Auto shows are a great place to see, touch, and feel the new goods. Even if you’re not in the market for a new car, attending a show is a fun day out. And if you are shopping for a new set of wheels, where else can you jump from, say, a Toyota Camry to a Honda Accord to a Ford Taurus to a Chevrolet Malibu in a non-sales environment? All of the major makes and models are here in New York. From April 11-19, the Javits Center is a wonderful place to be if you’re a car enthusiast.

I have warm memories of attending the New York auto show with my dad when I was a kid. I looked forward to every year when I was actually allowed to sit behind the steering wheel of a brand new model and pretend that I was the second-coming of Speed Racer. (And yes, those were the days of lime-green Ford Pintos...) And this year’s show has plenty of speed, with the Ford Shelby GT500, Koenigsegg CCX, and Iconic GTR Roadster on display. Totaling up these three cars’ horsepower adds up an earth-turning 2,146 hp.

And a not-too-shabby 638-hp Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is also on hand.

Another display of note is from SMS Supercars. Created by legendary Mustang guru, Steve Saleen, his new company transforms Dodge Challengers. They even have a mean-looking SMS 570 version here, which comes with a V8 making between 500-700 hp.

Muscle car fanatics can check out the redesigned Ford Mustang, stroll over to Chevrolet to get a grip on the new Camaro, and then go to the Dodge display to ogle the Challenger. I honestly never thought the day would come when all of these would again be for sale.

Times may be tough in the economy and the automotive business, but there are still lots to cheer about here in NY. Especially if you have a need for speed.

—Mike Quincy

See Consumer Reports' coverage of the 2009 New York auto show.