Un-official GTPlanet BBC Topgear UK ThreadTV

[donbenni]

Clarkson did like his Ford, for about 2 seconds and now he's so shattered by the faulty wiring that he'll probably mention it in every Ford review for the rest of his life.

'Yeah sure the new Mustang is great, but you'll be forever the battery flat or detonating the spark plugs etc. etc. So our Top Gear top tip is: Buy a 3 series.'

You Americans probably just don't understand the humour. Not surprising really, Top Gear's humour is very Euro oriented.

 

[Cosmic]

Why does Jeremey hate most german cars? And one thing I found stupid that he think that British cars are the best. Anyway...good show 👍

 

[Famine]

That'll be Jeremy "I think British cars are the best, which is why I've made a career out of slating Vauxhalls and hate everything TVR has done ever" Clarkson we're talking about, yes?

That'll be Jeremy "I hate German cars and love British cars, so I would rather have a more expensive, slower Wieseman Roadster over a TVR Tuscan II" Clarkson?

That'll be Jeremy "I spent 48 hours creaming my pants in a McLaren Mercedes SLR because I hate German cars so much" Clarkson?


Just checking.

 

[Cosmic]

Oh what the feck. But he seemed like he hates them, atleast it seemed like that for me

 

[G.T]

Well I though he hated them, but he used to own a Meredes SL55 AMG.

 

[sukerkin]

Mr Clarkson is a solid, unyielding, vociferous "Ferrari" man.

Anything by the marque with the "Dancing Donkey" badge is pretty much okay with him. One reason why he dislikes TVR's so much is that they eat Ferrari's and cost about a sixth as much.

As I said before, you have to bear in mind that Jeremy is paid to have controversial opinions so that viewers don't yawn when they're watching 'Top Gear'. We're not talking balanced reporting here and it's assumed that we know that.

 

[amp88]

Mr Clarkson is a solid, unyielding, vociferous "Ferrari" man.

Anything by the marque with the "Dancing Donkey" badge is pretty much okay with him. One reason why he dislikes TVR's so much is that they eat Ferrari's and cost about a sixth as much.

Why did he love the Ariel Atom so much then? It eats both Ferraris and TVRs and is very cheap.

 

[sukerkin]

:shrugs:

Maybe he likes the sensation of having an epiglotis full of bees?

 

[donbenni]

Yes i think he just likes the 'toy factor' that the Atom has.

 

[DQuaN]

And perhaps the fact that it goes 0-60 in 2.9 secs and lapped the track faster than a Carrera GT.

He specifically said that it is not a toy!

 

[Dave A]

He doesn't like TVR's because they're TOO MUCH, a point he highlited when he drove the Sagaris, he absolutely loved the Sagaris and for two reasons, one it handled better, a normal TVR can corner well but if you're not a racing driver the best you'll do going fast round a corner is sidewaty or backwards in one, they are oversteer city. The second was that it's the first TVR where they;ve decided to re-design part of it because it IS too much, most TVR's are sold and marketed as race cars for the road, the Sagaris is still a race car for the road but it's had a couple more things done to make it more suitable of road use. He doesn't hate TVR''s because they are fast and are cheap, it's because they are scary and too uncompromising in general.

 

[Dave A]

Why does Jeremey hate most german cars? And one thing I found stupid that he think that British cars are the best. Anyway...good show 👍

Jerremy loves German cars, he loves Mercedes, Porsches and BMW's, I don't know where you've come to the conclusion that he doesn't. As for thinking British cars are best, he doesn't, he thinks the coolest car is the Aston DB9, and the top three best looking cars on the planet are all Ason Martins, he's not said British cars are best, just loves the Aston DB9 and why shouldn't he.

As for ALL British people being patriotic, you'll probably find most arn't, that said I think Brit's in general say the same about Americans, they're stupidly patriotic. So it's swings and roundabouts, you can't really get an accuracte view of what a nation you don't live in is like and you only hear bit's or the news and learnn abou t a small percentage of the people.

As for American cars, Famine hit the nail on the head, Clarkson exaggerates, he does it to US cars, UK cars, Japanese cars, you name it, if there's a car he tests and theres something he doesn't like about it he'll make sure the point gets across. He also blends that with humour, ok that's something some people may find hard to concieve but thats how it's done. I can happily watch TopGear and see Jerremy take chunks out of the new Tuscan and not be bothered and you all know how much I love TVR's, so why does him doing the same to the C6 or whatever else make him anti-US or whatever you want to call him.

 

[Joey D]

Plus, it is sadly true that American cars are not as good as they could be in the 21st Century. Don't get me wrong, they may be fine on dry, straight, smooth, American roads (not to mention it being a country where petrol is ludicrously cheap) but they don't cut it over here.

