[Shivank]

Jeremy Clarkson.

Jezza might not be the best driver out there but then who's complaining?

He's a legend in automotive journalism, period!

[Zed]

Do any of you 30+ folks recall Tiff needell and Jim Crawford going hammer and tongs at each other on the track at Sholavaram during the late 80's in their F3's??

As a presenter he's surely miles ahead of Clarkson on account of his superior understanding of cars from a technical perspective. He may not have the I-dont-give-a-hoot attitude that has won Jeremy scores of fans, but he certainly comes across as a better judge of cars and what they ought to do.

[iliketurtles]

Originally Posted by avi550m

Where is the voting option for James May?

Better than Clarkson and Hammond, in my opinion. He doesnt try to be too witty or deranged when reviewing a car. Some may find it boring, I find it understated and classy.

This. I came here to say this.

May might come across as a bit of a fuddy duddy, but his knowledge of cars is pretty solid and I love his style of presenting. Sure, Clarkson and Hammond crack me up every time, but I really do like May the most out of those three.

I abstain from voting

[esteem_lover]

I liked JC couple of decades back when he was not as commercial as he is now, but the last 2 years of his show some of which i have watched, he looks and sounds pathetic, he seems more intent on cracking jokes with Hammond who is actually stealing the show away from him, maybe that is the intention, but he sure has changed with the times.

[Shivank]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

I liked JC couple of decades back when he was not as commercial as he is now, but the last 2 years of his show some of which i have watched, he looks and sounds pathetic, he seems more intent on cracking jokes with Hammond who is actually stealing the show away from him, maybe that is the intention, but he sure has changed with the times.

Commercial? Sorry, I didn't get that bit.

I beg to differ here. Richard Hammond is only second to Jeremy, that bit I understand. But in no way is he stealing the show away from Clarkson. Jeremy cracks such jokes because it's his nature. It has been seen on many occasions that even May and Hammond start to laugh in between a shoot if Clarkson makes a funny remark.

Clarkson is changing, but that's only his hair color. Pick any video from as early as 2003 or from late 2010, there's nothing that has changed in Jeremy's presenting style. He still bad-mouths a car he hates and sings praises for the one he loves. And what's wrong in that?

The show is loved because of the superb chemistry of the trio. James is sensible and calm, Richard is reasonable and charming and Jeremy is a joker and thinks from heart rather than head. Take any one out and you loose everything.

It's true that Jeremy gets all the press and the other two don't. Might be because Jeremy is always surrounded by controversies...Jeremy is famous because he has earned it.

I started watching car shows with Fifth Gear and Tiff Needell. No doubt the guy is more talented and can pull longer powerslides and faster laps than Jeremy. But in quest to keep up with Top Gear he desperately over-acts and tries to make the show funny. Why does he jump so much is beyond my understanding?

[shankar.balan]

I absolutely will always prefer Clarkson's wicked humour. May sound a bit patronizing and all that jazz but it is typical Brit public school sort of stuff so I like it.
Tiff Needell comes a very close second only because of his nice easy style and the fact that he has the racing credentials to back up what he speaks about.
James May a third because he is a nice guy and I appreciate his mildness.

[vb-saan]

Voted for Clarkson – I started watching auto shows because of him.

I wish the poll had the option to do multiple selections – Then I would have selected the TG trio + Tiff and Vicky. And Siddharth Patankar from the Car & Bike Show.

Somehow I am not a fan of Plato, and if there is an option to list down the worst, I will add in ex-Stig Ben Collins, and all the presenters from Times Drive.

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by Shivank

Commercial? Sorry, I didn't get that bit.

When was the first show of Top Gear that you watched, say just name the year.

[Shivank]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

When was the first show of Top Gear that you watched, say just name the year.

How does that going to help? Anyway, I started watching it from 2008 (through You Tube; R8 vs 911, my first ever Top Gear clip). Now though, have all of them from S1 to S17.

[esteem_lover]

I had first seen it on BBC (IIRC) in the 90s and was astounded by his presentation, I admit I have not seen much on youtube or downloads after that. I started seeing again only from 2009 and not regularly too. He has come a full cycle since then, IMHO, he is just a shadow of what he used to be (with a lot more colour into it now.).

[Shivank]

^^ There are of course some instances where the show has been plain boring. Even Jeremy couldn't save viewers from sleeping. 16th season episodes are most likely to be the least-entertaining shows in the recent times.

Since its inception in the late 80s the show has been presented by many different faces, but no one could ever match Clarkson. I think we all will agree to this. He's a constant source of laughter, though repetitive at times, for two decades now. What I love about Jeremy or TG is that those guys never run out of ideas. Never.

It makes me sick to even think of the day this show will end. I hope the trio live-longer and continue this show till all of them cross 70.

You need to watch all the shows you have missed in between. You'll come to know what I am on about.

[Ferruccio]

There are petrol heads who like Sid Patankar? He calls gear boxes nice and notchy (they are the opposites)! He calls a key fob a hob (a cooking station actually). I watch his programme for the howlers.

[CoolBlueBiker]

For the sheer presentation skills and the loads of character he brings to the show, it has to be Jeremy Clarkson. The guy can just go about presenting anything, i mean just anything and be rest assured he'd do a pretty damn job. BUT, this is a BIG but if you are looking for driving skills you would have to look elsewhere. The guy is a pretty neat driver but he does not have the ability to take the car to it's limits. Let alone Jezza, even Richard Hammond or James May are not that qualified. Such was their inability that they had to get an ex-racing driver(Ben Collins) for the job, made him wear a helmet at all times so that the poor chap doesn't steal their limelight


Compare that to Tiff Needell, the guy was a front runner in the British Formula 3 series, drove two F1 Grands Prix for Ensign in the 80s. The guy finished Le Mans in 3rd place for 1990. He lacks the flair of jezza but when he gets behind the wheel, it's a treat to watch. personally, I would go for substance rather than flash. For this reason, my vote goes to Tiff Needell.

[GTO]

I don't think anyone can match her enthusiasm in this video. You can tell she's having an absolute blast. Heck, she has tears of joy at one point!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PmB4WPZo3o

[V0rtex]

Jeremy is the better presenter in my opinion, and Tiff doesn't lag behind a lot. But Tiff is the way better driver. But I prefer both of them to present together. That's the perfect blend, like yin and yang.