10 Overrated Car Shows I Regret Attending + 5 That Were All Hype, No Horsepower

Ever shown up to a car show expecting roaring engines and jaw-dropping builds, only to get packed halls, overpriced snacks, and showroom energy that felt more corporate than car culture? I’ve been there—more times than I’d like to admit.

The promos always promise supercars and spectacle, but the reality often feels like a glorified dealership event. After years of chasing the world’s biggest automotive shows, I’ve figured out which ones just aren’t worth the hype.

This isn’t about nitpicking—it’s about cutting through the noise for anyone who actually loves cars. Here’s my honest take on the shows that left me more bored than blown away.

1. Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

Exclusive doesn’t always mean exceptional. The Pebble Beach event charges astronomical ticket prices for what amounts to watching wealthy collectors congratulate each other.

You’ll spend most of your time squinting past crowds to glimpse vehicles you can barely approach. The pretentious atmosphere makes casual enthusiasts feel unwelcome rather than inspired.

2. Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction

Reality TV cameras and celebrity appearances create an artificial buzz that masks the actual experience. Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale extravaganza feels more like a carnival than a car event.

The inflated prices and theatrical bidding wars seem designed for television rather than true collectors. You’ll spend more time watching wealthy people perform than actually appreciating automotive history.

3. Tokyo Auto Salon

Sensory overload doesn’t compensate for substance. Blinding lights and deafening music create an atmosphere where you can’t focus on anything for more than seconds.

The Tokyo Auto Salon packs too many similar-looking modified cars into cramped spaces. Models in skimpy outfits drawing more attention than the vehicles suggests the show prioritizes spectacle over automotive innovation.

4. SEMA Show Las Vegas

Industry insiders blocking your view becomes tiresome after the first hour. The SEMA Show’s business-focused atmosphere makes everyday enthusiasts feel like uninvited guests.

Despite showcasing impressive builds, the trade show format means you’ll spend most of your time being ignored by vendors who only want to talk to potential business partners, not passionate car lovers.

5. Geneva International Motor Show

Fancy press conferences rarely translate to meaningful experiences for regular attendees. After the media leaves, Geneva’s show floor becomes just another collection of cars you can’t touch.

The hyped concept vehicles are often tucked behind barriers, visible only from awkward angles. For the steep admission price, you’d expect more than just walking past the same cars you’ve already seen in online coverage.

6. Goodwood Festival Of Speed

Getting soaked in English rain while straining to see distant cars isn’t my idea of fun. The Goodwood event spreads its attractions so far apart that you’ll spend most of your day walking rather than watching.

The famous hill climb offers brief glimpses of cars speeding by, but you’ll need binoculars for a decent view unless you splurge on premium tickets that cost more than some monthly car payments.

7. New York International Auto Show

Corporate presentations masquerading as enthusiasm leave a hollow feeling. The cavernous Javits Center amplifies how disconnected this show feels from actual car culture.

The New York show’s sterile environment, with its uniform manufacturer displays and rehearsed product specialists, creates an experience closer to visiting a shopping mall than an automotive celebration. Nothing feels authentic or spontaneous.

8. Essen Motor Show (Germany)

Marketing disguised as car culture becomes apparent within minutes of arrival. The endless rows of aftermarket parts vendors make Essen feel more like a shopping channel than a celebration of automotive passion.

German efficiency somehow doesn’t extend to crowd management here. You’ll spend more time navigating through people trying to sell you overpriced accessories than admiring the few standout vehicles.

9. Chicago Auto Show

Bland presentations in a characterless venue make for a forgettable day out. The endless walking through McCormick Place’s concrete expanse yields little excitement as most displays feel recycled from other shows.

Chicago’s event suffers from mid-winter timing that seems to dampen everyone’s spirits. Manufacturers save their exciting reveals for coastal shows, leaving Chicago with last season’s news in a different wrapper.

10. Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

Stuffy atmosphere can suffocate even the most beautiful classic cars. The event’s pretentiousness hangs heavier than Florida’s humidity as judges in straw hats scrutinize vehicles most attendees can barely see.

Amelia Island’s focus on networking among the wealthy means regular enthusiasts feel like outsiders. The astronomical ticket prices deliver an experience that values social standing over automotive appreciation.

11. Los Angeles Auto Show

Hollywood glitz can’t compensate for automotive substance. Behind the polished presentations and celebrity appearances lies a surprisingly ordinary collection of vehicles you could see at any dealership.

The LA Convention Center’s labyrinthine layout forces you through endless commercial displays before reaching anything interesting. By the time you find the few genuine highlights, you’re too exhausted to care.

12. Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS)

Former glory casts a long shadow over today’s reality. American manufacturers’ hometown advantage should make this show special, but instead creates an echo chamber of domestic brands overselling minor updates.

The Detroit show’s decline mirrors the city’s struggles, with fewer international debuts each year. Even after its calendar move, NAIAS feels like watching automotive history rather than its future.

13. Classic Car Club Manhattan Events

Networking overtakes appreciation when members seem more interested in exchanging business cards than discussing carburetors. The exclusivity feels artificial rather than earned.

Manhattan’s club events prioritize appearances over substance, with pristine vehicles that rarely see actual roads. Conversations revolve around investment value rather than driving experiences, revealing a collector culture that’s forgotten why we love cars.

14. Dubai International Motor Show

Gold-plated excess can’t hide the lack of substance beneath. The Emirates’ approach to automotive events emphasizes wealth signaling over genuine enthusiasm.

Dubai’s show features the same global releases you’ve seen elsewhere, just with more dramatic lighting and superfluous luxury touches. Despite the extravagant venue and VIP treatments, you leave with fewer meaningful experiences than at smaller, more passionate gatherings.

15. Auto Expo India

Chaotic organization undermines what could be an interesting emerging market showcase. Navigating through the overwhelming crowds feels like a contact sport rather than a leisure activity.

The Auto Expo’s potential is lost in its execution. Interesting domestic models and international debuts get buried under promotional gimmicks and disorganized presentations. You’ll spend more time queuing than actually experiencing anything worthwhile.