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ajprice · Dec 10, 2008, 02:47 PM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NO0hCILrgNA&eurl

Top Gear had a complaint that they don't do proper road tests anymore, so Clarkson gave it a go in the new Fiesta (you American people will be getting this car in about a year).

It starts off almost like a proper road test, but then he gets chased around a shopping centre by baddies in a Corvette, and then he's in a beach assault with the Royal Marines

. 10 and a bit minutes of TV gold!

Laminar · Dec 10, 2008, 02:49 PM

Loved it.

Dakar V · Dec 10, 2008, 02:52 PM

How did you watch a 10 minute video in 2 minutes?

Laminar · Dec 10, 2008, 02:58 PM

Fast forward.
Someone posted this on another board I visit earlier today, but I didn't want to pull of one those condescending "saw this already" posts.

Dakar V · Dec 10, 2008, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by Laminar

Someone posted this on another board I visit earlier today, but I didn't want to pull of one those condescending "saw this already" posts.

Hit your quota for the day already?

Laminar · Dec 10, 2008, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by Dakar V

Hit your quota for the day already?

I kind of have that "tip-toeing on thin ice" feeling.

Dakar V · Dec 10, 2008, 03:14 PM

I know that feeling well.

Atheist · Dec 10, 2008, 03:16 PM

Great video. The car looks nice too. (My first car was a 1980 Ford Fiesta... loved it.)

I'm not familiar with the Top Gear show. Do they normally spend that much money/time/effort reviewing a car. I doubt you'd ever see something like that in the States. No way a shopping mall would allow cars to be driven around inside (insurance companies probably wouldn't cover it).... and I doubt the U.S. military would involve themselves in a car review.

Laminar · Dec 10, 2008, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by Atheist

Great video. The car looks nice too. (My first car was a 1980 Ford Fiesta... loved it.)

I'm not familiar with the Top Gear show. Do they normally spend that much money/time/effort reviewing a car. I doubt you'd ever see something like that in the States. No way a shopping mall would allow cars to be driven around inside (insurance companies probably wouldn't cover it).... and I doubt the U.S. military would involve themselves in a car review.

This isn't typical for car reviews, but they do often do "gimmicky" things for entertainment, like playing soccer with cars, or killing a Toyota pickup.

ajprice · Dec 10, 2008, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by Atheist

Great video. The car looks nice too. (My first car was a 1980 Ford Fiesta... loved it.)

I'm not familiar with the Top Gear show. Do they normally spend that much money/time/effort reviewing a car. I doubt you'd ever see something like that in the States. No way a shopping mall would allow cars to be driven around inside (insurance companies probably wouldn't cover it).... and I doubt the U.S. military would involve themselves in a car review.

Top Gear is more of an entertainment show with cars in it than a car review show. But the photography of the films is always good, they do have quite a budget for some stuff, and I'd hate to see their insurance on some of the stuff they do (youtube 'Top Gear Caravan Holiday'

) Each series they usually do a race of one supercar against another form of transport across europe, and a 'cheap car challenge' of buying a car for something cheap like a £1500 Porsche each and have to do set 'challenges'. All good fun.

cjrivera · Dec 10, 2008, 03:45 PM

I love watching Top Gear. The humor is brilliant, as is the cinematography.

However, the heck with the Fiesta.... bring the Ford Focus RS over here.

http://jalopnik.com/5106242/2009-ford-focus-rs-im-blue

olePigeon · Dec 10, 2008, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Laminar

This isn't typical for car reviews, but they do often do "gimmicky" things for entertainment, like playing soccer with cars, or killing a Toyota pickup.

I'm on my second Toyota pickup. The first one blew a head gasket to no fault of mine. Stupid Break Masters didn't put any fluids in the pickup, or attach any hoses. I drove it for 10 minutes when the temperature gauge shot up. Suffice it to say, I ended up not being able to sue Break Masters because it was past my statue of limitation to sue them in court. 92-94 Toyota pickups will easily go 400k miles with just regular maintenance. It was funny because mechanics got excited when I brought it in. I was told by several different mechanics that the engines were so solid that Toyota stopped using it because people weren't buying new cars.

My new Toyota is going great. I can attest to how solid these pickups are. They're awesome.

MallyMal · Dec 10, 2008, 04:44 PM

I thought everyone here knew how to "acquire" Top Gear.

mattyb · Dec 10, 2008, 05:34 PM

I haven't watched Top Gear since I moved to France in 2001, but your post made me trawl Youtube for a bit. Thanks.

