Jeremy Clarkson on the GT86 in the Sunday Times

[R_E_L]

"You are power-sliding, you are grinning like an ape and you are doing about 13mph. Which means that if you do make a mess of it and you’re heading for a tree, you can open the door and get out."

[ichitaka05]

2 quotes I loved at this articles

Why, they will ask, would anyone want a noisy, impractical car that won’t go round corners properly? Simple answer: if you’re asking the question, the GT86 is not for you.

&

It’s strange. We thought purpose-designed coupés had gone. We thought wayward handling had gone. And we sure as hell thought genuinely good value had gone. But all three things are now back in one astonishing car.

[coyote]

Originally Posted by Zagmeister

No you're not. He is pontificating a lot, making his article rather cumbersome and definitely boring.

He took one third of the article length to get to the point, and then he missed it all together.

What a lop-sided writing style..!

You're right, but he appeals to a certain market.

Tiff Needell appeals to those after a driver's perspective, Chris Harris appeals to those who enjoy a journalist's perspective and Jeremy Clarkson is for those who hang on every word from the drunk guy down the pub.

It wouldn't surprise me if like some of his other reviews, that was written before he'd even driven the car.

[LSxJunkie]

Originally Posted by Zagmeister

No you're not. He is pontificating a lot, making his article rather cumbersome and definitely boring.

He took one third of the article length to get to the point, and then he missed it all together.

What a lop-sided writing style..!

What point did he miss? That the car was built with low limits for fun? That the car was built to be affordable? That the car is a hoot to drive?

Originally Posted by Pete156

All but the looks. I don't think he can see very well.

Subjective. After having seen a few on the road, I really can't say I'm in love with the styling as delivered. The stock wheel offset is awful and the back end is awfully busy. A drop and low offset wheels will fix that, but the bone stock cars I've seen in person really don't send me into a tizzy.

[rice_classic]

Clarkson is great, not for his praise but for his outlandish writing style and his loose usage of poetic license.

I find myself agreeing with Clarkson to the point it surprises me. About 2 weeks ago I was browsing tires on tire rack and when I looked up the FRS tires (Primacy HP) and saw their treadwear was 220 I ended up looking at tires that were even less grippy.

Some of the most fun I've had on public roads was in a 1988 CRX HF with winter tires on it... Now that would slide around a corner in the dry at 13mph. What a ball!

[PMok]

mmmm roundabouts... I have 2 roundabouts in my neighborhood that I drive through daily...

[DSOmegaX]

Agree with everything written, especially in regards to people understanding the car. I'm among those that disagree about his opinion on the styling though. While the car isn't knock out beautiful, it's by no means bland (I've even had my previous VW mechanics mention it reminds them of an Aston) as it definitely turns heads everywhere .

[mrlewistan]

Originally Posted by coyote

You're right, but he appeals to a certain market.

Tiff Needell appeals to those after a driver's perspective, Chris Harris appeals to those who enjoy a journalist's perspective and Jeremy Clarkson is for those who hang on every word from the drunk guy down the pub.

It wouldn't surprise me if like some of his other reviews, that was written before he'd even driven the car.

Drunk guys have the most interesting stories lol. Clarkson is an entertainer and I enjoy his view deliveries

[bazi]

As much as Jezza is power addicted (PAAAWWWHAAARRRR) he appreciates handling even more. Look at his review of the s2000, miata, evora s, to name a few.

[Marrk]

"You are power-sliding, you are grinning like an ape and you are doing about 13mph. Which means that if you do make a mess of it and you’re heading for a tree, you can open the door and get out."

[whateatsrabbits]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Clarkson

It’s just the sound of petrol exploding in a metal box.

Thats my favorite quote.

Jermey is the best auto reviewer ever. I like how he speaks in metaphors.

[Bristecom]

Originally Posted by Marrk

"You are power-sliding, you are grinning like an ape and you are doing about 13mph. Which means that if you do make a mess of it and you’re heading for a tree, you can open the door and get out."

Yeah, I LOL'd at that too.

But yeah, I really don't get Jeremy Clarkson's sense of style. He thought the F430 was also ugly but considers the new 458 to be one of the best looking cars ever made. Personally, I just love the compact coupe shape. I hate all the new hatches that look like sportier minivans. Sadly, WRC is entirely made up of these now. Seeing a sleek looking coupe like the Celica succeed in WRC was just awesome. Sedans can look kind of cool too but I doubt I'd buy one (although I always considered the Evo and STI). I think it's funny how BMW's coupes look just like their sedans...

Anyway, I'm just rambling now. It was still a nice little review.

[Marrk]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

Yeah, I LOL'd at that too.

But yeah, I really don't get Jeremy Clarkson's sense of style. He thought the F430 was also ugly but considers the new 458 to be one of the best looking cars ever made. Personally, I just love the compact coupe shape. I hate all the new hatches that look like sportier minivans. Sadly, WRC is entirely made up of these now. Seeing a sleek looking coupe like the Celica succeed in WRC was just awesome. Sedans can look kind of cool too but I doubt I'd buy one (although I always considered the Evo and STI). I think it's funny how BMW's coupes look just like their sedans...

Anyway, I'm just rambling now. It was still a nice little review.

My Fit is as ugly as ugly gets. Fun as hell to drive, but dang ugly.


I didn't see Clarkson drive the F430, but I saw him in the 458. He was laughing his head off and saying that he couldn't believe how great the car was. The 458 is too big for a road car. Beautiful, but big. I saw two M-B SLSs and yet another Audi R8 in town today. The SLS is huge, a land yacht, but the R8 is about the right size and scale for a supercar.


Every time I see the FR-S, I like its looks a little more, but it still seems big, and tall, to me. The Celica GT that preceded it was just the right size. I've said it before and I'll say it again: If they had slapped some rwd on the Celica GT, they coulda hadda sports car.

[Tanuki]

Agreed.

I just don't get why he always says it is ugly?