Lynette and Dale Lembke and their two kids piled into different minivans on the floor of the Denver Auto Show Friday.
The Lembkes, of Centennial, need to buy one before becoming a foster family in a few months.
“We need more space,” said Dale Lembke. “We have some money saved, so we don’t feel too nervous.”
In spite of the challenges facing the auto industry, the show at the Colorado Convention Center was teeming with people barely an hour after the doors opened Friday. Traffic at the show, which started Wednesday, is on track to meet or beat last year’s record 100,000 guests, said Auto Show spokesman Jim Czupor.
Hopes of seeing the latest Ford Fiesta enticed Mike Baumann, 59, to the show. Ford didn’t bring the new vehicle, but Baumann still had lots to check out.
“This is a country that is in love with its automobiles, and we may not be buying new ones right now — but we’ll always want them,” said Baumann, a self-professed “Ford truck guy.”
“The government is not going to let these companies go. I don’t think D.C. wants to see Toyota take the place of GM.”
Visitors to the show sat behind the wheel of Ford Mustang GTs. Kids climbed over consoles and pulled out snack trays in Toyota Highlanders. Some posed for pictures near shiny Corvettes.
Leroy Ellis, 63, peered at sales sheets. He wants to put his old 1980 Ford Pinto to rest in favor of an SUV.
“My Pinto has just about had it. It doesn’t start in the cold, and you can’t run it too long when it’s hot,” the retired truck driver said. “These vehicles here are gorgeous.”
At the Pontiac Solstice turntable, Benny Sanchez of Lakewood showed his nieces and nephew around.
“Maybe someday one of them will drive race cars or make them,” he said.
Hannon and Amy Hyman, with their two children and a neighbor child, visit the show regularly.
“We are looking around to see some SUVs,” said Hannon Hyman, who owns Lake Steam Baths on West Colfax. “I’d like a sports car, but I’d get killed.”
Amy Hyman eyed a Corvette too, but with kids 3 and 7, those sports cars are a ways off. The couple plans to buy an SUV next year, like many others who were tentatively shopping.
“It is a good time to buy a vehicle, with incentives and zero percent down, but I’m afraid of the payment because business is slow,” said John Matthews, 57, of Englewood. “So maybe next year.”
If you go
The 2009 Auto Show contunes through Sunday, and officials say it will be open regardless of the weather.
HOURS, TICKETS AND INFORMATION
Show hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Tickets:$10 for adults; $5 for children 7-12; free for 6 and under
