[16x06] July 13th, 2009

[Viper007Bond]

http://www.finalgear.com/shows/fifthgear/16/6/

[Gingertom]

A very good episode I'd say. The clio shootout was very good and closer than I thought it would be. I am a big fan of Renaultsport products so I really enjoyed this. Tim's 'running without oil' bit was kind of common sense, but surprising to see how many people never checked their oil! Tiff in the Caterham, the only real low point. I would much rather have seen him thrash it round a track than transport organs, it was just a waste of Tiff's talent, but a nice preformance from him (I loved the elbow pad). Same kind of goes for JP in the Lambo, although I did enjoy seeing it on narrow, rain soaked, sheep covered British roads. A differnt angle to Top Gear's coverage of the car, and one that I enjoyed. Johnny cheapskate altenative was not as good a previous weeks for me, but I have never really liked that big old Nissan, it just doesn't really do anything for me. His review of the E-class was good though, Johnny does these kind of things well although the outcome of 'Yeah, it's good. But a 5 series is better' was probably a bit predictable. A good feature overall. Finally, the crash. The first thing that stuck me was how well that, really quite old, mondeo stood up to a 50mph crash into what was, essentially, a 3 tonne lump of metal. A great, insightful and thought provoking way to end the show. The best show of the series so far in my eyes.

[salguod]

It was quite good, missed the Clio bit, as yet again I was making my way home from work. Will watch it again sometime.

The oil bit is something else I'm sure they have covered on Fifth Gear before, but are redoing it just because they need something for Tim to do, suppose if you haven't watched FG for that long it doesn't matter, but for those who do, why cover it again?

The E-Class, wouldn't have one, but still an impressive car. Would rather have the 5-Series. Jonny covered that bit quite well, I thought, and the cheap skates part was also good again even if it wasn't the nicest of cars.

Tiff's bit did seem a bit pointless, and rushed. Only thing I can remember from that bit was the Caterham was blue, his elbow needed seen to and his feet needed air conditioning...

SV & Plato were very good, liked the setting, how the dark damp, wallowy landscape of Wales contrasted hugely with the Lamborghini. It also didn't look as though there was a lot of spare room going over that bridge.

Finally the bit about the speed limit. Yet again I think they are only picking car based on budget, hardly anyone drives in a car that age anymore, the majority on the road, or here at least is around 9 years old at the oldest, that Mondeo was almost 18 years old, and the tractor isn't exactly one which the majority of farmers use anymore, nowadays they are obviously a lot larger and heavier, so the results of it were effectively null and void.

Good solid 8 from me.

[Torque]

Solid 9 from me. I found it quite interesting to watch. Jason in a Lambo; Tiff in a Catheram, great shootout ... the whole thing was very nice.

This week was very surprising for me; actually enjoyed 5th gear more than TG.

[dj.TAKA]

Pretty good episode, enjoyed it as much as this week's TG do I dare say.

8/10

[Wizegui]

I think Fifth Gear has finally found it's place and purpose. 9/10.

[static]

That Murcie review was excellent, I loved Jasons observations of the car.
This was a better review than Top Gear's!

[Wyvern]

Very good. Nicely balanced, well put together and overall entertaining.

I liked how different their take on the Lambo was to TG's. It looked awesome against such dramatic scenery. The Renault shootout was good, the Caterham article was perhaps not perfect but was a fair crack at doing something different with it (yes, Tiff could easily have chucked it around the track, but there was a point to be made about this one not being just a track car, after all). There's no harm in reminding people to check their oil, and it was quite sobering to see just how many people neglect it (didn't you just want to slap the bloke who, when asked, said he didn't want to check his?). And the crash test? I'd have to differ on the 'nobody drives cars that old' thing, because although I'm now based in London, I've spent much of the last 20 years in rural Devon, and you often find people use old snotters for running around locally. I've never figured out why this is, but honestly, the collection of old crap on the roads near my parents is staggering. It's probably because there's quite a high risk of stuffing it through a hedge. Anyway, I digress - the point is, much as we all hate being told what to do, and much as I enjoy a good blatt, if bringing the speed limit down will make a big difference, fair enough. Sometimes smashing stuff is the only way to make the point. I was impressed at how much of the car was still intact, though it would have been interesting to see a comparative test at 60mph to illustrate the difference. But how do so few people recognise the 'National Speed Limit Applies' sign? Most of them seem to think it meant 'Stop' or 'No Entry'... how do they ever manage to drive anywhere?!

Is it just me or has there been a bit of a shift in Fifth Gear this series? It seems to be getting better and better. Oddly, much as I like her, I'm not missing Vicki and I am liking the tweaks to the format.

