JIMS - worth going to?

F

FlashSA

Honorary Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2007
Messages
10,786
Reaction score
2,888
I have always wanted to attend the Joburg International Motoring Show. This year I am contemplating flying up for the day to walk through the exhibition.

To those that have attended before, will my experience be worth my flight \ car hire \ accommodation costs or will I be left disappointed? For myself costs are looking at R2500, but if my wife decides she wants to come with, then we are looking at over R4000 for 24hrs of travel...
 
I'm both an enthusiast of all things automotive and active in the industry and my answer would be hell, no. It's nice to see some production models a few months early, and perhaps even a few concept cars one wouldn't otherwise. It's absolutely worth an hour or two's drive for anyone on the Highveld and surrounds who even has a remote interest. But it's an experience worth a few hundred Randelas, not a few thousand. Just buy every local car magazine the following month & save R2k.
 
Depends on how much of a car enthusiast you are. I been to the show twice, its okay, but i don't think its work flying up to JHB for.
 
HapticSimian said:
It's absolutely worth an hour or two's drive for anyone on the Highveld and surrounds who even has a remote interest. .
Click to expand...

See, this makes me want to go even more and I can chalk the car hire and airfare down to "living at the beautiful coast" taxes.....
 
Ecco said:
Depends on how much of a car enthusiast you are. I been to the show twice, its okay, but i don't think its work flying up to JHB for.
Click to expand...

It's almost an obsession. I review cars for a local dealership and I have intricate knowledge of most cars on the market. If I lost my current job ( non motor) I could sell cars at any dealership in a heartbeat.

So yes, cars are MASSIVE in my life.
 
FlashSA said:
It's almost an obsession. I review cars for a local dealership and I have intricate knowledge of most cars on the market. If I lost my current job ( non motor) I could sell cars at any dealership in a heartbeat.

So yes, cars are MASSIVE in my life.
Click to expand...

Well, you've answered your own question then, haven't you? :D It's the biggest local automotive event on the calendar, so if you're that [-]obsessed[/-] enthusiastic...
 
I went 2 years ago with a friend who wanted to see the models, I went to see the cars.

Was nice to see cars in the flesh, can't compare to a magazine. The new A-class, the BM vision dynamics (or ?) And some Audi's. The McLaren was new (in white) and the Toyota 86 was also on display shown off with a smoke machine.
If you a fan of cars and girls then its a good experience. I can't guarantee whether its worth R4000 or not cos that depends on whether you have the extra money or not. If you have the money, go for it.

I suggest you go on a weekday (if that is possible, not sure which days are trade only) as weekends get very very full and it becomes difficult to find a good spot for your picture as someone next to you is pushing you out of the way.
 
OK, my local dealership who I review cars for will be giving me a car from their JHB sister outlet and giving me show entrance tickets..... costs are coming down and value increasing :)
 
I would recommend coming up for more than just the JIMS...make a weekend of it.

Go to the zoo/cradle of human kind/neighbourgoods market/Curry Cup game/lion park/turn it into a honeymoon weekend :)

So if the show turns out to be a disappointment, at least you would have done a few other things that made it a highlight.
 
HapticSimian said:
I'm both an enthusiast of all things automotive and active in the industry and my answer would be hell, no. It's nice to see some production models a few months early, and perhaps even a few concept cars one wouldn't otherwise. It's absolutely worth an hour or two's drive for anyone on the Highveld and surrounds who even has a remote interest. But it's an experience worth a few hundred Randelas, not a few thousand. Just buy every local car magazine the following month & save R2k.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

Spending a couple thousand for this motor show, is not worth it in any sense.
 
Just booked flights. Need to tick this off my bucket list (MPH done, Argus, done, Auto Africa done) So I will let you guys know if I have buyers remorse when I return. HAHA
 
If you have the money to come then do it. I like it a lot, as I am car befok!!! I have been to the past 3 shows. A lot of production cars, with some concept cars. Not even close to being a Frankfurt, etc show. But I like it a lot. Love looking at the things, sitting in them, taking 1000's of pics.. And then there's the girls :)
 
What new or exciting cars can we expect ?
 
Dolby said:
What new or exciting cars can we expect ?
Click to expand...

I am looking forward to seeing the 3008 facelift (I drive one currently) and the 2008 crossover on the Peugeot stand. I am very brand loyal to Peugeot and they have been extremely good to me - I used to be part of the "french car bashers" crowd before I joined the brand!

Also looking forward to seeing exotics in the flesh.
 
Noob question here: do the manufacturers let you sit inside the cars or can they only be viewed from outside?

I can't recall what the deal was when I was at Auto Africa at the Dome many years ago.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X