New resonably priced car as warned by HJ, and same place and track - Dunsfold.
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
|
Not often I say this about Top Gear - best in a long, long time.
That carwash - absolutely hilarious!
|
Absolute cracker. The whole family is in tears...
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
|
I haven't laughed so much for yonks - well until I heard about Prescott having affairs...:-)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
|
I was in stiches and crying when I saw the car wash ablaze!
|
|
A hoot, but is the well spoken gent someone I should know of?
|
but is the well spoken gent someone I should know of?>>
Think Princess Di?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What's for you won't pass you by
|
Well if the Koenigsegg (sorry about the spelling) is that good a Nicotine substitute, can I have it on the national health? Certainly entertaining television... 3 schoolboys doing what all schoolboys dream of doing!
Tim{P}
|
|
|
|
Think male 'slapper' and you'll be about right!
|
Or:
tinyurl.com/kxydo
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What's for you won't pass you by
|
|
|
|
|
That Household Cavelry bloke, affair and all that? ... Name escapes me, or do you mean a Spencer? The news I read sadly doesn't come with too many pictures.
|
Hewitt..?
Brilliant programme tonight though. Hope it is a stadard setter for the rest of the series.
|
See the link I provided...:-)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What's for you won't pass you by
|
"See the link I provided...:-)"
That's the bunny - thanks, you're post wasn't there when I replied earlier.
|
so how much will it cost to fix the konigsegsegseg then?
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
|
|
|
The on screen chemistry between the presenters and them acting like naughty schoolboys is why TG is light years ahead of pale imitaions like Fifth Gear.
Did that car wash really catch fire or was that a set up?
|
|
Yes chemistry and naught schoolboys, couldn't have put it better. Plus none of them have a voice like nails on a blackboard (Penny Mallory) which helps, VBH on the other hand...
|
|
Hmm. Maybe they could bring VBH onto Top Gear? Actually, she should do a TomTom voice. :)
|
Please, no!! I have completely the reverse view. Penny Mallory is fine, the squealing, over excited VBH drives me up the wall.
JH
|
|
The production staff who (presumably) set up the various escapades and stunts must be a brilliant gathering of mischievous minds...:-)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What's for you won't pass you by
|
|
Well what waste of a perfectly serviceable Espace on Top Gear tonight. Quite like the shape of the Chevy Lacetti too but I wouldn't ant the ex Top Gear one. Who was the very nice man first to drive?
|
I fail to understand the backroomer's continuing hatred of Top Gear. No it's not scientific or especially informative - it doesn't pretend to be. It's just fun.
And I feel a need to point out everyone who seems to rant on about it, are often found watching it when it's on - so how bad can it really be?
|
|
Is there a Tuesday repeat?
|
|
BBC 2 - Monday (today) 7 pm - 1900 if you like!
|
|
Well what waste of a perfectly serviceable Espace on Top Gear tonight.
Which is now being used to service other Espaces :-)
|
I want a topless espace. Without all the carp they put on top - it looked real cool...
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
|
TVM,
I have an angle grinder....TVM-R (minus roof?)
StarGazer
|
A real hoot last night, that clip where they drove the Espace immediately after removing the roof was hysterical.
Great fun all round.
|
|
|
|
On Capri, they run convertible Nissan Prairies as taxis - I've got some photos from when I was there last year, will post them later. _Very_ similar to the convertible Espace.
I won't have a word said against Penny - Used car roadshow is a really good show; Jason thingy is very good on it, as is Penny as ever. Someone should replace VBH with the twentysomething blonde she thinks she is. Or that girl who drives a taxi around the 'Ring.
TG last night was excellent though, really enjoyed it.
Lee -- You don\'t sell the steak, you sell the sizzle
|
|
Citroenian. I recall that not only are these taxis on Capri topless but they have been stretched too. The scuttle shake must be something horrendous! Mind you, the roads aren't too bad and I don't suppose they tarvel very fast. I agree about the lady presenters; when you speak of a lady driving a taxi round the 'Ring' are you referring to that fireball who beat JC round there in a diesel Jag and frightened the pants off the Hamster in a Ford Transit? Sabine Schmidt (spelling?)- bring her on!
|
>>Sabine Schmidt (spelling?)- bring her on!>>
What a driver that girl is - makes even VBH seem slow sometimes...:-)
I was under the impression that she was supposed to appear on Top Gear but it never materialised.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
|
TG did bring her over for a token appearance after her epic lap(s) in the Jaguar but I guess the logistics of getting her over from Germany, or getting her to live here, defeated the system. If you lived near the Nurburgring and lapped it for a living would YOU want to come to Dunsfold and be the butt of the laddish humour of the TG team? Probably not!
|
dunsfold is actually a fabulous place to live. If I had access to the TG track and the machinery Stig is driving?
