• The development of any software program, including, but not limited to, training a machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI) system, is prohibited using the contents and materials on this website.

[02x06] August 28th, 2011

[02x06] August 28th, 2011

  • Total voters
    76
...did we watch the same CTS-V segment? Rut wasn't exactly gushing with unqualified praise for the car. Hell, he particularly took shots at the same thing that all three TGUK guys have complained about in their tests of it, the cheapness of the interior. If it was commercialism sneaking in, they'd have cut that complaint and included commenting on the magnetic suspension.

(The commercial is something that, honestly, I thought GM should have been advertising a LONG time ago; the magnetically-adjustable shock fluid that everyone's been gushing about in supercars, and which Audi heavily advertised a year or two back, is a GM invention, used under license by everyone else. They have every right to crow about Ferrari using their system in all their cars now, and should have been doing so for a very long time.)
 
I gave it a 9. Great episode. Adam was brilliant in this ep and the other 2 were good as well. So many great moments, the germ bit was classic TG. I was glad the Crown Vic won.

The Festiva they used was a Mazda 121 with a Ford badge though, it wasn't an American car.
 
Last edited:
Gyvon said:
Same here. That was one badass wagon. Maybe the body shape gave it a bit more downforce.
Click to expand...

It's putting down a lot of horsepower. Remember where it goes? To the back (the way it should be). The wagon has a lot more weight over the back, and this gave it more traction. I think that's what did it.
 
Great chemistry, but the content was kind of boring for me. There wasn't really any drama on the trip, Adam was hilarious as usual. I think since his jokes and delivery are more subtle than say JC, people don't quite realize how funny he actually is right away.
 
Great episode.

I loved the challenge, but as the previous owner of a beater Festiva, I couldn't help but be disappointed when the clutch went. They had great chemistry and seemed to be completely
relaxed and having fun.

The CTS-V segment was fast, fun and they managed to work in some old metal.

Still not a fan of BSSC, it just seems really stilted and awkward but it's getting better.

Overall, a solid 8.
 
If I was comparing this ep to an ep of TGUK, I would have rated it an 8. But I was comparing it to other TGUS eps, so I gave it a 9. I think they've found the right formula (challenge, nifty car review, BSSC and Stig lap) that I'm sure focuses on the big ratings high notes. Sure, Rut's review of the Caddy wasn't as good as Tanner's Porsche review from last week but was still pretty slick; However, the cheap car challenge was a more interesting challenge than the previous week's, so the two sort of balance out. The BSSC segments from the last two episodes were as fine an example as you will see of BSSC/SIARPC. I actually liked them and I am not a fan at all of the segment. But the lady last week was fun as was the rocker this week. They were both a HELL of a lot better than Engvall and the two dudes from Pawn Stars.

The deciding fact for me was an actual Stig lap of the reviewed car. The Stig is always worth at least one point all by his lonesome, meaning that this episode is automatically worth at least one more than the previous episode, which I graded an 8. I couldn't give it the perfect 10 though, mostly because I too am getting a bit bored of the challenges.

Others have pointed out various editing issues, but I honestly didn't notice them.

And I don't like all the CSI crap; used cars are never perfect so I'm not surprised that all sorts of nasty things were found. I objectively know that used cars have these issues, but I can avoid thinking about it as long as someone doesn't point them out. Hell, I've got kids, so I'm sure every car I've owned since they came along has snot, vomit, blood and crap in them, as well as seminal fluids (which is how I got kids in the first place); as Adam said (and Number 41 repeated), "This car carries human beings, human beings have fluids, sometimes they get out. No big deal."

But for some reason TGUK has decided to point it out to us twice and now TGUS is following suit. I don't want or need for them to do that and it doesn't change the outcome of the challenges in any way. We just get a short guy in a Hazmat suit for a cheap laugh because I doubt the hosts are going to see the report and decide, "That's it, I'm out!" So please, please, please stop with the CSI investigations during the used car segments. It's only good for one or two jokes and then it gets old. I'll still have to buy used cars, but now I no longer have the peace of mind of not thinking about what nasty stuff lurks within. Here endeth the rant.
 
Last edited:
1. thing: your head should REST on a head rest :p what the hell is it with americans leaving them dropped down and not using them for their own security?

2. thing: nice show :p

3. thing: there are other nice Extreme Waggons :p see RS6 :p
 
Last edited:
EsPpY said:
Ruttledge forgot about the RS6 ?

Fastest wagon.... in the universe ?!

Gee.
Click to expand...

Gee.

For those who don't know quick isn't the same as fast. Audi says the RS6 Avant is limited to 174MPH. The CTS-V Wagon is not limited and Car and driver estimates its drag limiited top speed around 191 MPH.. The Cadillac is faster.

But wait! Car and Driver did 0-60 in a CTS-V wagon in 4.3 seconds.

Britain's Auto Express tested a RS6 Avant 0-60 in 4.4 seconds.

