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Top Gear #1629823
17/02/2019 20:59
17/02/2019 20:59
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 33,521
Berlin
barnacle Offline OP
Club Member 18 - ex-Minister without Portfolio
barnacle  Offline OP
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Berlin
Time to start the debate again!

In this one, an awful lot of Norwegian roads the Barmybob and I drove along a couple of years back - including the Atlantic Highway and the TrollStiegen. laugh


[Linked Image]
Don't get no respect! Coupe Fiat 1994-2000 - an owner's guide <-- clicky!
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1629827
17/02/2019 22:14
17/02/2019 22:14
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline
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Brilly1uk  Offline
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Posts: 2,162
Glos
Certainly great scenery!


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1629828
17/02/2019 22:20
17/02/2019 22:20
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 21,482
Aldershot
PeteP Offline
Hon Club Member 005, Membership Secretary
PeteP  Offline
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Forum Fossil

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 21,482
Aldershot
I tried to watch it and lasted until they got silly battering a Suzuki Ignis and a Fiat Panda Cross into rocks going off-road up a great big hill.

The scenery was good especially the Norwegian part.


16VT and X1/9 1500

We must all do our part for the planet.
I unplugged a row of electric cars that nobody was using.
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1629854
18/02/2019 14:37
18/02/2019 14:37
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
jimboy Offline
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jimboy  Offline
Club Member 857
Forum is my life

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
Aye, scenery was good.


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1629861
18/02/2019 16:21
18/02/2019 16:21
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 130
Hemel Hempstead
Freddie Offline
On a journey
Freddie  Offline
On a journey

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 130
Hemel Hempstead
The roads looked great, I need to take the coupe there


Freddie
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1629869
18/02/2019 18:54
18/02/2019 18:54
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 33,521
Berlin
barnacle Offline OP
Club Member 18 - ex-Minister without Portfolio
barnacle  Offline OP
Club Member 18 - ex-Minister without Portfolio
Forum Demigod

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 33,521
Berlin
80kph speed limits on the vast majority of roads, rigidly enforced...


[Linked Image]
Don't get no respect! Coupe Fiat 1994-2000 - an owner's guide <-- clicky!
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1629870
18/02/2019 19:23
18/02/2019 19:23
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline
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Posts: 2,162
Glos
Generally a mixed bag???? confused
No real surprise Matt Le Blanc is stepping down.
By way of comparison, I also watched the latest Grand Tour, which was enjoyable and frustrating to an equal degree with TG.
Both formats need a new direction as they are both getting a little tired?
That said, I am glad they are both still around as I enjoy their petrolhead content. smile


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1629883
19/02/2019 09:17
19/02/2019 09:17
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
Club member 1924
Gripped  Offline
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Forum is my job

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Yeah. They are flogging an old format and the chemistry between the presenters just isn't there for me. I just enjoyed watching the Fiat win ... And yes the scenery was stunning.

As above, I'm glad they are both still around, but the format is tired.

Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1629892
19/02/2019 17:23
19/02/2019 17:23
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 33,521
Berlin
barnacle Offline OP
Club Member 18 - ex-Minister without Portfolio
barnacle  Offline OP
Club Member 18 - ex-Minister without Portfolio
Forum Demigod

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 33,521
Berlin
Whatever Sabine is smoking, I think I could use some!


[Linked Image]
Don't get no respect! Coupe Fiat 1994-2000 - an owner's guide <-- clicky!
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1629919
20/02/2019 13:48
20/02/2019 13:48
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,937
North wales
pinin_prestatyn Offline
Forum veteran
pinin_prestatyn  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,937
North wales
Tyres I think, Neil.

I find I have to force myself to watch TG now. I used to look forward to viewing it. The Grand Tour is pants too. Maybe I’m just getting old?



