I haven't read it yet, but it seems weird to me. Clarkson hated the Z and loved the 8 in his review.

http://www.topgear.com/content/featu...wards_2004/10/

Ok i figured it out...the RX8 won Coupe of the year...too bad I can't change the title anymore.

Congrats to the BOTH of us!!!

 

Clarkson is just one voice, and apparently a small insignificant voice in that vote. I don't read the Mag often, but I believe he is TV host above all else.

 

Yup, Clarkson is TV host, just writes a column and the occasional article for the magazine. They use him for great publicity, but he doesn't control the editorial content of the magazine at all.

Regards,
Gordon

 

I read CAR, much better IMHO.

 

haha, seems nissan pay more bucks to Clarkson than mazda do:D

as i remember, he said: "that(RX8) is a very very very good car..."

 

clarkson is a ******** anyway. nobody should take anything he says too serious.

 

That's why he's fun to watch.

Speed Channel is trying to get the show aired over here.

 

man i hope so. i love that show and the episodes i have now are getting boring.

 

Clarkson's review of the 350Z reminded me of Simon from American Idols. LOL

 

Although he doesn't always get all his facts correct, the thing I like about Clarkston is that he isn't afraid to have an opinion, and that opinion is often insightful.

Specifically regarding the 350Z, watch the C&D TV review, and then watch the Clarkston review. The C&D is completely pointless and bland, basically they just show a 350Z driving down some country roads and read off some of Nissan's marketing literature. Clarkston incorrectly lists the VQ engine as being French (because it's also used in some Renault), but is spot on when he says that you'd expect the car to be agile and fun like a bigger, more powerful Miata, but it just feels heavy and the engine doesn't feel particularly revvy.

 

Someone correct me, but I believe the VQ is a Renault engine used by Nissan.

Edit: I was wrong...Nissan supplies engines to Renault. Renault supplies trannys to Nissan. Here is a very nice document:

http://www.renault.com/docs/groupe_g...b_06082003.pdf

 

But he likes Campbells soup and home invasions....... he must be important???

 

Yea, the VQ has been on wards top ten engines every year since it first debuted almost 10 years ago. Somehow I don't see the French making such a nice motor.

Good find btw!

 

Google's powa'

About the French making engines...it's strange. I am from Argentina, and over there Renault, Peugeot and Citroen have a very strong presence. They've been selling cars for as long as I can remember. The one that has always caught my attention: Renault Fuego. Over there people praise it like it's the ultimate driving machine (ehhh...)
Very few people ever compained about engine, tranny, etc...; on the other hand, when I came to the US, I was astonished to find out that brands such as Renault had to remove their sorry butts because of reliability problems. Without going too far, I haven't found ONE person here that had good things to say about Fuegos.

Oh well, just some insight into foreign markets. Sorry: OFF TOPIC.

 

Man, that top gear site is pop-up-ad hell!!

 

Who still has popups?

Either get the google toolbar, opera, firebird/mozzila or some popup blocker.


As to the 350z/top gear, the magazine ISNT the TV program.

Clarkson writes for the magazine, but isnt in charge of it in any way, the TV show is basicaly his tho.

Must have hurt him some to present the 350z with the car of the year award lol, I think the mag voted for that just to wind JC up.

 

Whatever you guys say, Jeremy Clarkson is terrific. He makes cars look more interesting then they already are. They're(James' and Richard's too) reviews aren't as boring as some Business Channel reviewing about some BWM 7-series' leather interior and LCD Screen. Top Gear is Top Notch if you ask me.

 

I don't think it's Clarkson in the Campbells soup ads.......

 

It's all good.

The 350Z and the RX-8 are both great cars. Nothing wrong with either winning in 'Best car' or 'Best coupe.'

edit: ACK! I've become a victim of the dreaded username glitch on the forum.

I'm supposed to be SA22C. I'd best log off and back in again.