- 27,219
- United Kingdom
And you Sir are somebody I don't know on the internet telling me I am sad.
Water off a duck's back
Un-official GTPlanet BBC Topgear UK ThreadTV
- Thread starter ExigeEvan
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And you Sir are somebody I don't know on the internet telling me I am sad.
Water off a duck's back
- 9,473
- QLD, Down Under
- GTP_Paulie
- Paulie LDP
I'd say you're right, but that's not why I/we watch it.
Bring on the sports cars!
Comedy is an added bonus.
- 6,584
- Kent, UK
- GTP_Jondot
For someone who chose the username 'PureAwesomeness', I wouldn't go accusing anyone of that too soon...
Just while I'm here, I thought I'd mention that I don't watch Top Gear for the fast cars. I don't really get any joy watching a middle-aged man driving around in a car I'll never be able to afford. I mean I don't hate it, but I wouldn't be that sad if it went away. Quite frankly I'd rather watch James driving around in a Panda, if only for the reason that I could walk down the road and test drive one if I so wanted. If anything, the kick I get out of the supercar bits and pieces is the cinematography. It's all beautifully filmed, you have to give them that.
But then I'm a very strange person.
- 1,261
- PureAwesomeness
- SteamTroller77
For someone who chose the username 'PureAwesomeness', I wouldn't go accusing anyone of that too soon...
Just while I'm here, I thought I'd mention that I don't watch Top Gear for the fast cars. I don't really get any joy watching a middle-aged man driving around in a car I'll never be able to afford. I mean I don't hate it, but I wouldn't be that sad if it went away. Quite frankly I'd rather watch James driving around in a Panda, if only for the reason that I could walk down the road and test drive one if I so wanted. If anything, the kick I get out of the supercar bits and pieces is the cinematography. It's all beautifully filmed, you have to give them that.
But then I'm a very strange person.
Indeed you are. I'm sorry, but someone who goes searching for information to disprove what is obviously no more than a well-known figure of speech is sad.
I like James May as much as the next man, I think he has a very dry sense of humour. But if I want to know what a Fiat Panda is like to drive I'll go and drive one for myself. I'm sure you know that many years ago Top Gear did in fact review normal cars and as a result, wasn't anywhere near as popular as the current format.
Top Gear is made by people that love cars (all cars) and I think they try to cater to like-minded viewers. I think they also want to increase the number of people who like cars and they use entertainment (star in the reasonably priced car, news, challenges etc.) in order to achieve that.
But Top Gear without the sports cars just wouldn't work in my opinion. Think of the title "Top Gear". Does that not conjure up images of speed and excitement?
- 27,219
- United Kingdom
It's called humour, dear. I apologise for rattling your cage though. I wasn't aware a light-hearted quip could be taken so personally...
And it didn't take much searching. 30 seconds on google maybe? I spend longer typing most of my posts.
You've already said it yourself - Top Gear started off 25 to 30-odd years ago driving normal cars. Anything and everything. The moniker "Top Gear" is just a motoring term and doesn't hold any more or less relevance to how many performance cars are featured.
I'm not saying I don't want performance cars to be featured at all as that would be ridiculously inaccurate, but I still maintain that the programme is watched for it's entertainment value rather than because they've got the latest Ferrari on.
- 1,261
- PureAwesomeness
- SteamTroller77
I'm not at all rattled. 'Water off a duck's back' as you would put it. But clearly your definition of humour differs to mine.
The show is watched because its entertaining and partly because it features gorgeous cars. End of story as far as I'm concerned.
- 38,956
- Application hell
- MP-Omnis
Hey now, what crawled up your butt? Plenty of people have already debunked your "Sports Cars" theory by stating that they indeed do not watch it primarily for the sports cars.
Besides, what do you care? You watch it for the sports cars. Great. Now let's move on please.
Besides, what do you care? You watch it for the sports cars. Great. Now let's move on please.
- 5,603
- England, Warwickshire
- GTP_Sigma
PureAwesomeness, my girlfriend loves Topgear.
She doesn't give a damn about cars though.
I went on holiday recently, on a Sunday night I asked some of the guys if they wanted to try and get the (old and broken) TV working so we could watch Top gear, unsurprisingly all the guys (some of whom are interested in cars and some of whom aren't) thought it was a great idea. Interestingly ALL of the girls thought it was a great idea too, apparently they love Topgear yet all but one admitted they aren't interested in cars.
Top gear is as much of an entertainment show these days as it is a car show. The fact that its the only show that anyone was bothered about watching watched that week brought it home to me.
You don't have to be into cars to like Top gear, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if at least half of the viewers who watch it every week, are purely watching it for the entertainment.
She doesn't give a damn about cars though.
I went on holiday recently, on a Sunday night I asked some of the guys if they wanted to try and get the (old and broken) TV working so we could watch Top gear, unsurprisingly all the guys (some of whom are interested in cars and some of whom aren't) thought it was a great idea. Interestingly ALL of the girls thought it was a great idea too, apparently they love Topgear yet all but one admitted they aren't interested in cars.
