Clarkson and Vauxhall

[Wooptidoop]

Anybody knows why Jeremy likes Vauxhall all of a sudden?

[Vette Boss]

Clarkson never really hated Vauxhall, as a whole. He hated the Vectra because, according to him, it had no sense of character and was designed by a committee in a board meeting.

Now that Vauxhall are making cars properly, he seems to be warming up to them.

[Wooptidoop]

Yeah but in episode 11x05 he explicitly singles out Vauxhall as the only car manufacturer that doesn't produce an ugly car in its entire range. Even faced with the picture of the new Vauxhall Agila, which lets be honest, is just another small car, nothing special about it; he says its 'sweeeet'!
I just didn't see that one coming...

[Momentum57]

He said that they weren't ugly not that they were any good.

[Mercury]

Yeah but sorry to say the new Vauxhall Agila is pure ugliness. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder but that scene just felt like Vauxhall paid for it or something cause he had to call the DB9 volante an ugly car to get there and that just does not compute.

Now just to emphasize this point, according to Clarkson:

This is non-ugly:


While this is ugly:

[Momo63]

I'm with Jeremy there. The Agila is quite cute and the Volante is a bit squished and awkward looking. I don't suppose for one moment he's getting paid by Vauxhall to say things like that - which is what you are suggesting, right?

[bartboy9891]

Originally Posted by Wooptidoop

Yeah but in episode 11x05 he explicitly singles out Vauxhall as the only car manufacturer that doesn't produce an ugly car in its entire range. Even faced with the picture of the new Vauxhall Agila, which lets be honest, is just another small car, nothing special about it; he says its 'sweeeet'!
I just didn't see that one coming...

I think Euro Fords look better than their competitor Vauxhalls, though he is probably right that Vauxhall is one of the only companies that's got a full line of decent looking cars.

[Mercury]

Originally Posted by Momo63

I'm with Jeremy there. The Agila is quite cute and the Volante is a bit squished and awkward looking. I don't suppose for one moment he's getting paid by Vauxhall to say things like that - which is what you are suggesting, right?

I don't actually think Vauxhall bribed him to say anything, but when the presenters are discussing this, it feels a bit like they're actually trying to get to Vauxhall. Either for the entertainment value or what ever other reason.

What ever happens, the Volante is not ugly by any messure. It might not be the epitome of beauty, but ugly it is not. Certainly not if you think the normal DB9 is one of the best looking cars in the world, and JC said that many times.

[stiggie]

Originally Posted by Wooptidoop

Yeah but in episode 11x05 he explicitly singles out Vauxhall as the only car manufacturer that doesn't produce an ugly car in its entire range. Even faced with the picture of the new Vauxhall Agila, which lets be honest, is just another small car, nothing special about it; he says its 'sweeeet'!
I just didn't see that one coming...

He also says that Alfa Romeo doesn't qualify because the MiTo is ugly. Clearly, he's lost his mind.

[tuesday]

Originally Posted by Momo63

I'm with Jeremy there. The Agila is quite cute and the Volante is a bit squished and awkward looking. I don't suppose for one moment he's getting paid by Vauxhall to say things like that - which is what you are suggesting, right?

All Astons look kinda squished. It seems to be their thing of late. It's just that the Volante takes it to a whole new level. Like it's been in a car crusher or something.

And though the Agila is a cute car, Jeremy's wrong about Vauxhall not having an ugly car in its range. Take a look at the Antara. It's got a bulbous, stunted body and face only a mother could love:
http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vaux/vehic...odelYear=2008A

Originally Posted by stiggie

He also says that Alfa Romeo doesn't qualify because the MiTo is ugly. Clearly, he's lost his mind.

The MiTo is ugly. And so's the 8C.

[Tadite]

Originally Posted by tuesday

The MiTo is ugly. And so's the 8C.

I agree about the MiTo... I can't imagine a male ever getting into one...

Now the 8C. That car is simply sex on wheels. That is the car Alfa should send to the US not the Spider.

[Brother Michael]

Originally Posted by tuesday

All Astons look kinda squished. It seems to be their thing of late. It's just that the Volante takes it to a whole new level. Like it's been in a car crusher or something.

And though the Agila is a cute car, Jeremy's wrong about Vauxhall not having an ugly car in its range. Take a look at the Antara. It's got a bulbous, stunted body and face only a mother could love:
http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vaux/vehic...odelYear=2008A




The MiTo is ugly. And so's the 8C.

I reeeeeeally have to ask......what DO you think are good looking cars ?? Astons are squished.....the 8C ug.....ugly....?? Rooooight....

