel room

PAST EVENTS:
2018 - http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=482428
2017 - http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=468051
2016 - http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=449238
2015 - http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=423489
2014 - http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=394477
2013 - http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=363999
2012 - http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=337168
2011 - http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=301041
2010 - http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=264188
2009 - http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=236757
2008 - http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=199701

WEEKEND ITINERARY:
Times are approximate and may change due to any reason.

Friday, January 18th: (compu_85's birthday!)
6:00pm - 7:00pm: Meet & Greet @ hotel lobby bar
7:30pm - 10:00pm: Dinner @ Arbor Brewing Company in Ypsilanti
10:30pm - midnight: Hang out at hotel, socialize, sleep, etc.

Saturday, January 19th:
7:00am - 8:00am: Breakfast @ The Bomber
9:00am - 12:30pm: Meet @ Cobo Center lobby & auto show
12:30pm - 12:45pm: Meet @ Joe Louis statue in COBO lobby, prepare to depart
1:15pm - 2:30pm: Lunch at Supino Pizzeria in Detroit https://www.yelp.com/biz/supino-pizzeria-detroit
2:45pm - 5:00pm: Ford Piquette Avenue Plant tour (Model T Museum) https://www.fordpiquetteplant.org/visit/
6:00pm - midnight: Hang out at hotel, dinner, Cards Against Humanity, explore Ann Arbor, whatever!

Sunday, January 20th:
9:00am - 10:00am: Breakfast @ The Bomber (can't get enough!)

WHO'S ATTENDING:
  1. VeeDubTDI ✓
  2. compu_85 ✓
  3. 251 ✓
  4. Matt-98AHU ✓
  5. deegingerkid
  6. bhtooefr ✓
  7. tomo366 (maybe) ✓
  8. relumalutan
  9. higgledy
  10. higgledy jr.
  11. jasonTDI
  12. PakProtector
  13. MonsterTDI09 ✓
  14. MonsterDog (maybe) ✓
  15. BKmetz ✓
  16. Stinkyfingers
  17. Sprocket ✓
  18. Sprockette ✓

2019 Winterfest Attendance Form
 
Last edited:

VeeDubTDI

Wanderluster, Traveler, TDIClub Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Location
Springfield, VA
TDI
‘18 Tesla Model 3D+, ‘14 Cadillac ELR, ‘13 Fiat 500e
At fnjimmy!'s suggestion, I'm going to float the idea of Supino Pizzeria for lunch in Detroit. It's a few blocks northeast of COBO, which will require a short drive. There appears to be plenty of parking nearby, although probably at a nominal cost.
 

251

TDI Owner/Operator
Joined
May 11, 2002
Location
NW IN
TDI
2015 Passat TDI SEL
Count me in - last year was a blast! I'll do the survey when you put it up. Will think about what we could do Saturday afternoon as well.
 

Matt-98AHU

Loose Nut Behind the Wheel Vendor
Joined
Apr 23, 2006
Location
Gresham, OR
TDI
2001 Golf TDI, 2005 Passat wagon, 2004 Touareg V10.
Whoohoo!

VeeDubPartyPlanner comes through again.
 

deegingerkid

Beware the Ginger! Vendor
Joined
Mar 9, 2011
Location
The Left Coast
TDI
"Blurple" 2000 New Beetle 5M 2006 Jetta has been SOLD
See you all there! REALLY excited for the Summer Auto Show stuff in June starting in '20....if we end up getting together. Makes a great excuse for a yearly road trip for sure. The Belle Isle Grand Prix grabs my attention if the auto show doesn't! :D
 

JDSwan87

Black Swamp Thing
Joined
Feb 9, 2014
Location
Michigan near Toledo
TDI
2001 Jetta TDI, 5 speed Lagoon Blue Metallic(sold); 2005 Jetta TDI Wagon auto
Count mama and I out. We will have a (roughly) 2mo kiddo and will be functioning on very little sleep.

Have fun y'all!!
 