Top gear is as much of an entertainment show these days as it is a car show. The fact that its the only show that anyone was bothered about watching watched that week brought it home to me.
You don't have to be into cars to like Top gear, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if at least half of the viewers who watch it every week, are purely watching it for the entertainment.
McLaren
Premium
- 45,637
- Texas
Now, let's not go turning around words to suit your argument like a very sad man would.
ROAD_DOGG33J
Premium
- 14,300
- IL, USA
- holyc0w1
- holyc0w
I actually preferred those shows. These days it seems like the humor is way over the top, in a not so good way. The good over-the-top was the Fiesta review, even though I would have liked a proper review of that.
- 6,584
- Kent, UK
- GTP_Jondot
Yes, but that's not the only reason it failed to grab so many viewers. There are different ways of reviewing cars, y'know - just because it's an affordable car doesn't mean they can't make an entertaining review. A little wit goes along way.
I can see what you're saying, but I think it's a little too far to say that it blindly wouldn't work. Perhaps it'd lose some of the simpletons who want to just see "FAARST CAARS. YURRR." - y'know, the types that'd sooner die than own a scented candle, but as far as I'm concerned the program would still soldier on unharmed.
And no, 'Top Gear' doesn't conjure up images of speed for me. In fact it simply reminds me that I should change up as early as possible for better fuel economy.
I think he meant the pre-format change episodes (back in the '90s, in other words). Those were fairly dire when it came to entertainment value, even I'll admit that. But you're right, the episodes from a couple of years ago were a very good balance between humour and a decent review (and pretty much perfect in my opinion).
- 1,261
- PureAwesomeness
- SteamTroller77
PureAwesomeness "one hour earlier"
Omnis
If you actually took the time to read what I originally posted you'd see that I said I didn't think Top Gear would be as popular as it is now if it didn't feature sports cars. I have never said that people who are not interested in cars do not watch Top Gear. But the very fact that sports cars are featured in just about every episode suggests that there are people out there who want to see them.
Or maybe I'm just the luckiest man on Earth and the production crew of Top Gear do it just for me.
- 30,021
- Cuddington, Cheshire
- JDA1982
Sportscars are a part of TopGear, but to suggest that they are TopGear is just plain wrong. TopGear is a sum of all it's parts, and a small part of TopGear involves sportscars. I think there is a selection of TopGear viewers who look forwards to seeing the sportscars, I do, but I'd still watch and thoroughly enjoy TopGear without them. It's an entertainment show more than a car show.
The flip side of your argument could be that if they replaced the sportscar segments with reviews and tests of regular day to day cars that could attract new people to the series covering thoess it could lose.
The flip side of your argument could be that if they replaced the sportscar segments with reviews and tests of regular day to day cars that could attract new people to the series covering thoess it could lose.
- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
Is it just me, or is it when Top Gear tests the most-average vehicles that they are at their finest? I'd rather see Jeremy and Hammond go on to beating up some regular econobox, while having James talk about the perks of its clever engineering instead of the "normal" hoonage that occurs with anything more than 200 BHP. Not that there is a problem with it, but when its a car that I'm going to be able to touch, much less drive, it just makes it better. Arguably, easier to understand to a far larger audience as well. For example, the "Best Car for a Sixteen Year Old" segment had me in stitches because its exactly the same stuff I went through at that age (BTW: James had the right pick, not that I'm biased).
- 27,219
- United Kingdom
Agreed with the above few posts. TG do sportscars because the production crew and the presenters will hardly say no to being given the latest Pagani or similar, and it does give a certain kudos to the show. That they don't really "test" the cars properly adds weight to the fact that they're pretty much there for the eye-candy than for diehard enthusiasts to discover which is truly the best supercar.
And I agree with Brad, that the show is at it's best when they're driving the crappiest cars, not when they're driving the fastest or prettiest. Cases in point - the Miami to New Orleans road trip, or the African adventure. Utterly hilarious. And even with new cars - the segment where they got their mums to test the small cars was brilliant.
And Jon, I think I'd quite happily watch an hour of James May reviewing stuff (anything really, including his excellent booze stuff with Oz Clarke). I have a strange inkling that I'm simply a younger version of May...
And I agree with Brad, that the show is at it's best when they're driving the crappiest cars, not when they're driving the fastest or prettiest. Cases in point - the Miami to New Orleans road trip, or the African adventure. Utterly hilarious. And even with new cars - the segment where they got their mums to test the small cars was brilliant.
And Jon, I think I'd quite happily watch an hour of James May reviewing stuff (anything really, including his excellent booze stuff with Oz Clarke). I have a strange inkling that I'm simply a younger version of May...
Yes, being rude we can say now that Top Gear is an entertainment show with supercars
But, specifically, what do you think about this season 13, guys?