While I can't necessarily say I enjoyed this one more than this week's TG, I have to admit to finding it somehow more... satisfying.

Good stuff.

[freefall]

I laughed at Jason's pronunciation: "Moor-thee-lurgo"

I love that lambo

[dv/dt]

In the cheapskate alternative, Johnny wears a "In Thrust We Trust" T-shirt w/ a turbocharger. Anyone know where i can get one for myself? has anyone seen that graphic in general? heh i like the design and it seems pretty cool, but i cant find it on the net anywhere.

[4G92Lancer]

Originally Posted by freefall

I laughed at Jason's pronunciation: "Moor-thee-lurgo"

Actually, I have major respect for Jason actually pronouncing it properly...

Don't forget, Murcielago is a Spanish word.

http://forvo.com/word/murci%C3%A9lago/

[freefall]

Originally Posted by 4G92Lancer

Actually, I have major respect for Jason actually pronouncing it properly...

Don't forget, Murcielago is a Spanish word.

http://forvo.com/word/murci%C3%A9lago/

Thanks for pointing that out, I honestly thought that it was an Italian word, probably since some less informed journos mentioned it in magazines over here.

But I still have no idea how it should be pronounced. Does the 'r' sound muted? How do you pronounce 'cie'?

Edit: Ok there's a pronunciation sample on the page you linked, I didn't see it at first! Thanks.

[Quake]

I actually enjoyed Fifth Gear this week more than Top Gear.
Jason's review on the Mercie was spot on, MUCH more better than Top Gear's.

I give it a 9/10.

[musicman3x]

I am not sure how everyone else found this episode to be so great. The Lambo part was good, but I want to know more about it. Is it worth the extra money? Also, the Tiff part was really bad. The 300zx as a cheap lambo caught me off guard but i completely agree with that. The crash seemed odd that there was no real evidence that it was safer. No dummies and nothing but two guys walking around the car. A very poor and thin episode all around. The shoot out was the best part but I not compare it to a rival?

3/10

[Stumpy]

6/10 for me.

The Caterham bit was just awful, Tiff whins too much. I do not enjoy him at all anymore.

I really miss Vicky and her addicting laugh.

The highlight for me is usually Johnny, but he did not have a lot to work with on this episode.

Oh well. It killed an hour for me.

..

[Heathrow]

I liked the Caterham road test used to do the medical courier work. I see those guys on the bikes regularly, so it was good for them to get some coverage. The speed limit reduction was good information, bit shocked that people didn’t know what the sign meant though. Not sure if reducing speed will benefit as much as driver education would. The oil check thing was useful information as well.

[FordGT]

A 9/10 from me as well. Very solid episode.

Better than Top Gear this week by an english country side mile. Jason nailed it with the SV review. Driving, tech specs and excellent cinematography.

[efoolution]

I´ve given this episode an 8/10 wich makes this one of the best Fifth Gear episodes I´ve seen so far ... I really liked almost everything about it.

Plato and the Clios was quite nice, but I thought of it as pretty pointless ... so the new Clio Sport is faster than the old one ... other way round might have been something to talk about ...

Tiff and the Caterham was nice too ... but also pointless (as Tiff also said a number of times) as nobody will use this kind of car as daily driver ... but Tiff was entertaining enough to make up for that.

Johnny and the E-Class ... I enjoyed. Not that I agree with the moron ... the E-Class is butt-ugly and if you buy it over a A6 or 5series you are WRONG! But I enjoyed watching it.

The Wrinkles-man and the Oil ... had this hilarious Moment with the Woman who tried to "stab" her engine. And I was rather shocked how many people they found who don´t check their oil. informative and entertaining segment ... even though it was with Tim ...

Johnnys cheap alternative had me fall off my sofa laughing just on sight ... I can only guess they were taking the mickey out of us, since Johnny made this with a straight face, but I had to laugh so hard at that one it almost gave me cramps. What´s next week? Cheap alternative to the Rolls Royce - a Rover 400?

Plato and the SV ... great. Really well done ... had a nice feeling to it. The way TG should have done their SV review ...

Tom and the Tractor ... informative, unbaiased ... liked it.

[efoolution]

Originally Posted by dv/dt

In the cheapskate alternative, Johnny wears a "In Thrust We Trust" T-shirt w/ a turbocharger. Anyone know where i can get one for myself? has anyone seen that graphic in general? heh i like the design and it seems pretty cool, but i cant find it on the net anywhere.

... on a related note ... I really liked Toms "oldsmobile" shirt ... anyone know where I could order something like that (or get the logo and writing in good resolution so I can print it myself)?

[sdutton007]

lovin the lambo