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
|
|
|
|
AS - you're right, I think they may be stretched too. Certainly they use stretched Marea saloon convertibles there. I'll dig out my photos when I get home - sad as I, I took some while I was there of these taxis!!!
Yes, it is Sabine I was thinking of. Can't understand why no other TV show has picked her up (unless she's already busy enough/doing German TV?). Great driver, feisty and eye-pleasing too. I've had enough of VBH gurning to camera.
If she doesn't fancy staying near the track, we've got a spare room she'd be welcome to while she does the filming... :-)
Lee -- You don\'t sell the steak, you sell the sizzle
|
Hilarious! Pure entertainment. The bit with the Espace was extremely funny, even Jeremy looked like he was crying with laughter.
Even my non-car mad wife loves this programme now!
|
|
|
|
Cironean - we are both right! The stretched ones are Mareas I now recall; whatever they are I bet they are 'bendy'
|
Marea, Marea, I've just met a car called Marea....:-)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
Fantastic!
Only problem is, I'm left wondering whether I can have my Fabia sprayed in Micra pink, and where I can get a labradoodle...
|
I hear one or two local hairdressers would love a pink Konigsegsegseg.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
I thought it was probably the best Top Gear I've seen, no silly backchat with the spectators, no comments about Hammond's teeth.
Good all the way through - silly, but laughably silly and I thought that was the best thing to do with an Espace - well, it's a start anyway!
|
Bit annoyiung the labradoodle thing - we've been looking at getting one and I think Top Gear Dog will do bad things to their values if you're looking to buy!!
If you can't get pink in the fabia, Gold is pretty awful too!
groups.msn.com/honestjohn/vehicles.msnw?action=Sho...1
:-)
Lee -- You don\'t sell the steak, you sell the sizzle
|
It's a pity they seem to be sidelining James May in the studio.
The dog had a bigger role!
|
|
The long hair suits the labradoodle but I do not think it suits JM! Maybe that is why he is on the sidelines?
|
Also watchable on your computer via
www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/programmes/?id=top_gear
as I am doing now!
Good entertainment
--
Phil
|
Are we going to have nodding labrapoodles as well as nodding Busters now?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
A Top Gear versus Fifth gear challenge around the track could be a good idea, driving the chevy Lacetti.
Clarkson v Needell
Sabine v VBH.......
|
Well what waste of a perfectly serviceable Espace on Top Geartonight.
For goodness sake man! lighten up! A 11yo Espace is worth.. er my licence fee for 1 year. Money well spent i'd say.
On a slight digress apparently the current Stig is more than one person?
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stig
(copy and paste)
|
That explains the variation in musical tastes...:-)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
I wrote a small review of the new episode here if anyone would like to check it out. -
www.clubtopgear.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=291
Spoiler Warning though!
I dont want this to be spam so fell free to post about this board on mine, it looks like you have a nice board here.
I hope you guys enjoy the new season!
Drew
|
I thought it was called the Lacetti rather than the name on the website you mention.
It was heavily advertised for quite some time a little while back so it's surprising that such contributors haven't already come across it.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
|
yeah well Lacette and Lacetti are not that different i guess, easy mistake to make. And they do not sell this car here in the USA. Anyone know what car its built off of? There must be a car we have here under one of the GM badges that is basicly the same car.
|
I think in a former life it was the Daewoo Nubira.
|
Here is a whole tone of info about the "Chevy Lacetti" its sold under many different names and bages all over the world. Its a Suzuki Forenza here in the USA.
"The Daewoo Nubira is a lineup of compact sedans and station wagons made by South Korean GM Daewoo. Visually identical models of its second generation are currently also sold as Chevrolet Lacetti in some European markets, Chevrolet Optra in Canada,Central America, South America, India, Pakistan, Arabia, Southeast Asia, and South Africa, Suzuki Forenza in the United States, Buick Excelle in China, and Holden Viva in Australia and New Zealand.
