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[Closed] Top gear

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Just noticed its back on and watching last weeks on bbc 3.
How long has this new series been on as i don't seem to remember any ad's?


 
Posted : 17/07/2010 8:56 pm
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week 3 on sunday coming.


 
Posted : 17/07/2010 8:57 pm
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Cheers for that, just need to watch the 1st one now then.


 
Posted : 17/07/2010 9:07 pm
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It's good. Init.


 
Posted : 17/07/2010 9:11 pm
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Bugger!! Episode 4 this sunday coming, I havent watched ep 2 - its still waiting for me... how time flies...


 
Posted : 17/07/2010 9:15 pm
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I want that Maserati, just to drive through tunnels with the windows open.


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 12:37 am
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Yawn - umpteenth year of exactly the same format. Boring (yet I still watch it like a moth to the flame)


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 6:19 am
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Highly entertaining popcorn for the mind...


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 4:03 pm
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gona be a classic tonight, they have to each make their own motorhome!


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 4:32 pm
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Watched them filming tonights challenge at Polzeath, should be entertaining.


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 5:22 pm
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Not laughed so much in a long time - great episode.


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 8:52 pm
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how did Jeremy's creation not tip over on the motorway and kill someone??


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 9:05 pm
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Predictable, but still hilarious at times.


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 9:12 pm
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Brilliant stuff tonight. On par with the classic amphibious cars.

(yes yes all very fake and scripted, but still funny)


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 9:12 pm
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Why did it not tip over? Simple, low centre of gravity and soft Citroën suspension that makes it look worse than is.


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 9:15 pm
 Drac
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Perfectly scripted and hilarious.


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 9:16 pm
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do you think they picked up the bits of jeremy's bird house off the cliffs?


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 9:23 pm
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Well, there was a pile of bits that looked suspiciously like it in the studio, and I can't imagine they'd be allowed to leave it making the place look untidy. Did like the R8, I'd like the opportunity to find out if it really is slightly more flexy than the tintop.


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 9:35 pm
 JCL
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The presenters are sad old snobbish ****s who know nothing about cars and the humor level is about the same as The Last of the Summer Wine. Can't believe it's still running but I guess it says a lot about the British public.


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 9:36 pm
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The presenters are sad old snobbish **** who know nothing about cars and the humor level is about the same as The Last of the Summer Wine. Can't believe it's still running but I guess it says a lot about the British public.

What, that there is a section of the british population that enjoy a programme with fast cars, silly behaviour and stunts no more scripted than any other programme on telly.

Some folks like it, some folks don't, some folks like spunking 3 grand on a new flaming bike every year because it's a different colour from last years model.......change the **** ing record, it's getting boring


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 9:50 pm
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Don't people know how to change channels on their tv's? If you don't like it, don't watch it - no one forces you too lol. It's an entertainment programme at the end of the day, is hugely popular and makes money for the BBC. Why do people moan about it, slag the presenters off but STILL watch it? The mind boggles honestly.


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 9:55 pm
 JCL
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Because people are interested in cars. Remember? kinda what the program used to be about.


 
Posted : 18/07/2010 11:49 pm
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Fifth Gear and VBH all the way


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 12:00 am
 rs
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epic show 😆 lots


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 2:02 am
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Take it the initials JCL don't stand for jeremy clarksons lover then??


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 6:04 am
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i think lovechild would be better use of the L. It may explain the dislike of him. All those birthdays and Christmas' waiting for the postman to bring a present or even just a card would have done, but every time he just walked straight past his front door.

I thought the last series was pony, but the 1st few episodes of this have been pretty entertaining.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 6:35 am
 hora
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I've given up on TG. Surely there are interesting and unusual cars under 100k that they could focus on.

Fifth Gear seems to love fast but fun on a budget.

Sick of seeing groundhog day on TG. They've run out of format ideas.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 6:39 am
 bol
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I'm entertained by the "presenters who know nothing about cars" bit JCL. It must take quite some effort to spend 25 years as a motoring journalist and still know nothing. IIRC James May is pretty handy with a spanner too, in case you meant "don't know how cars work".


