Unpopular Motoring Opinions

[@JBdaSilver]

I have to agree with the state of automotive journalism. Although I think it didn't start with Clackson, I believe it goes a bit earlier than the 2002 Top Gear series, but he is definitely a big part of the reason. I would say the journalism in the late 80's and throughout the 90's really emphasised the mystique of the Japanese gentlemen agreement, the rise of Group A and later DTM and WRC where the boring family saloons and coupes gradually became heroes of speed and marketing darlings. The "evolutions" became the benchmark for everything else, every article on a new car was about speed and handling, performance and power. Not about how good it was for what, why and who the car was made for. I also remember the marketing and journalism back then, "Ferrari power and speed that YOU can afford and have!". Was this journalism and marketing that made the everyday diesel saloons that were mainly bought as taxis and sold wholesale for executive fleets have to live up to the standard of Ms, AMGs, STIs, GTRs, etc. This journalism and marketing over the years is the reason of today's market. A reminder that the new M5 makes 717 hp. Who needs this much power? And why? What was this car made for?

[@comcarclub]

@@JBdaSilver those are some very good points I wasn't aware of

[@peterpodgorski]

Omg, yes. How I hate that "if you don't like obnoxious exhausts, harsh ride, and LARPing rally driving you're not a real car person" attitude.

[@owensteele1645]

Regarding convertibles: I used to own a Honda S2000. I always used to enjoy driving it. HOWEVER!!! It did get more expensive to run, parts were getting hard to find, and the car was becoming a little bit rusty over the 8 years I owned it. The only real annoying thing about the Honda S2000 was what was going on around it. It was becoming a magnet for blokes who knew nothing about cars. The worst ones would approach me with the usual, "it's a hairdresser's car", or "I know someone with one", and then shared stories about how impossibly fast they are which always turned me off and put me to sleep. My car today is a 2007 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 S, in metallic black. I actually enjoy driving it just as much as the S2000. But it's much more comfortable, cheaper to run, easier to repair and to do things with, and I've noticed that 'undesirables' have since left me alone!

[@roastbeefy0weefy]

dude, thank you. Convertibles are HIDEOUS. I've thought this since I was 9 years old. It's what bothers me about the Miata: Hard top or not, the styling is that of a convertible.

[@harvest_goon]

Your point about Clarkson reminds me of Savagegeese (which I otherwise hold to be the best car reviewer on youtube) doing 0-60 launches in budget CUVs and making fun of the engine note, or making apologies for the car being an appliance. I think every true car guy can appreciate a well engineered, purpose-built appliance for a good value.

[@tambarskelfir]

I used to hate Clarkson for many of the same reasons you mention. But damnit, I have come to accept him as the very imperfect entertainer he is. I must be getting soft in my old age. Perhaps one of the things that has softened my view of him in his retirement, is his legacy and influence which has resulted in quite a lot of enthusiastic and entertaining car-KZbinrs, such as this fine channel. He's still abrasive, loud, obnoxious, opinionated, weird looking and boorish, but he's become like a weird old uncle that sometimes pops up and says something outrageous. I can take him in micro-doses now. Rest in peace Sean Lock. 15 Storeys High is so underrated. Another thing I have come to realize is the duality of BMW. While BMWs seem to attract a very distinct and annoying kind of a person, their cars are actually comfortable and fun driving machines. Underrated even. At least up to around 2006-ish. Their large V8 sedans, not to mention V12 sedans, are delightful and they made some of the best sounding engines out there. Their i6 engines are legendary. BMWs are always interesting cars and surprisingly easy to work on. I guess what I'm saying is that despite all the douchebags that own BMWs, it seems to me their cars are really made for car enthusiasts. But for some reason they mostly attract douchebags.

[@comcarclub]

@@tambarskelfir I've always defended BMW as great machines (or at least used to be great machines, they're an electronic mess these days). The thing is, I think 90% of people who buy them don't appreciate their great engineering, and just have them for the badge, which is a bit of a shame. Many 1-series buyers had no idea it was RWD, which goes to illustrate that. It's like buying an XM or C6 and never using the hydropneumatic suspension to clear an obstacle. I understand what you mean about Clarkson, but the man has sown so many seeds of intolerance and ignorance that it's hard for me to let it go. All the best!!

[@EbenBransome]

I *do* understand both convertibles and SUVs. The latter are popular with older men with limited back mobility and paunches because they are easy to get into and the owners have the illusion that they look younger in them. The former are popular with overweight people, especially overweight women with babies who can get the car seat into the back more easily along with all the junk that children need nowadays. We once toured Scotland for two weeks in a GSA with three small children in the back and never felt cramped, but that was the early 1980s and we didn't know we were underprivileged. These days I have the electric equivalent of a hot hatch and the sheer pleasure of instant acceleration, rear wheel drive with quick steering, powerful braking and a total lack of drama while doing it means I really don't care what other people think.

[@35dononeill]

I think that convertibles that wete conceived as convertibles are lovely Mx5 etc.... People like SUV's because of the high driving position. I think Clarkson has changed alot since he started farming. He has done alot to highlight the problems with farming. Also, he's not a troll. He doesn't back down when he meets any opposition.

[@jomo2483]

I did want to buy a bike, until I got rained on riding on one and thought, why would I spend the same amount of money as a good used car, to get rained on. Hehe

[@martinneumann7783]

I‘m dreaming of a Peugeot 504 Coupé which I‘d prefer to the cabriolet (which is also beautiful). The next supercar I am dreaming about is a Citroën Dyane 6. A late example in blue, please. I was watching Top Gear several times on a private channel on German television. Nice and funny, but not my cup of tea to be honest. Destroying cars that _real_ fans are longing for is not the kind of entertainment that I appreciate. See you soon on your channel »»» Martin

[@lennartdahlback]

6:51 ... something's missing: Yeah, in some countries the whole infrastructure is missing.