The first generation car, model J100, was released to the market in 1997 as Daewoo Nubira, and it was sold until 1999. The car takes its name from the Korean word Nubira, which means "to go everywhere". It was developed as a replacement for the GM T platform-based Daewoo Nexia and designed by Italian I.DE.A Institute. Both sedan and station wagon models were available.
In 2000, the first generation underwent over 90 improvements and was re-released as model J150. Examples of these include an increase in passenger space and reduction in noise, harshness and vibration, particularly from the engine by adding a fourth engine mount and by tuning the intake resonators. In addition, the exterior design was reworked by Daewoo's Worthing Technical Centre in the United Kingdom, creating a more dynamic image.
In 2003, model J200, a new Pininfarina-designed sedan, was unveiled, and the expansion of the lineup followed by a presentation of the new station wagon in 2004. However, in its home market, the Nubira name was dropped in favour of Daewoo Lacetti for this whole range of models.
The Suzuki Forenza went on sale in the United States in 2004, filling the gap in the Suzuki lineup since the cancellation of the Suzuki Esteem sedan and wagon in 2001.
In Europe the sedan version was also sold as Daewoo Nubira, but late in 2003 it was announced that Daewoo will be rebranded as a Chevrolet on the European markets and sales of the Chevrolet Nubira began early in 2004, initially only in Eastern Europe. Following the rebranding of Daewoo products as a Chevrolets across Europe, Nubiras were renamed Chevrolet Lacetti on some markets, thereby expanding the Lacetti lineup to include not only a 5-door hatchback, but also sedan and station wagon models, in line with Korea.
The engines built for the Nubira and its badge engineered twins are the same as in Lacetti hatchback and its badge engineered versions. All of them are gasoline-powered 4-cylinder engines.
Since 2005, the European Lacetti sedan is used as a base for race cars competing in the WTCC touring car championship, and in spring of the same year Chevrolet released the first pictures of a street legal concept car based on the race cars from this championship and called Lacetti WTCC R+. The concept car is powered by an 1.8 L E-TEC II engine available in production models, but with a power increased from 122 hp (90 kW) on 172 hp (127 kW) through supercharging. Its acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) is estimated at 8 seconds and it is able to reach the top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph)."
|
Here is a whole tone of info about the "Chevy Lacetti"
the Lacetti lineup to include not only a 5-door hatchback, but also sedan and station wagon models,
Lacetti Station Wagon - aka Vauxhall Vectra estate.
www.chevrolet.co.uk/images/info/news_events/lacet_...g
|
Labradoodles originated in Australia, and they are popular for competitive and obedience sports. Its a pity that hammond put his pet on the show (yes its his). Now the labradoodle secret is out everyone will want one. A pity specially as the cross breed is prone to throw out some real genetic monsters from time to time. Someone I know has one that is, without doubt, the most stupid beast on 4 legs.
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
|
I've always thought that TG was a sort of whacky Blue Peter for immature motoring enthusiasts*. The appearance of the TG dog sort of confirms this.
* NB: I include myself happily in this description.
_______
IanS
|
|
aka Vauxhall Astra estate more like?
|
aka Vauxhall Astra estate more like?
It's a close call, whichever one it is.
|
I'm no video expert but if the Micra were a still photo I would say it had been attacked with Photoshop. The contrast against the background seemed unreal. Surely nothing is that pink? You could blind people!
JH
|
I'm no video expert but if the Micra were a still photo I would say it had been attacked with Photoshop. The contrast against the background seemed unreal. Surely nothing is that pink? You could blind people! JH
Yeah, I noticed the one in the studio (was it the same car?) was quite a bit more subdued in hue. I'm sure the colour was enhanced on the film.
It was a great show overall, and judging by the responses in this thread and elsewhere it was very well received. Which makes this critic's view all the more inexplicable...
www.guardian.co.uk/tv_and_radio/story/0,,1770558,0...l
You can almost taste the bitterness.
|
..and he calls other people a ----...:-)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What's for you won't pass you by
|
Yeah, I read this today; not normally a Grauniad reader but that was a nasty article. I think there must be more than a little history between the writer and the TG team. Perhaps he's related to Piers Morgan who I understand ended up on the wrong end of JCs queensbury rules.
I'd be interested to see what TV the writer did like...
