Relative Alfa slant of recent Top Gear Episodes

I'm interested that the general opinion of how TG treated Alfa seems to be far better for the 8c than for the Alfa Challenge. I think my opinion was the other way around. So I'm setting up this poll to see what everyone thinks for sure.

NOTE: If you can't see a poll, you're welcome to post something witty about it, but it's almost definitely just because I haven't finished it yet

It's 8C not 8c

I think the team were very positive on the challenge episode (despite the usual references to bits falling off) but were neutral for the 8c - JC clearly loved the looks but saying the best place for it was stuck on a wall is hardly positive for a high-end car.

I thought that both were broadly positive and entirely affectionate. I think sometimes AOers are too touchy about any criticisms.

TG, and all the mags for that matter, always find something to criticise about every car no matter how brilliant it may perform in some respects.

In seems pretty clear now why there is this difference in views between the two shows.
All the people who were seeing red after the first show clearly aren't online at the moment! (Maybe their hearts gave out after last night )

Voted

Not like you to sit on the fence Chris!

Originally Posted by bazza

Not like you to sit on the fence Chris!

You asked for an answer to a direct question so chose factually

Opinion is different - I don't think TG actually like or rate Alfa's

Same old cliche's about bits falling off - electrical problems...etc

seems to be overly critical on a brand you claim to love


Chris

The challenge was as I expected - they do nothing different with any of the £1k challenges as far as i can see, buy cheap cars and destroy them

The 8C on the track was a joke - they would have been better off with a speedboat.

I think JC loves the car despite what he has said about it - his comment - Alfa is the heart and soul of a car.

I would take 153 8C's over that painting anytime and so would he.

Think the 8C was neutral, not positive - the Ferrari comment did it in really, "it wouldn't do if it was as fast"
Wasn't there a poll about Alfa performance the other week, how did that turn out?

Just because some positive things were said in both episodes doesn't make it positive overall. All my mates who love to dis Alfa are still doing so on the strength of the shows. "Nice looking but fall apart" and "Gorgeous to look at but crap handling" will not bring neutrals into the fold. As an alfisti I enjoyed the exposure of seeing the alfas on tele, but I am already addicted.

I wont go on about the alfa challenge as that has been done to death but regarding the 8C, if Clarkson was a true Alfa man, he would have had fun in it and just enjoyed the ride rather than telling everyone how crap he thought it was in every aspect other than looks.

Alfa Challenge positive; 8c neutral.

I think a lot of the negative stuff from the Alfa Challenge was related to the perceived needless trashing of the cars. But you can't really argue with the fact that the 8c was slow round the track especially when it was so wet and its not a track car.

Positive on both. Sure the cars and the marque took a bit of a slagging last week. But, this is Top Gear and to expect anything else would be nieve. As for the 8C, it's not practical and it's not the fastest, but JC's love for the car was, to me, very obviouse and real. I also felt that last night's aproach to Alfa bordered on apologising for last weeks treatment of the cars.

Originally Posted by Fast frank

Positive on both. Sure the cars and the marque took a bit of a slagging last week. But, this is Top Gear and to expect anything else would be nieve. As for the 8C, it's not practical and it's not the fastest, but JC's love for the car was, to me, very obviouse and real. I also felt that last night's aproach to Alfa bordered on apologising for last weeks treatment of the cars.

Well you have confused me....

Originally Posted by bazza

I'm interested that the general opinion of how TG treated Alfa seems to be far better for the 8c than for the Alfa Challenge. I think my opinion was the other way around. So I'm setting up this poll to see what everyone thinks for sure.

NOTE: If you can't see a poll, you're welcome to post something witty about it, but it's almost definitely just because I haven't finished it yet

Good poll, Bazza

I think part of the problem is perspective

It's arguable that someone with £100k+ might consider buying an 8C on looks, but would be put off, after listening to Clarkson, if they were after spot-on dynamics from their car (yes I know they're all sold anyway)?


From my perspective - I can't think of many cars that actually looked like value at that price, and this one does (exclusivity, performance, style - specialness).