Anyone ever see the British show, "Topo Gear?" They SLAMMED the crossfire bigtime! "Americans don't know how to make cars" I'm beginning to hate those guys. Check it out on you tube.

But, the American show, "Motor Week" gave the XF a very good review. Go figure

 

Keep in mind that those guys are paid to sell advertising time to sponsors, so a little controversy only helps their cause.....that plus "opinions are like *ssholes"....
If I got to flit around the world test driving super cars I might get a little jaded too!

 

Noooooooo, not another 'Top Gear Hates the Crossfire' thread!!!

 

nope they are not - BBC is a totally ad-free TV station funded ENTIRELY by the taxpayer (and mechandising). As for Jezza and the boys just bear in mind it's no longer a motoring show and more of a 'big boys fantasy/wish fulfilment' show

 

I'm a new guy. Didn't know there was an old thread about these dudes.

 

"Americans don't know how to make cars"
Americans didn't make these cars. They are a German Mercedes drivetrain in a German Karmann body.

 

You tell em!

 

Welcome aboard. We have been here over 8 years, everything that has to do with a crossfire has probably been discussed at least 10+ times, in multiple threads.

You will find the search is your friend when combing for info. Whatever you do, please do not create a thread asking about a turbo

 

Slow day so a few thoughts...

TG has a reputation for dismissing American made cars in general. You can jump up and down and call it an SLK all you want (a very old SLK at that. I actually don't like to advertise that its a R170 in disguise and if you ever owned or drove one, you'd agree I'm sure.) but its a Chrysler Crossfire. Not to digress, but I had two local Mercedes dealers refuse to service my car, not out of 'snobishness', but because it's a Chrysler... different service manuals, procedures, maybe even different special tools (and yes, they were very well aware its essentially an SLK (those with issues with this please take it up with Mercedes, not me.)

TG has dumped on the Mustang GT500, Vettes, Vipers, Challengers etc (and all arguably more purest performance cars than our beloved little XF) because TG loves to dump on the US in general. Any long time viewer knows that. Is it tongue in cheek, a bit of British sarcasm? Perhaps, although my British friends say its more of an elitist, anti-American sentiment (we're all fat and stoopid and shop at WalMart, right?).

Its a well known fact that Clarksons most beloved marque (aside from Jag) is Mercedes. Its possible that the Crossfire essentially being an SLK (I wont belittle my car and call it a rebadged SLK because its not) is what he deems an affront to his favorite auto manufacturer.
It burns every Brit to the core that Jaguar was saved by Ford and is now owned by an Indian company so a bit of lashing out is to be expected.

I also think its strange that folks think TG is a 'real' automotive magazine television show. Its not. Its an entertainment show that revolve around 3 guys who do silly car stunts and sometimes drive cars most of us can't afford really fast.

But, sometimes the truth hurts. The Crossfire has always been a love/hate emotionally based styled car. When I look at the profile I see one of the sexiest sports cars ever made, period. Clarkson on the other hand thinks it looks like a dog in the middle of a bowel movement. He also thinks the steering wheel is too big...it is, but I think it lends to the whole 'deco' vibe this car has. Every time I drive my Crossfire I am transported to an alternate history set in the 30's where I work on the top floor of the Chrysler building and eat dinner in its Cloud Club, drive to the rigid airship field in my Crossfire...you get the idea. I prefer my vision over Clarksons but then I own a Crossfire and he doesn't.

The part that hit me the hardest wasn't what was said but what wasn't said, when the less than stellar manual transmission was mentioned, James May simply shook his head in disgust. Coming from May, you can rest assured that part was real.

I've always been in the minority on this board when it comes to the Mercedes connection. I would have much preferred the Crossfire to be more Chrysler than Mercedes, like the Charger, but it is what it is. I think its a damn sexy car that is very fun to drive.

To wrap up, TG came back in a different episode and chose the Crossfire roadster over a TT and another one (can't remember).

Millions of Mustang owners aren't losing sleep over a TG segment mocking their cars...neither will I.

 

Clarksons favorite car maker is Aston Martin not Jaguar. The show is entertainment and relies on the three different personalities to give it color and it succeeds. They often get the facts wrong on the show, but as the old saying says "never let the truth spoil a good story'.

 

Just throwing this out there, Clarkson owns a Ford GT. He also admitted in a later episode that he likes the vert xfire... Just sayin lol

 

Owned a Ford GT, many laughs made on the troubles he had with it.

 

I remember him having troubles with the first one he had, but he sent it back and got another delivered I thought?? .. In any case the show is hilarious.

 

Actually, it was Clarkson himself who chose the Crossfire Roadster over the Audi TT Roadster and Nissan 350Z Roadster. Hammond preferred the Nissan and May the Audi (or was it the other way 'round?). Either way, each of the three chose a different car as their favorite, but it was Clarkson who liked the Crossfire best.

If you really pay attention to the show, they've been known to slam virtually every brand at one time or another, or at least dismissed a vehicle made by everyone at one time or another. Including Aston and Jaguar. Heck, Clarkson even derided an AMG something or other for the massive amount of torque it produced, calling it totally unusable (or something to that effect).

 

Our cars look like dogs taking a poo according to them...LOL!

 

Yeah! Not cool!

 

Top gear is the best car show going around! Must watch! They bag nearly every single car that comes on that show lol they chose the xf over other cars and concluded it was the best! Watch a few seasons and get to know there personalitys an then you will understand and love the show I normally don't like British shows either. And they did use the convertible imo the coupe is where the look are at..