Ever see this idiot?

[MagNite]

Ever see this idiot and his U.S. car bashing videos? He thinks everything American is Garbage and everything British is great. He even talks down the Apache helicopter and says the best pilots in the world are English. Give me a break.

Don't watch this video 300c owners.... it will make you see red.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5404287952869985377

[MagNite]

whoops... that's the Apache one. This is the 300C one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8maP4CB1Nk&mode=related&search=

[Electrofreak]

Haha, thats just Top Gear. I watch that show all the time.

They don't really hate American cars, they just mock them as a form of entertainment. British humor if you will.

Frequently they test US cars and really like them, though they usually make some snide remarks just for humor.

They don't much like US cars in terms of engine efficiency, interior materials, and occasionally they like to say "of course, since this is an American car, it's pretty much only good for going in straight lines."

In a way, they have a point. But, us Americans tend to use our cars differently. Our gas is actually cheaper than theirs for the most part (as much as we complain about gas prices), so we aren't as obsessed with economy as much of Europe is. In addition, we tend to have a lot more long, straight highways and roads with cities spaced out more (in general) so we don't need incredibly sophisticated suspensions.

As for interior materials, I never did understand why our car manufacturers love plastic so much. Maybe to reduce weight and maintain durability. That said, I don't mind it so much as long as my seats are leather. :mrgreen:

They've done some rather interesting tests on that show of pitting various cars versus one another, and for the most part they're pretty professional about it, despite the occasional snicker at anything made by the US.

Go to www.youtube.com (http://www.youtube.com) and type in "Top Gear". It's a good way to pass some time. Just understand that when they rip on US cars, it's supposed to be a humor thing more than seriousness, that's how they get their kicks.

Here's an example. Different host in this one (he's more of a co-host), and he reviews a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T. Granted, he's not quite as hard on American cars as the other guy (I forget his name). He does manage to throw in his shots though, especially at the end. :roll: (You'll see what I mean).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8Pvc0vxwuk
(You'll notice the episode was made before the Dodge Charger was brought back).

The 300C one, is that the one where they pit it against the Australian car and the Jaguar?

[MagNite]

Funny though how English cars don't fare too well in comparison tests in the auto magazines. Never seen one in first place. Usually come behind American cars too.

[Electrofreak]

Yep, but thats silly English pride for you. :loser:

[cadzilla74]

They DESPISED the Lamborghini Countach! First they talked about how when they were young they had posters of it in their rooms and it was everyone's unattainable dream car. Then they drove it and totally bad-mouthed it. They are funny and they are "particular" in their taste in cars.

[Token]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8Pvc0vxwuk
(You'll notice the episode was made before the Dodge Charger was brought back).
I don't know.... a Charger had made a come back before this video was made.... This one:
http://www.locomobilia.com/images/lit_brochure_dodge_1984_charger_xl.jpg

[thewagon]

If they are the best pilots, why couldn't they locate a car? :Na_Na_Na_Na:

Ever see this idiot and his U.S. car bashing videos? He thinks everything American is Garbage and everything British is great. He even talks down the Apache helicopter and says the best pilots in the world are English. Give me a break.

Don't watch this video 300c owners.... it will make you see red.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5404287952869985377

[JamminWagon]

I don't know.... a Charger had made a come back before this video was made.... This one:
http://www.locomobilia.com/images/lit_brochure_dodge_1984_charger_xl.jpg

Hey I had that EXACT charger well almost, I had the "Rally" wheels, ignore the hairdo haaha

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/semi-hemi/old%20cars/1984-Charger.jpg

[Super T]

Ever see this idiot and his U.S. car bashing videos?

Never mind the fact that Jeremy Clarkson is an amazingly accomplished driver and has an honorary doctorate in engineering, has started his own businesses, has made 'going fast' a priority for his entire life, has written numerous books and has several videos on the market, or the fact that he's driven nearly every type of car on the road including those that you and i will never get close enough to to touch.

I won't argue that he's a bit crass, but he finds something wrong with every car he drives, short of the Koenigsegg CCX, Pagani Zonda, Ariel Atom, etc. Definitely not an idiot.

[Cam]

Never mind the fact that Jeremy Clarkson is an amazingly accomplished driver and has an honorary doctorate in engineering, has started his own businesses, has made 'going fast' a priority for his entire life, has written numerous books and has several videos on the market, or the fact that he's driven nearly every type of car on the road including those that you and i will never get close enough to to touch.

I won't argue that he's a bit crass, but he finds something wrong with every car he drives, short of the Koenigsegg CCX, Pagani Zonda, Ariel Atom, etc. Definitely not an idiot.

I couldn't have or really would have said it better myself. He didn't bash anything or anybody. He stated the truth. Oh wait, "you can't handle the truth" :wink: . And I never heard a word about him bashing American pilots. He did not bash the heli, just stated facts.

