American Top Gear Viewers FAQ and Beginner's Guide

[The Chad]

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of people get angry at the Top Gear presenters, specifically Jeremy Clarkson because he seems to be ignorant of the ways of the world and is pompous and arrogant.

This is a guide for new viewers of Top Gear to help understand the show and why things are done the way they are. This is by no means official, and feel free to add on to it, but I'm here to help explain why they dislike certain cars and why they like others.

Disclaimer: I'm an American, thus that makes me "authorized" to write something for the American audience. This is from my point of view, of course.

1. "What the heck are they talking about?" There are words spoken on the show that an untrained American may not know what they mean. Mate = Friend or Pal, Chap = Colleague, Rubbish = Crap and so on. By using the skills you learned in 3rd grade you should be able to use context clues of what was said in the sentence to understand most of what was said. There will always be inside jokes and references to people that we won't know, because it's not mainstream here. Also, the Pound Sterling is Great Britain's form of currency, and is referred to as the pound. No, that's not the weight of the car lol. However, the term "quid" is also used, much in the same way we have "dollars" and "bucks".

2. "Why do the presenters, especially Clarkson, hate American cars?" Well, the answer to this question is complex. At the time of this post, one US dollar was worth 0.548 Pounds. That means that a 50,000 Pound Cadillac CTS-v in Britain is the equivalent of $91085.00 US dollars. Would you pay that much for an entry-level Cadillac?

So, why doesn't Jezza (Clarkson) mention how great of a bargin American cars are in America? Well, because it's the BBC and the show is only shown in the BBC market area. It's not shown in this country, and none of their legal, authorized viewers live in this country. The average viewer doesn't care that cars are cheaper here, because they probably already know about the import duties that raise the cost of the cars.

Then, there's the quality. For 91 grand, I'd expect a lot more than what the CTS-v has to offer, so the presenters expect the same from the car. If you own an American car, go out to it right now, sit down, and knock on the dash. It'll more often than not feel "cheap" and "plasticy". Yes, I know most dashes are made out of plastic, but the quality feels like something that will rattle after awhile and not hold together really well. I've owned American cars, and Japanese cars, and to me the difference is noticeable.

Then, there's the gearboxes. Go out and drive a 30 grand US built car with a manual transmission, then go out and drive a Honda S2000. Instead of describing the difference, go out and experience it for yourself. On some cars, a "Victorian signal-box" is an understatement.

Then there's the claim that American cars cannot go around corners. Well, since if you're reading this I'm assuming you're American, so think of when you were a kid, what was your dream car? A Corvette? A Viper? Odds are, it was a large displacement car that can rip off quarter mile runs like it's it's job. In the review of the Viper, Jezza also loved how built the car was for doing launches. To go back to the S2000 example, the differential in that car won't handle any of the abuse that you can give a Corvette day in and day out on launches and 1/4 mile runs. (I own an S2000, so that's why I'm using it as an example). Also, the highway (motorway) system in the US is long and straight, without many curves or needs for them. So cars designed to work well in the American market don't need to worry as much about cornering as a car designed to be driven in Europe. That's why the Corvette is such a value in the US compared to a Porsche 911. The 911 is a more rounded package, so it costs more, but the Vette is good at one thing, and they sorta skimp on the rest, which makes it cheaper. The new Mustang and it's live rear axle, the leaf spring rear suspension in the C6. They get the job done for what most American's will use the car for. So that makes them good here, but remember, they aren't reviewing the cars for here, so they won't work there.

Also, insurance is higher for left-hand drive cars. Most American built cars don't offer a right-hand drive option. Also, our engine technology is dated, IMO. To use the Viper as an example again, only 500hp from 8.3L? That's appalling. Sure it's rock solid, and the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" approach is good for business, and repair costs are kept lower for us, there are much more efficient ways of making horsepower, and in Europe, gas is a lot more expensive so they really worry about such things.

I had a friend the other day, when he watched the segment about disliking the Chrysler 300C, he's like "WTF ever, it's Motor Trend's car of the year". I had to explain to him that yes it is, but it doesn't work well there. It's big, which makes it more difficult to navigate streets. Sure, they'll make a RHD version and it'll be fairly inexpensive, but another big turnoff was that the presenters value performance, and the inability to turn off the traction control was extremely annoying to them. Just like they don't like the snap-oversteer in the Viper. It is "as stupid, and wonderful as owning a pet elephant".

3. "Why do they rip on Americans?" Well, Clarkson is a proud Brit. I have friends that rip on the British in much of the same way. If you watch the show, they rip on everyone, making jokes about stereotypes and they're meant to be in good humor. If you don't like that, you're not being forced to watch it. Does Clarkson spread misinformation as well? Well that can be and has been debated in the forums and I'm sure will continue to be.

He loves British cars much the same way people will only buy American and think that American cars are the greatest thing ever. It's pride and ego. Also, British cars are underdogs to the Germans and Italians. Jezza is bored with Ferrari because they're perfect. It's like when you watched the Yankees a few years ago hoping that they'd lose. The same thing applies here.

