**** Thread closed. Discussion continues in Vol 14 ****
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=27833
For all things Top Gear related.
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A firm assertion on Top Gear tonight was that the story of Keith Moon driving a RR in a swimming pool was an urban myth.
I hate to think that this act of rock 'n roll legend didn't happen. Inside knowledge, anyone?
(By the way, credit to Clarkson for saying that the XC90 was a better family car than the journalisticly acclaimed new Discovery which managed to crawl up a dodgy Highland slope. Not to many of them round here, so I'm happy with my XC90.)
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"Keith Moon driving a RR in a swimming pool "
He didn't
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Remember the fuss when John Lennon painted his Roller in psychadelic colours? RR had a blue fit and there were letters in the Times about it.
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As I recall Keith Moon died of drugs overdose.....Brilliant drummer. Though I doubt many will remember him..His choice of motor though. as I recall was only the best/practical for his needs. No different really from ours. except he could afford what he wanted..Lots of us cannot!
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Steve
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"I doubt many will remember him"
cough splutter... you what? you are joking!
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>>Though I doubt many will remember him>>
Who or whatever makes you think that?
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Keith Moon? Even I...well...not necessarily remember him but certainly know who he is!
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Adam
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Dunno about Keith Moon, but the Range Rover needed four or five men and a land anchor to make it!
The "star in a reasonably priced car" was interesting. Seeing Joanna Lumley made me realise how old we both are!
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Roger. (Costa del Sol, España)
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On the land anchor front, I'm just a tadge suspicisious that this was a subtle marketing ploy.
He could without doubt have found a way around the boggy bits, and the posse of guys with the now famous 'land anchor' (shortly available at all branches of Halfordsa nd as featured on BBC's Top Gear)appeared with undue haste in the middle of nowhere.
Call me a cynic. Go on.
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yup
the first time he got stuck was planned, there was much easier ground to the right (his left)
It was an old LR sales ploy, they have done it before on other mountains, all well scouted out before hand of course.
Mind you, does not change the fact its still mighty impressive.
And RR and swimming pool? Nope never happened, like most "wild boys of rock" stories.
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Well, landie stuck up the doors twice I felt was meant to be visual proof for what he said earlier in the program - that due to dual chasis the car was enourmously heavy. In fact too heavy for normal driving license if you were to tow anything with it...
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Well, landie stuck up the doors twice
Poor program continuity. One minute the wheels were covered in mud from the peat bog, the next, all shiny again.
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Thought the upward gradient was extremely steep though.
Not bad at all for a Land Rover(or any 4wd for that matter) to make it up that incline!
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Digressing a bit, Keith Moon is one of the all time great rock and rollers, who cares wether he drove a RR into a pool. He's done much more outrageous stunts in his life. The clip of him on Top Gear tonight was a classic. Just look at his facial expressions.. pure class, even Animal from the muppets is based on him.
A true rock and roll hero.
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I don't understand what all the excitement about the weight of the Disco is all about. My Range Rover weighs 2600kg and the new Disco is 2700kg. If you look at the official Land Rover brochure for the new Disco you will note that it is a monocoque and does not have 2 chassis.
The reason Clarkson got stuck and to quote him is because "I am the worlds worst off-road driver".
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\"Nothing less than 8 cylinders will do\"
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>>..the Range Rover needed four or five men and a land anchor to make it! >>
Actually it was the new Discovery.
Moreover, can you think of many 2.7 tonne vehicles that would have even got a quarter of the way up?
Glad that JC finally realised the benefit of putting his foot down on the uphill stretches near the finish - trying to crawl up is unlikely to succeed.
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And its very pretty. Really very pretty.
I was a bit concerned about his comments about lack of sufficient power though.
Also Clarkson had a very good point about radio controls for the little ones. I could lose the will to live over that one.
I might buy one, I'm sure I saw a puddle in the school lane this morning.
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You ought to be careful with those puddles. I think perhaps a RR Vogue would be better suited to you needs.
On my cd player that got nicked, it came with a remote control. I don't mean the one you put on the steering wheel - I mean a proper remote control. I always left it in the house. What's the point in allowing your passengers to choose the music? I ask you.
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Adam
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Pretty? Hmmm not sure I could ever describe one house brick with half a brick screwed on the front as pretty! Its brave, its unique, its functional, its practical, its utilitarian, oh wait they are all terms to describe pig ugly! But mind you, what an "in your face pig ugly"!!!
Re the rear remote controls for the kiddies. Come on - there *must* be an over-ride control in the front, no car designer can be that removed from the real world surely!
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I have to be honest RF, I don't normally go in for all that 4x4 business but I think it looks quite nice. Only quite nice. I think the sort of slab effect and boxy look is what makes it look so different and so, nicer.