Jeremy seems to enjoy himself in this one as well. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WaWoo82zNUA

sek929 · Dec 10, 2008, 07:20 PM

The smoke grenades fit perfectly in the cupholders!

macintologist · Dec 10, 2008, 08:27 PM

When will Ford bring the Mondeo to America?

imitchellg5 · Dec 10, 2008, 09:38 PM

The next gen Taurus will basically be the Mondeo. Hopefully they call it Mondeo too. I plan on purchasing a new car within the next three years and the Fiesta and Fit are on the top of my list. Hopefully we get the same peppy 1.6L in the Fiesta. And I want a 6 speed.

IceEnclosure · Dec 10, 2008, 11:01 PM

Zonda F

Railroader · Dec 10, 2008, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by Atheist

Great video. The car looks nice too. (My first car was a 1980 Ford Fiesta... loved it.)

My 3rd car was a German built '79 Fiesta. It was a fun little car. I could pop the clutch and make the super-skinny tires spin in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears. I kept having the little bushing gasket deteriorate between the exhaust manifold and the downpipe. When that went, the car was un-Godly loud.

Laminar · Dec 10, 2008, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

The next gen Taurus will basically be the Mondeo. Hopefully they call it Mondeo too. I plan on purchasing a new car within the next three years and the Fiesta and Fit are on the top of my list. Hopefully we get the same peppy 1.6L in the Fiesta. And I want a 6 speed.

Why the Fit? The gas milage is terrible for its class.

mattyb · Dec 11, 2008, 05:21 AM

I can remember certain cars were the same in the US as in Europe, while other cars were renamed. IIRC in 1990 the Fiesta in the US was the Mazda 121 in Europe whereas the Escort was the same on both continents.

Strange that this is done, I would have thought that it was cheaper to have the same cars, with the same names across the world.

macintologist · Dec 11, 2008, 10:42 AM

Why would they call the Mondeo the Taurus? That screams IM A HICK!!! if I were to drive one. No thanks.

Atheist · Dec 11, 2008, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by macintologist

Why would they call the Mondeo the Taurus? That screams IM A HICK!!! if I were to drive one. No thanks.

I've never made the Taurus = Hick connection. I've always thought Ford held onto the Taurus name because it has been one of their most successful models.

scottiB · Dec 11, 2008, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by macintologist

When will Ford bring the Mondeo to America?

They did. It's a Volvo S80.

Jens Peter · Dec 11, 2008, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by IceEnclosure

Zonda F

Nah, that would fail the road test when doing the beach assault with the Royal Marines....

And I doubt you can fit a zebras head in the boot

scottiB · 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by mattyb

IIRC in 1990 the Fiesta in the US was the Mazda 121 in Europe....

That was a Festiva, not Fiesta. I had one for a few years--fantastic little car with a lot of useable room (could put my drum kit in it).

Edit to add: The Festiva was built by Kia and imported to the U.S.

Atheist · Dec 11, 2008, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by scottiB

That was a Festiva, not Fiesta. I had one for a few years--fantastic little car with a lot of useable room (could put my drum kit in it).

Same here, I had a 1990 Festiva for 11 years! It was a very reliable care...and cost almost nothing to maintain. My only fear was that it was basically a tin can on wheels and if I were in a wreck I'd most certainly be killed. Sold it and got my Benz SLK.

But getting back to the Fiesta... I'd most certainly buy one of those. Looks very nice.

Laminar · Dec 11, 2008, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by Atheist

Same here, I had a 1990 Festiva for 11 years! It was a very reliable care...and cost almost nothing to maintain. My only fear was that it was basically a tin can on wheels and if I were in a wreck I'd most certainly be killed. Sold it and got my Benz SLK.

That sounds like a minor step up.

Atheist · Dec 11, 2008, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Laminar

That sounds like a minor step up.

Mid-life crisis. But seriously, the SLK was by far my favorite car. I miss that thing. I'm a big MB whore now. I had that and a 2003 E-Classs so I could actually have passengers when necessary. Now I drive a Hyundai Getz... I'm back in a tin can with wheels.

angelmb · Dec 11, 2008, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by mattyb

IIRC in 1990 the Fiesta in the US was the Mazda 121 in Europe

Merely anecdotic, here in Europe there was a Mazda dubbed 121 (right) which was a rebranded Ford Fiesta (left).

olePigeon · Dec 11, 2008, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by macintologist

When will Ford bring the Mondeo to America?

Why would they want to do that? They're getting free money from the government.

Laminar · Dec 11, 2008, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

Why would they want to do that? They're getting free money from the government.

Last I heard it was loans. Has it changed to free money?

Art Vandelay · Dec 11, 2008, 02:38 PM

Ford is not getting any money in this round. What they are wanting is a $9B line of credit in case things get dramatically worse or if GM/Chrysler collapses and takes some of their suppliers with them.

tooki · Dec 11, 2008, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by macintologist

When will Ford bring the Mondeo to America?