First. I didn't notice anything about the financial crisis ^_^ I mean, there were crazy tests, falling pianos and all that familiar things.
Second. I found season 13 a little less interesting than others. Some challenges, like the Panamera one, they didn't say anything usefull about the car T_T Perhaps because the one behind the wheel wasn't Clarkson? I don't know, but only remember May and Hammond, one driving and the other one sleeping, no usefull conversation about that Porsche performance.
Third. Test tracks, reviews. Well... generally, I found like if I were seeing old episodes, Monaros (Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst), Ferraris, Veyrons, Lamborghinis... But, I admit, that I'm from "old school" and love the first seasons were they analized all type of cars, not only supercars
In short, there were very interesting things (like Mallorca Rally or Schumacher interview) but, overall, I find this season a little worse than others.
But, specifically, what do you think about this season 13, guys?
First. I didn't notice anything about the financial crisis ^_^ I mean, there were crazy tests, falling pianos and all that familiar things.
Second. I found season 13 a little less interesting than others. Some challenges, like the Panamera one, they didn't say anything usefull about the car T_T Perhaps because the one behind the wheel wasn't Clarkson? I don't know, but only remember May and Hammond, one driving and the other one sleeping, no usefull conversation about that Porsche performance.
Third. Test tracks, reviews. Well... generally, I found like if I were seeing old episodes, Monaros (Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst), Ferraris, Veyrons, Lamborghinis... But, I admit, that I'm from "old school" and love the first seasons were they analized all type of cars, not only supercars
In short, there were very interesting things (like Mallorca Rally or Schumacher interview) but, overall, I find this season a little worse than others.
- 9,089
- Scotland
To be fair the Bathurst is a practical family car and not a super car .
.
McLaren
Premium
- 45,637
- Texas
It is not a practical family car. Supercharger whines do not sit well with people who need a car for the family (which in turn means it'll probably be a daily driver).To be fair the Bathurst is a practical family car and not a super car
- 9,089
- Scotland
It's got a huge boot and can easy sit 5 people,The garage where i work also has one of these in stock at the mo and the whine isn't as noticeable as you would think,its a practical family car you need to get over yourself
Unless you have experience with the Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S and know better?
McLaren
Premium
- 45,637
- Texas
It's not a practical family car. You can keep thinking what you wish, but supercharger whines are not practical.It's got a huge boot and can easy sit 5 people,The garage where i work also has one of these in stock at the mo and the whine isn't as noticeable as you would think,its a practical family car you need to get over yourself
I don't need to have any experience with the Bathurst to know this. I already have it from the countless cars around here that emit that same whine from their superchargers. We've all agreed; it is very loud, it attracts attention, & it's not great for people who wish to have no involvement with car noises when riding in them.
- 9,089
- Scotland
Yes you do as you can't claim to know what a car is like unless you have experience of it otherwise your breaking the aup for posting false information and how do you know the people in the car won't like it? The person wouldn't buy it if the family wouldn't like it would they unless you know everyone whos bought a VXR-8 and have asked them?
also the VXR-8 Bathurst S can sit 4 people in more than enough comfort and has 496 litres of boot space,this is more than a Volvo S80 and only 4 litres less than a 5 series so it is a practical family car and not a "supercar".
- 8,480
- P_Balance
No. You don't.
I'm not saying either one of your is right about the car, but I'm just saying you don't need to have personal experience with a car to know what it's like.
- 9,089
- Scotland
Yeah cause watching top gear gives you 100% of the experience you would get with the real car
i forgot that.
McLaren
Premium
- 45,637
- Texas
It doesn't matter what the car has or what it is, the fact is that a supercharger whine alone can kill any practicality the car may have. My car alone makes for a practical one, but slap a supercharger on it, & nobody wants to ride in it for more than 10 minutes because it's annoying.
Do you really think a wife & children are going to enjoy a road trip when their only car capable of seating them & their equipment is going to be throwing out this annoyingly loud whine for 2 hours? It's a slim chance in hell & that's not even going into how the car handles over certain conditions.
Why do you think hardly any current sports car to begin with have superchargers? Because a lot of people don't like that whine they emit just as a lot of people hate the sound BOVs make when driving.
You're forgetting it has a supercharger. Get your knowledge together & learn that it only takes 1 major addition to a car to kill what it's designed to do, esp. a car marketing itself for a family.
The Volvo S80 & my 5 Series will always be more practical than the Bathurst S. Always for 1 simple fact. They don't have a whine coming from them.
- 8,480
- P_Balance
I never said anything about Top Gear. I even specifically said I wasn't saying anything about any car in particular.Yeah cause watching top gear gives you 100% of the experience you would get with the real car
I was just making the point that you don't need to have personal experience with a car to know what it's like.
- 8,480
- P_Balance
I'm going to say that just because you can, doesn't mean you should, nor does it make it a good idea.
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