Lee -- You don\'t sell the steak, you sell the sizzle
|
|
Reason number 2342 why I don't read the Guardian. Talk about no sense of humour.
|
Reason number 2342 why I don't read the Guardian. Talk about no sense of humour.
and me too.........
|
>>Reason number 2342 why I don't read the Guardian.>>
As few reasons as that...?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
The statement in the newspaper article that "I was once motoring editor of this paper)" almost certainly explains why "You can almost taste the bitterness" - he just doesn't get to do the fun stuff any more.
Jack
|
You could almost get the impression that The Guardian writer didn't enjoy the programme.
Well, that's all right - to each his own - he does come over as incredibly po-faced though.
|
Wow, the Guardian really blasted the show! I don?t agree with that article but there is a little truth to it. It seems Top Gear has gotten hokier than ever before. I would just like to see them spend more time testing cars and less time with their little skits, like it used to be. Seems like they are trying to hard or something.
I mean in addition to the fake cars wash fire I also thought it was really stupid that they covered the roof with pieces of fruit. Sat a bunch of monkeys on it, started the cameras up and then pretended to be scared of them. Ok I?m starting to sound too much like the Guardian! LOL I know it?s supposed to be ?tongue and cheek? comedy but it just didn?t work for me.
But I still love the show!
|
TG is almost becoming the new "Monkees" show. I prefer 5th Gear, which is in the style of the Gadget show on C5. Mind you thats not immune from its stupid moments like when they got Vikki to recreate a James Bond stunt, et al.
I started off thinking the Used Car Show thing on Men and Motors with Penny I was a rally driver and Fatboy Someone was crap, but compared to the mainstream stuff its actually quite good.
I will still watch every moment however.
|
It's been said on here before. You want to laugh out loud at something funny that just happens to involve cars, you watch Top Gear.
You want to watch something about cars - Fifth Gear.
I'll be honest - I've found myself only catching Fifth Gear on some obscure channel when I'm bored and even then, I never usually make it back to it after the adverts.
|
catching Fifth Gear on some >>
You really had to marvel at the bloke on this week's show who had a huge area full of some of the world's best supercars...:-)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
I have to say the Monkey thing was a bit badly done.
1/ Leaving the fruit and stuff on the roof for all to see detracted from the "realism" of the stunt.
2/ Secondly, They must have been drugged. The monkeys I know at Longleat would have ripped that roof to shreds in seconds, got inside and ripped the ears and noses off Jezzer and co faster than you can say "CUT"
2/ We assume the burning carwash was a hoax or stunt - was it? anyone got the real story?
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
|
|
I'm with TVM on his points 1 & 2. Re the burning car wash, I wonder what it cost the BEEB/us to fix a £1 million car wash? I admit to watching it by myself and laughing out loud at the fire but I think it was an expensive laugh!
|
It was one motor that caught fire. I suspect it was probably a stunt given one of the camera shots was right by it.
How much would one motor cost to replace? A far cry from a million quid.
Mind you - I was still in tears so I don't really care!
|
I have to say the Monkey thing was a bit badly done. 1/ Leaving the fruit and stuff on the roof for all to see detracted from the "realism" of the stunt.
It also probably encourages the idiots who drive around safari parks with slabs of meat on their bonnet and feeding animals through the windows. Not that I think it's in any way TG's responsibility to not do so, people make their own (idiotic) decisions.
2/ Secondly, They must have been drugged. The monkeys I know at Longleat would have ripped that roof to shreds in seconds, got inside and ripped the ears and noses off Jezzer and co faster than you can say "CUT"
Wasn't paying much attention during the monkey bit, but while they were in with the lions, in the in-car shots, you could clearly see a reflection directly behind Clarkson - the three presenters were inside a plexiglass shield of some kind.
|
>>the three presenters were inside a plexiglass shield of some kind.>>
As well as clearly being shadowed by the safari park staff's 4x4s - no doubt equipped with shotguns in case of emergency.
Even so they might have still inadvertently shot one or more of the three presenters if the lions had got too close to them...:-)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
|
Guys, guys. Don't over analysis it. It takes the fun out of what was entertaining TV. Accept it for what it was/is. It is the same as movies on dvd. Once you start watching the extras on how stunts and effects are done it takes the sheen off.
|
|
You mean the car wash didn't actually catch fire, but used special effects, such as dry ice or a smoke grenade to simulate a fire?
|
Well thats one life experience ruined then, I can't watch top gear ever again now.
Thanks Dave
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
|
Mmmmmmmmm, heavy sarcasm duly noted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
