General Top Gear review the 500 - Sun 9th Dec

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General Top Gear review the 500 - Sun 9th Dec

isuk

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James May will be driving the 500 in Budapest next week.
 
I wouldn't take too much notice of the egocentric threesome. In his column in the Mirror Hammond has been quite complimentary about the latest 500. But like most Panda owners I fully expect May to have a downer on the 500.

I enjoy the show for what it is but when it comes to car reviews I rather rely on the written established motoring press.
 
you watch the show just because its funny and witty and good entertainment.

its more about them then cars :D

they dont really show that many 'down to earth' cars either :p

look at there magazine as well.

i get top gear and its more articles on them roadtesting the ferrari, or having a spout about something. i get whatcar and they at least roadtest real propoer affordable cars back to back and compare them truthfully :worship:
 
I enjoy the show for what it is but when it comes to car reviews I rather rely on the written established motoring press.

Yes, 'Top Gear is theatre' but please, please, please don't say 'rely' when talking of the 'established motoring press'! Whatcar? with their depreciation and switchgear obsessions? Autocar with their BMW obsession? Take note of their comments yes but then apply them to your own test experiences. They're just a school of jumped-up snotty journos who can't tell you what car you can or cannot connect with, anymore than any fool like me on this forum! I'm sure you're too sensible for that anyway. :D
 
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i get top gear and its more articles on them roadtesting the ferrari, or having a spout about something. i get whatcar and they at least roadtest real propoer affordable cars back to back and compare them truthfully :worship:

There still rubbish IMO. Its still written by highly paid journalists that cruise around in luxury cars so anything less than what they drive get negative comments. The best thing to do is go test drive every car that takes your fancy / fits into your budget and needs and come to your own conclusion.
 
The general impression is however that the Top Gear presenters raison d'etre is to entertain and above all self promote. The written press may be wrong in their judgement on occasion but in the majority of cases it is their honest opinion.

The best read by far in my opinion is Car magazine
 
The best read by far in my opinion is Car magazine

Ah, you're only saying that because they made the 500 their COTY... ;) Beware, they'll turn on you like the rabid dogs they are!

I guess if we listened to most of the car magazines none of us would be driving FIATs, we'd all be driving VWs :yuck: Thank goodness some of us have better taste than that... ;)
 
There still rubbish IMO. Its still written by highly paid journalists that cruise around in luxury cars so anything less than what they drive get negative comments. The best thing to do is go test drive every car that takes your fancy / fits into your budget and needs and come to your own conclusion.

still a good read though (y)

when i was looking at the stilo i test drove a VRS (to much to insure), Focus TDCi (bit bland), and Astra 1.7CDTi Club (crap dealer - a bit slow).

So i settled on the Stilo :D

Since having the Stilo i have test driven the new Bravo and the new Corsa (without intention to purchase :p)
 
I still wouldn't drive a VW even if I did listen to the press.

A. There too Expensive
B. Expensive to insure for what they are (god knows why? who'd want to nick a golf unless it was a R32)
C. There so so boring and have no soul.
D. VW make just as many sheds as fiat but they keep it well hidden.

Saying that I decided to try the Fabia vRS and it lasted 4 months :rolleyes:.
 
Wonder if they could get James May in the front seat and Hammond squashed in behind him?

That would be a real "Top Gear Challenge". :D
 
I still wouldn't drive a VW even if I did listen to the press.

A. There too Expensive
B. Expensive to insure for what they are (god knows why? who'd want to nick a golf unless it was a R32)
C. There so so boring and have no soul.
D. VW make just as many sheds as fiat but they keep it well hidden.

Saying that I decided to try the Fabia vRS and it lasted 4 months :rolleyes:.

I do a lot of Motorway miles locally in the SW and the main cars you see broken down at the side or up on a breakdown truck are VWs and Audis and Beamers and Mercs, followed closely by Range/Land Rovers and anything French. In just a 50 m round trip today there were 4 in total, 2 Audis and 2 Golfs. In 40+ years of motoring, remarkably I don't think I've ever seen a Fiat broken down on the hard shoulder, albeit there are fewer of them than the common herd. Judging by mine they probably usually manage to limp home somehow, as most of their faults are just minor (if annoying) electrical. As I've said before, Magnetti Marelli should have stuck to making ice cream, but they are definitely getting better and will soon be up with the Japs for build quality and reliability in my view and, of course, are already way more interesting.
 
you obviously didnt get out much just after the Stilo was launched, I remember seeing them broken down everywhere:) IMO one of Fiats worst efforts. Interestingly an AA man once told me that the Mk1 and 2 Puntos were pretty good, this of course was when he was attending a neighbours broken Punto!!!

Thing is, there are thousands of VW/Audis on the roads of the UK so youre very likely to see them broken. To be fair they are fairly reliable cars, I seem to always see Mk3 Fiestas and various Vauxhalls broken down.

In all honesty, Fiat are a pretty reliable car to own, providing you keep up with maintainance and fix the little problems before they get you. Its my 11th year of owning them and have never been stranded in a Fiat, they always get you home:)
 
I saw an A3 broken down yesterday on the motorway with steam pouring from its engine bay :rolleyes:, felt sorry for the owner as it was 1 in the morning :eek:

And there was a fiesta the other day when i was on the motorway :p
 
Make sure you have a large pinch of salt at hand for tonight at 9.

:yeahthat: Saxa shares should be up tonight!

I can see the summary chat at the end will be along the lines of "why pay a premium for the 500 to get a car with the dynamics of a Panda, but minus two doors", which would be to miss the point surely. What's I find irritating is that Top Gear is - rightly or wrongly - influential and for a car as yet unavailable in the UK I just hope they don't sink the 500's chances before people have the opportunity to make-up their own minds.
 
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