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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » Top Gear, episode 3 and copywrite protection

July 23, 2010 8:31 a.m. mattmacklind SuperDork

So I usually watch Top Gear on Youtube. I've been doing this regularly for several years now. It seems the episodes may be initially removed but somone else posts them and eventually BBC loses interest after the episode has been out long enough. I've never had any problem catching the latest Sunday episode on the following Friday night...Until now. Now I have the biggest challenge...in the world.

Actually, I've seen every episode so far this season keeping to my regimen, except episode 3. Episode 3 was the quickest to be removed of any streamable TG episode I've searched for. Now its around again, but interestingly the first 10 minutes are impossible to find, while several other 10 minute segments remain. I think the first 10 minutes contain the Camaro SS v. Benz segment, which I really want to see more than any other part of the episode.

So, tonight, I will watch the parts I can, and likely not see part 1 until someone uploads it and BBC doesn't pay attention. Just wondering if anyone thinks there is something about this particular segment that makes BBC, TG, or GM particularly interested in limiting its distribution?

Anyway, I know I can DL the show, too. I didn't really want to but I may have no choice. Where can I find the "torrents" I hear so much about?
July 23, 2010 8:48 a.m. DoctorBlade Reader

Google. That's all I'll say about that.

As for the Camaro vs Benz, I haven't watched it but I'll cut it short for you, since I've seen a metric crapload of TG. TG will test them both, point out the good points of each, then totally trash the American Car and worship the Benz.

TG is about entertainment, not car reviews.
July 23, 2010 9:01 a.m. AutoXR Reader

torrentz.com (searches all sites)

I haven't had cable in 3 years thanks to torrents
July 23, 2010 9:33 a.m. skruffy SuperDork

finalgear.com Torrents aren't hard.
July 23, 2010 10:13 a.m. P71 SuperDork

cast tv is the new place to watch them without downloading. Available on Sunday night even.
July 23, 2010 10:14 a.m. P71 SuperDork

DoctorBlade wrote:

As for the Camaro vs Benz, I haven't watched it but I'll cut it short for you, since I've seen a metric crapload of TG. TG will test them both, point out the good points of each, then totally trash the American Car and worship the Benz.

And you'd be wrong. Hamster did the review, and owns a 68 Charger, 67 Mustang, and an 09 Challenger.
July 23, 2010 10:52 a.m. mattmacklind SuperDork

P71 wrote:

cast tv is the new place to watch them without downloading. Available on Sunday night even.

Now that's one I didn't know about-and the episodes are complete and not in "parts". Thanks, my routine may resume.

And I fully expect there to be some elbowing over the "american" camaro, but just like with the Corvette and the Mustang, the cars are too good at the end of the day to bash and forget. I'm looking forward to hearing them admit its a pretty damn good car, especially for the money. At least thats what I'm expecting.
July 23, 2010 11:10 a.m. GI_Drewsifer Reader

P71 wrote:

DoctorBlade wrote:

As for the Camaro vs Benz, I haven't watched it but I'll cut it short for you, since I've seen a metric crapload of TG. TG will test them both, point out the good points of each, then totally trash the American Car and worship the Benz.

And you'd be wrong. Hamster did the review, and owns a 68 Charger, 67 Mustang, and an 09 Challenger.

No its pretty spot on really. The heap adjectives on the Merc (better, faster, nicer etc) and then say that even though its twice the price of the Camaro, its twice the car and therefore better. Never mind that these two cars aren't even close to being in the same class, or targeting to same demographic. It seems pretty obvious to me TG just brought the Merc in so they would have a car that overshadowed the Camaro no matter how good it may or may not be.

EDIT: And yes Hamster does have some awesome classic American cars. But they use that almost as a joke so whenever he starts to like an American car the other two can gang up on him, throw out things "leafsprings" and "live rear axle" and prove how stupid American cars are.
July 23, 2010 11:12 a.m. Travis_K Dork

The camaro is soo ugly, even if it performed better than the mercedes i wouldnt blame them for not liking it.
July 23, 2010 11:48 a.m. Duke SuperDork

mattmacklind wrote:

And I fully expect there to be some elbowing over the "american" camaro, but just like with the Corvette and the Mustang, the cars are too good at the end of the day to bash and forget. I'm looking forward to hearing them admit its a pretty damn good car, especially for the money. At least thats what I'm expecting.

...but don't forget that they will then, after grudgingly admitting that the American car isn't bad, add that it is completely unsuitable for British roads.
July 23, 2010 11:55 a.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

GI_Drewsifer wrote:

P71 wrote:

DoctorBlade wrote:

As for the Camaro vs Benz, I haven't watched it but I'll cut it short for you, since I've seen a metric crapload of TG. TG will test them both, point out the good points of each, then totally trash the American Car and worship the Benz.

And you'd be wrong. Hamster did the review, and owns a 68 Charger, 67 Mustang, and an 09 Challenger.

No its pretty spot on really. The heap adjectives on the Merc (better, faster, nicer etc) and then say that even though its twice the price of the Camaro, its twice the car and therefore better. Never mind that these two cars aren't even close to being in the same class, or targeting to same demographic. It seems pretty obvious to me TG just brought the Merc in so they would have a car that overshadowed the Camaro no matter how good it may or may not be.