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 6:43 am
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Fifth Gear and VBH all the way

I'd agree with you if the bottom half of her face wasn't 40 years older than the top half.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 6:48 am
 Drac
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Because people are interested in cars. Remember? kinda what the program used to be about.

Yup and it was taking off the air as hardly anyone watched it in that format, now it's one of the most successful and top earning shows in BBC history.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 7:03 am
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It struck me last night as I half watched top gear but it really reminds me of the ITV4 tour coverage in how formulaic it is. It is also in my humble opinion very unfunny but I like watching the stigg thrash cars.

now it's one of the most successful and top earning shows in BBC history.

I'm a big brother celbrity dancing on ice get me out of here is popular too and its shit


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 7:08 am
 hora
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TG seems to be 'what car for the midlife crisis over 50 millionaires.

Does TG have some sort of deal with Ford (previously) then Merc? and now the VAG group?

Where I'm coming from is when Jeremy was looking at buying a certain limited run he had Ford products on his show......he then bought into supercharged Merc's and hey presto we see alot of Merc products featured....

Porsche featured heavily- I think thats because the two other presenters also bought one each?

Now......Audi products.

Basically it seems like the shows car content is influenced by what the presenters fancy for their next car or what (probable) discounts they'll get if they feature said vehicles. After all TG is also a business in its own right so it wouldnt be wrong to assume this.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 7:15 am
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As well as being excellent comedy they seem to have upped the standard of milf in the front row this series.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 7:19 am
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I was thinking about TG the other day. I've just got a courtesy car while mines being fixed. its a brand new Corsa 1.2 and it is a dog. terrible driving position, gutless engine (I had a 1.2 Punto a couple of years ago which went much better)

So as I was slagging this car off in my head I though thats why TG only review daft expensive cars. if they were to review cars such as the Corsa JC would tear them to shreds, the viewer who had that car would be offended, the manufacturers would be too, viewing figures would drop and they wouldn't get any cars to test.

And anyway how boring would it be? Last night was very funny, its becoming almost like a sitcom though, every line and shot is scripted...


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 7:49 am
 Drac
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Same here Warton I had a Corsa 1.2 a couple of years ago as a courtesy car while my car was having a door panel sprayed. Horrible cheap interior, gutless rough engine, gear box felt like moving a stick through a gravel river bed I know it was meant to be a cheap budget car but it was just awful.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 8:02 am
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I love Top Gear and I don't particularly like cars.

It is not meant to be serious.

Although I was impressed by Clarkson's 3 storey campervan. Now there's a vehicle for taking to 24hr races 🙂


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 8:20 am
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Top Gear don't review Corsa 1.2s because Fifth Gear do that. I think people forget that it isn't a car reviewing programme any more - it is a comedy based loosely around cars and car-based japes.

And as has been said already, it was dying on its arse and was taken off the air when they were a car reviewing programme.

My wife doesn't care less about cars but last night half of my laughing was at her laughing with tears streaming down her face.

Of course it is scripted. Just like 99.9%* of television programming such as Have I Got News For You and Question of Sport.l I heard a rumour once that Eastenders is scripted too, but I have yet to be convinced of this.

*random statistic


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 8:31 am
 Drac
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My wife doesn't care less about cars but last night half of my laughing was at her laughing with tears streaming down her face.

Snap! My Wife was creased up last night at it, sadly she doesn't seem to realise how much if it's scripted but there was a lot of unscripted puns and digs from James last night that were top.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 8:32 am
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The shot of James sat atop his motorhome taking a dump was priceless, then the cut to Hammond doing the same in his passenger seat was perfection.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 9:32 am
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Interesting watching that as they stayed near to where I grew up.

