The TopGear Thread

[babak]

Originally Posted by buzzkill

found this article..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6539111.stm

also mentions people racing a mystery driver called the STIG...

Thread merged with the TopGear thread.

[Taxcheat]

Maybe there will be a reality show: America's Next Stig?

I think the biggest question is which network will show it. I'm pretty certain it won't be Discovery (they're based out here; they don't care about the show). Maybe Spike TV would allow no-holds-barred stuff.

[babak]

Network is not the problem. I doubt the Ford would buy advert spot on the show if they bag on the mustang like they did when they reviewed it, live axle and all. No income, no show.

[MattG]

Originally Posted by babak

Network is not the problem. I doubt the Ford would buy advert spot on the show if they bag on the mustang like they did when they reviewed it, live axle and all. No income, no show.

That's the thing, they bag on ALL makes of cars, for the most part, and that's what makes them so great. They don't hold back from telling it like it is, they'll talk about the good parts of the car, and the bad. Well sometimes just the bad I guess.

[babak]

Originally Posted by MattG

That's the thing, they bag on ALL makes of cars, for the most part, and that's what makes them so great. They don't hold back from telling it like it is, they'll talk about the good parts of the car, and the bad. Well sometimes just the bad I guess.

Yep, but I doubt that the car makers in the US would tolerate it. Can you see them letting their being called 'utter rubish' slide? Or the GPS pointing to McD's by default on the vette becuase we're all fat americans. I don't.

[peck555]

Originally Posted by babak

Yep, but I doubt that the car makers in the US would tolerate it. Can you see them letting their being called 'utter rubish' slide? Or the GPS pointing to McD's by default on the vette becuase we're all fat americans. I don't.

But this country needs to stop taking itself so seriously,and this show could really pop a lot of peoples big stupid bubbles about how americans are really viewed overseas, but in a pointedly funny manner.

[Taxcheat]

Originally Posted by MattG

That's the thing, they bag on ALL makes of cars

Almost... they bag on all non-British cars.

[sonza68]

They've taken their shots at British cars as well.

MG/Rover - it is easier to list positive comments than all of the negative ones
Land Rover - the Disco 3 took it's share of abuse concerning its weight
TVR - its a mix, but they have really liked the Tuscan 2 and Sagaris
Jaguar - the S-type has been slammed pretty thoroughly and the X-type is often referred to as a dressed up Mondeo (which it is)
Aston Martin - JC hates the Vanquish gearbox and isn't shy about mentioning it

[dododge]

Originally Posted by sonza68

They've taken their shots at British cars as well.

Indeed, anyone who's watched much of the show will know how they feel about the Vauxhall Vectra .

[babak]

Absolutely, but our car companies will react differently, with their lawyers.

[bgsterling]

Hi all,

Didn't see this posted anywere and know that there are a few Top Gear fans out there. The clip is funny, but embarassing to us 'mericans. Enjoy.

http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=n72sncs07h

[exarkun1178]

hahaha, having spent most the winter (from nj)in mississippi i can relate!!! by the way they DO NOT LIKE CATHOLICs

[toynumber2]

Ouch, that is emabarrassing.

[Elise72]

That is the best road test I've seen them do so far.

[Green Hornet]

You gotta love Rednecks

Is it too late for them to secede again?

And take Bush with 'em -

[Lancia]

Bush is a yankee.

If a cat has kittens in the oven, that doesn't make them muffins.

[Lancia]

How odd.
Arrogance goes over so well with lager lads in uk and in the small towns in new jersey.
And they have texas confused with mississippi.
Besides if you want real rednecks, you have to go to southern illinois or indiana, birthplace of the klan.
What morons.
Now I remember why I've never seen a top gear show all the way through.
I guess I'm past the jackass stage of humour.
I'll be impressed if they will go to a manchester rally in liverpool drag or maybe as supporters of a french team.
I'm sure they will get a refined and sophisticated reception.

[cshama]

Originally Posted by Lancia

Bush is a yankee.

If a cat has kittens in the oven, that doesn't make them muffins.

Sorry, you hicks are going to have to take responsibility for him

[Lancia]

Originally Posted by RegGuy

Yeah right, he was 2 years old when they moved to Texas. He's a Texan.

There's a reason he vacations in the north.
At heart he's just there for the money, playing dude ranch.
But he did manage to fit in with a certain group.
One of the last major positions he took as governor is that it is ethical to execute someone whose attorney sleeps through the trial.
All of the texans I know are very well educated and sophisticated and baffled by the voting records of the state.
I think most texans consider bush an immigrant.
But they are pretty tolerant of that.

In mississippi they have a definite suspicion all external government.
That extends to the attempts by the catholic church to lobby legislation.
Currently terrorism has resulted in abortion being almost unavailable in mississippi currently.

But it is much more complex than the racist stereotypes you hear about the south.
There was a heavy jewish population in the rural south which has mostly moved to cities with everyone else now.
When I lived in a small town in mississippi in 1960 our minister had adopted two korean mixed race brothers.
Kind of putting his money where his mouth was christianity-wise.
That's a southern thing too.
Virtually everyone accepted them and no one criticized the minister.
They attended the 'white' school along with a number of black students.
There was a separate black school as well.
I know that because my father took me there to meet some of the kids.
Once the federal government got involved, the system was segregated for many years, totally.
Not a perfect place, but without the hypocrisy of the north.
And most people didn't agree with the status quo.
It is more complicated than a few stereotypes, unless they include small towns with temples and everything else.

For what it is worth, my girlfriend from new england, a rather vulnerable looking girl, said she was always struck by how courteously she was treated by southern blacks compared to the rudeness she got up north.
That impressed her.

[Lancia]

Originally Posted by RegGuy

Huh? I was only responding to Bush being a Yankee, last time I checked being a Texan didn't qualify.

That wasn't responding to you.
I was writing while you were posting.
I was just talking about the general stupidity of the top gear crew.
You didn't think I could type that fast anyway, did you?


I don't think anyone wants to claim Bush anyhow.