Sure whatever you think, because America has nothing but flat well maintained roads and its 80 and sunny every day of the year. I suggest coming to Michigan where the roads are more then likely some of the worse in the world. And gas being cheap? To you guys yes...to Americans it isn't.

Don't watch it and don't complain then

American cars are generally built for different things than European/Asian cars. America has a lot of straight road, so a lot of American cars are fast in straight lines and have very very bad brakes/handling/steering. European/Asian cars are built for roads which aren't all straights and right-angled corners, so we have cars which are not only quick in straight lines, but also have the ability to "corner". You might not be familiar with this, but it's where the road goes a bit bendy and the car has to "turn". I know this might be overloading your mind, so we'll stop and have another lesson tomorrow.

Pretty much the only channel I watch is the Discovery Channel so I get pissed when they take quality learning tv and put crap on.

Where do people get off thinking the America has nothing but flat straight roads? Your an idiot to the fact since I'm wagering you have never been to the US. I have been to England, I agree your roads are small, narrow, and rough...but there are nice roads too.

I guess if American cars can't turn, brake, etc. then the times the Z06 threw around the ring are made up...and lets not forget the fact that they won Le Mans. Or what about the GTO? Seems to be doing fairly well in racing. I could go on but your closed minded ass could process it.

This is why I dislike about 70% of the Europeans I come in contact with, they automatically think America sucks.

 

[ExigeEvan]

The Z06 is a great car, no doubt.

The Pontiac GTO? Isn't that the same as the Vauxhall Monaro? Which is fundamentally a Holden Monaro?

Brits are real patriotic... Is that why MG Rover went bust? Because we coudn't stop buying their cars? Or Vauxhall, yeah everyone has to own a vauxhall.

If you want patriotic go to France, they are devoted to their French manufacturers.

 

[Joey D]

Holden, Vauxhall, etc. they are all from American roots and use many American componets and vice versa. I just think people have a veiw of America being stuck in 1975 for some reason.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Holden, Vauxhall, etc. they are all from American roots and use many American componets and vice versa. I just think people have a veiw of America being stuck in 1975 for some reason.

American roots? I think you need to rephrase that one.

We don't think America is stuck in 1975, we think you're stuck in 1999

 

[Dave A]

Holden, Vauxhall, etc. they are all from American roots and use many American componets and vice versa. I just think people have a veiw of America being stuck in 1975 for some reason.

Err, yeah America's root's wern't anything to do with what you have now but thats political, just diggin with you. I think people in the UK do have a negative view of the US in general, but I also see the exact opposite. I'm not saying this in any relation to the Z06 thread in the cars forum, but I see an awful lot of Americans that are the same about Brits and European cars ect. It's almost like the two nations are in competition at times.

 

[Famine]

Sure whatever you think, because America has nothing but flat well maintained roads and its 80 and sunny every day of the year. I suggest coming to Michigan where the roads are more then likely some of the worse in the world. And gas being cheap? To you guys yes...to Americans it isn't.



Pretty much the only channel I watch is the Discovery Channel so I get pissed when they take quality learning tv and put crap on.

Where do people get off thinking the America has nothing but flat straight roads? Your an idiot to the fact since I'm wagering you have never been to the US. I have been to England, I agree your roads are small, narrow, and rough...but there are nice roads too.

I guess if American cars can't turn, brake, etc. then the times the Z06 threw around the ring are made up...and lets not forget the fact that they won Le Mans. Or what about the GTO? Seems to be doing fairly well in racing. I could go on but your closed minded ass could process it.

This is why I dislike about 70% of the Europeans I come in contact with, they automatically think America sucks.

What makes you think that long, straight roads = sucks?

Anyway, you need to ask yourself a question here. If "American roads" and "European roads" are, in fact, not at all different why do American cars not sell well in Europe (and European cars not sell well in America in general)?

Let me give you a clue - it's not because Clarkson makes fun of them. It's because, in general, they use too much fuel, are too big, have too-soft suspension, have cheap interiors and are crap at corners. Please note that this is in general, since you've already moaned about how awesome the Z06 is - does one car represent an industry as a whole these days? No - the Z06 is an exception, apart from the cheap interior part.

Why do they have softer suspension? Why do European manufacturers dial the springs down a couple of notches when they take their cars across the pond? Could it be anything to do with the types of roads, do you think?

If you have a better reason, I'd love to hear it.


If "gas" isn't cheap to you, why are you not buying more fuel efficient cars over there? Our top 10 most-bought new cars have an average model-range fuel efficiency of 45mpg (that's Imperial - roughly 38mpg US), because our petrol costs $6 per gallon (US).

 

[Giancarlo]

Hello, Mr. Pot. I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Kettle!

What? I didn't mention a single word about America.

Or what do you mean? I'm not sure.

That's a very sweeping statement, and also totally wrong. I'm British and I'm not nationalistic at all.