1) EVERYTHING they filmed (the "pub", the campsite, the shop, the surf school, etc) was owned by a guy called Rob Harris - must have set it all up. And the "pub" is actually a cafe/restaurant.
2) They went over a bridge (in Wadebridge) that isn't even slightly the right direction to where they went next - it was clearly just for effect.
3) That crane they used to lift JC's car was from a hire firm a very long way away - must have cost a fortune to get it there!
4) There was hardly a breath of wind when they were surfing yet at night there was apparently a "gale" - looking at the brief external shots, I'd say there was nowhere near a gale...

But still enjoyed it as usual!


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 9:40 am
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Why would i want to see the current vauxhall mudaneo being test driven? I can sit at the end of my round and see them - I want to see the latest super cars being given the beans around a test track - Unless i worked at the Nürburgring i ain't going to see it every day.

As mentioned above it's all good (scripted) humour - In their own words 3 blokes cocking about with cars. I, like many thousands, well more likely millions, of people out there would love to do the same.

It's good boys own fun and there must be something sadly missing from your lives if you can't appreciate that


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 9:41 am
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Cars are boring. Fact.

If I want to know how fast a Golf GIT goes, or how many carbons a Polo farts out, I'll buy a copy of Autocar and look it up in there.

However, what Top Gear does is appeal to the adolescent in me who really wants to see high value exotica I'll never own being spanked around a test track in as silly a fashion as possible. Watching crap cars get blown up is an added bonus.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 9:50 am
 DezB
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[i]It's good boys own fun and there must be something sadly missing from your lives if you can't appreciate that[/i]

Not really mate. I prefer my comedy to come from comedians and I just don't find Clarkson funny.
Caught a bit of it yesterday and if anyone believes they "made their own motorhomes" then they're a bit dopey aren't they?


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 9:52 am
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Why does EVERYTHING catch fire too?!

I do enjoy it but last night's seemed (partly because I know the area so well) very very scripted and false...


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 9:59 am
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Caught a bit of it yesterday and if anyone believes they "made their own motorhomes" then they're a bit dopey aren't they?

Well they certainly didn't buy them from the showroom like that!


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 10:01 am
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Well they certainly didn't buy them from the showroom like that!

I think someone is accusing us all of thinking they actually built them themselves rather than have a team member do it.

I reckon James May may have done though - he is daft enough to bother.

And that shot of him in the 'escape chute' into the back seat of the car....

😆


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 10:05 am
 Drac
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Magic of TV Matt. It was the same with the race to Edinburgh there was a lot of teleport between the Borders and Northumberland then back again. All done for scenic shots, I've heard even mags do such things fir route photos.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 10:10 am
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TG has some quality moments - although I think theyt have become fewer and further between over the last couple of series.

The presenters have long since become parodies of themselves - which works / worked to a point, but is now getting rather tiresome.

Yes it is still funny, but there is more dross to sit through. The language and innuendo have got a lot worse during this series, with a lot of oblique sexual references and humour, which is not particularly clever for that time of evening. Does BBC still have a 9:00pm watershed?

And yes, a diet consisting purely of supercars does get a little dull. The occaisional cheap(er) but fun car added to the mix would be good.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 10:23 am
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That Audi R8 does look beautiful though. Possibly the best looking convertible supercar currently in production IMO.

And my cousin is thinking about getting one too. I shall be driving to London the day he gets it...


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 10:26 am
 DezB
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[i]which is not particularly clever for that time of evening[/i]

I noticed that - was quite pleased my son was outside when Clarkson was quite loudly called a "COCK". True, but uncalled for.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 10:27 am
 Drac
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I noticed that - was quite pleased my son was outside when Clarkson was quite loudly called a "COCK". True, but uncalled for.

But you'll happily post the word on a internet forum. 😐


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 10:30 am
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a lot of oblique sexual references and humour, which is not particularly clever for that time of evening.

Really? Like what?

Perhaps if the references are 'oblique' enough then younger viewers are not really expected to get them?

I also keep hearing that TG is homophobic, but I've never once got that impression while watching it.

Does BBC still have a 9:00pm watershed?

Yup

http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/edguide/harm/televisionthewa.shtml

And you still have to inform a standards comittee if you intend to say motherf@@@er.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 10:49 am
 DezB
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[i]But you'll happily post the word on a internet forum[/i]

My son is ok at the internet. But not that good.