Coopless!
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1629921
20/02/2019 14:21
20/02/2019 14:21
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 130
Hemel Hempstead
Freddie Offline
On a journey
Freddie  Offline
On a journey

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 130
Hemel Hempstead
Mind you I thought the panda looked good against the ugly Suzuki,not sure about the rear end of the Ignis though sick


Freddie
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1629924
20/02/2019 15:41
20/02/2019 15:41
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
jimboy Offline
Club Member 857
jimboy  Offline
Club Member 857
Forum is my life

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
Top Gear is really rather crappy these days, apart from the cars. Blanc the Yank is off after this series. No surprises there, I'm not going into specifics. There was a time, there was a time. driving


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1630232
01/03/2019 08:33
01/03/2019 08:33
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,462
Kent
Submariner Offline
My job on the forum
Submariner  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,462
Kent
Got free Prime for a month, now watching The Grand Tour with a coffee and enjoying the Colombia Special, laugh out loud panto moments. The presenters do appear to have stuffed pillows in their shirts.

Last edited by Submariner; 01/03/2019 18:09.
Re: Top Gear [Re: Submariner] #1630262
01/03/2019 20:33
01/03/2019 20:33
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Originally Posted by Submariner
Got free Prime for a month, now watching The Grand Tour with a coffee and enjoying the Colombia Special, laugh out loud panto moments. The presenters do appear to have stuffed pillows in their shirts.


A fine advert for comfortable living and middle age! laugh


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1630484
07/03/2019 21:28
07/03/2019 21:28
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,051
South Cambs
B
Barmybob Offline
Hon Club Member: 003
Barmybob  Offline
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Je suis un Coupé
B

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,051
South Cambs
Originally Posted by barnacle
Time to start the debate again!

In this one, an awful lot of Norwegian roads the Barmybob and I drove along a couple of years back - including the Atlantic Highway and the TrollStiegen. laugh


Some very good memories from that trip.


Gone Audi mad!
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1630550
11/03/2019 13:09
11/03/2019 13:09
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
Club member 1924
Gripped  Offline
Club member 1924
Forum is my job

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Not a bad episode last night. Though a classic return of the "buy the most ridiculous car for £6k" and compare it with a Dacia.

Still no chemistry between the presenters though IMO....

Re: Top Gear [Re: Gripped] #1630559
11/03/2019 18:18
11/03/2019 18:18
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
jimboy Offline
Club Member 857
jimboy  Offline
Club Member 857
Forum is my life

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
Deja vu came to mind..... chinny


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1630703
15/03/2019 12:14
15/03/2019 12:14
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline
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Competition Level

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Watched it on catch up.
They possibly could have come up with some more intriguing £6k options? idea


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1630789
18/03/2019 16:41
18/03/2019 16:41
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
Club member 1924
Gripped  Offline
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Forum is my job

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
I actually enjoyed TG last night. The fiesta ST review was good, and I'm biased as it was all filmed in Wales. Llandow circuit also featured.

I still think the chemistry between the 3 presenters is forced though.

200bhp from a 3 cylinder 1.5litre turbo engine is pretty impressive too.

Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1630804
18/03/2019 21:56
18/03/2019 21:56
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline
Club member 1034
Competition Level

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
I agree Toby the last TG episode was a good one.
The Fiesta review had me reminiscing about my old XR2 which was pretty slow in today's terms, but was great fun on a b-road.
The ST is a good size....food for thought????


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1630842
19/03/2019 20:55
19/03/2019 20:55
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 416
uk
OnlyItalian Offline
Enjoying the ride
OnlyItalian  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 416
uk
My favourite moment was Harris's introduction to the compact SUV class.


"Proud owner of LE141 and a 99 VIS broomie "
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1630844
20/03/2019 07:17
20/03/2019 07:17
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
I’m absolutely with Harris on usable power. Even the 310bhp in my SL was pointless most of the time. For driving fun, give me a nimble, light car every day of the week. For a long motorway journey, my old E320 CDI is almost every bit as good as the SL.

To Brilly’s point, my Sud Ti QV, with a tarmac shredding 105bhp, was just fabulous on the back roads of Sussex

And, yes, SUVs we agree on too. China has to take quite a lot of the blame for the flood of SUVs, especially the “prestige” badges, because you’ll almost never see an estate in China: saloon, people carrier or SUV. I’m sure that’s why the Alfa Stelvio (still yet to see one on U.K. roads) exists.