There would be an override in the front - it's name?
Dad.
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Adam
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Actually spotted one a few months back heading into Devon. Got to say- think it looks better on tv and piccies (although was dirty and painted black).
Didn't really stand out that much- was only as I was going past that I realised what it was!
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rf.the remote controls only control the headphone sockets.the kids can listen to cassettes or cds via headphones whilst you listen to the radio, I have this on current disco and it saves a lot of arguments,anything to keep the little defenders happy.
still not convinced about the look but it drives better than anything else Ive tried including the xc90 and the mitsubishi shogun ,not that I would discredit either of them(only my opinion not that its worth much )
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I was a bit concerned about his comments about lack of sufficient power though.
It's all relative, to someone who's regular daily transport produces nearly 500 hp it probably did not feel that quick.
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HI ive noticed this before , but has the car is a resonably priced car had paint on the rear passenger side door anyone ?
im sure you can see where its not been blended in properly to the next door
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I noticed that but didn't think anything of it.
Incidently, when I got my bonnet resprayed, I got told that my back doors had been resprayed. Funny given we got the car brand new.
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Adam
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The reasonably priced car (in reality actually more than one) has been biffed and bashed many times by a vast number of celebrities - not suprising there's the odd blemish.
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it looks like my nother has sprayed it
not a godd advert for a motoring show is it
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I noticed that but didn't think anything of it. Incidently, when I got my bonnet resprayed, I got told that my back doors had been resprayed. Funny given we got the car brand new. -- Adam
Quite possible, it's not unknown for cars to be bashed in transit and repaired before they even make the showroom.
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I will own up to not really paying attention but I was puzzled by Clarkson (apparently) making a point about having to fold a seat twice for rear seat access - on a five door!
What did I miss?
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He was accessing the third row of seats.
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Adn whilst he was being a bit silly trying to do it whilst holding a child, he was right in that it is more cumbersome and awkward than you would expect, or be happy living with.
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Clarkson summed up at the end of this piece that the XC90 makes a better family (i.e. real world) vehicle. But then he would, wouldn't he, as an XC90 owner himself.....
Have to agree with him about the faffy rear seat business on the Disco. My kids make light work of access to the favoured third row in my XC90. One handle/one hand does the lot.
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The whole disco thing was rediculous. This show drives me crazy - I really must not watch it. What a waste of energy and time the whole thing was, just a big advert for LR. The thing he said about the headphone sockets was equally moronic - as if they would put kiddie controls in the back which you couldn't turn off. No doubt Clarkson knows this, but he'll use it for a cheap gag.
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The whole disco thing was rediculous. just a big advert for LR.
You're not suggesting for one moment that TG are *still* promoting Ford are you? I would have thought that now Jezzer has got his GT40, he wouldn't need to plug Ford any longer ;o)
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I was driving in France yesterday and saw a new Discovery.
The comment made by someone of "doesn't look so good in real life" or somesuch, is surprisingly accurate.
Still looks good enough to have one though.
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Clarkson has been listening to the critics of Top Gear who feel too much time is spent on tyre-smoking super-cars and not enough on more mundane cars.
Acknowledging this criticism last night he reviewed, for 20 seconds or so, all superminis on sale in UK and concluded the pick were the Jazz and Yaris and then got on with an in-depth look at the Aston Martin and Ferrari!!
Once again the show was a mixture of amusement and toe curling embarrassment. The longest part was about 2 presenters spending 24 hours in a Smart car with description of how they performed their bodily functions in the car - complete with sound effects!!
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The longest part was about 2 presenters spending 24 hours in a Smart car with description of how they performed their bodily functions in the car - complete with sound effects!!
All that time dedicated to a 12k car, and people still complain!
(TIC)
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TG was dull. Les dull was JC's article in the Tunday Simes moaning about his worn out hip.
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Is it possible to have an Adam's-Apple-ectomy?
Oz (as was)
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Does anyone know who the Stig is now since Perry McCarthy got fired?
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Has he been fired then? I thought the driving style had changed, much more edgy - less smooth.
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It's very early, but reading the TG site, did he get fired because he drove the Jag off the ship? Whether that was aired or not I don't know. I missed a few and this is the first I heard of it.
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Adam
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That was a planned stunt - it just got fired off by the catapult
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I *think* Perry was fired (sacked) because his identity had been revealed.
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McCarthy wasn't fired - he was involved in other areas and decided to leave.
His activities have included competing in the Porsche Carrera Cup series GB.