[i]Really? Like what?[/i]

"Cock". Oops, did it again.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 10:53 am
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Well to be honest if you consider "cock", when used in the context of Top Gear, to be an "oblique sexual reference" then you're going to struggle with anything outside CBeebies.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 10:57 am
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DezB - Member
But you'll happily post the word on a internet forum

My son is ok at the internet. But not that good.

Other children might be though.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 10:57 am
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[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 11:14 am
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That Audi R8 does look beautiful though. Possibly the best looking convertible supercar currently in production IMO.

Ummm....
[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 11:41 am
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I used to love Top Gear but couldn't bear to watch the last couple of series. When this one started up I thought I'd have a look in case it had improved and was sadly disappointed.

I'm not a petrol head but do like to see nice cars being driven hard so enjoy the reviews and test laps etc, and I can't see the point either in reviewing a 1.2 Corsa for example as it's pretty dull and I can go and test drive one.

The challenges used to be good fun, the rally car against the bob-sleigh for example (IIRC) but they really aren't that interesting to me anymore - last nights was awful.

IMHO the show has for years been a vehicle (no pun intended) for Clarksons inflated ego which in itself used to provide some entertainment, but now it seems his ego driven presenting style has been taught to the other two.

Hammond became a mid life crisis wally shortly after recovering from his accident - can't blame him after that I suppose but he's pretty annoying IMO (what's that other Saturday night program which would be quite good if he wasn't presenting it?) and James May has lost all integrity now for me. He's just taken on the persona that Clarkson prescribed him.

And yes, I'll vote with my feet and turn over (or more likely off).

/tuppence


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 11:47 am
 Drac
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Other children might be though.

Yup my eldest can easily navigate around the internet has done since she was 5 but I'm not so prude to think Cock is a bad word. I'm also able to tell my kids not to use such words.

If that an Alfa Frog? It's nice but not as stunning as the R8 not with that weird grill thing going on anyway.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 11:53 am
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Other children might be though.

Not that he'll care - he probably drives around in an X5 so his Tarquin and Jonathan are safe whilst he runs over the other peoples' children.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 12:27 pm
 Drac
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lol and shouting COCK! as he does.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 12:29 pm
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The Flying Ox - Member
That Audi R8 does look beautiful though. Possibly the best looking convertible supercar currently in production IMO.
Ummm....

Ohh shit my opinion is broken again - I must get it fixed.

And is that Alfa in production anyway?

EDIT - yes it is and the back end looks awful - like some 80s Corvette or one of those Fiat Bravas/Bravos whichever one had the circular light cluster.
[img] [/img]

It isn't an ugly car granted, but [b]IMO[/b] not as beautiful as the R8


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 12:30 pm
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Didn't see this Sunday's episode, and can't remember too many specifics about the previous episodes from this series, but there has definately been an increase in the fnar fnar content.

Doesn't worry me in the slightest - except that the kids have taken a liking to TG.

Yes I think most of the references are, in themselves, pretty difficult for kids to spot - but the adult audience in stitches gives the kids a pretty strong cue that something funny has been said, and they then ask why...

... I'm sure Clarkson et al talking about sex toys and orgasms could be very funny - but they do need to decide on who their audience is - and therefore what time the show goes out


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 1:01 pm
 DezB
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[i]Not that he'll care - he probably drives around in an X5 so his Tarquin and Jonathan are safe whilst he runs over the other peoples' children.[/i]

Thats referring to me?? If only you knew 😆 😆 😆

BTW, if you chaps above are [i]really[/i] comparing my use of the work cock on here to some pillock shouting it on a bbc programme, well, you're a bit odd to say the least. Hopefully you're attempting to be all STW-clever-clever and I just don't get it, in which case I take that previous sentence back.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 1:03 pm
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Sorry but that Alfa IS the best[i] looking [/i]drop top supercar available. However the R8 is a much better car.

