:iagree: Admittedly i have been thinking that the whole time, everything they do (or have done so far at least, and have said they will be doing) is just a copy of the others and done poorly in comparison. Now if I didn't know that already then US version would seem better, although all the previously mentioned complaints still stand. A good host can make crapping in shoe box watchable, if not entertaining, while someone with no character or creativity can make even the most riveting topic an intolerable experience to suffer through.

Yeah, but what can you do. Not naming it Top Gear, would make it seem like a cheap American Rip-Off. But having TG brand in the title casts a big shadow.

Still, I've been enjoying the show. I can understand the negative points people bring up, but it's really not that bad of a show lol. I enjoyed the whole EP, even the drift challange....

Well, it is still very new, so maybe the hosts will develop a more cohesive chemistry over the first season or two, and maybe they'll strike out with some original bits. I'm willing to give it a chance.

Does anyone else think that they don't portray the 'feel' of the cars they are reviewing? Something is missing in the video footage that makes me not take anything away from their segment about the cars. I feel like it's just video clip after clip of cars wooshing by. They miss the clips of the engine revving up in neutral, the clip of the car peeling away...things they capture in UK TG. With the Astons, I felt like I was watching dust trails more often than the cars. I actually fast forwarded most of this past episode. Segments are boring me...something is missing.

I do agree... not sure if it is the video or the fact that they don't capture the car well in the way that they describe it... jeremy has a way of capturing the key points about a car in 5-6 statements, and what he says is connected to the video... when he talks about the transmission not working in the ISF, you can see it trying to shift and hear it beeping (by the way, this was wrong! they forgot to put it in manual shift mode :))

Re hosts... the FLD host would have been good IMO


Hey, what do you guys think about a 'tuner' segment in the show? there's such a big aftermarket crowd in the U.S. - I'm thinking they should pick a car a week to showcase, maybe starting with our resident 1,000 hp build! lol

Riiiiiight. This statement made me laugh. I'm not picking on you, but when I read that, I started thinking of all the things Jeremy has said over the years and had to chuckle. A few examples:

Haha. I actually laughed some while reading through them.. But, as you can see, Jeremy is often far from factual (and even accurate) with his statements. We love him dearly, but lest we forget he doesn't like the Z... because it used to be a Datsun.

I think the big difference between the two shows right now is that the UK guys have 15 seasons under their belts, and all the experience (and improved humor) that comes along with it (not to mention their experience outside of TG), whereas the US guys have a measly 2 episodes under their belts, and not a whole lot of driving experience aside from Tanner. Give them 15 seasons, though, and I guarantee you they'll be much better.

Like someone said before, though, it's entertainment! These aren't supposed to be factual, realistic shows. Not everyone in the US is a redneck (s09e03), who would do all that to a Toyota Hilux (s03e05 and s03e06), and geeze, they've done a few episodes with racing a car vs people down a mountain (s04e09, s05e08, s15e05). Heck, Jeremy takes a Jaguar down a ski slope in the season 4 one! How is that any more factual or realistic than taking an Evo down?

I love the UK one, don't get me wrong. I think it's much better than the US one at this point, but again, they have 8 years and like > 120 episodes up on the US guys. Give it some time, and enjoy watching guys do crazy stuff with cars we'll never be able to afford!

lol, didn't say he was factual, said he has a way of "capturing the key points"... every car design has compromises and he finds them, and of course he does seem to hold strong to his bias against all things japan

appreciate the quotes! hilarious!

Fifth Gear Rules! ;)

Same. I skipped the entire "big stars little cars" nonsense. I couldn't seem to care even though I enjoy the UK version very much.

If only the US hosts could come up with that type of insanity. ;)

If you think any of these hosts US or UK are given a car and a camera crew and come up if their own whitty humor and stunts your dead wrong. There are writers coming up with this stuff. So give credit where credit is dew and complain about that. These guys are just hosts and deliver what is given to them. If you don't like the delivery then blame the director for not pulling out a good performance.

I agree, even at its current state, its better than any American car show I can think of. But it will never be as good as the British version. They have a big shoe to fill, but I think with time they'll be able to find a nice rythm.

My main gripe after watching the piece on the 370Z is it focused too much on the humor and competition that it completely forgot to review the car. The Brits are able to accomplish all of this without any effort.

Is it just me, but they grabbed 3 guys, 1 pro driver, 1 techno geek, and 1 comedian. It sounds like a fun and dynamic recipe but to me so far Tanner is the only one holding his own. The other 2 need to catch up and find their roles and run with it. Right now it just seems awkward.

The History channel (Discovery) show was originally sold to NBC a couple of years ago. NBC backed out presumbably when Knight Rider got crappy ratings. The current show was bought by Discovery for ten episodes. So, chances are pretty good that this show will disappear soon.

Also, the "Z" episode was sponsored by Mercedes. The BBC show is not commercial. It's hard to believe that a "Top Gear" show will be honest if their survival depends on the cars they are supposed to review.