[bartboy9891]

I'm one of the few that doesn't like Aston Martin very much at all, but all the current Ferrari's look much worse. Astons have very boring and extremely predictable designs yes, but they aren't ugly. I dislike the fact that Aston Martin went from making distinctive cars like the previous V8 Vantage and the DB7 to a range of cars that all look alike. The old Vantage was very brute-like, the DB7 was a lot more feminine and curvy, and the Vanquish was an awesome combination of the two. In their current range, the DB9 looks like a neutered Vanquish, the Vantage is a shrunken DB9, the DBS is a DB9 with a bodykit, and the Rapide is a DB9 with two more doors. Even their $1 million dollar One-77 looks like it's going to be a sleeker DB9. None of them are ugly, but where is the diversity?

Now this has nothing to do with the way they drive, because apparently all current Astons are better than anything they made before. But there's something wrong with the fact that you can predict exactly what a new Aston is going to look like.

[Mineworksfine]

Personally I wouldn't call the MiTo ugly exactly. It looks more surprised than anything else, like it has just been "goosed" by a passing white van.

Not that my opinion will count for much - we drive a car with looks so challenging only it's mother could love it. Also comes from Turin. Funny that...

[tuesday]

Originally Posted by bartboy9891

I'm one of the few that doesn't like Aston Martin very much at all, but all the current Ferrari's look much worse. Astons have very boring and extremely predictable designs yes, but they aren't ugly. I dislike the fact that Aston Martin went from making distinctive cars like the previous V8 Vantage and the DB7 to a range of cars that all look alike. The old Vantage was very brute-like, the DB7 was a lot more feminine and curvy, and the Vanquish was an awesome combination of the two. In their current range, the DB9 looks like a neutered Vanquish, the Vantage is a shrunken DB9, the DBS is a DB9 with a bodykit, and the Rapide is a DB9 with two more doors. Even their $1 million dollar One-77 looks like it's going to be a sleeker DB9. None of them are ugly, but where is the diversity?

Now this has nothing to do with the way they drive, because apparently all current Astons are better than anything they made before. But there's something wrong with the fact that you can predict exactly what a new Aston is going to look like.

Too right. Especially about the Ferraris. I don't think Ferrari's made a truly beautiful car since the '60s/'70s. The best looking recent one was the 355 Berlinetta and that was more handsome than beautiful.

Originally Posted by Brother Michael

I reeeeeeally have to ask......what DO you think are good looking cars ?? Astons are squished.....the 8C ug.....ugly....?? Rooooight....

The Aston coupes are alright, though they're not aging well, and the proportions are just a bit wrong for me to say they're the best the design could have looked. Too much door, not enough side window -- squashed, in other words. The convertibles look like the roof caved in, though, and the One-77 looks like a Chrysler/Corvette crossbreed.

The Alfa 8C is too short and too wide with overly short front and rear overhangs. The front end looks like a startled chipmunk. And it has that stupid, trendy, overly fat ass thing that's been going on far too long. Alfa hasn't had a good looking car since the '60s/'70s either. The Brera isn't sex on wheels, either. It's an angry suppository.

As for other supposedly gorgeous cars, all Jaguars look years out of date. Even the XF's interior looks like something from an '80s show car while the exterior looks like an early '00s Nissan.

The Maserati Gran Turismo looks like they just slapped a new nose on the Coupe and didn't blend the new into the old all that well. And it's 1000 lbs overweight.

The Audi R8 is simply appalling.

I kinda like the Fisker Karma, but it needs a shorter nose, a new grill, and the interior looks like it came out of a bad sci-fi movie with low production values.

The Porsche 911 isn't bad -- other than the interior -- and neither are the Lamborghini Gallardo or the Range Rover, but none of those is "pretty" any more than the 355 was.

Although there are plenty of "okay" and "cute" cars for sale right now, as well as several handsome ones, and very few truly ugly ones, there aren't any outright gorgeous cars in production today. I don't care if you don't agree, I'm not trying to convince you. But I'd be happy to see some counter examples.

[Dsemaj]

Originally Posted by Mercury

Yeah but sorry to say the new Vauxhall Agila is pure ugliness. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder but that scene just felt like Vauxhall paid for it or something cause he had to call the DB9 volante an ugly car to get there and that just does not compute.

Now just to emphasize this point, according to Clarkson:

This is non-ugly:


While this is ugly:

You've got it wrong. He said the DB9 Volante isn't as pretty as the Coupe, and rightly so.

@tuesday XF interior looks like something out of a 80s show car? You've got to be kidding me. First of all, everything out of the 80s was constructed out of bricks. Second of all, where's the massive neons, and horrific colours? I mean, by all means, say it's horrible, but do it right! But I love the XF interior. You're insane!

I disagree with you on the most part, but I don't really like the MiTo, like you said. The 8C is pretty in my books, but doesn't work on a small hatchback.

