Funny:
Top Gear on American Cars
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Looks like he is just yanking the other guys chain.
I've watched Top Gear for several years.Clarkson is an [censored](oaf) as the above fellow posted.That said he will pretty much bash anything american made sight unseen.Although he does consider the early Mustangs as proper sports cars.In a more recent show he drove one of the upper end custom Mustangs and quite enjoyed it.(his complaints on it were a small gas tank and a stereo set to u.s. frequencies.)
On a another show he was test driving the Rover sports car that uses an american Ford engine(4.6 I think).An engine that he derided as a "dogleg", primitive and wasteful.After driving it he gave much credit to the Rover engineers for their great "improvements" to the engine.( I really liked that car,wish i could drive one)
James May is kind of nuetral on american cars,if it's a dog he will say so.Likewise if it's a good car.
Richard Hammond is a fan of american muscle cars and understands their niche in the automotive world.In one test contest he drove a Viper,May drove an Aston Martin and Clarkson drove a the Toyota super car.Hammond pointed out his car that cost a quarter of what the others cars did ,could do 90+% of what they did.He appreciates a good cost/performance ratio.
I really enjoy the show.That said I know that they tend to fixate
on supercars.Cars that cost more than the average driver will earn in five years and will never buy unless they get a lottery win or an inheritance.
ps
The UK Top Gear is far superior to the US version.I've yet to see
an entertaining US episode and have pretty much gave up on the show.
On a another show he was test driving the Rover sports car that uses an american Ford engine(4.6 I think).An engine that he derided as a "dogleg", primitive and wasteful.After driving it he gave much credit to the Rover engineers for their great "improvements" to the engine.( I really liked that car,wish i could drive one)
James May is kind of nuetral on american cars,if it's a dog he will say so.Likewise if it's a good car.
Richard Hammond is a fan of american muscle cars and understands their niche in the automotive world.In one test contest he drove a Viper,May drove an Aston Martin and Clarkson drove a the Toyota super car.Hammond pointed out his car that cost a quarter of what the others cars did ,could do 90+% of what they did.He appreciates a good cost/performance ratio.
I really enjoy the show.That said I know that they tend to fixate
on supercars.Cars that cost more than the average driver will earn in five years and will never buy unless they get a lottery win or an inheritance.
ps
The UK Top Gear is far superior to the US version.I've yet to see
an entertaining US episode and have pretty much gave up on the show.
I do enjoy Top Gear UK, but I think Clarkson doesn't really get it when it comes to some of the American cars he likes to heap negative attention on.
I think it comes down to what the average European living in a far more densely populated area values when compared to an American living in an area with more space to stretch out. Big, floaty, poor handling rolling couches are great in America given the vast expanses of straight roads we use them to travel down. So what if they suck on tight European roads that they'll never be driven on?
I love the small, lightweight, tight handling cars as much as the next guy, and for my personal conveyance I would have none other than that. But if you need a vehicle that can bumble along at 75 mph for days, crossing boring, flat plains most of the way, it's hard to deny how nice the average American style vehicle is for this purpose.
I think it comes down to what the average European living in a far more densely populated area values when compared to an American living in an area with more space to stretch out. Big, floaty, poor handling rolling couches are great in America given the vast expanses of straight roads we use them to travel down. So what if they suck on tight European roads that they'll never be driven on?
I love the small, lightweight, tight handling cars as much as the next guy, and for my personal conveyance I would have none other than that. But if you need a vehicle that can bumble along at 75 mph for days, crossing boring, flat plains most of the way, it's hard to deny how nice the average American style vehicle is for this purpose.
I liked when they had the Cadillac Brougham!
They didn't ...
They didn't ...
I read an article a while back where they reviewed a Mustang GT convertible and they complained about the absolute lack of power. In the pictures they showed a V-6 model car.
Another time, on their show, they strapped a supercharged Mustang Cobra to a wheel dyno and complained that it was under-rated because it didn't produce the same BHP number the car was rated at. So either they're stupid and don't understand how horsepower is measured in a stock vehicle, or they're dishonest. Neither is good.
