Why can't The guys on Top Gear drive automatics?

They just don't seem to know how to "hoon" an auto equipped vehicle. I watched the Cheap Porsche Challenge and Jeremy couldn't get his 928 to do a burnout. I nearly screamed for him to do a rev-drop at least if there isn't enough power to brake stand it properly.

I realize that they, like many of us, stear away from automatics but surely someone on the crew has some experience with an automatic and driving the piss out of it.

Just an idle thought, now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Automatics are far less prevalent in Europe.

I was yelling at the TV when they tested the Vette, the Caddy and the Challenger and all made fun of Hammond because he couldn't do a burnout.

All he had to do was turn OFF the traction control and hold the brake just a bit. I guarantee it would have left a nice, smoky set of lines.....

-Rob

Keith said: Automatics are far less prevalent in Europe.

quoted for truth!

But Hasn't Jeremy owned a string of big AMG Mercs, which are almost always Autos?

Yep, my thoughts exactly. The American V8 episode was another one that got me a little frustrated.

Automatics suck. I wouldn't promote their burnout abilities either.

Its a tv show.. the guys play characters. Obviously they know cars very well, 90% of the show is dramatics for tv and hilarity ensues. don't take it too seriously.

ddavidv wrote: Automatics suck. I wouldn't promote their burnout abilities either.

quoted for truth

Most people can't drive manual transmission cars.

I, on the other hand, cannot drive auto. I never learned.

confuZion3 wrote: Most people can't drive manual transmission cars. I, on the other hand, cannot drive auto. I never learned.

Besides frequently trying to jam your left foot through the floor-the transition isnt hard.

I have driven an SRT-8 Challenger. It was a manual but I have no doubts that the auto could preform a hellacious burnout. The problem is not with the hp or tq, it is that the car weighs two tons.

Why would anyone drive an automatic?

Shawn

so I can drink coffee, text on my cell phone, play with my radio, and drive at the same time?

I can do that in my manual equipped car!

Automatic in my DD. Why? 1) I put 3-4k a month on my pathy. Thats a lot of shifting. 2) I use my blackberry when I'm on the road, for GPS and emails, texting, phone calls, etc. Shifting, black berry, and steering is one too many. 3) cruise control works a whole lot better in the mountain state when your auto tranny will downshift for you. 4) auto trans is infinitely better for towing than manual trans.

play cars must be 5 sp, or must be cheap enough to make up for it. Daily drivers must be auto.

These are my rules.

MrJoshua wrote:

confuZion3 wrote: Most people can't drive manual transmission cars. I, on the other hand, cannot drive auto. I never learned.

Besides frequently trying to jam your left foot through the floor-the transition isnt hard.

I go to drop it into 2nd when turning up my road and when I cant my arm got so twitchy I had to pull over and shake it off. OTOH after a long day, it can be nice to just put in D and go.

Other than the car I leaned to drive on and took my driving test in (the inspector would not let me take the test in my manual beetle) I have only ever driven a Ford e350 as an auto for any length of time.

In a cargo van, it was nice.. but aside from a couple of rentals, I would rather shift

I remember the first time my brother drove Mom's new AWD Camry (only available with a manual transmission in '87, we got an '88). We got just a bit down the road, to where he was used to shifting into second, in the Bronco, which had a stiff clutch, and he NAILED the brakes. Ouch. He was, to say the least, embarrassed.

ddavidv wrote: Automatics suck. I wouldn't promote their burnout abilities either.

I know, right?!?! Automatics suck at burnouts! I mean come on, a two-ton plus V8 should be able to smoke 'em like crazy!

Greg Voth wrote: I have driven an SRT-8 Challenger. It was a manual but I have no doubts that the auto could preform a hellacious burnout. The problem is not with the hp or tq, it is that the car weighs two tons.

Torque Management system on the Hemi powered cars is actually a nuisance when wanting to do a burnout even with the TCS in the off position. Let's blame fly-by-wire for that one because it's the same shenanigans in my Mustang. I've decided you just can't beat a good ole cable actuated throttle body!

Driving a manual while holding a cup of coffee is easy. On the straights, just shift with your left hand. That doesn't defy the Grassroots code of conduct, does it? Note: Do not attempt in corners. There are not enough hands!

andrave wrote: Its a tv show.. the guys play characters. Obviously they know cars very well, 90% of the show is dramatics for tv and hilarity ensues. don't take it too seriously.

yeah, its getting much more like that too.

I am honestly getting tired of all the theatrics lately. They used to just go mess around in cars and do dumb stuff. Now a days they do so many bits like the EVO vs tanks were they go so far beyond playing characters and just trying to be entertaining to having completely scripted bits.

I wish they would stop with the setups and just get back to acting like kids and playing with cool cars.

MitchellC wrote: Driving a manual while holding a cup of coffee is easy. On the straights, just shift with your left hand. That doesn't defy the Grassroots code of conduct, does it? Note: Do not attempt in corners. There are not enough hands!

I just hold the coffee in my left hand...

ddavidv wrote: Automatics suck. I wouldn't promote their burnout abilities either.

Honestly, they are probably the best cars for it.

A slip torque converter damn near doubles torque.