If you want to send your condolences even now for the demise of the original Stig, go to:
www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/stig_cond.../
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You guys better check out this site:
8< Snip 8<
As you've already plugged that link at least twice before in Top Gear threads, it doesn't need mentioning *yet* again.
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I will be watching Top Gear in an hour or so.
To save our regular contributors time and effort just use the 'quote original message' function on any reply and fill in spaces* or delete** as required!
There was **too much/not enough emphasis on supercars opposite locking.
The Stig is *.............
Jeremy Clarkson is **Fabulous/Great/Arrogant/Waste of Rations or*...........
The midget is **Fabulous/Great/Arrogant/Waste of Rations or*...........
James *........ is **Fabulous/Great/Arrogant/Waste of Rations or*........
The Star in a reasonably priced car was **Fabulous/Great/Arrogant/Waste of Rations or*...........
The article on *........ was **Fabulous/Great/arrogant/Waste of Rations or*.........
Overall I ** am ecstatic/Love/Like/dislike/hate/*........ the programme.
Compared with 5th Gear the programme is **Much better/better/the same/worse/*..........
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Nicely put Cardew. Now give me a minute and I'll add it to the existing TG thread.....
No Do$h - Alfa-driving Backroom Moderator
mailto:moderators@honestjohn.co.uk
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Chaotic people! Like the ones who pour a kettle full of boiling water over their frozen windscreen and then stand back in horror as the glass explodes!
Also seen a few instances where a heated rear screen has cracked due to the ice being so thick when they have switched it on!
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Carry on
Keeps us nice and busy.
(Glass-Tech)
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Well, I thought last night's was excellent. Utterly terrific television. Watching JC thrashing an S-type around the Nurburgring in 9:59 was one of the most entertaining bits of TV I've seen in a long while.
Then watching that German girlie get straight in the car and knock half a minute off his best time was even better.
Pure entertainment - not a great deal of detail, but a reminder of the fact that cars aren't all queuing and misery.
V
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Sabine was so mockingly critical of JC's driving it made me wonder what she'd be like to live with. HJ
Great, if you were a submissive masochist.
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I want to be Sabine when I grow up! I bet she would rather have taken her van round that track than that old man car Jeremy was driving... and even in that, she still beat him!! :)
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I took to her straight away when she deflated the big one's ego - very similar to bursting a balloon.
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I thought she had the typically dry wit I've so often found in Germany, often mistaken for arrogance but if you look closely, there's a twinkle.....
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If she could cook and clean....she would be my ideal wife....oh - and she must own either an M5 or 911.
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Adam
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And don't forget it wasn't just any old 'strange car'.
It was right hand drive.
On two occasions, I've done approximately 20 laps round the Nordschleif, and it really doesn't get any better for a petrol head. Absolutely awesome. The level of concentration to drive those 147 corners at nine tenths, keeping it smooth and controlled with the car fidgeting and squirming under you, when you are also sharing the track with everything from the odd tourist coach, to superbikes, and in my second case, a mind bogglingly fast 911 that was testing for Toyo tyres, is of a high order. Discipline was pretty good though, and people on a cooling down or 'not interested in going quickly' lap leapt out of my way, or stayed out of the way, with clear indication as much as I did those in cars faster than mine. The Karousel plays merry hell on the suspension though, being broken up old concrete, and I still have macro photos somewhere of my front and rear tyre treadblocks after I pulled in after two fast laps... melting!
Mental note.
Must go back! :-))
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She was a real petrolhead and a suitable replacement for a sacked JC/May/Hamilton....
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I was rather hoping Stig was going to take Hammond's Dodge Charger for a play around the track.
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Sabine was wonderful.
I'm on my way over there to thrash the Scooby round a few laps and propose to her!
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I just loved the way she said 'Schumacher'
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That pot shot at Brunstrom was so yesterday. Apparantly Brunstrom has challanged JC to a verbal dual which JC has refused to engage in - Brunstrom had invited him onto his home turf but the Beeb insisted that he went to the studio to film.
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They mentioned didn't they that Brunstrom has been taken to task for having computers generate officers statements, and print them signed without the officer ever having had sight of the statement.
Said that Brunstrom had been warned this is perverting the course of justice, or something, and that he could be open to prosecution if he continues this policy.
Can't find any reference to this story via any of the internet search engines, so is it made up?
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I had a look pdc and almost spilt coffee over myself. I know it's an old story but:
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3460485.stm
Is he genuinely being serious? So 35mph is the be all and end all and you should go to hell - yet taking heroin should be made legal given it isn't dangerous.
Yes - ok Dick
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Adam
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Totally agree. Drugs should be legalised and VAT charged and the dealers taxed. with all the new revenue the govt wouldn't need safe ty cameras then would they?
