[08x07] July 23rd, 2006

[Gerhard]

I was rather impressed with all the "extreme running" lol

[Plissken]

My thoughts during the Caterham thing

"Don't stage the ending...don't stage the ending...don't... ah, bugger."

Nice to see Coogan so gutted at his time - he's a bit too full of himself for my liking.

[awdrifter]

The people carrier segment was good. It gives actual info and some of their opinions. And Jeremy really showed how hard it is to use those backseats. The 206 vs Free Runners was the best segment in this ep. The Free Runners are amazing, too much shakey camera work tho. The Caterham 7 challenge was alright. You know they are staged to win anyways, so that's expected. But I didn't expect a Caterham 7 is that easy to build, now it makes me want to build my own someday.

[DanteSS3]

I don't get how it was SOOOOO hard for JC to get those seats up in the Zafira.

In one of his older programs he had the mk1 Zafira and he got them up with NO rouble at all.

And the design of the seats or the mechanisms have not changed.

Also who puts the rear seats out AFTER they have done their shopping anyway?

[Dsemaj]

Personally, great ep. People carrier reviews were good, loved the in studio part, news was great as usual.

"All I need now for my life to be complete is a 11 year old sports car!"

Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder test was amazing, I found myself cracking up with Jeremy's comments, and the noise makes my spine tingle! 207 vs free runners was spectacular (Gotta love free running), and the Caterham 7 was pretty good, although having the stig race his felt a bit setup. I'd rather have them vs their partners. Would be much better!

[maxorido]

During that Caterham challenge, I was reminded of someone. Look at the Stig's mannerisms, like how he pumps the gas and stands in line, he reminded me of Tiff Nedell. Anyone else?

EDIT: also, one of the cops(the fat one) that pulled the Stig over was in the previous episode, the caravan one.

[Hugh Peters]

Originally Posted by epp_b

Those building-jumpers -- or whatever they're called -- were really cool! I enjoyed that part for sure.

Parts of it were good, but, again, the actual challenge aspect of it was unrealistic and too obviously set up/fixed.

[martineb72]

Not a great episode.
Van rewiews were fine.
207 vs free runners was fun.
Baby Lambo review was good. In fact not a bad car to actually own if you had the money. I have always liked smaller sports cars. But they need to lambo it up a bit with some trick doors.
Caterham challenge was bad. Its not fun watching people having a miserable time, as Jeremy obviously was and possibly even Hammond too. Just like last episode when they had a lousy time caravanning. I didn't like it either.

Although you can't quite say the challenge was completely scripted, I understand the Stig was pulled over since it got in the papers awhile back about that. Just that I don't think he was haulled away in real life. 3 guys that were determined could definitely put together a kit car in 8 hours, but they really only had 1 guy that was determined with 2 guys helping and getting in the way. Which in real life is quite realistic. With the 1 guy being the owner with 2 friends as "helpers".

I like challenges in the show. But they seem so determined to do new and different challenges, and frankly they have alreadly done all the fun ones. They should just redo some of the old ones. Like the used car ones, those are great fun that they could do in some slightly different way that would be endlessly entertaining. They don't have to do them in big long segments, but just a 7-10 minute clip of. As long there is them racing it in some part of the challenge always. Not like that 100 pound car challenge.

Like a 2000 quid car challenge with a 2 or 3 hour racing at the end. And let them know about the 3 hour race before they pick their cars this time.

Martin

[BMWPower.lv]

Cool episode!

[ShadowWings]

In the news "JC's Ford GT broken down again".

[niccce]

i've only watched 33 minutes so far, but it's clear already that this episode is just ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY BRILLIANT
precise soundtrack pick for the lambo review, very nice ppl carrier bit
now this reminds me of top gear at its best.
this might even be a top-five episode ever.

__________________________________________________ _______

update:
yeah, it all added up. it has the old unique sense back.

i liked James saying "Oh, and that makes me feel really good !" while
his face was more sort of "If only i could care less "

[fbc]

Great episode, loved every minute. Classic TG. Stiggie absolutely stole the Caterham segment from the boys, while JC was just frightening during the build...

[the_eye]

the parcours-bit: pretty cool, I've already wondered some time when they were going to have some of it for one of the urban races ..

really laughed hard about the Ah-nuld quotes from Coogan "get in the hot-tub with me!"

And, as I've said before, so far I don't mind the scriptedness, as long as it stays funny, which for now for me it does.

[zaybxcwd12]

loved it !!!!!!!!!!!! watched it this morning because I was working last night and the guy who I asked to set up DVD-R at 8pm forgot. Got in at 12an abd like "you record top gear fir ne, need to watch b4 I go to bed" - "errr no I thought you asked such and such" yeah right so I had to download it.

Can't see how we get any complaints about this episode.

MPV review for pple whos life is passing them by.
207 for pple whos life ain't past pubity
Lambos for 40 something going though a mid life crisis
Set up challange for pple who like mucking about

Had something for everyone.

[McGarnickle]

I liked the episode very much. I mean, yes they were scripting lots of stuff recently but if you think about it, that was the inevitable to come as Top Gear became more and more famous.
About those parkour runners. I do that myself but I always figured it was illegal. Well I guess no lawsuit means no judge then. They were pretty awesome by the way!

[acascianelli]

I've had an idea for muscle minivans for a very long time, of coarse all my ideas were based off of American models...

Freestar SVT
Caravan SRT-4/6
Uplander SS
Pontiac SVG GXP

[Slycer]

For those who missed yesterdays Top Gear I made a few clips. Enjoy.


People Carriers
Steeve Coogan
Lamborghini Gallardo
Peugot vs. Parkour

I'll also upload the car build-off a little bit later.

[//Dave]

Haha, another good episode.

I liked the opinions they had on the MPVs. They didn't muck about as much for once and gave a good insight into them.

Liked JC's comments about the complaints "wish we'd burnt more caravans" and the Parkour challenge was good with James getting frustrated. Although the ending of the Caterham challenge was good it felt a bit staged to be honest, shame really. But it was a damn good challenge, James and Jeremy had some brilliant outbursts.

I'm going to miss Top Gear after the final episode next week of the series. What am I going to fill that Sunday gap with?

[HOKUM]

Wonderfull episode!

[epp_b]

've had an idea for muscle minivans for a very long time, of coarse all my ideas were based off of American models...

Freestar SVT
Caravan SRT-4/6
Uplander SS
Pontiac SVG GXP

I read an article in a Car and Driver a few years ago about a supercharged Ford Windstar.