In terms of the last episode, they did say that the Z is one of the best drift cars in the world. That doesn't impress me, but it is reasonably positive. The BBC guys don't hate the Z. They like to pick in Nissan by calling them Datsun. I kinda like that. My 240Z was a Datsun. Take a look at the Top Gear review of the 370. It was very positive. All they complained about was cabin noise. We all agree with that.

They did hate the 350. When they drove the 350 they were negative.

Except for Hammond. He loved the 350 roadster in that 350 vs. TT vs. Chrysler Crossfire episode.

To some extent, and I imagine much more on the UK show, the writers and hosts collaborate to come up with the dialog. I can't imagine the ego of Clarkson would allow the writers complete control over what he says when reviewing the car. Sure, the vast majority is written but some is definitely ad-libbed.

Actually, Rutledge is an avid Honda fan, and is currently working on a project car and posting in some honda forum somewhere.

Top Gear — Rutledge's Project Car — History.com Videos

As far as TG UK and the 350 is concerned, back in 2002 they did a feature of all the previous Z generations and Jezza was full of praise regarding the 240z. He just said that the generations got progressively worse as they migrated to the 300zx (Z31, the Z32 was not included in the feature). He stated they were being built for the "fat" Americans and the car were becoming sofas when compared to the original 240.

Then they panned to the upcoming 350z concept car of 2002, and were very enthusiastic about its release. Unfortunately, after its release, Jezza felt let down by the car, and started making fun of it (it was designed in America, by a Indian man from England, and equipped with a lackluster French engine). He hasn't let up since even when describing the performance increase of the 370 (I think it's the French bit that gets to him).

Z Gens and 350z review:
YouTube - Top Gear - Nissan 350Z

350z vs All previous Gens:
YouTube - 300ZX Twin Turbo: Then And Now-Z Generations Battle

I'll tell you one thing... The z32 turbo's were fast back in the mid 90's, but I assure you, the one in that race was not "stock", and neither was that 260z that tied with the 350.

I have a total love-hate relationship with Top Gear. I've seen mostly all of the UK episodes, and I'm watching the US one. I feel compelled to. The production values are the highest of any car show, its the most professionally filmed and has some genuinely gold moments.

I'm clearly a fan. But I f***ing hate it at the same time.

It infuriates me how they invent these batshit crazy 'tests' and pretend (poorly) that they're actually genuinely done. Not only are they mostly pointless, but even worse, they're all lies. I was SO intrigued by the Evo's traction control with the separate 'tarmac, gravel, snow' modes. And they test it by... "racing" down a hill against some f***ing skiers. I mean, seriously?

Plus Top Gear tests are ALWAYS neck-and-neck, and there's ALWAYS some flashy, blatantly set up artsy shot, like the skiers managing to jump over the path the Evo took at the EXACT moment it passes underneath them. Sure, BBC. Sure.

That blind man. He's not blind. You can see him looking around the cabin when he gets into the Z. And I refuse to believe that a blind man could ever have done that drift parking move so precisely with a month's practice, let along a few hours - apparently having just learned to drive stick shift, too. Pull the other one, BBC.

Yes, exactly. I didn't find them funny at all and it felt scripted.

Hrrmmm... I think maybe you're taking the show a bit too seriously. I find those "challenges" funny and entertaining. You're obviously looking for a bit more of the "hard news".

I don't think Top Gear BBC is going to bend your way any time soon. They're pretty successful with the way they're going, so I doubt they'll change it.

*****EDIT*****
Oh, ok, I get it. Re-read your post and I see you were bailing on the US version of Top Gear, not the BBC one.

Alright, disregard everything I said above (which, I believe, is what everyone does by default anyways!).

One day, I'll learn how to read AND comprehend!

Yesssssss.

I may have seen one or two British episodes so I realy don't have any complaints about the American version.

That is the heritage of the Z and all the Nissans, like you said the 240Z was a Datsun.

After working for 3 years as a tech at Nissan dealer. I have driven a couple nissans. The old 300Z turbos (89-96) were fast. I have trouble believing the 260Z is that quick. Nissan in general is the worst manufacture I have seen for having Wednesday cars. Every once in while you take a car for a test drive and it just sets you in your seat. I drive a 01 or 02 Max that was stock that lit the tires up for a couple feet not just a chirp at 40mph. I have been in 03 manual that would scratch hitting 3rd. Most of the 300Z are ragged out and just a shadow of their former selves, or modded out pretty well. There were a couple nice ones but we didn't drive them hard or they were well enough maintained that they didn't need a test drive to diagnoise a problem.

here is what Clarkson thought of the 370z. Not sure what they were thinking/smoking when they decided to use a dinosaur theme for this comparo

YouTube - Top Gear - BMW Z4 vs. Nissan 370Z

I just downloaded the episode, I wish they'd put the 370 on a track and time it. I must say however that the US version of Top Gear is a lot better than the Australian version, so far.

Just watched the it for the first time tonight as it was replaying the 370z/evo episode.
I must say it wasn't as bad as everyone in here let on. I mean it did feel scripted but all it all i enjoyed it. I wish they didnt call the race driver the stig though..