Regarding the Cobra, I don't remember the exact number they gave, but as it turned out the car was actually over-rated from the factory, unless it came equipped with the most efficient drivetrain ever built or the dyno they used was calibrated to be optimistic.
Another time, on their show, they strapped a supercharged Mustang Cobra to a wheel dyno and complained that it was under-rated because it didn't produce the same BHP number the car was rated at. So either they're stupid and don't understand how horsepower is measured in a stock vehicle, or they're dishonest. Neither is good.
Regarding the Cobra, I don't remember the exact number they gave, but as it turned out the car was actually over-rated from the factory, unless it came equipped with the most efficient drivetrain ever built or the dyno they used was calibrated to be optimistic.
Clarkson is right about the two cars in the video. I remember reading in US car magazines that the Challenger was/is an obese pig. The 300C had poor brakes and steering for the power coming from the Hemi engine.
That show is 95% entertainment and 5% substance. Nothing wrong with that, but the hosts intentionally take strong stances on things and argue for the sake of entertainment.
So why would Ford send the Mustang with an FM radio that used .2MHz separation instead of the .1MHz used in Europe? AM is different there too, 9khz separation not the 10khz we have here.
How hard would it have been to install a Euro spec radio, or make that a dealer installed item?
Why would Clarkson, or anyone else "get it" with respect to American cars as he's a Brit? It's not like he has an extra hatred for US cars. He's just as likely to complain about a Porsche or Lamborghini for not being a practical to drive in the UK car.
I recall the SVT Lightning they had. It was hideous. The fit and finish was embarrassing.
You can tell he wants to like the Corvette, and may like newer iterations of both it and the 2015 Mustang. The most recent Top Gear magazine seems to be more positive on the upcoming Mustang than what I've seen on the show.
I guess I was born on the wrong continent when it comes to cars. I fail to see the attraction to trucks and land barges. Not that I'd prevent others for buying them. But they just seem to uninspired trundling down the roads, having to brake hard to take turns.
How hard would it have been to install a Euro spec radio, or make that a dealer installed item?
Why would Clarkson, or anyone else "get it" with respect to American cars as he's a Brit? It's not like he has an extra hatred for US cars. He's just as likely to complain about a Porsche or Lamborghini for not being a practical to drive in the UK car.
I recall the SVT Lightning they had. It was hideous. The fit and finish was embarrassing.
You can tell he wants to like the Corvette, and may like newer iterations of both it and the 2015 Mustang. The most recent Top Gear magazine seems to be more positive on the upcoming Mustang than what I've seen on the show.
I guess I was born on the wrong continent when it comes to cars. I fail to see the attraction to trucks and land barges. Not that I'd prevent others for buying them. But they just seem to uninspired trundling down the roads, having to brake hard to take turns.
Originally Posted By: javacontour
I guess I was born on the wrong continent when it comes to cars. I fail to see the attraction to trucks and land barges. Not that I'd prevent others for buying them. But they just seem to uninspired trundling down the roads, having to brake hard to take turns.
"Loc: Illinois"
Illinois doesn't have turns.
I guess I was born on the wrong continent when it comes to cars. I fail to see the attraction to trucks and land barges. Not that I'd prevent others for buying them. But they just seem to uninspired trundling down the roads, having to brake hard to take turns.
"Loc: Illinois"
Illinois doesn't have turns.
Turns, not curve. Folks slow to walking speed to enter the shopping market and do 1/2 the recommended speed on ramps when driving their leviathan vehicles.
Granted, the prarie lacks curves, but there are a number of fun roads when you get far away from Chicago.
We actually have both curves and hills in Southern IL.
Originally Posted By: Mykl
Originally Posted By: javacontour
I guess I was born on the wrong continent when it comes to cars. I fail to see the attraction to trucks and land barges. Not that I'd prevent others for buying them. But they just seem to uninspired trundling down the roads, having to brake hard to take turns.
"Loc: Illinois"
Illinois doesn't have turns.
Granted, the prarie lacks curves, but there are a number of fun roads when you get far away from Chicago.
We actually have both curves and hills in Southern IL.
