[13x10] March 24th, 2008

[Jacobfox]

Found Tom's "lol leafsprings" comment pretty amusing.

I wonder where this magical hydrogen highway is. Since the fuel cells are all developed just outside Sacramento, I'd assume it's be near here, but I haven't seen anything.

[static]

Ah, I really enjoyed Johnnys Toyota bashing. It was nice report, testing Sciroccos rear passenger room was spot on as thats just what I'll do at the moment it hits showrooms in here. It confirmed if you have 4 adults on board, stick with GTi.

STi looked really boring with it's tiny wheels and apalling front end. And the diff settings proved to be pretty much only a gimmick. If you've got a wet track and you still struggle to find any benefits how useful the system is on normal roads?

That "it is new but is it any good" segment is really nice. It's a honest roadtest without any distractive elements. It could even be prolongued a bit as it's the sort of direct comparison you actually do when choosing your new car.

I disliked the Clio vs. Mini segment a bit. I had the feeling I've seen the same track and same tests over and over again before. It just gets bit boring.

An ok episode, without Johnnys rant a 6½ but with it it's a solid 7.

[teeb]

Originally Posted by gregster

Nice epp and good series, the H3 is used by the rescue team knowing if they need stretcher 'and presumably that happens often enough' that they have to walk back! Think they would have something to accommodate that situation, hat's off to them for volunteering though!

The Hummer was just a short-term loan from GM, for testing, to see if they'd want to buy one. It's touring all the mountain rescue places in Wales and Scotland, I think.

Their normal car is a LWB Landy Defender.

[anti-net]

Originally Posted by TomCat

I think the Brits are very proud of their Defenders. They bash the H3 for having rear leafs, but at least it has IFS. The Defender really is an archaic design, not that there is anything wrong with that.

The interior space argument was kind of dumb. They didn't even need to test the car to know that the inside is smaller then a Defender. All they need is a brochure or a visit to the Hummer website to find that out.

The Defender is actually a bit shit, it really could do with modernizing, It use to be king in Africa but that's no longer the case since the Land Cruiser came along and drove all over it becuase its more reliable

H3 tho is neither a Land Cruiser or a Defender - its an SUV for carrying kids around

[kEv H]

I liked Jason's comments during the fast laps.
"Did you not like that apex?"
Their reactions and commentary throughout the laps was very good.

[Silverstar]

Well....I watching the show right now, just got done watching the review.

His second to last statement "It may be equipped like a computer console, but none of settings had a radical effect to transform a rather soft road car, to a rather sharp track machine."

I agree it's softer for the road, but it's hard to base an opinion off of it. I didn't hear him say he turned off the VDC...that is holding the car from going sideways much, but on the water he really got it to go pretty good, so I'm guessing he did. He had it planted pretty good when he got it working on the dry. Subaru is going the way of the mainstream, but the car hasn't lost any of it's touch, it's experianced in a different way.

I want to see a shootout EVO X v. STI. Best Motoring and other Japanease shows has gotten the STI to come out on top...the big EVOs v STIs race they had comes to mind. But the biggest...how do I say...grudge against Subaru is that we don't get the 2.0l twin-scroll turbo system.

The British STI go deprived on the wheels so bad. Aren't those the limited edition wheels?

[Steve Levin]

Originally Posted by kEv H

I liked Jason's comments during the fast laps.
"Did you not like that apex?"
Their reactions and commentary throughout the laps was very good.

I thought that was funny as well. I could probably watch an entire show of the two of them trying to outdo the other on track.

Steve

[spawn560]

Great episode, really good.
The only thing i have to say is that i can clearly see the reason the Tata Nano is the cheapest car in the whole world. It's because it is the most rubbish car in the world.

[MattD1zzl3]

Originally Posted by dino_martini

Johnny has Toyota bang on. Where is their spirit?