In conclusion, if you take a light-hearted approach to the show and watch it without taking it too seriously, you'll seriously enjoy the show. When he makes fun of Americans, look at the stereotype he's laughing at and laugh with him. I do, mainly because it's true.

Enjoy.

[gtrietsc]

I dont think the currency exchange rate has much to do with it, because it can go the other way. Remember what they said about the Honda Element. It would cost $40k USD there. My Lightning is cheaper. Import duties are probably high, but I bet that because the currency is strong, most people are paid more over there than in the US for a similar job, and therefore goods cost more as well.

[The Chad]

Originally Posted by gtrietsc

I dont think the currency exchange rate has much to do with it, because it can go the other way. Remember what they said about the Honda Element. It would cost $40k USD there. My Lightning is cheaper. Import duties are probably high, but I bet that because the currency is strong, most people are paid more over there than in the US for a similar job, and therefore goods cost more as well.

A good point. A strong currency is only part of the issue.

[topgear]

From the standpoit of someone who's done a lot of work on American cars, I wholeheartedly agree that transmission feel is often terribly lacking. I drove a recent ('01) Camaro with the same basic six speed as the CTSv and it was a distraction how much effort it wanted. Heck, an old cable-shifted Golf was nicer.

That said, I appreciate the Englishness of the presentation, even if I don't know who they're talking about half the time. In the short film I'm making to submit to topgear I talk about some of the uk->us stereotypes that keep coming up. Each country has its own cultural waypoints, and we americans tend to forget that because we export so much of our own culture worldwide.

We'll never get the uk versions of the show here for that reason alone- american viewers won't get it.

[Skett]

Just thought I'd butt in here and let you know that chap doesn't really mean colleague, its just another word for a person (usually male).

[cath333]

From a UK perspective, it's fascinating to read about perceptions of Top Gear from other countries. In the UK of course our Jezza is a very well-known media figure and has quite a reputation for being an iconoclast. Although he presents himself as singularly anti-PC (political correctness, not computers!) and the voice of a particular kind of middle-class English male, behind the jokes he clearly has a great deal of admiration for the cultures of other countries, and a genuine exasperation with many aspects of British life.

I like the fact that in many ways he's an exemplary establishment figure (expensive school, pillar of public broadcasting, column in The Times, for goodness sake) but at the same time he's so fantastically *annoyed* with things and can't quite toe the line...

And remember, he did fall in love with an American car, even if it doesn't work terribly well.

[Cruzz563]

The thing about American cars not being able to go around corners is true, with the exception of the sports/supercars from here, but in Europe, nearly all the cars made can handle, be they 12,000 pounds or 120,000 pounds

[day-v]

I always laugh at how T.G presents U.S. built cars. They can only harp on the interior plastics. The Herculean effort involved in changing gears. The inability to drive around a bend. Unfortunately things have changed !! Jeremy,Richard and whats his face you must be a little "disMAYed" You have finally realized that the best cars you drive. Are now built by the Germans,Americans and Japanese. It is a tough pill to swallow. When your national claim to fame, great sports cars. Are now only a fond memory. Dollar for Dollar and Pound for pound [pardon the pun] . The best cars in the world are only imported to Britain.

[jeffy777]

are you insinuating that American cars are better than even Itallian cars??? What american cars are you referrring to?

[whoster]

someone's obviously misinformed if he thinks american cars are one of the three best cars out there.....

[Manic Moran]

Not least another problem is the fact that the American sense of humour does not really jive with the European sense of humour. (I live in the US, but spell 'humour' with a 'u', draw your own conclusions)

Whilst there do appear to be some dormant Eurogenes that occasionally surface amonst American cognescentii, such as many who would frequent this site, by and large what Europeans find funny don't appeal much to the Yanks. (Note: Yank in European parlance means anyone from the USA, regardless of geographical relationship to the Mason-Dixon line)

It is true that the British automotive industry, with the exception of Land Rover, is now consigned to foreign ownership and exotic cars such as Astons, Rollers and Bentleys, that's not to say that they need to bow down to the supremacy of American imports. Just because some American cars are still American-owned and made in America as opposed to the British car industry doesn't mean they're necessarily any good. I've never owned Japanese, don't intend to, but have owned American and European. About the only really good thing I've gotten out of my American cars (Ford, Chevy) is the noise from the engine. My S4 seems rather tame in the sound department.

The US is more often than not referred to in a friendly derrogatory manner. (Land of the Stomach, Land that Brought You Friendly Fire, and so on). It's not meant to be offensive, just a humorous reflection on reality. (Another problem with Americans in England.. or more accurately Europeans in the US is that in the days of American Political Correctness, anything which is an 'offensive phrase' is taken as such, whilst in Europe, offense is generally only taken if it is intended to cause offense.

Incidently, Top Gear used to be a mature and serious programme. Even my Paternal Unit watched it. It now takes itself a lot less seriously, and is the more entertaining for it.

NTM

[CanadianLoonie]

^
Infantry...infantry die! Cavalry...cavalry die! Artillery...er...infantry and cavalry die!

