Top Gear Z/28 Review - "the results are both terrible and wonderful"

[Mikebrinda]

Originally Posted by Melkor

Also, let's not forget that they DO have some valid criticisms of a lot of the cars they review. The Corvette starts falling apart ON THE TEST TRACK, but Jeremy still liked it. The Challenger was covered in fake carbon fiber and fake ram air scoops but Richard still adored it.

American Muscle Cars have some issues, but their speedy, cool looking, and at a price that blue collar workers can afford them and that's cool! They do the same thing with some European cars. Like the Maserati Quattroporte which they all loved despite the fact that it was slower than the other cars tested, was complicated to operate, and Maseratis are notorious for falling apart.

I think sometimes we're a little sensitive to how they review American cars because, well, we're American.

+1. Top Gear is at least 50% Three Stooges. Some of their shows make me laugh so hard I cry, like the semi-truck on fire episode.

[Melkor]

Originally Posted by Mikebrinda

+1. Top Gear is at least 50% Three Stooges. Some of their shows make me laugh so hard I cry, like the semi-truck on fire episode.

Or the Reliant Robin Crashing Episode

[edco]

Originally Posted by joelster

Here's the comparison. Apples to apples. Same track, same day, 1LE wins by quite a margin:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars...ss-1le#slide-1

Over 2.5 seconds per lap faster, and $6k cheaper.

http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/07/...seconds-video/

Over 4.6 seconds per lap here, and the BOSS was a Laguna Seca model.

I would take that last test with a grain of salt though, since it is a GM website. Not sure who did the driving.

I watched the Virginia race track video. The Camaro is never shown. Tires, wheels, under carriage, under hood, gearing, fuel, spark, weight-accessory delete, suspension components, custom tune, cold air induction, bracing, and driver prep/practice are factors that effect lap times. It is an impressive lap.
This run was probably not the drivers first dance. There is a lot to research that cannot be researched about this lap. Can anyone posting here pick up a stock 1LE and turn that lap? GM wants a buyer to base a purchase on the video, but I think it is a don't try this at home moment.

[McRat]

Yes, the show is very entertaining.

But, their continuous depiction of Americans as fat, lazy, uneducated wingnuts (did you see the American Stig?) does grate on one's nerves.

I'll still watch it, but enough already. England is no longer the tech capital of the world. That was over 50 years ago. They even crushed their own auto industry, and required outsiders to get them going again.

As soon as England builds a mass produced car/truck/SUV that is the equal of the Corvette/F150/Traverse in both price and performance, then they perhaps should ease up on the stereotypes.


EDIT: Why did I mention Traverse? Just at random. Land Rover is now coming out with cheaper SUV's, like the LR2. BUT...

The LR2 cost $10,000 more than the Traverse ($32k vs $42k). It has 41 less HP (240HP 4-cyl vs 281HP V6). Gets the same mileage (17/24mpg). Seats only 5 though. The Traverse seats 8.

They are WAY out of it. That's not even close, other than mileage, and only because it's small.

[edco]

Originally Posted by davidcroft

I wanna see Jeremy Clarkson talk about it on an actual episode. He always has something to say about yank tanks!

to the ford fan boy in this thread....you drive a 3V 4ptsux(300 crank) and showed a picture of a rim/tire with a 235. Tell me about how fast fords are when you get a real one or go post some kills in the V6 section.

You are offended because you drive a car that does not carry a spare tire.
The full spare is a requisite of the GTO (Gran Tourisimo Omolgato) class.

[McRat]

Originally Posted by edco

You are offended because you drive a car that does not carry a spare tire.
The full spare is a requisite of the GTO (Gran Tourisimo Omolgato) class.

Cars don't have hand crank starters, or hand operated windshield wipers now either.

The modern steel radials and runflats along with mandatory tire pressure warning lights pretty much make a spare a waste of fuel.

Not to mention few people even KNOW how to change a tire today safely. They were raised in the Steel Radial era, where flats are very rare.

[JWR046]

What a thread gone wrong.

The Z28 is awesome for what it is built for. All of the other cars mentioned in the thread are all pretty awesome cars also but of course that was not the topic started. And... I do not think anyone will knock (not even the top gear guys) the LS7. It is an amazing engine and a beast.

[brt3]

Originally Posted by JWR046

What a thread gone wrong.

This is what happens when we fail to observe the First Rule of Internet Forums: Do NOT Feed The Trolls!

[Beef Cake]

Originally Posted by edco

I think these specialty cars Z/28, ZL1 (Mustang GT500 included) are more for advertising and brand bragging than real world driving (streets/roads/highways-not tracks). This Z28 is 3,820 pounds dry, I read all the silly things they did just to cut 8 pounds here and eight pounds there. A greater weight reduction is achieved by removing the spare tire and jack from a GT and that does not raise the price. This euro assessment is accurate. There are some enviable things about camaro, but weight and size are not two of them. The Z28 is a track performer by overkill engine and tires. It is likely a gas hog on the road and a summer car only. In interest of fair disclosure I think the Mustang GT500 is in the same place. The Boss 302, while not matching the power numbers and track numbers is a far better street driving man's machine than GT500 Z28 or ZL1. It is more balanced, more responsive, more efficient, and more fun than any of these bad boy brutes. Chevy mimics all the Mustang derivations. The Z28 answers the Boss 302. I think it misses. You can make an army tank fast, but it is still an army tank.

I know who wants the 75,000$ track ready z/28 with a 7.0 ls7 it is impractical for daily commuting. The insurance is outrageous, it will suck down gas. What a worthless impractical machine. Gross. I'll have a 07 gt in yellow now that's a car!!

[1985airborne]

Originally Posted by menendez1293

Yes it must be pronounced Z and not Zed

LOL I caught this too...

[detltu]

Thread summary: Edco thinks Mustangs are better than Camaros and some British guys tested a Camaro with mixed results. Does that about sum it up.

[brt3]

Originally Posted by detltu

Thread summary: Edco thinks Mustangs are better than Camaros and some British guys tested a Camaro with mixed results. Does that about sum it up.

Nailed it...

[maddoggyusa]

Originally Posted by Fenderaddict2

Sorry, but 3 1LE encounters so far and I have yet to be destroyed.

are you at a roadcoarse or drag racing? We all know the 1LE isn't a drag racer... it's a road racer.

how bout you take on cornerspeed at Fontana? My money is on the 1LE.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=356954

[Fenderaddict2]

Originally Posted by maddoggyusa

are you at a roadcoarse or drag racing? We all know the 1LE isn't a drag racer... it's a road racer.

how bout you take on cornerspeed at Fontana? My money is on the 1LE.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=356954

Haven't drag raced since I was a teenager. Road courses, and I know the 1LE should trump me there, are my play ground now but to date the few I've encountered aren't up to the task. I suspect on a faster course with sweeping corners like Mosport -- maybe -- but the encounters at TMS have been in my favour.