November Auto Shows: Don't Miss 'em

November may mean Thanksgiving turkey and football to many Americans, but if you're an automobile enthusiast, you already know that November is a great month for auto shows too. With five gargantuan auto shows spreading from the east coast to the west coast, there's bound to be one near you.

The month begins with the Central California Auto Show on the weekend of November 2nd at the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center in northern California. Admission is only $7 for adults and college students with proper ID are admitted at 2-for-1 prices. Isuzu will be present with its 2008 version of the popular SUV Ascender 5-Passenger and high-performance line of pickup trucks including the i-290 and the i-370. Other renowned domestic and foreign car companies are slated to make an appearance – Ford, Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Lexus just to name a few.

The following weekend, you'd better head cross-country if you don't want to miss the Tampa Bay International Auto Show starting on November 8th in sunny Tampa, Florida. If you're lucky, you may get a glimpse of Isuzu's very own concept car – the VX-O2. This stunning open-air crossover vehicle features leather-trimmed Recaro Sport seats; GPS navigation system; an infrared data port; a Clarion AutoPC system with real world command, control and communication abilities; and text-to-speech e-mail, address book, voice memos and vehicle diagnostics. Wow.

If you can't make it to Florida, maybe Texas is a better fit. On the same weekend, San Antonio holds its International Auto and Truck Show at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. This year marks the auto show's 39th event and features Isuzu, Porsche, Jaguar and Lotus.

There will even be a special area on the south side of Bridge Hall celebrating Chevrolet's heritage. Three hundred-fifty 2008 vehicles will be on display.

The South Florida International Auto Show takes place mid-month as well. From November 9 – 18 in Miami, the Miami Beach Convention center will be teeming with cars designed to capture the interest of any car-lover. Known for its "Million Dollar Alley," this show boasts an entire segment dedicated to cars that only the wealthy can afford:

Maserati, Aston-Martin, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, and Lamborghini.

Then it's time to head west for the last auto show of the month – the Arizona International Auto Show. Scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend, the show begins on November 22nd at 9:00 AM and runs through the25th in Phoenix. The 25th is Family Day – children under the age of 12 are admitted for free with an accompanying paid adult.

As 2007 comes to a close, what better time than to see what's new for 2008? Whether you're in the market for a new car, intrigued by the concept cars of the future, or fascinated with the history of the automotive industry starting with Henry Ford's Model T, auto shows are a great way to spend time with friends and family. As the holidays approach and our lives grow increasingly hectic, auto shows can be a day of fun amidst the chaos. They offer something for everyone.