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Is this the same guy who nearly lost Wales the Rally of Great Britain by booking half the drivers a couple of years back?
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Is this the same guy who nearly lost Wales the Rally of Great Britain by booking half the drivers a couple of years back?
No that was either Gwent or South Wales Police. Needed to be done though.
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Last night's T.G. was, for a change, entertaining!
The "under £1500 Porsche", feature was hilarious. More to the point, perhaps, was the test of the new Golf GTI, a car which the man in the street can buy. Rarely have I heard J.C. wax so lyrical about a car, ending with him actually urging people to buy one!
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Roger. (Costa del Sol, España)
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I thought last nights show was excellent. I really enjoyed it and, as you say, the porche section was extermely amusing.
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Am I alone in thinking that the new GTi is uglier than a boxful of frogs?
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Nope you're not alone. I can't see the attraction of this new golf as it is slower than the original (that had a normally aspirated engine) and slower than a honda civic type r (much cheaper). A car for badge snobs I think.
teabelly
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VW Golf GTI trying to emulate Audi with a gawky grill and they said the Scorpio was ugly.
The Porsche 928 was a top trump favourite of mine when I was younger, JC proved that they haven't got old gracefully. Still think though that after all these years though the 928 has great road presence.
How the mighty fall.
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Not only that, I was surprised they didn't point out that it was also slower than the Leon Cupra R - which is based on the Golf Mk IV platform!
Was well impressed with the commitment round the lap shown by the blind chap (what was his name, I didn't catch it) - he'd obviously been a keen driver before losing his sight. One of the highlights of the series for me, along with the Porsche bit.
Speaking of which - have to say that I think it was a bit cheeky for JC to sell the bits of his car as "furniture" - how much did it cost him to get it built?
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andymc
Vroom, vroom - mmm, doughnuts ...
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One of the best episodes yet. Porsche bit was great, Billy Baxter was great, Golf GTi was great - I actually didn't go off to get a coffee like I do in boring bits of the episode.
Agree with ND - Golfey Mark 5 is pretty damn ugly although the red didn't help. There'll will only be two great Golfs in my eyes - the Mark 2 and the Mark 4. Even if it was slow, in black, absolutely gorgeous car.
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Adam
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Sir Cliff didn't do too badly either.
Also loved JC's direction instructions for Billy Baxter - especially when they were heading straight for the tyre wall....
Sounded like an Army sergeant in full flow.
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Bill Baxter was the blind chap. I saw in on something a while back breaking the no sight speed record on a motorbike.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/3238424....m
Quite a bloke!
MM
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Billy Baxter .... at last a true celebrity in the proper sense of the word.
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Finally managed to have time to watch the TG that I recorded last Sunday. I found the Billy Baxter item incredibly moving, he is a wonderful example for us all of triumph over adversity. TG has had a lot of critism for many of its items, I hope it gets the credit it deserves for the Billy Baxter feature.
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No, teabelly, badge snobs buy Mercs don't they?
I think the new GTI is for people who like a bit of style.
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Nope you're not alone. I can't see the attraction of this new golf as it is slower than the original (that had a normally aspirated engine) and slower than a honda civic type r (much cheaper). A car for badge snobs I think. teabelly
Slower the the original? I was unaware a Mk1 Golf GTI could accelerate from 0-60 in 6.7 seconds.
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Potential backroom poll -
is it okay to drive mechanically unsound cars, or drive three abreast on public roads, for the sake of a bit of TV ?
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The new Golf GTI is fabulous. JC tells it like it is for once. I don't really think it matters that the Leon is faster, especially as you don't know the conditions the numbers are measured for.
It was an excellent episode, and it usually gets on my nerves no end. Only bad bit was the usual Liana tripe with Cliff.
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.*********
I really enjoyed the Porsche challenge part, very funny.
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NeilB,
Congratulations.
I see you've met our swearfilter!!
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Couldn't agree more. How many real life families looking for a "family car" consider spending £20,000? But JC did praise the new Tigra diesel - I nearly fell off my chair!
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He also praised the pertol Tigra in yesterday's Tunday Simes. Car mag says it is better than the 206CC as well.
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I hear on the local radio that TG are trying to move the track and studios to Enstone airfield, but local planners/do gooders are opposing the idea because of potential noise and traffic increasing in the area.
Could this be foward planning on Jezzers part to cut down on fuel costs when he eventually takes delivery of his thirsty GT-40?
(I'm not going to post the link, as it points to the Times.)
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That would be odd....it is already a technology/industrial park with the Renault F1 team based there. Many helicopters flying in and out most days. What difference is a few days filming going to make?
StarGazer (local but obviously not a do-gooder!)
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