Originally Posted By: Mykl
Originally Posted By: javacontour
I guess I was born on the wrong continent when it comes to cars. I fail to see the attraction to trucks and land barges. Not that I'd prevent others for buying them. But they just seem to uninspired trundling down the roads, having to brake hard to take turns.
"Loc: Illinois"
Illinois doesn't have turns.
Originally Posted By: javacontour
Turns, not curve. Folks slow to walking speed to enter the shopping market and do 1/2 the recommended speed on ramps when driving their leviathan vehicles.
Granted, the prarie lacks curves, but there are a number of fun roads when you get far away from Chicago.
We actually have both curves and hills in Southern IL.
I spent 18 years in southern Illinois. Curves there are the exception, rather than the rule. The only place I have experienced that's more straight is Florida. Choosing a big, bumbling sedan or truck makes sense here. Driving a truck in a straight line is no more entertaining than driving a sporty car in a straight line. Either way it sucks, if you're in the truck it sucks because you're driving a truck, and if you're in a sports car it sucks because all you can think about is how much fun it would be to go fast around a bendy section.
Turns, not curve. Folks slow to walking speed to enter the shopping market and do 1/2 the recommended speed on ramps when driving their leviathan vehicles.
Granted, the prarie lacks curves, but there are a number of fun roads when you get far away from Chicago.
We actually have both curves and hills in Southern IL.
I spent 18 years in southern Illinois. Curves there are the exception, rather than the rule. The only place I have experienced that's more straight is Florida. Choosing a big, bumbling sedan or truck makes sense here. Driving a truck in a straight line is no more entertaining than driving a sporty car in a straight line. Either way it sucks, if you're in the truck it sucks because you're driving a truck, and if you're in a sports car it sucks because all you can think about is how much fun it would be to go fast around a bendy section.
^ java, I'm not trying to convince you that you should love the vehicles you hate.
I don't find much pleasure in them either. All I'm trying to say is that I completely understand why people choose them, that's all. Because when you spend 99.9% of your time lumbering down arrow straight roads power and comfort are more important than light and nimble.
I don't find much pleasure in them either. All I'm trying to say is that I completely understand why people choose them, that's all. Because when you spend 99.9% of your time lumbering down arrow straight roads power and comfort are more important than light and nimble.
I take curves every night driving home. Country lane with a left then right 90 degree that I can take at 60 if there are no trucks, suv's etc. If those are on the road, 30, tops!
Originally Posted By: urrlord
Richard Hammond is a fan of american muscle cars and understands their niche in the automotive world.In one test contest he drove a Viper,May drove an Aston Martin and Clarkson drove a the Toyota super car.Hammond pointed out his car that cost a quarter of what the others cars did ,could do 90+% of what they did.He appreciates a good cost/performance ratio.
"Hamster" is often derided by the other two for "being American" He owns a classic Mustang, classic Challenger, a Harley Davidson Street Glide and "he's had his teeth fixed".
Richard Hammond is a fan of american muscle cars and understands their niche in the automotive world.In one test contest he drove a Viper,May drove an Aston Martin and Clarkson drove a the Toyota super car.Hammond pointed out his car that cost a quarter of what the others cars did ,could do 90+% of what they did.He appreciates a good cost/performance ratio.
"Hamster" is often derided by the other two for "being American" He owns a classic Mustang, classic Challenger, a Harley Davidson Street Glide and "he's had his teeth fixed".
They all make fun of the cars that each of them have.
Clarkson is a Mercedes guy so the other guys make fun of them, Richard is into 911's and classic American cars, and James May is a Ferrari guy, and also the man from 1947....
Clarkson owned a GT40 which didn't work out very well and likes the ZR1.
This season the big ongoing joke is Richard's GT3 which could burst into flames at any moment, a few years go it was James new 458.
Clarkson is a Mercedes guy so the other guys make fun of them, Richard is into 911's and classic American cars, and James May is a Ferrari guy, and also the man from 1947....
Clarkson owned a GT40 which didn't work out very well and likes the ZR1.
This season the big ongoing joke is Richard's GT3 which could burst into flames at any moment, a few years go it was James new 458.
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