[swek]

I always found it a little bemusing that some Americans seem to get worked up over Top Gear quite easily. Being German myself I had to to cope with quite a lot of taunts regarding Germany. May it have been the sterotypical picture of the Lederhosen wearing, Sauerkraut eating German or the allegation that our cars lack passion. It never occurred to me that they could root in serious preconception or even worse.

I think it has to to with the fact that Americans are brought up with a strong share of patriotism. You're used to the claim that Americans are the best wheen it comes to many things. While there might lie be truth in some Areas, cars just isn't one of them. (Please don't flame me now, I'm well aware of the grat cars you have produced.) And here comes the pompous Brit, telling you that it's utter crap. What a shocker.

In certain aspects it's much easier beeing German in dealing with such situations. After the end of WW2 patriotism became a touchy subject. Not many people identify themself with Germany to such an extent. Sure, we're Germans, but that's it. As a result we don't take such insults personally. We know that they're obsolete since they mostly describe another Germany. Either one I haven't even been born in (The Nazi State) or one I'm not a member of (The sunbed-towel-occupier).

Still, I cannot understand how anyone could take JC for more than he is. One big rant about everything. A quite funny one indeed.

[Ripplin]

I've been watching British shows and movies and reading British books so much for so long, nothing surprises me. Well, except maybe Jamie Oliver's mouth. Try watching an episode of "Jamie's School Dinners" without hearing the "f" word 40 times. But that's neither here nor there.

I watch American car shows, too, but mostly just stuff like Overhaulin' and Rides, because I appreciate the art and ingenuity side of it. It really has to be something different for me to care. But a show like Top Gear hooked me right away. Funny presenters, cool cars, and they're not afraid to do ridiculous and goofy segments, either.

[day-v]

Well jeffy, when you are old enough, to no longer be called jeffy. You will realize that Italian cars are certainly beautiful to look at. And thats a good thing because they probaly won't start when you try to drive them. The Italians know style,but the Germans, for example, know substance. Ferrari cannot compete with the rest of world, dollar for dollar. A new SRT-10 , CORVETTE Z-06 or FORD GT.Would run with the pricey and brittle F-430 for a fraction of the cost and a fraction of the problems.

And whoster as you may have learned from watching T.G. since being bought by U.S. and German companies. British marques have improved . You should be happy that the investment by foreign companies have made British cars better.

[day-v]

P.S Manic Moran, get back on your mood stabilizer before entering your deppressive phase {ZYPREXA,DEPAKOTE}. Also I believe Land Rover was owned by BMW, who did the redesign. They are now owned by Ford . Sorry old-chap! Cheerio.

[zenkidori]

the best wheen it comes to many things. While there might lie be truth in some Areas, cars just isn't one of them. (Please don't flame me now, I'm well aware of the grat cars you have produced.) And here comes the pompous Brit, telling you that it's utter crap. What a shocker.

I would have to agree with you on that. All through school we were taught that it's USA A#1 all the way but once you start to look beyond our borders you find it's not quite true, and it's a bit disheartening at firstm untill you realize it doesn't really matter. For some, like me, this comes early in life, but for others it comes much much later and they may be quite hurt by it.

Well jeffy, when you are old enough, to no longer be called jeffy. You will realize that Italian cars are certainly beautiful to look at. And thats a good thing because they probaly won't start when you try to drive them. The Italians know style,but the Germans, for example, know substance. Ferrari cannot compete with the rest of world, dollar for dollar. A new SRT-10 , CORVETTE Z-06 or FORD GT.Would run with the pricey and brittle F-430 for a fraction of the cost and a fraction of the problems.

There is a group of "chaps" I know in my area that love to tune thier Dodge Colts. They are quite fast cars, they have the same 4G63 engine as the Mitsubishi Evos and Eclipse and they submit thier engines to very extensive modification. Well every now and then one will beat a ferrari 355 or 360 on the highway or at the track, possibly even during streetracing and go off bragging about it, but here's the thing, they still drive a Dodge Colt. So you can drive a GT40 or Viper or Vette, but to you I say the same thing I always say to the Colt chaps,

The other guy is still driving a Ferrari.

BTW, for those who don't know what a Colt is:

[haha604]

Well done Chad, this post is good .

It would be funny if someone gets the following wrong .
"Also, the Pound Sterling is Great Britain's form of currency, and is referred to as the pound. No, that's not the weight of the car lol."

[spamman]

The one thing you have to do through every episode of Top Gear is take whatever Clarkson says with a grain of salt. In his first review of the Holden Monaro (Vauxhall for the Poms, Pontiac GTO for the yanks) he says that the only thing Australia has invented is the rotary washing line. Now I know for a fact that that isn't true but it helped his review.

[Manic Moran]

Maybe I should have added a comma. Land Rover/Range Rover is the only major British marque I can think of that is not both foreign-owned and targetted solely at the high-money section. (That the cheaper Rovers aren't available in the US is irrelevant for that)

NTM