Umm, it was sold here in the past and discontinued. It was the Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique.

imitchellg5 · Dec 11, 2008, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by Laminar

Why the Fit? The gas milage is terrible for its class.

I can live with bad gas mileage if it's fun to drive, and the Fit is. The biggest plus for me is that the Fit is incredibly comfortable for tall (6'4") people like myself. The Fiesta looks a bit cramped. I love the Magic Seat of the Fit too, very versatile.

Laminar · Dec 11, 2008, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

I can live with bad gas mileage if it's fun to drive, and the Fit is. The biggest plus for me is that the Fit is incredibly comfortable for tall (6'4") people like myself. The Fiesta looks a bit cramped. I love the Magic Seat of the Fit too, very versatile.

Well if you're going to settle for 33mpg, why not get something bigger, more powerful, or more versatile?

NYK Ace · Dec 11, 2008, 08:11 PM

i would buy the fiesta - sharp looking small car.

imitchellg5 · Dec 11, 2008, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by Laminar

Well if you're going to settle for 33mpg, why not get something bigger, more powerful, or more versatile?

Settle for 33 mpg? I currently get 23. I don't want something bigger, more powerful, or more versatile. The Fit is quite versatile actually. Take a look at one, you'll be amazed. For $18k with nav, it completely embarrasses anything else in the segment too.

Laminar · Dec 11, 2008, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

Settle for 33 mpg? I currently get 23. I don't want something bigger, more powerful, or more versatile. The Fit is quite versatile actually. Take a look at one, you'll be amazed. For $18k with nav, it completely embarrasses anything else in the segment too.

Is it that much different than a Yaris? You can get one well-equipped for $15k and still get ~39mpg.

scottiB · Dec 11, 2008, 09:23 PM

The Fit is very nice--especially the convertible rear seats. I've seen a couple of the new ones on my commute.

imitchellg5 · Dec 11, 2008, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by Laminar

Is it that much different than a Yaris? You can get one well-equipped for $15k and still get ~39mpg.

The Yaris is as ugly as sin, has a terribly cramped interior, and is a Toyota which means it's not nearly as fun to drive.

Laminar · Dec 11, 2008, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

and is a Toyota which means it's not nearly as fun to drive.

Ah, so it's brand loyalty blindness.

xi_hyperon · Dec 12, 2008, 01:13 AM

Up to now I hadn't really looked at the Fit's mileage ratings, but I have to say, I had assumed it rated high 30s/highway, given its size. Huh.

EndlessMac · Dec 12, 2008, 02:25 AM

Originally Posted by MallyMal

I thought everyone here knew how to "acquire" Top Gear.

If your cable or satellite service has BBC America then their is no need to "acquire" Top Gear. You can see it broadcasted Monday nights which saves me a lot of "aquiring" time for those of us who don't live in the UK.

d4nth3m4n · Dec 12, 2008, 03:41 AM

Originally Posted by EndlessMac

If your cable or satellite service has BBC America then their is no need to "acquire" Top Gear. You can see it broadcasted Monday nights which saves me a lot of "aquiring" time for those of us who don't live in the UK.

pfft, they just started the 11th season on BBCA. not to mention that they're shortened episodes.

EndlessMac · Dec 12, 2008, 04:58 AM

Originally Posted by d4nth3m4n

pfft, they just started the 11th season on BBCA. not to mention that they're shortened episodes.

For me it's worth the trade off because it always took me too long to "acquire" the episodes. I don't have the fastest internet speeds...

is not · Dec 12, 2008, 06:32 AM

The Mondeo-sized Fusion is actually based on the Mazda 6

Paco500 · Dec 12, 2008, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by Laminar

Ah, so it's brand loyalty blindness.

Having driven both as hire cars (well the Fit is the Jazz over here), I would concur that aside from mileage, the Fit is a superior car. Much more comfortable and spacious interior. As I recall, neither was a particularly exciting drive, but the Fit did have the edge. I'm not sure if the engines are the same over here as they are in the states, so that may have been a factor. I can't honestly remember what engines I drove.

And BTW- I'm no Honda snob. I wouldn't consider buying a Fit, but if I were stuck with one of the two, it'd be the one I prefer.

scottiB · Dec 12, 2008, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by is not

The Mondeo-sized Fusion is actually based on the Mazda 6

Yes it is; the CD3 platform.

MallyMal · Dec 12, 2008, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by EndlessMac

If your cable or satellite service has BBC America then their is no need to "acquire" Top Gear. You can see it broadcasted Monday nights which saves me a lot of "aquiring" time for those of us who don't live in the UK.

Those episodes are edited and are missing the full content of the BBC2 broadcast and they have to change the musical score. And trust me the music change changes the whole feel of the segments.

Also, it only takes me a couple hours to "acquire."