Not impressed with US top gear

I know "professional drive on a closed course", but did they really need to show who ever was driving the blue ZR1 and the black italian thing crossing the double yellow line around blind corners on a public road?

TGUK does the same thing. Disclaimers at the end of the shows explain that.

I'm annoyed that they destroyed two cars in great shape(Aries,Rabbit) and what appeared to be a decent beater(CRX)

Grizz wrote: I'm annoyed that they destroyed two cars in great shape(Aries,Rabbit) and what appeared to be a decent beater(CRX)

that got to me too!

I didn't even keep watching it that long, but wasn't the rabbit a turbodiesel caddy? If so that is like a $6k car at least.

funny how TGUK can kill cars and everyone loves it...

i felt bad for the cars as I liked the caddy... and the CRX... but it's a show...

and to be honest... I enjoy it... it's no TGUK... but I enjoy it :).. it seems like they are meshing a lot better when things aren't 100% scripted also.

Well I have never encountered a Morris Marina or a Reliant Robin, and never currently wanted one. I have been trying to find a good deal on a rust free VW Caddy for a few weeks now, and they just wrecked a gorgeous example.

Travis_K wrote: I didn't even keep watching it that long, but wasn't the rabbit a turbodiesel caddy? If so that is like a $6k car at least.

Or somewhat less than the cost of snackies in the actors' trailers.

I actually enjoyed this episode. Sure I winced at the way they treated the caddy and the CRX, and I too noticed the poor driving shots ignoring the double yellow and all, and was a bit surprised to find out that Chumley drives a Maserati.

The ZR1 vs Ferrari piece was about as useful as the car show's piece on the ZR1 vs the Audi. Fluff and opinions with not real attempt to really compare the two cars, but I figure the folks buying those things don't need to watch a tv show to figure out which one they want.

Wow you dont think they closed the road for filming that? There was a lot of driving side by side, one of them in the wrong lane, and I saw a few passes in a no passing zone!!!

I agree the Ferrari/ZR1 piece maybe wasnt all that useful, but it was far more entertaining than the Grand Sport/R8 bit on car show. And they at least compared lap times later in the show. Would have been nice if they did a split screen lap so we could have seen the riced out ferrari run too.

So far I am liking season 2 better than season 1. And for the most part I liked season 1.

See if it were on a public road with traffic than there would be reason to be upset. The fact is these roads are closed off & more than likely has a strong police/emt/fire presence.

Can you guys not complain about watching an entertainment show about cars? I have this feeling that if you complain enough someone might notice and take this show and The Car Show off the air. I would much rather watch these two shows than another damn show about a Bachelorette or Cake Wars.

I enjoy talking to other car guys even when they don't have my same views on what cool. It's better than talking to guy about Property Virgins. Do you see what I'm saying?

Not really, because I've never watched property virgins.

In reply to T.J.:

Lets just put it this way, the second word is misleading.

Are you also not impressed by the original Top Gear? Their show is filled with such stuff. Them destroying cars, questionable driving habits on closed roads, and mostly fluff pieces about super/hyper cars that don't compare so much as they show off.

If yes, I have no issues. If no, ya dun goofed.

Overall I have been enjoying the show. Yeah, it sucks when a nice car gets wasted (I'd rather they trashed a new car or a total rust bucket) but we lost more nice cars to Cash for Clunkers than Top Gear will ever wreck. For the record I cringed when the Fiero in season 1 was messed up. that car was in really nice shape. At least it was the worst color you could get....

It is seriously growing on me. I still find it pretty scripted and stiff, but I was laughing out loud the last two episodes, and I'll watch Tanner drift a Ferrari at high speed all day long.

The only part that made me cringe was the Pawn Stars part. That part was poorly done but other than that is was an OK episode.

Even I was wincing when the VW got smashed and I don't particularly care for anything VW (except the GTI and my old '67 beetle). I figured there were probably folks out there that would have killed for that car. But Ruttledge at least showed it some respect. Think The Hamster and that silly car he fell in love with in Africa...oh, wait.

The CRX was clapped out. The Aries? Who gives a berkeley.

Can't believe that anyone thinks they were filming the ZR1/Ferrari segment on anything but a closed road. I suppose you think that really was manure they put into the cars in the previous episode?

I'm liking this season better, too. It is funnier and the guys are relaxing a bit more. Adam's jokes are funnier, though it would help his delivery if he would quit dangling his arms like George Bush.

I'm starting to think that Tanner is the Stig.

It's a great show, funny and entertaining. If you're using TV to get real info for cars, you should give it up now.

Tanner is most likely The Stig--walks the same, small frame, similar driving style.

I liked that episode a lot--not as good as the jumping Caddy episode, which made me pee a little--but pretty good. It's entertainment.

Although it pisses me off when I hear that a berkeleystick like Chumlee drives a Maserati.

Brett_Murphy wrote: I'm starting to think that Tanner is the Stig.

I thought we all thought that from the first episode of season 1.

Basil Exposition wrote: Can't believe that anyone thinks they were filming the ZR1/Ferrari segment on anything but a closed road. I suppose you think that really was manure they put into the cars in the previous episode?

I don't think anybody thinks it was not a closed road. I'm just saying just film on tracks or drive on the right side of the road because they edit the show to try to make it look like they are just driving on open public roads. You mean the 'manure' that they themselves referred to as mulch on several occasions?

Drewsifer wrote: Are you also not impressed by the original Top Gear? Their show is filled with such stuff. Them destroying cars, questionable driving habits on closed roads, and mostly fluff pieces about super/hyper cars that don't compare so much as they show off. If yes, I have no issues. If no, ya dun goofed.

No, I am not a fan of the UK version. Don't understand why anyone in this country would like it as much as you guys do. It is mildly entertaining I guess and occasionally funny, but not something I go out of my way to watch. I find it tiresome and fake.

Rusted_Busted_Spit wrote: The only part that made me cringe was the Pawn Stars part. That part was poorly done but other than that is was an OK episode.

That was horribly done. It seemed very last minute & Rutledge's unenthusiastic commentary "The trash talking is flying" made it worse than it needed to be.

Best episode yet - there's hope for this show. I watched it on DVR back to back with the Car Show. Neither is perfect, but as other posters have said, it's better than watching people make cakes for an hour.