Sorry, but TG is still one of the best TV shows ever made. I laugh out loud every episode; the wit is still there, the inside jokes, the ongoing gags, the amazing camera work, the creativity...it all works for me. I can see how some of the subtlety might not work for younger lads raised on MTV quick cuts and hyper-pumped up soundtracks, but the guys doing their slow-mo crash test had me on the floor. Like any entertainment it is subjective to the viewer, but I still love it.
pinchvalve wrote: Sorry, but TG is still one of the best TV shows ever made.
+1 I couldn't agree more.
It is silly...very silly. "This is Jeremy Clarkson, and I need some rockets," was one of the funniest things I've ever heard. They do what I wish I could to....Yes, I live vicariously through a group of middle aged men acting like perpetual children.
I realize much of the show is contrived drama, but it's wrapped so well into the program, and is so entertaining that, well, I don't care.
About the car in question, I haven't watched the show yet, but after reading the "rebuttal" on the other site, I can't help but feel the guy would accept no less than complete praise. Huh? What did he expect? Hadn't he seen TG before? If they find a weak spot in the car, they're all about wedged the knife in and twisting it about, using the poor thing as great entertainment, accurate or not. Unless I knew I had a 100% bulletproof car to go on the show, I wouldn't show up, and that car wasn't 100%. Didn't have enough time? Well, no surprise what happened then...
It reminds me of people who post about cars they're building, then act like children if they don't get 100% praise. Sorry - but it's guaranteed not everyone will like the results. If these critics happen to have a TV show, and your product isn't 100%, you just know what the drama queens are going to do.
I agree, TG is one of the best shows ever. Does anyone remember Clarkson's comments on a Renault mid-engine V6 car? "Imagine watching the entire French airforce crash into a fireworks factory; that's how much fun this car is." Was that a complement? I don't know, but it was of the best lines ever!
It's one thing to expect the media to overlook a few little foibles - nothing is 100% perfect - it's something else completely to bring a car so badly prepped that the brakes lock up and it's an ill-handling example of a car known for having evil handling. But it looked great and I still want one. Mine will get sorted out!
As for the internet wieners, well, show me you can do better and I'll take you seriously 
For a dose of reality check out this other thread on that forum regarding build costs. http://www.stratossupersite.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6668 Actualy don't, unless your sitting down.
Oh I don't need to check that thread. I know build cost is way, way more than expected. A buddy uses the following analogy for building a house. "How much will it cost? Well, add it all up, then add another 30%." At least.
Edit: checked that thread. Those are some pretty serious numbers, but well within range of building a really nice kit car. Doesn't see much different than building a Cobra, or maybe a better comparison, the Factory Five mid-engine car.
With car projects...I'd say it's more like "estimate all the costs...double it, and 50% again."
Clem
I read the whinny post on the other forum and agree with what was said here. They gave TG a car with major issues and are pissed 'cause they trashed it. BBC paid for a new engine, they should be grateful.
And yes TG is silly. Very silly. But the segments when the 3 of them are on camera together, bantering back and forth, needling each other, and cracking each other up (and us) are pure gold.
They just got their name out to millions and millions of people around the world. A popped engine that was replaced as someone else's expense is a small price to pay.
ClemSparks wrote: With car projects...I'd say it's more like "estimate all the costs...double it, and 50% again."
I'll raise that. 
"Estimate how long and how much, then triple it. You won't be far wrong." - Jack French, writing in the 750 Club's magazine. (Quoted in Staniforth's Race and Rally Car Sourcebook)
And if you would like to see what boat ownership is like, go to a pier, and throw all of your money into the water.
Scacey said: I'm in agreement here, the Stig they have right now is not so swift. He doesn't have that edge like the original did.
ORLY? Baddest lap of all time!
turboswede said: You guys do know that they routinely change the Stig under that helmet, right? That was why Michael Schumacher showed up as the Stig in last year's episode, who else would Ferrari allow to drive their uber-exclusive car?
There is only one FXX in black. it belongs to Mr. Schumacher himself. Who else would Mr. Schumacher allow to drive HIS uber-exclusive car?
as sexxy as the hawk is, I most enjoyed the caravaning bit at the begining
maroon92 wrote: ORLY? Baddest lap of all time!
Ever run a stopwatch during one of Stig's laps? Notice the lap time vs. the video time... 
After reading this thread and the rebuttal on the other forum, I finally watched the video. The car did okay, not great, but not as terrible as implied. It was hard to tell how much of the handling issues were the car or driver technique. Other than soft front springs and the brakes, it doesn't come across nearly as bad as the builder seems to think.
Keith wrote: I didn't have to Google Hawk. When Clarkson's voiceover said "..it wasn't built by Lancia..." I yelled "It's a Hawk! That's the one I want to build" and started bouncing up and down on the couch
+1. I saw that kit car a long time ago. They didn't mention in the show that one of the possible setups is for the Ferrari 308 engine. I would personal stick w/ the Alfa. With the sound of that Alfa engine and the look of the Statros, I wouldn't care if it handled like a pig. Also Hawk makes a sweet aluminum bodied Cobra replica.
Ian F wrote: Ever run a stopwatch during one of Stig's laps? Notice the lap time vs. the video time...
Watching heavily-edited video will never produce the "right" time unless it's from a single camera with no camera switching.
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