Fifth Gear v. Top Gear

I think Top Gear is hugely entertaining. It's no longer really about cars, but it's more entertaining because of it.

5th Gear is about cars, but is dry and boring.

I'm glad that both exist.

Matt

 

I like both....but I favor Top Gear- Clarkson and the boys are very entertaining!

 

I like autoweek. They simply drive and review cars. 5th gear is entertaining as it seems more about the cars. The portion on the Mclaren the other night was great and the little electric car they developed. That was interesting without games.

Although I have to consider that I may be more into the cars than the entertainment and the vast majority of the population may be more into the entertainment. I'll lose every time on that front.

Orange county chopper was originally a show about building bikes. I liked the cutting, welding and creation. Then in my eyes it went to total poop and I haven't watched it in years. A total waste of my time. American Restoration the spin off from pawn stars someone noted has gone the same route, used to be the restoration of interesting old stuff, now before and after pics with a lot of drama. My customers and staff give me all the drama I need, I want to relax with a beer and cars.

 

Tiff, Jason and Vicki are a lot more informative and I watch Fifth gear only for specific cars. I'll watch special segments if they feature sports cars. I find their reviews a lot more believable and useful than I do Top Gear's.

Jeremy and crew are very entertaining, and I watch that show primarily for entertainment versus their reviews. Things Jeremy has to say about Ferraris are ridiculous - his steering issues with the 458 and that it has no soul, his issues with the nose of the 430s, and his "bald spot, stomach, and music" in the F430 spider. As far as super cars go, he prefers cars that want to kill him versus the cars with "the nanny", so I can predict what he is going to say before he says it.

I don't find one show "better" than the other. For me, it's more about what each person has to say about the car they are testing and how useful the information is to me versus the overall quality of the show. The presenters all appeal to me in different ways and none of them are boring, so that's a plus.

 

I used to like the British top gear more, but lately I'm liking the American version better now. I like how they bust each others chops a lot more.

 

I prefer Fifth Gear simply because I do not have listen to that pompous arse Clarkson.

 

Enjoy them both. But I'm getting real tired of watching 1/2 hr. segments featuring flaming cars and trucks dropped from cranes on Top Gear. Frankly....I find them extremely boring and wish all of these car shows including Top Gear USA would concentrate more on driving and reviewing.

 

Top Gear is a funny show which features cars. Every now and then they remind us that they are never serious which is why i love the show. They have amazing cars, amazing imagery and a lot of humor.

5th gear is ok. They have great cars but since they really are not that funny (although they try), it's more like reading a car magazine. Plus i hate their format..after each block, they remind you what is coming next. It's a 45mns show for christ sake, i dont need a reminder every 7 minutes.

 

It's amazing the audience numbers Top Gear gets, yet here in America, a car culture country, we've never had a show like that with those numbers.

 

top gear has the best hosts, but the worst topics these days. 5th gear is better for car info and tiff needle is the best host of them all.

 

You have the BBC to thank for this. Sometimes public service, tax funded stuff works wonders.

Your Car Talk is a great success, albeit on the radio. A different slant but still entertainment & host focused. I always enjoy listening to it.

 

I HATE the american version........and I'm american

 

Top Gear

 

Just saw this trailer for the new Top Gear (BBC) DVD/Blue-Ray/digital download coming out Nov 19. Doesn't this look entertaining?!! I think so!

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nenQI4HrUhk[/ame]

 

I like the humor of Top Gear.
I've been watching 5th gear, but I get annoyed by some of the political correctness they interject.
And the differences between Tiff and the kids makes me feel old.
And, yes, once the Brits start playing with commercial breaks, it's best to watch them on a DVR with fast forward.

 

I can watch UK "Top Gear" with my hair on fire.

US "Top Gear" is getting there but too many times
they're doing stuff we've already seen the UK guys
do.

What is this "5th Gear" you speak of? Tell me about
it, everything...

BHW

 

I actually posted in haste because there are quite a few times when I find Clarkson hysterical. Both shows just like all others have area's they could improve on via public opinion but overall I just try to focus on the cars and the real world impressions of them. Heck I guess we should just be thankfull that we have such shows.

 

Velocity network. . Another UK drive and review show. New on cable this year.

 

I too agree, it was fun when they had a special race or segment once a season but now the whole season is a special and maybe one episode has a proper review. There are so many important cars that they just don't review anymore. What really irritates me now about TopGear is that Jeremy no longer gives honest reviews and on top of it doctors the tape to support his views. Lets review the GTO in full wet conditions or lets review the FF in ice with normal tires and compare it to a Bentley on snow tires. I think for a true car enthusiast the format in seasons 5 and 6 was the best. The show has really gone downhill since then especially in the past few years.

I never liked Fifth Gear much but of late I like it more and more as there is a lot garbage and a lot more car review. I especially like the team test.

 

You can watch Fifth Gear online. Do this google search:

fifth gear site:streetfire.net

 

On the whole, I agree.

Top Gear is more easy-going entertainment that bases it on a generalised automotive theme: prank-filled road trips, interviews with celebrities, etc. 5th Gear actually tries to review the cars more seriously, but I wouldn't say it's dry or boring.

I like to watch both. It's a good mix of automotive TV.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

Cars:

Top Gear rarely does "normal" cars.

Fifth Gear rarely does "supercars."



Drivers:

Top Gear presenters are just guys, except The Stig who is a racing driver.

Fifth Gear presenters are racing drivers, except Johnny who is just a guy.



Humor:

Top Gear is not subtle, at all.

Fifth Gear is very subtle.



Informative Commentary:

Top Gear doesn't really do Informative.

Fifth Gear will tell you information relevant to the car being reviewed, based upon the idea the viewer might buy one.


Entertainment:

Top Gear is eminently entertaining. Think Peter Griffin driving a Ferrari.

Fifth Gear is also entertaining, if you actually love cars, all cars, not just the flashy stuff.

 

I dont know outside of Tiff I cant stand 5th gear, especially when listing to Vicki on the bond DB5 that went up for auction two years ago.

I am sitting in a seat that's was sculpted by Connery's rear she said two minutes into the bit about it with a complete fangasmn, I'll pass thank you very much.

The boys of top gear may go overboard, but atleast they dont creep me out like she did or bore me. Plus when you look past Clarkson's made up to offend everyone and everything persona he does have genuinely interesting information and thoughts on the car that Tiff and the boys dont come up with.

I mean Clarkson loved the Viper for what it was, Tiff and the other guy just flat out dismissed it.

and Clarkson inadvertently explained why the MC12 Spun out on Tiff, it was never designed to have the traction control a 100% off!

basically its kind of a deal if you like no humor, or full on humor. Sadly no inbetween usually with top gear. Although I did love that bit they did on that F1 Car from the 1980's that belonged to that race car driver that died 20 years ago.

Sorry the name escapes me at the moment.

 

Watch Top Gear for the laughs.

Watch Fifth Gear for the "real" reviews. This season they have gone HD too

Err... that's every single American show I have ever seen It's funny you haven't noticed that before