Toward the end of the LA Auto Show, I visited it with a friend. Just as the previous two times I had seen the Elio, I wore my homemade badge consisting of my avatar, my name “pistonboy“, and “elioowners.com”. I do this because previously, other members of the forum have been present, they recognized me, we met, and we enjoyed talking to each other.
My previous visits seeing the Elio have been pleasant, but this visit was different. The tour person I talked with was highly defensive, stressing over and over, the vehicle was a prototype and not completely representative of the production vehicle. It was strongly and repeatedly stated, changes would continue to be made and only the last of the engineering vehicles could be guaranteed to be identical to the production vehicle. I asked to see the engine, one person opened the hood, another person wanted to close it saying that is what the engine on the stand was for, but I put my arm in the way pointing to something to prevent its closing. Also, it was stated that what had been said earlier (at the LA Auto Show) was published by my “group” (remember I was wearing my elioowners.com “badge”) and had gotten people in trouble. This is not just my observation. After leaving, my friend commented the tour person did not like talking to me.
This does not personally bother my. I would be embarrassed if I was so thin-skinned that someone venting bothered me. Actually, I believe I help people by letting them vent. It is therapeutic. I am sure the LA Auto Show is far more stressful than other events.
I did learn the climate control unit would be mounted behind the panel and only the knobs would protrude through and show on the front. I had other questions but decided this was not the time to ask them.
Obviously, our forum is monitored. (I discovered this on a previous visit but never mentioned it.) If we go to these events and report, we should leave off the names of the tour personnel we talk to.
My previous visits seeing the Elio have been pleasant, but this visit was different. The tour person I talked with was highly defensive, stressing over and over, the vehicle was a prototype and not completely representative of the production vehicle. It was strongly and repeatedly stated, changes would continue to be made and only the last of the engineering vehicles could be guaranteed to be identical to the production vehicle. I asked to see the engine, one person opened the hood, another person wanted to close it saying that is what the engine on the stand was for, but I put my arm in the way pointing to something to prevent its closing. Also, it was stated that what had been said earlier (at the LA Auto Show) was published by my “group” (remember I was wearing my elioowners.com “badge”) and had gotten people in trouble. This is not just my observation. After leaving, my friend commented the tour person did not like talking to me.
This does not personally bother my. I would be embarrassed if I was so thin-skinned that someone venting bothered me. Actually, I believe I help people by letting them vent. It is therapeutic. I am sure the LA Auto Show is far more stressful than other events.
I did learn the climate control unit would be mounted behind the panel and only the knobs would protrude through and show on the front. I had other questions but decided this was not the time to ask them.
Obviously, our forum is monitored. (I discovered this on a previous visit but never mentioned it.) If we go to these events and report, we should leave off the names of the tour personnel we talk to.
(or at least one of them) in my book.