251

TDI Owner/Operator
Joined
May 11, 2002
Location
NW IN
TDI
2015 Passat TDI SEL
Possibilities for Saturday afternoon could include following:


Ford Piquette Avenue Plant - Model T museum in factory building where they were assembled. Location is 4 miles north of Cobo Center. Hours will be extended during the NAIAS show too.
https://www.fordpiquetteplant.org/


Detroit Historical Museum - about 4 miles north of Cobo.
https://detroithistorical.org/about-us/our-museums/detroit-historical-museum


Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum - 4 miles west of Cobo. Per website it is open 10am-4pm by appointment only.
https://www.tuskegeemuseum.org/


Motown Museum - 4 miles north of Cobo.
https://www.motownmuseum.org/


Dossin Great Lakes Museum - just over 4 miles east of Cobo on Belle Isle.
https://detroithistorical.org/dossin-great-lakes-museum/plan-your-visit/general-information


Automotive Hall of Fame - located close to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. I don't think they have many actual vehicles on display though.
http://www.automotivehalloffame.org/


Personally I'd be most interested in seeing the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant or the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. What do others think?
 

251

TDI Owner/Operator
Joined
May 11, 2002
Location
NW IN
TDI
2015 Passat TDI SEL
See you all there! REALLY excited for the Summer Auto Show stuff in June starting in '20....if we end up getting together.
I think there will be too many conflicts for the summer for most of us. What I like about this event is that it is a break during the winter which involves an indoor setting.


May be premature to start thinking about what will replace this NAIAS Winterfest tradition but the Chicago Auto Show (USA's largest auto show) held every February is a possibility.

https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/

McCormick Plaza is not far from downtown Chicago so there are many choices for restaurants, museums, shopping and sightseeing. Depending upon how one plans things public transportation is an option to get to both McCormick Plaza and downtown. There are a couple of hotels right next to McCormick Plaza as well so we could literally walk across the street to the show. OF course can stay at a hotel out in the suburbs too and drive or ride a train to the show. (Taking a train avoids parking hassles and fees.)

I mentioned this idea to Lawson a couple of weeks ago and he was intrigued by the possibilities. Now for the people who come from the east for NAIAS Chicago is a few hours furthur. Those from the south and especially the west probably will find Chicago is closer than Detroit.

Going with Chicago will continue the Winterfest tradition. Perhaps it is something to discuss at this year's NAIAS Winterfest as I know many of us return every year to do it as a nice fun break during the winter...
 

VeeDubTDI

Wanderluster, Traveler, TDIClub Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Location
Springfield, VA
TDI
‘18 Tesla Model 3D+, ‘14 Cadillac ELR, ‘13 Fiat 500e
I'm glad there's interest again this year! Robert, thanks for activity suggestions. I'll take a look at everything and compare notes with the ones people post in this thread.
 

251

TDI Owner/Operator
Joined
May 11, 2002
Location
NW IN
TDI
2015 Passat TDI SEL
Can me and my son attend even though I sold my TDI in the buyback?
Not a problem - did you notice VeeDubTDI who organizes this no longer has a TDI? It's about the people having a good time which is about the only rule - come and have fun!
 

higgledy

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2008
Location
Sterling, VA
TDI
2014 Golf TDI (buyback)
Not a problem - did you notice VeeDubTDI who organizes this no longer has a TDI? It's about the people having a good time which is about the only rule - come and have fun!

I did not notice. That surprises me cuz he is a die hard TDI fan more so than me. That said I still miss my TDI. That was without a doubt the nicest car I ever owned. From it's interior, build quality, NVH, seats, engine, transmission. Just a great car.
 

251

TDI Owner/Operator
Joined
May 11, 2002
Location
NW IN
TDI
2015 Passat TDI SEL
I did not notice. That surprises me cuz he is a die hard TDI fan more so than me. That said I still miss my TDI. That was without a doubt the nicest car I ever owned. From it's interior, build quality, NVH, seats, engine, transmission. Just a great car.
Things change. He is interested in being green per conversations I've had with him. Years ago the TDI was the most practical solution for that. Today he feels EV's are the way to go. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? :)

And he's not alone - there are some long time die hard TDI fans on here who have moved on to BMW diesels, Chevy Cruze/Equinox diesel, EV's, hybrids or gassers to name some choices. Some of them have even upgraded to a 2015 TDI staying with VW.
 

JDSwan87

Black Swamp Thing
Joined
Feb 9, 2014
Location
Michigan near Toledo
TDI
2001 Jetta TDI, 5 speed Lagoon Blue Metallic(sold); 2005 Jetta TDI Wagon auto
Things change. He is interested in being green per conversations I've had with him. Years ago the TDI was the most practical solution for that. Today he feels EV's are the way to go. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? :)

And he's not alone - there are some long time die hard TDI fans on here who have moved on to BMW diesels, Chevy Cruze/Equinox diesel, EV's, hybrids or gassers to name some choices. Some of them have even upgraded to a 2015 TDI staying with VW.
Torque is addicting
 

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW
I'm in LA this weekend, and yesterday I was driving around in my daughter's 2018 Civic. Base car, 1,500 miles on it, CVT. I used to avoid CVTs at all costs but have learned that lower power cars they work really well. I look at the tach like it's a boost gauge, revs go up like boost does when you want to accelerate. As a result, this engine/transmission combo feels pretty quick, at least as quick as my GSW was stock. And I have to confess the rest of the car is a nice drive. Tight chassis, great steering. Inexpensive, and it'll probably be bulletproof, which is important for her.
 

