Top Gear: Could Their Big Race Challenge Be Gtr Vs ?

[God_speed]

I agree with akeenan. I just caught the episode through a torrent and was a bit disappointed particularly in the amount of time / discussion devoted to the car. I also thought there'd be a bit more about the Japanese culture, but oh well.

Before bringing on the stars in the reasonably-priced car, JC did say they'd be doing a track feature on the GT-R later in the series, so we can look forward to that.

Also, after they repeatedly referred to it as a Datsun (in a derogatory way) my respect level for James and the Hamster also went down! By Richard's logic, his beloved Porsches should then be called Volkswagens.

Edited July 14, 2008 by God_speed

[funkymonkey]

lol and they referred to the GTR as having descended from the 120Y... which is a Sunny/Sentra these days. i guess the brits didn't get the skylines n 240K's like we did?

[scathing]

was a bit disappointed particularly in the amount of time / discussion devoted to the car. I also thought there'd be a bit more about the Japanese culture, but oh well.

Have you ever watched Top Gear before? None of the "epic races" are car reviews.

They hardly ever mention anything useful about the countries they're travelling through. The fact that some Japanese cuisine even gets mentioned gives it more culture than what they normally do, and its not a travel show.

Also, after they repeatedly referred to it as a Datsun (in a derogatory way) my respect level for James and the Hamster also went down! By Richard's logic, his beloved Porsches should then be called Volkswagens.

Clarkson regularly refers to 911's as trumped-up Beetles.

[Snowman]

I thought the race was great. I laughed heaps and really that is what they are all about.

[limpus]

Ultimately the show is about entertainment...if you want proper car reviews then you're watching the wrong show...

As far as entertainment goes...i think it was great...the gtr looks awesome in red...

[Angus Smart]

and he said the car came alive it became what he wanted when the mountain climb was happening!!

haha and all before this it was boring on the dual road ways.. like of cause its boring on the highway

[Snowman]

It actually reminded me of the day I took a 997 Turbo for a spin. The first part of the drive was just highway cruising and to be honest I wasn't impressed at all. Then we got into the twisties and I could not believe how great the car was when being driven 10/10ths. It was only after we had the fanging session that I appreciated on the return home drive how good it was on the highways as it was so nice and relaxing to drive back. It is so rare that something that can be that good in the fun stuff can be so nice and easy in the boring stuff too. The E92 M3 is the same.

Like my R34 GT-R is awesome in the fun stuff but the exhaust drone and the stiff suspension can slowly get on your nerves as you cruise along the Hume for 3hrs and it is also not a heap of fun in super heavy traffic. And driving around in an F430 or a Gallardo is much the same. But I think the R35 is going to be like those other 2 cars in that they are great for a fanging session but are subdued and nice for everything else.

[God_speed]

Have you ever watched Top Gear before? None of the "epic races" are car reviews.

They hardly ever mention anything useful about the countries they're travelling through. The fact that some Japanese cuisine even gets mentioned gives it more culture than what they normally do, and its not a travel show.

Clarkson regularly refers to 911's as trumped-up Beetles.

Yeah, ta mate, I've actually downloaded all of the more modern Top Gear seasons 1-current and have an old Top Gear Supercars VHS tape from 1991-odd lying around somewhere...

I know TG's all about entertainment, my point is that it didn't seem as much of an "epic adventure" like some of the other ones, IMO. It's probably just the fact that anticipation was so high for this particular race and I'm a GT-R owner and fan. I guess when I see the ep a second time I might change my view of it slightly.

I also know that Jez hates Porsches as much as Richard loves them, just hope the other two give the GT-R respect where it's due!

[Atomnaya]

The episode was very disappointing. Although it was very close, it didn't have the 'epicness' of the other races. In my mind clarkson didn't really liked the car as much as he would have thought. He also didn't explain much of the car itself too, just the gismo's etc. I guess if they did a race in europe it would have been a bit more interesting (especially if it was on the autobahn).

[Redback]

yet to see it.. i like stoping everything and watching it on SBS.. so ill wait a year.. ill only download if i miss an eppisode... our house stops for top gear... neiboures and everything come around to watch on the big screen.... wouldnt waste that time by just downloading the episodes

[lingeringsoul]

I just finished watching it, and boy did I have a big grin on my face. This one of the best episodes ever, even the Stars in a reasonably priced car was entertaining. I just love Japan and the fact they are doing this race across the country race in my favourite car makes it all the more enjoyable. Frankly, who really cares if Jezza likes the car of not, just seeing and hearing the car in action just makes my day. I wonder, are all petrol stations in Japan like that? I mean, when was the last time anyone got out of the station to fill up your car and wipe your window with such professionalism. The more I see of Japan, the easier it is to decide where I want to live later in life.

[God_speed]

I just finished watching it, and boy did I have a big grin on my face. This one of the best episodes ever, even the Stars in a reasonably priced car was entertaining. I just love Japan and the fact they are doing this race across the country race in my favourite car makes it all the more enjoyable. Frankly, who really cares if Jezza likes the car of not, just seeing and hearing the car in action just makes my day. I wonder, are all petrol stations in Japan like that? I mean, when was the last time anyone got out of the station to fill up your car and wipe your window with such professionalism. The more I see of Japan, the easier it is to decide where I want to live later in life.

Yeah one of those newsreader girls looked kinda cute... and how about that Alfa 8C - absolutely stunning. Apparently there will be a new one coming out soon to celebrate Alfa Romeo's 100th in 2010... Like Jeremy if I had that amount of dosh I wouldn't be that fussed with the way it handles - the way it looks and sounds would be enough

[lingeringsoul]

next week they do a proper review/test on a japanese race track.

[Snowman]

Yeah one of those newsreader girls looked kinda cute... and how about that Alfa 8C - absolutely stunning. Apparently there will be a new one coming out soon to celebrate Alfa Romeo's 100th in 2010... Like Jeremy if I had that amount of dosh I wouldn't be that fussed with the way it handles - the way it looks and sounds would be enough

It'd probably end up costing an epic amount of dosh here given Austraila has been allocated just 3 of the 500 8C's being made. (and another 3 of the 8C ragtops as well).

[lingeringsoul]

one of these day, I'm going to buy an alfa just to see what the fuss is all about.......

[Ry34]

"He can spot your beaver from a mile away"

[666DAN]

"He can spot your beaver from a mile away"

LOL it's just a double-entendre because he's a big animal "enthusiast" he's watched lots of beavers on his programs "Springwatch" and his DVD's "How To Watch Wildlife"

Was a good call though

[limpus]

"He can spot your beaver from a mile away"

That was the most hilarious comment from that episode!!!

[Amir]

JC turned the sat nav off on purpose. There was no traffic in Tokyo so he knew he had won.

Also I had no idea each gtr has a specific gearbox mated to that cars engine. That a gearbox from another gtr cannot be interchanged? Unless he was BSing

[Fat_Tony]

Probably the worst top gear race ever.

Hardly even mentioned anything about the car.

Only managed to put it race mode for the last bit.