[Brother Michael]

Originally Posted by tuesday

Too right. Especially about the Ferraris. I don't think Ferrari's made a truly beautiful car since the '60s/'70s. The best looking recent one was the 355 Berlinetta and that was more handsome than beautiful.

So very true, and I agree. I have stated the same thing in other thread as well. The F355 is perhaps the second best looking Ferrari of all time, 250GTO being the numero uno.

Originally Posted by tuesday

The Aston coupes are alright, though they're not aging well, and the proportions are just a bit wrong for me to say they're the best the design could have looked. Too much door, not enough side window -- squashed, in other words. The convertibles look like the roof caved in, though, and the One-77 looks like a Chrysler/Corvette crossbreed.

I still can't believe you think the DB9 is not beautiful. However I do agree about Aston's whole range looking exactly the same.

Originally Posted by tuesday

The Alfa 8C is too short and too wide with overly short front and rear overhangs. The front end looks like a startled chipmunk. And it has that stupid, trendy, overly fat ass thing that's been going on far too long. Alfa hasn't had a good looking car since the '60s/'70s either. The Brera isn't sex on wheels, either. It's an angry suppository.

Now that......that is just blasphemy, nothing short of that. I know I can't change your mind, and therefore will leave it at that. How about the 159 ? Or the 156, especially GTA ? I think there are two veryvery beautiful modern Alfas.

Originally Posted by tuesday

As for other supposedly gorgeous cars, all Jaguars look years out of date. Even the XF's interior looks like something from an '80s show car while the exterior looks like an early '00s Nissan.

Then tell me what IS a modern and good looking (somewhat luxury) interior if the XF's isn't ?

Originally Posted by tuesday

The Maserati Gran Turismo looks like they just slapped a new nose on the Coupe and didn't blend the new into the old all that well. And it's 1000 lbs overweight.

I'll give you the overweight, it is that. I stil don't see how you think the Fisker Karma of all things is good looking but find the Maser' ugly, since they do have very similar styled front ends.

Originally Posted by tuesday

The Audi R8 is simply appalling.

I wouldn't call it appalling, but it isn't ecatly automotive pornography.

Originally Posted by tuesday

I kinda like the Fisker Karma, but it needs a shorter nose, a new grill, and the interior looks like it came out of a bad sci-fi movie with low production values.

I'm sorry, but here you can't be serious.....Fisker Karma, really ? It looks like a grinning Joker played by Jack Nicholson.

Originally Posted by tuesday

The Porsche 911 isn't bad -- other than the interior -- and neither are the Lamborghini Gallardo or the Range Rover, but none of those is "pretty" any more than the 355 was.

What's wrong with 911's interior ?

Originally Posted by tuesday

Although there are plenty of "okay" and "cute" cars for sale right now, as well as several handsome ones, and very few truly ugly ones, there aren't any outright gorgeous cars in production today. I don't care if you don't agree, I'm not trying to convince you. But I'd be happy to see some counter examples.

You still haven't given an example of what you think is a beautiful car, doesn't matter if it's from the 1930's or 90's, anything goes. However I do respect you being logical and rational instead of doing the obvious, being start an argument like "No YOU are wrong, and I am right".....big respect and +rep for that.

I still think you are clinically insane, blind or both.

[Mercury]

Originally Posted by Dsemaj

You've got it wrong. He said the DB9 Volante isn't as pretty as the Coupe, and rightly so.

No but you see, the discussion was about which car maker doesn't make an ugly car, and Aston was rules out on the Volante, hence the Volante is ugly. Now I'll say it again, I don't think the Volante is up there with the F355 or the Gallardo Spider (which I think are 2 of the prettiest cars out there) but calling it an ugly car is stretching it out a bit.

@tuesday
I know a couple of guys who I suppose you have similar taste with. The love for old cars is indeed something I can understand, I disagree with it, but can certainly understand it. You haven't exactly said it in so many words but I get the feeling from your posts you like cars from the 30s-60s. Correct me if I'm wrong here.

[Mineworksfine]

"The Brera isn't sex on wheels, either. It's an angry suppository."

The problem with the Brera is that it isn't as good looking asit thinks it is and I think I know why. In profile or rear three-quarter view it suffers from J-Lo syndrome - its arse is too big. The cause of the problem is the C-Pillar - it's just too thick. If it were slimmer and the rear side windows were larger it would be a much better looking car.

[Wooptidoop]

This turned out into quite an interesting discussion, though straying a bit from the main topic which is:

Originally Posted by Momo63

I'm with Jeremy there. The Agila is quite cute and the Volante is a bit squished and awkward looking. I don't suppose for one moment he's getting paid by Vauxhall to say things like that - which is what you are suggesting, right?

And yes, that is what I was suggesting, and thats what it feels like, although it makes no sense whatsoever. Its not like he needs the money...???