Re: Top Gear [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1630847
20/03/2019 08:38
20/03/2019 08:38

S
suba
Unregistered
suba
Unregistered
S



Originally Posted by MeanRedSpider
I’m absolutely with Harris on usable power. Even the 310bhp in my SL was pointless most of the time. For driving fun, give me a nimble, light car every day of the week. For a long motorway journey, my old E320 CDI is almost every bit as good as the SL.

To Brilly’s point, my Sud Ti QV, with a tarmac shredding 105bhp, was just fabulous on the back roads of Sussex

And, yes, SUVs we agree on too. China has to take quite a lot of the blame for the flood of SUVs, especially the “prestige” badges, because you’ll almost never see an estate in China: saloon, people carrier or SUV. I’m sure that’s why the Alfa Stelvio (still yet to see one on U.K. roads) exists.


Ditto - could not agree more. :-)

Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1630856
20/03/2019 17:04
20/03/2019 17:04
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline
Club member 1034
Competition Level

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Saw loads of Stelvios in Geneva last week - they are a popular holiday rental, but very few here in the UK.
They are a BIG car in the flesh and to my eye, a tad ugly at the rear? shocked

MRS - I would certainly have loved to have driven a Sud on a b-road back in the day, but once I had a Golf after the XR2, I was pretty blinkered, so missed the chance. crazy


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1630860
20/03/2019 19:41
20/03/2019 19:41
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 416
uk
OnlyItalian Offline
Enjoying the ride
OnlyItalian  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 416
uk
Sud grip was mental. A mate scared the crap out of me turning right at a roundabout when I assumed we were going straight on!


"Proud owner of LE141 and a 99 VIS broomie "
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1630867
21/03/2019 02:23
21/03/2019 02:23
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,051
South Cambs
B
Barmybob Offline
Hon Club Member: 003
Barmybob  Offline
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Je suis un Coupé
B

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,051
South Cambs
The little Fiesta did look and sound interesting.

Sadly most modern 4 pots sound boring. Without the induction roar through throaty carburettors the 4 cylinder struggles to inspire much emotion. Many manufacturers now add speakers, attached to the firewall, or play engine sounds through the car radio, to "Enhance" the engine sound of their four pots. The sound works, for most. My colleague is always going on about the sound of his Golf R in sport mode. Don't have the heart to tell to tell him it's FAKE frown

So well done ford for getting the interesting little 3 cylinder to deliver so much and sound so intriguing too.

That said back in the late 80's I remember throwing around a little car that seems so similar. A Daihatsu Charade GTTI that a German colleague had. This little white car with its tiny white wheels was a cracking little thing. It had an entertaining engine noise and a raspy exhaust note, it was also a real hoot to drive. In its day this little car was a thorn in the side of it's much bigger rivals but the diminutive little car was dismissed by most folk, including me!

Well this new little Fiesta appears to show that the little Daihatsu was well ahead of its time.


Gone Audi mad!
Re: Top Gear [Re: barnacle] #1631322
01/04/2019 11:30
01/04/2019 11:30
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
Club member 1924
Gripped  Offline
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Forum is my job

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
I'm glad they've gone 3 cylinder. It adds to the light weight simplicity concept of what makes a good sports car. Hopefully the 3 cyl gives better torque than the equivalent capacity 4 pot, but the main appeal is the noise. They do sound rorty like a slightly rough V6. I've always quite liked the 3 cylinder Smart Roadster turbos, which only have ~80bhp, but are great fun. Less is more; especially if the car has an excellent chassis.

I've been close to buying a 3 cylinder bike too. I think they are the best compromise between size, smoothness and power. Sticking with my slightly vibey parallel twin for now though.

Talking of old small fun cars, I remember my friends Peugeot 106 Rallye (the 1.6 version) which had about 100bhp. It follwed the stripped down idea, with no power steering (I think) but the handling was ridiculous and was seriously quick in the corners. The inside door handle still has grip marks from my terrified hands as we flew round B road bends at speeds which seemed to defy the laws of physics.

Perhaps with the move towards restricing speed, the era of slower cars with fun handling is back.



Last edited by Gripped; 01/04/2019 11:33.

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