And the M5 will wipe the crap out of a stock SRT. And no matter what we do, we may out horsepower the M5 after some serious mod's, but not the handling. But then again. That is why a SRT is 40K and the BMW is 100K.

this guy is great and has the absolute BEST JOB in the world.

BTW, that was at Wilow Springs were we run our rides. See what you guys are missing. :Na_Na_Na_Na:

[MagNite]

Didn't mean he was an idiot in the way that he doesn't know anything.... just a loud mouthed bias idiot in his comments. As far as pilots... didn't say he bashed U.S. ones...just thought it was funny the way he said about English pilots being the best. I don't know... I think the Top gun instructor pilots are probably some of the best. As far as me not handling the truth... nope. I don't dispute whether one car will outperform another. He just seems to go out of his way to bash U.S. cars. Well, England has produced it's share of turds too. The Triumphs and MGB's come to mind.

[HEMISFEAR]

I think that guy is an idiot. Give me an additional 60,000 and I'll make that 300 perform better. Besides, the BMW is just blah. After soooooooooooo many years and so many models, they all look relatively the same. Boring, pretentious, and the whole video was biased. Not a fair fight whatsoever. I do see red and I'd love to do donuts on Stuffy Yellowtooth's lawn or whatever his name was.

[BlazeHemi]

I won't argue that he's a bit crass, but he finds something wrong with every car he drives, short of the Koenigsegg CCX, Pagani Zonda, Ariel Atom, etc. Definitely not an idiot.

Watch the video of the Ariel Atom, that one is a classic and the one where they take three supercars on a pratically test through downtown Paris.:thumbs_u: :thumbs_u:

Greg

[sieb]

Yea, Jeremy has always hated the 300c (and Cadillacs), mainly because he's just plain spoiled. Though he did give it props for having a diesel in the Euro version. But of course a V10 m5 will depants a 300c, as Electro said, the US is a whole different market compared to the EU. And granted, no US luxury car can really match the by-hands craftsmanship of anything out of Europe. You get what you pay for. That said, Jeremy has given a few European luxury cars a bit of road rash in the past, so at least he's consistent, and always worth a laugh. That Hemi sounded a hell of a lot better at WOT though. And thats all us Americans care about, hehehe..

[06SilverSteel]

The only reason anyone listens to him is because of the accent....wasn't it Jeff Foxworthy that said something about that??? That guy is in dire need of a good ol' arse kickin', that's all.

[Electrofreak]

Some interesting differences in opinion here, certainly.

I've got a lot of respect for the guy's opinion on cars, but that said, sometimes he does go a bit overboard on the US-bashing.

[Fiveoh]

...And the M5 will wipe the crap out of a stock SRT. And no matter what we do, we may out horsepower the M5 after some serious mod's, but not the handling. But then again. That is why a SRT is 40K and the BMW is 100K.

:Na_Na_Na_Na:

I agree with handling, but that host wasn't entirely honest with his track comparison. First of all, that 300 SRT wasn't modified and the M5 is 507 HP versus the SRTs 425. If you watch the video, the BMW won by approximately 3 seconds. If the SRT8 was "seriously" modded, then the contest would be much closer, or even won by the SRT8. But then comparing a modded SRT8 to a stock BMW M5 wouldn't be fair, just like comparing a 507 HP M5 to a 425 HP SRT8.

I like the show, but a good host doesn't use biased tests to prove a point. In this case, he did just that. He should have compared a European vehicle with similar HP/TQ to the SRT8 instead of using fallacy to prove his point.

BTW, I've owned 4 BMWs in my life and enjoyed the performace of those vehicles. That is...until something broke, then they became highly expensive money pits.

[Big_john Spain]

I am a Brit, but have lived in Spain for the last 20 yrs :thumbs_u:

Jeremy Clarkson is well known for being antagonistic to everyone and he has had a good physical slapping for the way he ismore than once, a lot of people dislike his form of sarcasm.

The biggest problem that I see with him is that he can either make or break a car before it has even hit the streets, and I personally don't like a lot of what he say's.

But it is a free world, and he does like some cars from the U.S.A. as he owns a new Ford GT 40, which is bloody hilarious to see him try to get in and out of as he is such a big lump of lard :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

The only car you will see him throw praise at normally is Ferrari without failhttp://www.lxforums.com/board/images/icons/icon9.gif, if that is what floats your boat :Na_Na_Na_Na:

Me I'll stick with American muscle new or old :thumbs_u:

By the way what British car manufacturers, there aren't any these day's, unless you mean Honda :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Cheers

Big_john Spain

[FOHN_JARGO]

I think his lean to the passenger side in a turn was a little excessive.

I say we hog tie him, throw him in the trunk of Miesters 300C and let him talk about how the car is "rubbish". :)

[dirtymagnum]

It was like American Idol. Rude Brit being brutally honest. I don't think he compared apples to apples. I think the Beammer is a little more expensive.

