PROVIDENCE The 2009 Northeast International Auto Show at the Rhode Island Convention Center, which runs through tomorrow evening, provides a great opportunity to get away from all the dire news about the economy and start dreaming.

And that dream is probably closer to reality than it has ever been.

“What a time to be a consumer,” Bob Tasca Jr., president of Tasca Auto Group of Cranston, said of anyone wanting to buy a car or “anything else for that matter.”

“There has never, ever, ever, been a better time to buy a new car or truck in this country,” he said.

The auto show offers the latest cars and trucks from nearly every mainstream manufacturer. And with U.S. auto sales down 18 percent to 13.2 million cars and trucks last year, dealers are keen to move vehicles off their lots.

“It’s a great time to be a consumer, not a great time to be in the car business,” Tasca added, laughing. “But the economy will come back; 2009 will be better than 2008. We’ll get through it.”

While a number of new models attract the eye, the showstoppers have to be the retro muscle cars, in particular the gleaming gold 2010 Ford Mustang and glistening black 2010 Chevy Camaro.

They join the orange with back trim 2008 Dodge Challenger as eye-catching examples of passionate design from Detroit’s three automakers.

Robert Hays, 19, of Chepachet said he was impressed with the Camaro. And the super fast, grey metallic Chevy Corvette ZR1. And the black ice Cadillac STS V-6 performance sedan

“That thing is a monster, a beautiful car,” he said of the Cadillac.

However, Hays, who was sitting in a black Honda Accord V-6 with his girlfriend, Jacleen Lamoureux, 18, said that he was just looking.

“I’m a truck guy,” he said. “But I like cars.”

Robert Beausoleil of Middletown, who was sitting in a blackberry purple Honda Fit, said he would like to get a new car but is planning to hold off for a while.

“Someday I may get a new car,” said the former special needs teacher, adding, “When you retire, your pay goes down quite a bit.”

He said his wife just leased a 2009 Honda Accord and he is driving a 1994 Accord with 180,000 miles on it.

“The Accord is running perfectly,” he said, noting that he has always changed the oil every 3,000 miles. “But, you know, it’s 14 years old and as good as it is . . . .”

“I always come every year just to see (the cars),” he added. “I go through all of them. That way if I ever need a car, I know what’s out there.”

Brian McCabe, 64, and his brother Robert, 60, both of Scituate, were looking over the diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

Brian said he would not have thought of buying a Volkswagen a few years ago due to quality issues.

“They’ve gotten over that in the last few years,” he said, adding that he was impressed with Jetta’s mileage (more than 40 mpg on the highway) and the 12-year warranty against rust.

He said he was getting ready to buy as his 15-year-old Camry has 264,000 miles on it. And Robert said he was ready to buy because he has “a pickup truck on its last legs” and a Jeep.

At 6 foot 6, Robert said he was particularly concerned about comfort. “I’m comfortable in (the Jetta),” he said.

Three generations of Cafferkys from Coventry were looking over the cars with only Jim, 74, seriously contemplating a new purchase.

“In February, I’m buying a Toyota Camry,” he said with the certainty of an Old Testament prophet. “I have a 2001 Camry with 108,000 miles and it’s the first car I was ever happy with.”

His son Jim Jr., 52, and grandson Ethan, 19, said they were just looking with Jim Jr. admitting to having six cars in his household — actually seven if you include a 1973 Toyota Celica awaiting TLC in his garage.

In addition to Ethan’s 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse, he said there was “a van, a pickup, a Mustang convertible, a (Saturn) Vue” that his wife drives, and a Saturn Ion, which his daughter drives.

David Sisson of Leominster, Mass., said he was looking to get out of his Mercedes, which he said was expensive to maintain, and into a Ford, most likely a Taurus.

“I’d like to buy American and in terms of technology and mileage, Ford is moving in the right direction,” he said.

In addition to its current range and the 2010 Mustang, Ford has two concept cars on display — its dramatic Ford Explorer America and neat, European-designed candy red Verve.

The company also has a number of interesting displays, including seat foam made from soy, a breakout of its direct injection Eco Boost engine technology and a capless fuel filler system, which cuts back on emissions from evaporation.

Other vehicles that caught the eye during a quick visit Thursday included a silver moss metallic Chevy Malibu hybrid, a bronze mica Toyota Venza and red Scion xB-like Kia Soul, albeit a diesel version from South Korea that will be unavailable in the United States.

“I’m fairly excited about things as a whole,” said Bill Lee, president of the Rhode Island Automobile Dealers Association, which is presenting the show. “We just need to get to the other side (of the recession).”

Lee said he hoped the economy would start turning around in the third quarter, but added, “Your guess is as good as mine.”

“We’re feeling it, sales are lower than last year. I’d be kidding you if I said otherwise,” said Tasca. “People are worried about the economy and their jobs. The times are truly extraordinary.”

The show at the Rhode Island Convention Center at One Sabin Street in Providence runs through tomorrow evening. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow.

Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for senior citizens (62+), $5 for students and $4 for children 7 to 12. Children 6 and under are admitted free. However, if you buy your tickets online, adults pay $7, seniors $6 and children $4.

Children 12 and under will be admitted free tomorrow when accompanied by a paying adult. For young girls, Barbie will be at the show tomorrow between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

In addition, Motor Trend Auto Shows, which is producing the show, is offering a free, one-year subscription to Motor Trend Magazine with each online ticket order or box office purchase. Simply complete the subscription card at the show.

For more information, call (401) 458-6000 or go to: www. motortrendautoshows.com and click on Providence.