[onewhippedpuppy]

Typically when JC talks about something feeling Italian, he's implying that a car has soul. If you watch Top Gear very often, you'll realize that one thing he continually harps on is cars that don't feel connected, mechanical. That's why he always knocks the "flappy paddle gearbox", stability control, etc. I don't necessarily think he means it feels like a Ferrari, just that the car has character and personality. Probably the biggest compliment he could give.

I agree with the others, I think he has a genuine respect for Porsche, even if he doesn't like one. More recently, he gives them more crap because it pisses off Hammond, the 911 owner and Porsche lover.