Top Gear show now on Speed Channel?! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 07-12-2004, 10:22 PM

Channel surfing-saw 5th Gear was on speed channel. Checked it out and it's the magazine show. Is this a new addition or have I been preoccupied? Very cool, reviews of many cars, some of which americans can't buy in U.S.A.. I hope it sticks around, I love the Euro/British twist on car assessments.

-Oh yeah, they also show the testers driving the hell out of the cars on roads. I mean, I love watching some guy measuring the stopping distance on a Ford Excursion with that wheel thing on AutoWeek, but its nice to see people chucking cars around, for whatever reason.

chazola · #2 07-12-2004, 11:31 PM

when's it on? I miss Top Gear... I grew up with that programme dreaming of one day owning the Benz's they'd throw around country roads

rickg · #3 07-13-2004, 10:22 AM

Just caught it yesterday. Was fun to watch

Had some chick thrashing a young guys car around streets. You could see the "O my gosh

!" look on the fellas face (in the passenger seat)as she blasted around a corner, cutting someone off, and her squeeling with delight

michakaveli · #4 07-13-2004, 11:15 AM

You can also download the episodes off the Internet via various DL'ing programs such as Kazaa, etc. I think you might be able to get some media off of their site as well.

Othe than teh fact that they romp on the cars they test, I must say it is the must informative, unbiased, straight to the point automotive show that I've ever seen. A lot of the stunts they pull with those cars are good to know becuase it tests the entire vehicle in real world conditions. Okay, maybe not flying around a track all the time but the trips they sometimes take between different countries to evaluate cars

rickg · #5 07-13-2004, 01:45 PM

They also took out 3 SUV's on a tracK: a BMW, a Benz and a Rover. they had the Rover up on 3 wheels a couple times

. The BMW was best handling and accelerating, Benz best value for the money, Rover most luxury and worst handling. The driver was chatting away and smiling as the Rover went up on 3 wheels. I'd a had to change my shorts after that stunt

Honus · #6 07-13-2004, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rickg
They also took out 3 SUV's on a tracK: a BMW, a Benz and a Rover. they had the Rover up on 3 wheels a couple times . The BMW was best handling and accelerating, Benz best value for the money, Rover most luxury and worst handling. The driver was chatting away and smiling as the Rover went up on 3 wheels. I'd a had to change my shorts after that stunt

What is the point of those vehicles? On the highway, they don't handle anything like a BMW or Benz sedan. I can't imagine taking one off-road. In the snow, I would rather have my wife's Subaru. In other words, these high-end SUV's do nothing well.

rickg · #7 07-13-2004, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dculkin
What is the point of those vehicles?

I always wonder about that too. Pointless vehicles to me. But they have become oh so popular anyway. I work with a fella that drives a Rover, but he'll never take it off road. His reasoning is something like "But I know if I ever need to go off road, or drive in snow, I know I have the best".
Guess I'll go buy a Hummer, just in case

jpb5151 · #8 07-13-2004, 07:15 PM

Nuts, just after we got rid of our Dish Network setup. No more Speed Channel...

SUVs? They've got some good uses: slurping tons of gasoline, blocking vision for everybody else, and breeding careless driving.

schwarzwagen · #9 07-14-2004, 02:51 AM

yeah, I just got the programming note on Speed Channel tonight.

http://www.speedtv.com/programs/218/

We all have to watch it so it stays around! American shows suck, who cares about one stop from 60 or 70mph, I want to see how they stack up on the track.

G-Benz · #10 07-14-2004, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dculkin
What is the point of those vehicles? On the highway, they don't handle anything like a BMW or Benz sedan. I can't imagine taking one off-road. In the snow, I would rather have my wife's Subaru. In other words, these high-end SUV's do nothing well.

Check out some threads in the ML/G-Wagen/Unimog forum. The ML is a worthy contender in the off-road category, and proves itself time and time again in world off-road competitions...

...but don't get into the argument of which is better, the G or the ML...it's like the dino vs. synth threads everywhere else!

And although off-road to me is a gravel driveway, I need the hauling capacity...I'm not a pickup kind of guy, and I was never ready to concede to suburban fatherhood by showing up with a mini-van!

And the ML is our out-of-town cruiser...no it's not a sedan, but it is comfortable and I like the view up high, keeping a lookout for road-raged morons!

rickg · #11 07-14-2004, 10:44 AM

Didn't want this to turn into another SUV debate(we have enough useless debates here). I allow others their taste in vehicles. I just personally haven't found a reason why I'd want one. But if it works for you, have at it