Window-shop for next car at indoor S.C. show

New year, new car. Right?

The problem can be figuring out what you want. The same make but a newer model? Something totally different? More leg room? More miles per gallon? And what about all those newly available options you’re hearing about?

Instead of traditional window shopping – kicking tires and taking notes at one dealership after another, quite possibly in less-than-ideal January weather – you could see all the new-car choices at once – and at an indoor venue. Oh, yeah: At a no-pressure, non-selling event.

That’s the allure of the South Carolina International Auto Show, Jan. 15-17 at the TD Convention Center, in Greenville, S.C.

Models on the exhibit hall floor include the latest from Chevrolet, Ford, Chrysler, Buick, Acura, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Ram, GMC, Subaru, Hyumdai, Holda, Toyota and Lexus. At the display area for each, a rep will be available to answer questions. You can sit in the driver’s seat, examine the engine, eye the trunk space and so on; ask about extras, safety features and gizmos. Total estimated count: more than 250 vehicles representing 20 brands.

Care to try something? Chevrolet, Chrysler/Jeep, Ford and Toyota have test drive centers. If you’re 18 or older, have a valid license and pass a Breathalyzer test, you can register, then take a car, truck or crossover out for a quick (5-10-minute) spin on nearby streets. A rep will ride with you, and you can take along your own passengers who are at least 8 years old. As of this week, the event website listed 26 tentative makes to try.

Other stuff to see and do:

Tommy Pike Custom will do a shop-to-show with two on-site custom builds, making upgrades – performance, A/V and appearance – to a 2015 Dodge Ram truck and a 2016 Maserati Ghibli S. Greenville-based Pike has been making upgrades for 16 years; his facility has produced cars featured at national events.

An exhibit called Explore the Cars of Tomorrow features pre-production models that showcase upcoming automotive design and technology.

The Million Dollar Exotic Vehicle Club display shows off vehicles from Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin and Lotus. Specialty clubs in the area will have exhibits built around British cars, Corvettes and Mustangs.

New this year is the Le Mans Karting attraction, where – for free – you can take motorized three-wheelers around an indoor track.

Perks at the show include a photo contest – win $100 by taking the best selfie with a car displayed there – and Jan. 17, a family day with free admission and activities for those 12 and younger.

Another plus for going on family day: With each online ticket order or box office purchase, you’ll get a free one-year subscription to Motor Trend magazine.

This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 1:39 AM with the headline "Window-shop for next car at indoor S.C. show."