Typical Clarkson

[CJFusco]

Catching up on this year's TOP GEARs, came across a great quote:

"There are two types of petrolheads - you've got idiots like this (points to Hammond) who like the Porsche 911, and you've got people like me who'd rather have anthrax than a 911 because I'm a Ferrari person"

And then Hammond points out that Clarkson never drove his Ferrari because he was sick of getting spit on and keyed, and so he let it sit so long in his garage that it eventually wouldn't start. "That's why I love the 911," Hammond says, "because you can use it every day . It's... A... CAR."

Clarkson is hilarious... but man he irks me.

[gprsh924]

Thats why I love him though, he stands behind his opinions to the death, even when he knows he is making himself look like a fool.

[Komenda Fan]

Clarkson is a comedian. People that take him too seriously just don't get it. I like him a lot, even if I don't always agree with him. He says what he wants, even if it means constantly contradicting himself.

[legion]

I love how he screams with glee whenever he drives a Porsche--nothing but praise and admiration. Then during the studio portion, he slams the car mercilessly...

[porsche4life]

Have you seen when he trashes Hammonds 911 then Hammond hands it to him in a drag race...

[CJFusco]

I know he's a comedian, and I don't take him seriously. I actually think he's a hillarious human being.

I'd also like to point out that he ranked the 996 Turbo the number 2 best car of all time a few years ago.

In the road test I just watched, he summed it up thusly: I have enormous respect for the Porsche, but it doesn't inspire passion. Hammond's counter was what good is passion if the car doesn't work - you can drive the Porsche in traffic, over speed bumps, it's reliable, and just as fast if not faster. And then May jumped in with shut up both of you, this argument has gone on for 40 years and will go on for another 40, the proper place for it is in the pubs.

This episode just emphasizes why I love TOP GEAR - the chemistry between the hosts.

[CJFusco]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Have you seen when he trashes Hammonds 911 then Hammond hands it to him in a drag race...

No, please do share...

[sketchers356]

I believe he is referring to the R8 video.

[gprsh924]

I believe it is this

[porsche4life]

yes it is the R8 episode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUDsn32wdXo

[porsche4life]

And i see someone beat me to the punch

[9dreizig]

Would the extra 50lbs that Clarkson weighed made a difference??

[Whtnkls911]

Has anyone got the video of Clarkson smashing the GT3 into the tire barrier? Yes if the drive the 911 poorly it will bite you.

[gprsh924]

[JCF]

I wonder if his attitude is a conscious effort to make the show more entertaining .
You know - I'll hate the 911 , Hammonds will love it and May is the voice of reason.

Are there really people (other than Corvette owners) who really can't see the genius of the 911? - After 40 + years ??!!??

[stuartj]

I saw a fantastic Top Gear yesterday, I think its the new series, where they took a GT3 RS (Hampster), the new stripper Lambo (jeremy) and a race track spec Aston Martin (Capn Slow) in search of the "greatest driving road in the world" .

Magic televison, keep an eye out for it.

[berettafan]

Originally Posted by JCF

I wonder if his attitude is a conscious effort to make the show more entertaining .
You know - I'll hate the 911 , Hammonds will love it and May is the voice of reason.

Are there really people (other than Corvette owners) who really can't see the genius of the 911? - After 40 + years ??!!??

you have nailed it. i enjoy the show but rather in spite of clarksons 'humor'.

[imcarthur]

He doesn't hate Porsches. He just likes to make fun of them.

from Timesonline

Now, though, after 40 years of constant development, the rear is held in place as firmly as Lake Mead. Which means the latest models are sculptured proof that in a battle for supremacy between God and German engineering, beardy is always going to finish second. A modern 911 shouldn’t work but it does. Brilliantly.

There’s a lightness to the steering that you just don’t get in any other car. It whispers information to your fingertips about what the front wheels are doing and how they’re feeling. Driving a 911 is like making love to someone you care for in the bridal suite of the George V hotel in Paris. It makes my GT feel like a knee trembler among the empties outside a Rotherham nightclub.

And on top of this a 911 is beautifully made and small, so you can use it every day. Also, it has two small seats in the back, a useable boot and prices start at under £60,000.

This, then, is a 177mph car that you can choose with your head and your heart. It’ll make love to your fingertips and stir your soul. There is no part of your body that it will not stimulate and caress. But don’t, whatever you do, buy the convertible, because this won’t stroke your penis. It’ll make you look like one.

ian

[Komenda Fan]

So he just hates cabriolets then, Ian?

I have a real mental problem, I can't get enough of cars. Everything excites me, working on them, driving them, watching them, reading about them, but even I will admit that every car show on tv is pretty poor...except for Top Gear. YouTube is essential to me only for that reason. Clarkson makes me laugh like no other.

[Aerkuld]

Originally Posted by JCF

I wonder if his attitude is a conscious effort to make the show more entertaining .
You know - I'll hate the 911 , Hammonds will love it and May is the voice of reason.

I think this might actually be the case. I was reading a few of his articles that he writes for te Sunday Times in Britain the other day, when you read his actual reviews of the 911's he is full of praise and admiration. I do firmly believe that he wouldn't buy one though. He is quite clearly interested in totally impractical cars. Like someone else pointed out, I admire him for his stand even in the face of overwhelming opinion.

(Don't take the show too personally...)

Originally Posted by JCF

Are there really people (other than Corvette owners) who really can't see the genius of the 911? - After 40 + years ??!!??

Yes