The CTS-V Wagon is quicker.

Quicker and faster. I guess that's because the Audi weighs 4,500 lbs. with 470 lb.ft. of torque and the Caddy scales at 4,390 lbs. with 551 lb.ft.

Don't forget, the overpriced German crap wagon costs $158,000. You could throw the $90K you save in the Caddillac and it still would weigh less than the Audi! ( I understand you have to pay EXTRA to get Audi to remove the standard RS6 155MPH speed limiter.)
 
Last edited:
JCE said:
The Festiva they used was a Mazda 121 with a Ford badge though, it wasn't an American car.
Click to expand...

Rebadging is common in the automobile industry and it is actually probable that Kia made Rutledge's Festiva. American companies rebadged cars and trucks from Japan and then Korea (and even from Europe and Australia) all during the 70s and 80s and even today; Heck, Ford had controlling interest in Mazda at one time; they had even placed an American in charge of Mazda in 1997. Today, it is often the reverse that is true (Mazda sold the American Ford Ranger as their B series truck for about a decade and a half for example). The entanglements of the auto industry are many and hard to keep track of.

Mazda did design this car, but only sold their version (the 121) in Australia and Europe, and only for a few years. Oddly, twas Ford sold the car in Japan (as the Festiva). And Kia made the car for the North American Market, and also for Australia and Europe once Mazda quit selling the 121; the Kia manufactured car was sold as a Ford, and also as the Kia Pride, the precursor to the Rio.
 
I real lost it when Tanner showed up with a protective mask and all his garb it fit him so well.
The Cadillac?s where awesome and Rut actually found some faults in them and pointed them out! There has been some discussion as to why they were not reviewing more US Cars for fear of sponsors.
The crow bar through the window worked for me.
The guy getting into Adam?s car thinking it was a Taxi was brilliant to me. Even if it was scripted (I don?t think it was) it still was very nicely done.
I really think the show continually gets better and better.
 
Mills said:
I gave it a 7, beautifully shot again. The production values this year have been very good. I did get a bit bored with the cheap car challenge. Regarding the CTS-V segment, is this the commercialization creeping in that we all initially worried about?

New Cadillac commercial released this week.
Click to expand...

I dont think so, i think he was a little critical of the car. It seems like they will slowly creep in the negatives and they grow a reputation. Its the safest way.
 
Wow nice commercial I thinks it is about time we start competing against the world with our cars. I know we can develop cars that will rival anything coming from anywhere else. It seems that it has always been GM vs Ford vs Dodge vs AMC (opps).
 
STOP THE CHEAP CAR CHALLENGES ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!

The CTS-V film however, was of TG UK quality and Rutledge was a brilliant reviewer. Amazing photography, showed us all 3 variants instead of just the one he started the film in - Very solid review. He always seems genuinely excited whereas it comes across as forced with Adam and Tanner. If they could fill an episode with films of that calibre and get rid of the BSSC, I'd be giving it a 9.

7/10.
 
I like cheap car challenges, so here's an 8 from me. BSSC gone, another car review in it's place and it would've been a 9. Again, TGUK territory...
 
ricochet said:
My only complaint (keeping in mind that I don't bother to watch BSSC at all) was the premise of the Cadillac piece. The CTS-V has come with a Corvette motor in it since the 2004 model year (6 years ago!), to play it as "wow, look at this! Caddy's are COOL again!" seemed to me like the writers were out of touch with current car trends. I doubt they really are, it's just the easiest way to do a Cadillac piece and it seemed like like a concept that was phoned in. Rutledge did well with his presentation, however.

Some of the cheap car bits were over-the-top goofy and predictable, but that's what I've come to expect.
Click to expand...

Yes the CTS-V has been around since 04 but what you fail to realize is the Coupe debuted this year as well as the wagon. That makes it relevent today.
 
Gyvon said:
Same here. That was one badass wagon. Maybe the body shape gave it a bit more downforce.
Click to expand...

More downforce = slower, with more grip.

The difference is likely the wagon has less drag, which earns it a few MPH at higher speed.
 
7/10

Although I think I should have made it an 8/10. The cheap car challenge as alright, although I'm getting a bit bored with them now. TopGear in general do way too many of them to often. It's like sensory overload.

But I loved the Cadillac CTS-V piece. They got all 3 bodystyles and even a classic Caddy out for it too. And I loved the fact that they used the wagon for the Stig lap film. Watching that thing get sideways at 100+mph and post such a blistering time was awesome. Do want.

As for the "fastest wagon" or whatever, I think that might have something to do with the NRing laptime set by the normal CTS-V sedan, which GM claimed was a record for a production sedan or something. The wagon may even be faster, who knows. I'm just happy GM had the balls to produce the V-version in a wagon. Bold move here in America where hardly any of the big German brands even bother selling avants.
 
I would have gone higher than a six, but the editing at the beginning was wonky. Otherwise I liked it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top