Spirit doesnt pay the bills. I love my toyota. I love it more then i love my camaro, which has loads of spirit. I dont care about how many giant spoilers it doesnt have, or how long the gearchange is. Its cheap, its bulletproof, and it carries 5 people. I hope they never change.

[vRS]

I actually enjoyed this ep. Glad to see the Cosworth win, had a hunch it would without its modern day bollocks and good old AWD.

The Tata bit was quality, what asshole admits on TV that they're car broke when it was touched.

Knew the Hummer was never going to be as good as a Defender anyway. still a pimp-mobile and not a hardcore off roader.


7/10

[JCE]

A good ep this week, an 8. All in all it was entertaining. I still don't like the new WRX at all...looks like ass to me. I'll take the EVO thanks.

Originally Posted by kekekeke

johny really ripped into toyota

And spoke the truth.

[edkwon]

Originally Posted by MattD1zzl3

Spirit doesnt pay the bills. I love my toyota. I love it more then i love my camaro, which has loads of spirit. I dont care about how many giant spoilers it doesnt have, or how long the gearchange is. Its cheap, its bulletproof, and it carries 5 people. I hope they never change.

youre missing his point, of course Toyota is #1 and makes $$$ because its makes bulletproof reliable cars like your Camry

but he's saying, since Toyota is such a dominant giant and have plenty of money to pay the bills, maybe some of the exec board could get their asses out of their heads and take a chance on losing a little money making some exciting image/halo sports cars to add to their lineup again, instead of trying to squeeze every single last dollar of profit sticking to a family car formula.

It's amazing they gave the ok for Lexus to sell the IS-F, but thats still a luxury sport sedan, not a 2 door sports coupe.

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally Posted by TomCat

I think the Brits are very proud of their Defenders. They bash the H3 for having rear leafs, but at least it has IFS. The Defender really is an archaic design, not that there is anything wrong with that.

The interior space argument was kind of dumb. They didn't even need to test the car to know that the inside is smaller then a Defender. All they need is a brochure or a visit to the Hummer website to find that out.

defenders probably got leafs as well

i dont really get why they even tested the H3 in that scenario..... for me thats really not what the H3 is for.

for mountain rescue all you want is a old mechanical beast.... no electronics to go wrong. defenders are perfect for that.... im sure the guy being rescued wont give a shit about no heating or leather seats if its gonna bring him off the cold mountain and into a hospital.

whats more.... if you can weld and know a little bit about engines you can repair a defender. heck you could probably repair a defender with a hammer.

cheap to run, cheap to maintain.... perfect for a voluntary group

[gregorian21]

I thought Johnny was a bit ridiculous with the Nano bit. Don't get me wrong, I am usually a fan of his segments, but to jump a barricade, albeit a foot tall, and try and tip the car is a bit beneath his usual self.

Perhaps he's just pissed Tata now owns the Jag and Land Rover brand names. Get over it Johnny, that was a Nano, not a Hummer.

Originally Posted by vRS

The Tata bit was quality, what asshole admits on TV that they're car broke when it was touched.

I don't recall the autoshow guy admitting it broke when touched, just Johnny claiming so.

Overall, an above average show and season in general. Glad to see them reviewing the cars on "It's new but is it any good" segment, though given that cars are sort of new to the market, a more extensive review would be appreciated.

[ahpadt]

Originally Posted by kekekeke

johny really ripped into toyota

I don't see anything wrong in that actually. They make seriously dull cars.

[bartboy9891]

Originally Posted by MattD1zzl3

Spirit doesnt pay the bills. I love my toyota. I love it more then i love my camaro, which has loads of spirit. I dont care about how many giant spoilers it doesnt have, or how long the gearchange is. Its cheap, its bulletproof, and it carries 5 people. I hope they never change.

You're generation Camry was a good car, the new ones apparently aren't built that well and are even MORE dull to drive. Plus they've got nothing in their lineup, except the Land Cruiser, that's got my interest.

I gave this episode a 9/10, I enjoyed this episode a lot more than I was expecting.