Import Car Shows, Auctions and Events

Import car shows are a lot of fun and occur at spots around the country. It is at these import events that you can learn all about the technology used on the latest cars, as well as seeing the latest concept cars that will be available in the future.

OC Car & Truck Show
The OC Car & Truck Show occurs in Ocean City, Maryland. This is the largest car and truck show on the East Coast. The tickets are sold at the door and there are plenty, so you don't have to worry about arriving only to find that it's sold out. Besides import cars you can also see custom cars.

Castrol SYNTEC Top Car Challenge
This is a car show and competition in which cars have three passes to post an official time in a drag race. The cars that compete and show at the event all have great turbo and are all-wheel drive. This is a great race to see which cars are the fastest and the toughest, as well as seeing the latest available from the import scene.

Tokyo Auto Show
This show is the place to be for the latest technology in cars. In the past, this show was all about speed and horsepower, but recently it has changed to zero emission and mpg. While the emphasis is on environmentally friendly, you can still find some great power cars. All of the main Japanese companies have new models here and many of the latest technology and models are introduced at the Tokyo Auto Show.

SEMA Auto Show
SEMA is one of the largest auto shows in Las Vegas each year. You can expect to see everyone in the auto industry at this show. The hottest cars and concept cars are available for viewing. All the main auto companies have booths and vendors, and there is plenty to keep you occupied during the four-day show. If there is one show you go to each year, then this is the one you should attend.

Hot Imports Night
The Hot Imports Night in Miami is a great way to keep warm in the winter. This show does go on tour, but Miami is its best stop. Recently HIN and NOPI have joined forces for the best in import shows. This show stops at famous race tracks around the country and stays for two days. There are car shows, racing, competitions and entertainment each year.

LA Auto Show
This is another popular auto show that has a sneak peak night as well as a week of public attendance. This is where many world and North American debuts take place. Expect to see concept cars, alternative fuel cars, aftermarket cars, design challenges and more. You are able to test drive many different vehicles, play auto games, see import show-offs, produce designs of what you think the car of the future should be and much more. The auto show is held at the LA Convention Center.

How to Evaluate Cars at an Import Car Show

For a true car enthusiast, evaluating a car at an import car show will be affected by certain likes, dislikes, beliefs and preferences that are unique to every individual. The main factors worth considering are:

Paint
New or modified cars require a pristine paint job to stand out. It is the first thing that makes contact with a discerning eye at an import car show. Cool modifications or features (such as gull wing doors on a B16 Civic) mean nothing if the car presents a poor or mediocre paint job. Nothing beats a shiny, flawless and smooth coat of paint with a color that blends well with the design and theme of a car.

Accessories
Accessories are cool and improve the appearance of your ride, but proper integration is necessary to achieve a clean look. Most import cars are now designed to European car specifications. Tuning and interior appointments should integrate each part to achieve a well balanced look. Accessories like the car stereo and speakers should blend well with the interior and not detract from or over power the other appointments. The same goes for the wheels and body kits.

Finding an Import Car Show Online

Now the question is how you can get access to a local import car show. The answer is to use all of your available resources to find a show that is close to you. The benefit in this is that you will not have to travel a long distance to get there.

Import Car Sites
The Internet has a vast array of import car sites that can clue you in on shows that are happening in your area. Sign up at these websites so you can get email updates on the traveling schedule. Car shows require months of planning, so they will email prospective attendees to let them know when they will be coming to the next city. Some even send out monthly or weekly online newsletters to inform people of car meetings before and after the show.

Social Networking and Word of Mouth
Social networking sites usually have information regarding exotic auto shows. They are a big attraction, so most sites try to get involved in the action. It generates plenty of attention for the event, and hosts enjoy the extra marketing and advertisement. Traditional word of mouth advertising is probably one of the most common ways to find out about a local show. Your local auto parts store may also have posters in the store letting customers know that there will soon be an event. Checking out any sponsors who may have donated space or merchandise to the shows is a good idea as well.

How to Enter Your Car into Import Car Shows

Import car shows are one of the ways of getting your vehicle and your design recognized by the public. This in a sense is a portfolio for you you can make use of in the future. Also, this is your ticket to getting into import car clubs where you can exchange information with other members for you to be able to improve the appearance or performance of your car. Only a few are granted permission to join these shows, so if you are an import car owner, follow these simple steps and soon enough, you will be rolling your way to one of these import car shows.

Know the Requirements for Joining the Event
After you have found the event you want your car to join, the next thing to do is to figure out if your car qualifies. Import car shows as we all know are a showcase of different types of foreign cars. But it doesn't have to be an expensive car to join the show. It just has to be presentable enough and meet the qualifications of the show.

Register for the Show
There are many events that use the Internet for announcement purposes and ticket sales. They also use their websites for updates and information about the car show that they are going to hold and for accepting registrations for the event. Once you have successfully registered and paid for the entry fee, you will receive a confirmation letter which indicates that you are part of the show. The letter will also provide all the information you need to prepare for the event. These types of shows are highly sought after, so registering your vehicle as early as possible is the best way for you not to miss out.

Prepare Your Car for the Show
The confirmation letter you receive from the car show will provide detailed information on what you should do to prepare your vehicle for the event. Different shows have different requirements and expectations. You will receive instructions on going to the venue itself and bringing your car to be prepared for the show. It is usually a rule to remove or unhook your battery for the purposes of the show.

Should You Buy a Car from an Import Car Auction?

Buying a car from an import car auction can have its advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the buyer, cars acquired from these auctions can be a win or a lose situation. Cars put for sale in an auction could be repossessed cars or cars which were impounded by the government and put up for sale. Also, there are auctions where the import cars are donated and the proceeds of the sale go to a beneficiary of the donor. The best thing to do before buying a car in these events is to fully understand what they has to offer and what the risks are.

Rewards of Buying a Car from an Import Car Auction

• Find your dream car at a low price.One of the major advantages of buying a car from import car auctions is that, when you are lucky, you can get a very good car for a very low price. As soon as the vehicle auctioneer stops the bid and you are deemed the highest bidder, however low the price of the car is, it will be awarded to you
• Get a car with warranties still intact.Because most of the import cars put on auction are cars that were repossessed, you can find a used car which still has some of the warranties intact. This is very helpful because it gives you the confidence that no matter how low a price you bought the import car for, if there are problems encountered, someone will be willing to assist you for repairs and parts replacement
• Avoid annoying salesmen. Attending car auctions is advantageous because you do not have to hear a pitch for added options and extras from annoying salesmen eager to reach their quota. The process is simple: become the highest bidder, and take the car home. No more nonsense

Drawbacks of Buying a Car from an Import Car Auction

• You must have a lot of money.Joining an auction requires you to have a lot of money in order to get the car that you want. Because this is a cutthroat competition, when the car for auction is a rare find, you can simply lose it to people who have a lot more money than you
• You have to trust the auctioneer. With regards to the performance of the auto, you have no choice but to believe what the car auctioneer tells you. Even if there are major defects that the auctioneer has left out, once you get hold of the car, there is no turning back.