However this isn't bad looking either:

[IMG] [/IMG]


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 1:09 pm
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Mat - whatever happened to opinions? And properly linked images for that matter?


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 1:11 pm
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The image is fine.

You expressed your opinion, I expressed mine which matched someone elses. I'd say most would agree though - the rag top 8C is a very pretty car.

The R8 looks good but it lacks the flair of the Alfa or Aston. It's just very very Germanically good.

Talking of Crout cars, my rather expensive rear Conti SC3s have worn out (mostly on the inner edges) in under 8k miles. Ouch. Laser alignment booked in, new tyres soon to be ordered.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 1:16 pm
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BTW, if you chaps above are really comparing my use of the work cock on here to some pillock shouting it on a bbc programme, well, you're a bit odd to say the least. Hopefully you're attempting to be all STW-clever-clever and I just don't get it, in which case I take that previous sentence back.

Just slightly amused at the irony of you complaining about someone broadcasting publicly a word that you seem have deemed 'inappropriate', whilst actually being one yourself...


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 1:23 pm
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I'd like to see a few aspirational cars tested too. Not Corsa 1.1s clearly, but something an average viewer might have a chance of aspiring to own. The supercar testing bit is my least favourite by a long way - there is only so many times your can hear the same lines being dragged out again and again about how good they are and the presenter creaming themselves about the engine noise - of course they are good, what do you expect for £XXX thousands! And ragging them around a track, 4 wheel drifting all the corners is a nice trick but gets very tiresome. It's only when the Stig gets behind the wheel that you get to see how they handle when driven well.

Overall - I'll watch it if it's on and I'm in but would not go out of my way to record it these days.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 1:24 pm
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Sorry but that Alfa IS the best looking drop top supercar available.

That doesn't sound like an opinion, is sounds like a claimed fact.

At least I qualified my statement...

That Audi R8 does look beautiful though. Possibly the best looking convertible supercar currently in production IMO.

You aren't very good at this are you Matt? 😉


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 1:28 pm
 Drac
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BTW, if you chaps above are really comparing my use of the work cock on here to some pillock shouting it on a bbc programme, well, you're a bit odd to say the least. Hopefully you're attempting to be all STW-clever-clever and I just don't get it, in which case I take that previous sentence back.

No I see it as the same, if your offended by it being used then why use it in a public forum?


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 1:32 pm
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And to qualify my OPINION, I like the R8 because I feel it looks like a supercar should, hard-edged, squat, brutal and blunt.
[img] [/img]

The Alfa (which is nice looking from certain angles, I do agree) looks more like something dreamed up by Pixar.
[img] [/img]

And I love Astons, but the convertibles do nothing for me.

But still - give me any hard top over any convertible any day.


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 1:34 pm
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Crout

*s****s* You mean "kraut"?


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 1:36 pm
 DezB
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Oh I see zokes, so you're resorting to personal insults using the brave man's intenet forum route? Now that's what [i]I[/i] call a cock. Ironic enough for you?


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 1:45 pm
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I'm with Drac. If you find "Cock" offensive when broadcast in the evening on a motoring show aimed primarily at adults, then why don't you find it offensive when used on a public forum for a sport that many kids participate in?


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 1:50 pm
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A cock yesterday
[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 1:51 pm
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The R8 looks like any other current Audi in my opinion. Bloody dull. That Alfa's rather nice though...


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 1:53 pm
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Nothing wrong with opinions Dudie 😉


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 1:55 pm
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Oh I see zokes, so you're resorting to personal insults using the brave man's intenet forum route? Now that's what I call a cock. Ironic enough for you?

Nope, the irony is that it's only you who finds the word offensive, especially flor children, yet you're still quite happily posting it on a forum which is used by children.

Maybe you should just get your mother to wrap you back up in cotton wool, lest you become mildly irritated by something out there in the big bad nasty world


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 2:01 pm
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Are there any awful supercars on sale today? It's not the 1980s anymore after all.

I'd have that Alfa over any German supercar I can think of...


 
Posted : 19/07/2010 2:02 pm
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