[@comcarclub]

Fair point.

[@hamzasajad6355]

Aha i clicked on this expecting to be infuriated, only to find myself nodding in agreement😂 I cant believe how ppl dribble over Convertibles. You pay a ridiculous premium for a car with less trunk space, leg room, often less seats, less door's - and the hardtop just looks unrefined. They normally arent driven by 'car ppl' and so are a ticking bomb waiting to blow God knows why theres a drive to make a convertible of every practical, comfortable model on the market

[@comcarclub]

@@hamzasajad6355 you have fine judgment, sir! I salute you!

[@Whatshisname346]

I’ve always thought Clarkson was a t%^t. It’s his conservatism in relation to cars which always grinds my gears. Back in the 90s and early 00s he constantly told people not to go near diesels which, eventually, he changed in the face of reality and the fact that diesels did get quite good (and then quite bad). He did the same with electric cars, paddle shifts, traction control, literally any new tech. Yet his taste in cars is woeful. He’s bought, as his personal car, the dullest merc AMGs and footballer Ferraris, hates 911s and while he whines constantly about tech can’t actually buy or use a barebones car because he’s a fat balding middle aged man whose scared of actually having to drive. But I think this is demonstrative of motoring journalism as a whole. A bunch of overgrown posh school boys driving cars to within an inch of their lives and then complaining about handling to the point were were only able to buy cars with bone shattering suspension and stupidly complicated engines to keep these idiots happy.

[@iloveg25]

That rant is boring AF... It's clear you hate Clarkson, but, did it had to be that long? Also they don't like those dumb SUVs, but the market wants bland, uninspiring stuff, appliances... not comfortable, not sporty, and not much better than a 5 seater hatch spacewise, convertibles are nice in their own way, that's your own opinion, and it's fine, but people have different tastes

[@evlo8059]

They should really make convertible SUVs again.

[@martinneumann7783]

Oh, you can buy them from Volkswagen and Range Rover…

[@quikesanjur]

When using a motorbike, you get two key benefits: one, you skip traffic jams. Two, you park almost anywhere for free. And yes, is way cheaper than a car, not only to buy, but also to maintain, and they retain value far better than cars.

[@comcarclub]

@@quikesanjur what you say is utterly true, but perhaps they maintain their value better because they are cheap to begin with, while cars are stupidly overpriced, IMHO. BTW, something else I didn't mention in the video, bikes don't have great carrying capacity and they're so easy to steal. Here in Portugal, you leave a bike out at night, it'll be gone by morning. But they also have insane acceleration, but all those advantages are offset by the arse-puckering fear of getting sideswiped by a distracted twat behind the wheel of an SUV

[@florisvanameijde2518]

But have you seen the Citroën C5 airscape?

[@comcarclub]

@@florisvanameijde2518 abuso-frickin-lutely. I'd have it as a Coupé...

[@startrader9503]

Haven't watched the vid yet, but I'd throw in the "Oh it's not a manual transmission? GARBAGE" Feel like I don't need to explain that one

[@noblecommando4269]

Clarkson makes fun the Morris Marina because it was a bad car. Just like the Ford Pinto or the PT Cruiser. And the Morris Marina owner's club makes fun of themselves with the comments they posts online. Clarkson just read them out loud.

[@DopravniPoradce]

I stopped watching in the motorcycle part. You have no idea. Just a lot of wrong assumptions. 😂

[@MarJay1980]

Maybe try riding a motorcycle before casting judgement? It's just better in every way, except in bad weather essentially. The convertible thing is understandable, as if you want the wind in your hair, you buy a bike.

[@comcarclub]

You obviously didn't watch it all the way through as I said in the video I've ridden a motorcycle (6:08)

[@homer5103]

Clearly just a rage bait video to boost engagement through views and comments

[@comcarclub]

@@homer5103 Obviously. You're so right. Thanks for falling for it by clicking and commenting

[@homer5103]

@ falling for is laughable, more like warning other viewers not to engage with this rubbish I will bet you now want to comment something along the lines of thanks for another comment or some rubbish

[@comcarclub]

@homer5103 thanks for the extra comment

[@deepestdub]

Cant really disagree with any of your points. Despise Clarkson and his right-wing populist bullsh*t for years.

[@Hk7762Tube]

WRONG! Top Gear was great, the gang was great. It's just a show mate, relax, it's not real. Clarkson is a showman on and off camera, he bleeds entertainment. My IQ is 38(on a good day), so trust me my guy, I know what I'm talking about.

[@patrykperonski5459]

This a reason I learnt to hate germans premium brands like Mercedes , BMW and Audio , people often buy them to show off or cause someone told them that everything else is a piece of shit. Those people often are shallow influences or other of the same kind and other people get them because they think that if they own a car similar to some "celebrity" car they are going to be cool or something. The same I can say for Lamborginih and Ferrari when you say super car mos people think only about these two brands. I often laugh at people who are buying some germans premium cars in low ends trim even so they could buy a volkswagen or skoda for the same price with better equipment or event look somewhere else, but no they have to show everyone how cool they are.

[@patrykperonski5459]

Although I know personally people that owns Audi branded cars and they prove me that not every owner of german car is a jerk. But damage was done and every time I see their cars I remind myself why I hate those cars.