Don't take it wrong, it's not like saying people are nationalistic is an insult or anything. But anyway let's just forget i said it because it would spin off into something ridiculous. Although it might have done so already..

 

[amp88]

Where do people get off thinking the America has nothing but flat straight roads? Your an idiot to the fact since I'm wagering you have never been to the US. I have been to England, I agree your roads are small, narrow, and rough...but there are nice roads too.

I'm not from England, I'm from Scotland. It's a different country (and we have some really bad roads in Scotland). No, I've never been to America, have you been to Scotland? Often in films and on TV I see long, flat roads in America. Ok, so there might not be that many of them, but the fact is that they're there. The only long, flat roads in Scotland are motorways (and most of them aren't straight).

I guess if American cars can't turn, brake, etc. then the times the Z06 threw around the ring are made up...and lets not forget the fact that they won Le Mans. Or what about the GTO? Seems to be doing fairly well in racing. I could go on but your closed minded ass could process it.

This is why I dislike about 70% of the Europeans I come in contact with, they automatically think America sucks.

The Z06 has a lot of straight line speed, due to the fact it has a lot of power. On a slower/tighter track I'd be willing to wager it'd get left behind by a lot of European/Asian cars. Ford won Le Mans, yes, but who made the GT40? The only American component in the GT40 was the engine. We've already established American engines can be powerful. The chassis for the GT40 was British.

edit: also, why do you think Shelby went for a British car to hold his American engine? Why couldn't he find an American car to hold it...?

 

[Dave A]

Actually, the current Corvette can handle well, it's been demonstrated on TopGear and Clarkson said he really liked the car in his newspaper column. The problem with the Vette is in the UK the base model costs more then the Americans would pay for a Z06 and you can get a TVR, Noble, Marcos ect all for less and all can AT LEAST keep up with the C6 round a track.

 

[vladimir]

wow, some people have never heard of humour before...

jeremy makes a lot of jokes about germans and german cars as well, but i, as a german, feel not insulted. i love top gear, its brilliant. there is really no other motoring programme like top gear. the german programmes all bore the pants off me.
and you can really not say that clarkson was nationalistic since he makes fun of british cars as well. they make fun of alfas, but they also absolutely love them. they make fun of american cars, but jeremy loved the ford gt (before the alarm went off..) and hammond had the charger. they make fun of the germans, but jeremy had the sl 55 and they usually criticize german cars for being too perfect. clarkson also loved the BMW M5, he might even get one.
overall top gear is pretty balanced i would say.

anyway, is the average american car worse than the average european or japanese car?
i would just look at where which cars are sold.
in america, you get all the american cars plus the japanese and european (mostly german,?) cars.
in europe you get the european and japanese cars.
in japan the japanese and some european (german?) cars.

american cars usally only go well in america, while the european and japanese cars are sold everywhere. thats just a fact.

 

[Joey D]

American roots? I think you need to rephrase that one.

You are right, they are American owned. If you buy a Vauxhall, you help pay my salary even though we aren't on the same land mass.

Err, yeah America's root's wern't anything to do with what you have now but thats political, just diggin with you. I think people in the UK do have a negative view of the US in general, but I also see the exact opposite. I'm not saying this in any relation to the Z06 thread in the cars forum, but I see an awful lot of Americans that are the same about Brits and European cars ect. It's almost like the two nations are in competition at times.

Europeans in general hate Americans for whatever reason...I can't see why since the US is pretty much the reason Europe is the way it is today...we always bail you guys out.

What makes you think that long, straight roads = sucks?

They don't suck, I prefer long straight roads. I can set the cruise at 77mph and let it go with minimal effort.

Anyway, you need to ask yourself a question here. If "American roads" and "European roads" are, in fact, not at all different why do American cars not sell well in Europe (and European cars not sell well in America in general)?

American cars in Europe cost a ton, European cars in America are about the same price. I can buy a VW Golf for the same price I can buy a Focus for.

Let me give you a clue - it's not because Clarkson makes fun of them. It's because, in general, they use too much fuel, are too big, have too-soft suspension, have cheap interiors and are crap at corners. Please note that this is in general, since you've already moaned about how awesome the Z06 is - does one car represent an industry as a whole these days? No - the Z06 is an exception, apart from the cheap interior part.

Fine forget about the Z06, American cars are built for the average American drive. It gets you from point A (suburbs) to point B (city). You could say the same for any car company, from any country on the planet. Japan? France? UK? Korea? They all have the same kinds of cars.

Why do they have softer suspension? Why do European manufacturers dial the springs down a couple of notches when they take their cars across the pond? Could it be anything to do with the types of roads, do you think?

Why do Americans like soft suspension? So when we make our trip from point A (suburbs) to point b (city) we don't feel every bumb in the road. We want to be comfortable, not take a corner at 100mph. Remember you have to market to the average consumer.

