SEMA or Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale? Where would you go?

[JonT]

I went to SEMA last November and absolutely loved it but am also considering Barrett-Jackson next January. Have not seen BJ before so I'm looking for comments/suggestions from someone who has been to both. Thanks.

[Rtrorkt]

Barrett Jackson is a circus that happens to have some cars involved

[wdfifteen]

SEMA is a circus that happens to have a lot of car parts involved. I’ve been to SEMA, but only For business. I don’t see a reason to do it for fun.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by Rtrorkt

Barrett Jackson is a circus that happens to have some cars involved

Got that right. But you WILL see lots of cars...and a wide variety of 'em too. Not just hot-rods & customs. Never been to SEMA, so can't compare.

Some of the biggest tents I've ever seen...








And if you have a minute to spare, you can even get an eye lift!

[Brian 162]

I went to Barrett Jackson in 2017 and loved it. It was like going to a car show with 1700 cars. I'd go back.

[MMiller]

I have been to both..SEMA for me but both are worth doing.

I do however prefer being in Scottsdale over Vegas when not at the event.

[Rtrorkt]

a repeat I know, but this is the pornography from Barrett Jackson. Some interesting cars I will say, but overall a circus

[ZAMIRZ]

Although you said you went to SEMA, I'll answer this in an either/or fashion.

I would do Barrett Jackson over SEMA. SEMA has a lot of junk with cool cars sprinkled in all over. Once you get past the first quarter mile of walking through Barrett Jackson where the vendors are selling totem poles and knives, it's all cars. By contrast, SEMA is all car stuff, but the actual cars themselves are all over the place. You can walk through hall after hall and walk past brodozers and 90s F-Bodies. At BJ in the main tent off to the side of the block there's the really high end stuff and then once you get outside can figure out where the stuff you're really interested in is at. The tents get crappier as the value of the cars goes down and you can walk past a long row of cars and figure out if there's something you want to see by looking closely from afar. It's much harder to do that at SEMA with the tradeshow booths.

Auction week in Scottsdale is also gives you the opportunity to check out Gooding and some of the other auctions as well. Can't do that at SEMA.

[petrolhead611]

I dont know about in US, but in UK one has to pay a significant admission charge just to go inside the fancy schmansy car auctions. Not for me. Go to any decent car show for free and see interesting stuff some of which is actually affordable, and then of course there are plenty of really run of the mill old cars which have survived or even been totally restored for whatever reason

[DerkPerk]

We went to BJ last year in Scotsdale and though it was exactly as described, a complete circus. Went back to the auctions in AZ last month and stayed away from BJ.

I can only imagine SEMA is, in my opinion worse than BJ. Pay $75 entry just to peddled crap by the carnies.


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[Scott Douglas]

I did BJ when it was first held here in Orange County, just to see what it's like. It was worth doing once, just to be able to say I've done it, but, I wouldn't do it again.
Never been to SEMA either, so take that for what it's worth.

[EDL0944]

I have been to SEMA many times and it is a circus.... Wont go again. I attend the auctions in AZ every year and never go to BJ. Russo and Steele is super fun. Gooding Bonhams and RM have great high end cars..... Also consider Amelia Island concours and Auctions in March. It is fantastic.

[Alan A]

If it makes it this year sema to see my car.

[KNS]

Originally Posted by EDL0944

I have been to SEMA many times and it is a circus.... Wont go again. I attend the auctions in AZ every year and never go to BJ. Russo and Steele is super fun. Gooding Bonhams and RM have great high end cars..... Also consider Amelia Island concours and Auctions in March. It is fantastic.

BJ gets all the media buzz (not sure why unless it’s to boost Velocity ratings) but it’s a zoo. Some of the other auctions are much better. If you want to see European cars specifically avoid BJ and check out the other ones.