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One of the Discovery channels started airing Fifth Gear. A bit like Top Gear, but *much* better!

They actually talk about the cars/trucks/whatevers a bit, give some practical advice, do some practical tests.

I had heard about this show in the past, but this is the first time I've seen it aired in the US.
Just started season 21, new episode this Wednesday.

More here: http://velocity.discovery.com/tv/fifth-gear/

I don't mind Fifth Gear (older seasons are also on Netflix (http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Fifth_Gear/70216979?locale=en-US)), but I much prefer Top Gear precisely because they aren't trying to be helpful/give consumer advice and just screw off and do dumb stuff the whole time - there's tons of shows/magazines/websites out there churning out advertorial disguised as consumer education, but automotive comedy is pretty much a Top Gear thing only.

As long as they aren't traveling in the US.

Fifth gear isn't too bad, but at least lately I have felt like they've tried to squeeze a little too much into too little time. Having said that, there's still room for them given the fact they are giving advice, and top gear is all about goofing off.

Yeah I gave up Netflix awhile ago, but I may try to find some past episodes for my next trip to the east coast (4hrs+ on plane = a bored Viin). I like Top Gear too, some of their stuff is great (launching a Robin with rockets? yes!), but I also like to hear about tech as I don't read car magazines too much. Plus they actually show you some of the driving techniques they use, rather than just making funny remarks while driving a car up and down a runway.

I love it when they travel in the US.

The Miami to New Orleans trip episode (http://www.topgear.com/uk/tv-show/series-9/episode-3) is easily one of my all-time favorites.

It was a very subtle joke. Too subtle, apparently.

Recall; they were only allowed in to the country in 2008, "as long as they weren't entertaining."  Ergo, no automotive comedy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gear_%28series_12%29

The one where they were trying to not be entertaining was pretty darn funny. But Miami to New Orleans is still the best..

Actually, speaking of top gear and america, the us branch of top gear is actually pretty good, and seems to be redoing the funnier uk shenanigans with a us slant.

Yeah the US version started off .. painful .. but now its a lot better.

I like how this turned into the Top Gear thread.

I also love Top Gear. ;)

The best travel episode was South America. By leaps and bounds. Except for when they almost got killed by rednecks.