If "gas" isn't cheap to you, why are you not buying more fuel efficient cars over there? Our top 10 most-bought new cars have an average model-range fuel efficiency of 45mpg (that's Imperial - roughly 38mpg US), because our petrol costs $6 per gallon (US).

Because selling a car and buying a new one isn't cost effective. 2 years ago gas was cheap, about a $1.35 a gallon. Why sell a car, take a hit of thousands to save a couple bucks every time you fill up.

I'm not from England, I'm from Scotland. It's a different country (and we have some really bad roads in Scotland). No, I've never been to America, have you been to Scotland? Often in films and on TV I see long, flat roads in America. Ok, so there might not be that many of them, but the fact is that they're there. The only long, flat roads in Scotland are motorways (and most of them aren't straight).

Fine the UK and yes I've been to Scotland, a long time ago but I was there. I do remember driving there in our rental and the roads were as far as I can remember were the same as here but narrower.

The only place in the US that has long flat roads are the central states and highways. Films don't show you everything. And Michigan does have some of the worse roads in the country and up there on the world list. I've seen pot holes take out 30-40 cars before with in an hours time. Its a common site every spring.

The Z06 has a lot of straight line speed, due to the fact it has a lot of power. On a slower/tighter track I'd be willing to wager it'd get left behind by a lot of European/Asian cars. Ford won Le Mans, yes, but who made the GT40? The only American component in the GT40 was the engine. We've already established American engines can be powerful. The chassis for the GT40 was British.

edit: also, why do you think Shelby went for a British car to hold his American engine? Why couldn't he find an American car to hold it...?

Not true, I've seen the ZO6 on a road course, I've driven a ZO6 on a road course...it preforms quite well. Once again it ran pretty good times around the ring as well. Sure its fast in a line but can turn surprisingly enough.

As for the GT40 the other American componet was the badge...you know the Ford one. Hence its American. Then you have the GT which is made in Wixom and was designed in California I believe.

Shelby also has other cars besides the Corbra, like the Mustang and the Series 1 (which is an Oldsmobile at heart). I can't tell you why he went with a British car but I would guess it had something to do with money.

 

[kikie]

Europeans in general hate Americans for whatever reason...I can't see why since the US is pretty much the reason Europe is the way it is today...we always bail you guys out.

Down boy, down. WWII, ok I agree but bailing out Europe all the time..... where do you get that??? Feeling a little bit superior, aren't we now.
You should spend some time in Europe and talk to the people. You would be surprised how many of us like the US and US cars. I have some friends and they swear by American cars (and their friends too). They don't want and don't own European or Japanese cars. They laugh at me and other people because we have European cars and Japanese motorcycles (They called my Suzuki Bandit a lawn mower).

 

[Famine]

American cars in Europe cost a ton, European cars in America are about the same price. I can buy a VW Golf for the same price I can buy a Focus for.

So can I. Want to take a second guess?

Because selling a car and buying a new one isn't cost effective. 2 years ago gas was cheap, about a $1.35 a gallon. Why sell a car, take a hit of thousands to save a couple bucks every time you fill up.

That wasn't the question. The question was why aren't people buying more fuel-efficient cars, not why aren't they selling their cars and buying brand new ones.

Someone buying a car anyway is buying a car anyway. Why do they choose ones with a worse average mpg in the USA compared to the UK if petrol isn't cheap in the USA? If it wasn't cheap, fuel economy would be a higher concern when the time comes to buy a new car...

 

[Crash]

That wasn't the question. The question was why aren't people buying more fuel-efficient cars, not why aren't they selling their cars and buying brand new ones.

Someone buying a car anyway is buying a car anyway. Why do they choose ones with a worse average mpg in the USA compared to the UK if petrol isn't cheap in the USA? If it wasn't cheap, fuel economy would be a higher concern when the time comes to buy a new car...[/b]

Diesels aren't the most popular of cars here. For one, many manufacturers don't bring their diesel cars here and ss far as I have seen, diesel costs similar to regular gas, plus, many stations don't carry diesel.

People who are looking at "family cars", a lot of them ARE looking at hybrids. People are snapping up Toyota Priuses like hotcakes. I've actually also seen some other hybrids that are not Priuses, ie. Honda Civic and Accord Hybrid. Plus more hybrids are coming out soon in America.

And prices seem expensive to us because the cost has gone up so quickly. I still remember when gas costs 99 cents per gallon.

 

[Famine]

I wasn't talking about diseasels...

 

[Crash]

Well maybe not, but diesel cars tend to give a higher mpg than their gasoline counterparts.

 

[Famine]

They also cost more to purchase (though retain their value better in the UK market) and diseasel itself cost more to buy here.

Diseasels are not, in my opinion, a sensible option.

 

[Dave A]

No one take this the wrong way, but why do Americans always turn TopGear threads into US v Europe debates?