VeeDubTDI

Wanderluster, Traveler, TDIClub Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Location
Springfield, VA
TDI
‘18 Tesla Model 3D+, ‘14 Cadillac ELR, ‘13 Fiat 500e
Can me and my son attend even though I sold my TDI in the buyback?
Of course! I'll add you to the list.

I did not notice. That surprises me cuz he is a die hard TDI fan more so than me. That said I still miss my TDI. That was without a doubt the nicest car I ever owned. From it's interior, build quality, NVH, seats, engine, transmission. Just a great car.
Things change. He is interested in being green per conversations I've had with him. Years ago the TDI was the most practical solution for that. Today he feels EV's are the way to go. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? :)

And he's not alone - there are some long time die hard TDI fans on here who have moved on to BMW diesels, Chevy Cruze/Equinox diesel, EV's, hybrids or gassers to name some choices. Some of them have even upgraded to a 2015 TDI staying with VW.
There are three tenets of transportation that TDIClub has instilled in me. Economy. Longevity. Performance. Ever since Dieselgate, we've been thinking about our future transportation options. Going back to gasoline was an absolute no-go and modern diesel emissions systems are too complex and expensive to maintain and repair. One day in early 2016, on a whim, I stopped by the Tesla store in Tysons to test drive a Model S... it was all over after that. So far we've put 9,000 miles on our Model 3 in two months and we love it.
 

VeeDubTDI

Wanderluster, Traveler, TDIClub Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Location
Springfield, VA
TDI
‘18 Tesla Model 3D+, ‘14 Cadillac ELR, ‘13 Fiat 500e
Hotel contract is moving forward and I should have a group code for booking sometime next week.
 

PakProtector

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2014
Location
AnnArbor, MI
TDI
Mk.4's and the Cummins
With( I think) the exception of the BANKWPT Tesla gent, I have not seen you folks since I got my first TDI back in '14. Now I am on my second...:) Am hoping to find y'all in the bar again Friday.

New stuff mostly upsets me. Manual transmissions geared too short tops the list...
cheers,
Douglas
 

VeeDubTDI

Wanderluster, Traveler, TDIClub Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Location
Springfield, VA
TDI
‘18 Tesla Model 3D+, ‘14 Cadillac ELR, ‘13 Fiat 500e
With( I think) the exception of the BANKWPT Tesla gent, I have not seen you folks since I got my first TDI back in '14. Now I am on my second...:) Am hoping to find y'all in the bar again Friday.

New stuff mostly upsets me. Manual transmissions geared too short tops the list...
cheers,
Douglas
List updated. See you guys there. :cool:
 

251

TDI Owner/Operator
Joined
May 11, 2002
Location
NW IN
TDI
2015 Passat TDI SEL
Possibilities for Saturday afternoon could include following:


Ford Piquette Avenue Plant - Model T museum in factory building where they were assembled. Location is 4 miles north of Cobo Center. Hours will be extended during the NAIAS show too.
https://www.fordpiquetteplant.org/


Detroit Historical Museum - about 4 miles north of Cobo.
https://detroithistorical.org/about-us/our-museums/detroit-historical-museum


Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum - 4 miles west of Cobo. Per website it is open 10am-4pm by appointment only.
https://www.tuskegeemuseum.org/


Motown Museum - 4 miles north of Cobo.
https://www.motownmuseum.org/


Dossin Great Lakes Museum - just over 4 miles east of Cobo on Belle Isle.
https://detroithistorical.org/dossin-great-lakes-museum/plan-your-visit/general-information


Automotive Hall of Fame - located close to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. I don't think they have many actual vehicles on display though.
http://www.automotivehalloffame.org/


Personally I'd be most interested in seeing the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant or the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. What do others think?
Interesting to see nobody has posted about Saturday afternoon activities yet. Is there any preference among the other 13 people on the list or are you all planning on an early start for home soon as we leave the show at mid-day Saturday? :confused:
 
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