[MagNite]

Yeah everyone is entitled to thier own opinions. Just think his American bashing is a bit unprofessional.

[Ding Dong]

Don't take this too seriously guys and gals - Clarkson has made his whole life a mission to be contentious. He has made a fortune from his brand of sarcasm but you have to take his comments in context.

Big Johns comments are correct - he gets under alot of peoples skin including the auto manufacturers. Incidentally, he did used to own a GT40 - he sent it back to Ford for having to many problems for a car costing that much.

We all know that our cars do not have the build quality of the German stuff but equally we all know that we all have access to alot of horse power and fun for a fraction of the price. I have had some great banter here in the UK with my friends that drive german tackle and remind them that at their maximum 155 I'm still ready to play on, their only argument is that the plastics in their car is of better quality - big deal.

Take it easy
Ding

[HEMISFEAR]

It would have been fair had he compared two vehicles in the same price range. This is difficult to do with an American made car of the M5 caliber. Still, it really did look like fun driving that SRT8...that's why I bought one. He could have said what is entirely true of the SRT lineup...."This blotty thing is a fabulous bang for the buck"! or "ground n' pound for the pound"??!!

[Super T]

But it is a free world, and he does like some cars from the U.S.A. as he owns a new Ford GT 40, which is bloody hilarious to see him try to get in and out of as he is such a big lump of lard :mrgreen: :mrgreen:


What's REALLY hilarious is watching the episodes where he talks about all the problems he had with the car. The GT comes with a theft detection system that has a link-up similar to On-Star and LoJack combined. The system kept tripping... he would get a phone call from Ford while he was driving his car to tell him that his car had just been stolen. After a year of problems, including the damn thing not starting, he finally returned it for a full refund.

[pir8magnum]

This is sort of like comparing an F-16 to a cessna 182, isnt it? The BMW is almost twice as much, probably more with dealer markup. Why compare the two cars and then make a bunch of unflattering comparisons when the two competitors are in such different classes?

Im not sure an american car company even makes a car to compare to the M5, maybe the newest super expensive caddy? (I dont even know what its called)

Its funny that he has such praise for a german car, being british and all..didnt germany bomb the hell out of his country not too long ago? Oh well they still have rolls royce, oh wait..thats owned by a german company..well they still have bentley..oh wait...german. Well theres always Jaguar..oh wait, owned by ford. Well theres the rover group..oh wait, I dont even know who owns them anymore..was BMW for awhile...who won that second world war again?

If the english are such big authorities on cars, how come all their marques are owned by other countries?

I know thats reactionary stuff, bringing the fact that most british marques are owned by everyone else (but kind of a lot by germany), and maybe a bit of a low blow, but it does make you think, doesnt it?

[MagNite]

Well, yes they are owned by other countries, but built and designed by Brits. But I'm not going to be like Clarkson and say all British cars or crap... or by the same token all American cars are good. Every company has it's good and bad. I think sometimes automotive journalists tend to think all cars should perform like a Porsche instead of looking at what a car is intended to be. Sure a Ferrari performs great, but it's a gas hog and wouldn't be too good in snow. Likewise a Hummer is great off road, but terrible on pavement. going fast and drifting around a track doesn't tell the whole story behind a car. How reliable is the car. how is wet weather traction, wind noise on the highway, etc. I'm on my 6th Chrysler so far and so far they've been great reliable cars.

[pir8magnum]

Yeah, well, my offhanded comments notwithstanding, my real point was that he compared two very dissimilar cars. Im sure his opinion of the 300 would be the same either way, but its probably misleading to people who arent real car-savvy that watch his program.

I dont know about the 'designed by brits' part when it comes to drivetrains, though. A lot of the stuff being used by bentley and RR are straight out of the BMWor VW parts bin. They just make brand-specific badging for it, but they are german engines. A lot of the bentleys have W-12's..a VW creation.

Not to mention the minicooper, which is basically the cheapest BMW you can buy.

I guess you could say the same thing to a degree, about LX cars being rebadged mercedes, but we know thats not really true. I guess I just felt like bashing the guys country a little bit because he comes off as such a pompous ass.

Well, yes they are owned by other countries, but built and designed by Brits. But I'm not going to be like Clarkson and say all British cars or crap... or by the same token all American cars are good. Every company has it's good and bad. I think sometimes automotive journalists tend to think all cars should perform like a Porsche instead of looking at what a car is intended to be. Sure a Ferrari performs great, but it's a gas hog and wouldn't be too good in snow. Likewise a Hummer is great off road, but terrible on pavement. going fast and drifting around a track doesn't tell the whole story behind a car. How reliable is the car. how is wet weather traction, wind noise on the highway, etc. I'm on my 6th Chrysler so far and so far they've been great reliable cars.

[MagNite]

Kinda funny though how he raves about the Atom..... but the engine is a Honda.