EDIT: And yes Hamster does have some awesome classic American cars. But they use that almost as a joke so whenever he starts to like an American car the other two can gang up on him, throw out things "leafsprings" and "live rear axle" and prove how stupid American cars are.

Well, it IS like running with your shoelaces tied together.
July 23, 2010 1:01 p.m. turboswede SuperDork

Spoiler: The Camaro is slower around the course than the Monaro Ute that it is based on.
July 23, 2010 1:50 p.m. novaderrik Reader

turboswede wrote:

Spoiler: The Camaro is slower around the course than the Monaro Ute that it is based on.

20" wheels that probably weigh 70 pounds each with 14" brake rotors that probably weigh 20 pounds each will do that to a car.. put the base 18" wheel/tire combo and base brakes on a LS3/6 speed model and see how it does...
July 23, 2010 2:32 p.m. oldsaw Dork

Had the chance to watch the episode, and like most Top Gears episodesthat test American cars, I found it entertaining and provincially annoying. WTF is the point of a direct comparison between two completely different vehicles built for two completely different markets?

I know the BBC is catering to its' primary market, but it's chock full of BS. What kind of E36M3-storm would an American producer face if it offered a reality-show that featured equal animous towards Brit products/people that Top Gear features on a regular basis?

Then again, it's nice to have a venue (and willing particpants) that can draw attention away from its' own country's short-comings.
July 23, 2010 2:37 p.m. nutherjrfan Reader

I'm pretty sure the way the stig threw the tail of the Camaro out near the end of the run added to its time. seemed to keep the Merc a little straighter - I would watch it again, but it'd be even more boring a second time.
July 23, 2010 3:09 p.m. P71 SuperDork

Considering the V8 Camaro is losing to the V6 Mustang in the latest round of other car mag tests over here, I'm not surprised that they don't like it...
July 23, 2010 3:17 p.m. oldsaw Dork

P71 wrote:

Considering the V8 Camaro is losing to the V6 Mustang in the latest round of other car mag tests over here, I'm not surprised that they don't like it...

Let's wait until Top Gear tests the V6 Mustang against a premo Merc and see the results/commentary.
July 23, 2010 4:17 p.m. Schmidlap Reader

P71 wrote:

Considering the V8 Camaro is losing to the V6 Mustang in the latest round of other car mag tests over here, I'm not surprised that they don't like it...

I'm a Ford guy at heart, so this makes me smile. Which magazines? Do you know if any of the articles are online? I assume the V8 Camaro beats the V6 Mustang in acceleration tests, but then gets beaten in all of the handling and braking tests? I think a similar comparison between the V8 Mustang and V6 Mustang (with the track pack or performance package or whatever it's called that adds the GT suspension, wheels/tires and brakes) would probably turn out the same way. Are the magazines saying they'd rather buy a V6 Mustang over a V8 Camaro or are they just stating the performance differences? I'd guess that the power of the V8 would greatly outweigh the slight handling differences, but the V6 isn't a slouch either anymore, I guess.

Bob
July 23, 2010 5:23 p.m. P71 SuperDork

Latest one I read was about cars and the people who drive them... I don't really like talking about other mags on GRM unless I'm pointing out LS1-swap info or calling them inferior, but this was an excellent article. It was V8 & V6 Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger with a V6 Genesis Coupe thrown in. The top finishers are not who you think!

IIRC, they got into 13's with a Track Pack-equipped V6 Mustang. Remember when 5.0's had to have the 15-minute tune-up to go 14's?
July 23, 2010 5:39 p.m. turboswede SuperDork

Holden clip:

http://holdenlion.blogspot.com/2009/10/vauxhall-vxr8-bathurst-and-maloo-vxr-on.html

http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/hsv-maloo-ute-review.htm

Sounds like that Maloo VXR has 19's by default with 20's as an option along with the same brakes, etc. Basically it is slightly lighter due to difference in the back end and perhaps a slightly longer wheelbase to improve stability.
July 23, 2010 6:14 p.m. Keith SuperDork

I suspect Top Gear simply happened to have both cars available at the same time and said "Hmm, look at this. Two ludicrously overpowered cars. We don't have enough screen time to test both separately, let's put them in together".

And the Hamster also said that although the Merc was a better car (as it should be), he still liked the Camaro better.

According to the Holden and Chevy websites, the Maloo is actually about 100 lbs heavier than the Camaro.
July 23, 2010 6:18 p.m. mattmacklind SuperDork

Well, just finished the Camaro segment. Thought it was in the first 10 minutes, but it wasn't, but then again I don't break up my TG episodes.

Didn't think there would be such passionate views about TG. I've always loved the show. I don't mind the ribbing of the US. Its sort of like being ribbed by the person who is consistently smaller, slower and less intelligent than you. You handle it with grace because you know there's a wink in there, and you know everyone knows what the score is (and I'm an anglophile).

I thought the review was actually flattering of the Camaro. Of course Clarkson would prefer the MB. At the end of the day, I would too, if offered both for free. I can't afford either, so who cares really. I do love the production value and style of TG, though. Keeps me watching.
July 23, 2010 8:19 p.m. neon4891 SuperDork

I wanted to see Clarkson chain smoke while Hammond ran his 'Busa around the track

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