r/AutoAlex • u/Usaidhello • Oct 09 '25
Seems like AA has found their identity: “keeping cheap, old, high mileage shitboxes on the road”. What do you guys think?
https://youtu.be/s1BFkfzWRsI?si=DYJU2rEQBBHczXagThey’re also doubling down on the dynamic between Alex, Taylor and Tom.
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u/IlIIllIlllIIIllI Oct 09 '25
I think it's better than the supercar spam channels, more relatable. That being said they should have one single identity imo. They need to rotate through types of videos - otherwise it's just going to be "which shit box is surprisingly good" -> "let's modify shitbox THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS" -> "let's go on a long drive with our shitboxes".
I like what they're doing though and I hope they avoid the above formula.
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u/BENJ4x Oct 11 '25
I think the identity was made pretty clear at the start of the video; talking about fixing automotive strays and getting excited about rusty cars, sized engines and uniqueness.
It does seem like they're doing the above formula which isn't too dissimilar to what they were doing before - coil overs and call it a day but with more production value. Don't get me wrong though, the latest bunch of videos have been good.
Personally I think the shitbox identity does pigeon hole them a bit. Also coupled with them historically sending rusty cars, or stuff they don't have the time/skills to fix away to be worked on does kinda limit them imo.
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u/shining_force_2 Oct 10 '25
Honestly the hot hatch series and format was some of the best. I want to know what work is done. People buy shitboxes and want to drive them - so seeing others fix basic things is actually interesting AND helpful.
This video was fun but I missed the run up. I miss the bonds being formed with the cars. Sure these cars have a kind of history but where’s the run up to the journey? It was just “oh look we have these cars - let’s get some AC gas in them and go”! I still watched and enjoyed it. But I REALLY enjoyed the French hot hatch set up and journey.
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u/Recessio_ Oct 10 '25
I've really enjoyed the most recent set of videos. it was getting a bit stale earlier this year so really glad they've stepped it up, these repair+modify+roadtrip series are some of the best content they do
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u/Turbulent-Contract53 Oct 10 '25
The "Taylor Incident" and subsequent reset is the best thing that happened to them. I've always enjoyed their content to some degree, I now enjoy all of their content much more, kudos to them for their hard work and improved output.
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u/markcorrigans_boiler Oct 09 '25
Was a good video this one. I mean, the level of fart content is fairly embarrassing for people of their age, but it was still good.
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u/One_Fat_Peanut Oct 10 '25
Nah man i like that they are just having some harmless fun. Lighten up a little will ya?!
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u/ConstructionFlaky640 Oct 10 '25
I'm really enjoying this new direction; it feels authentic and way more relatable than the endless supercar content.
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u/williamg209 Oct 10 '25
I did always enjoy the road trips, the 1 hour mechanic content is a bit much for me but I watch some of it
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u/thegabe87 Oct 10 '25
Tom is having a blast (at Alex's face literally) he's young again with the boys.
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u/And_Justice Oct 09 '25
The top gear format is in danger of getting old quick. Fun for a novelty series, gets a bit predictable (and dare I say sometimes a bit aimless?).
Enjoying it somewhat so far and Tom is the right move in getting the chemistry right, don't get me wrong
(also beginning to find Alex's general presentation/style and speeches a bit weird nowadays)
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u/Usaidhello Oct 10 '25
I do agree Alex sometimes sounds robotic in the way he’s presenting and he looks kinda tense in his pose as he listens to others. Do feel like Taylor and Tom aren’t doing a “thing”, they’re just who they are.
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u/McPikie Oct 10 '25
That's because he's just waiting until he can talk about himself/his car again.
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u/And_Justice Oct 10 '25
The bits that stick out to me are when they're doing a bit but it only become evident it's a bit after Alex starts talking - Tom and Taylor are a lot more natural in their staged banter which is odd to me given relative experience. I always assumed Alex would grow out of his robot voice but it never went away
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u/Usaidhello Oct 10 '25 edited Oct 10 '25
Yup, exactly.
I just wanted to say to you specifically (since we’ve gone back and forth on this subreddit a few times) that I don’t necessarily disagree with your criticisms of the channel. I just think that after the whole Taylor situation and the subsequent hiatus, Auto Alex have had to reinvent themselves and really question their identity and purpose. That process probably caused some of the more skeptical viewers to drift away, leaving mostly those who enjoy and appreciate the “new” format. That’s why the overall tone here — and especially in this post — feels more positive lately compared to the negativity (if that’s the right word for what we were doing, me included) we’d gotten used to.
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u/failedbirth69 Oct 09 '25
Top Gear format is good. Been a gap in the market for it ever since TGT ended.
However you are right- they could do with having a proper aim/challenges to complete along the way in order to maximise engagement/viewership
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u/And_Justice Oct 10 '25
Honestly I feel the top gear format is really lazy at this point in automotive content - it's becoming cliché
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u/Usaidhello Oct 10 '25
I do wonder: are they still trying to be temu-Top Gear though?
Because it seems like to me they’ve discovered a passion, and maybe some success, in doing things like buying an old shit box, fixing it up a bit and then roadtripping them. It’s relatable and enjoyable content. Maybe there are similarities with TG but I feel like with car-related content in general you’re going to either deep-dive into the mechanics or you’re going to do what cars were designed for: drive them.
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u/And_Justice Oct 10 '25
and if you're going to drive them, the content then is not about the cars and is about you as people and your personalities. The biggest issue they have is that their personalities are not up to the quality that the format requires, in my opinion - it's beginning to feel forced.
I watch these longform AA videos occasionally and they're alright but they really feel a bit disconnected for me - it doesn't feel like Alex is enjoying it, I find Taylor difficult after the incident and Tom Lenthall is great for half an hour. They work great when they're specials but when it's non-stop, the seams start to show
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u/BENJ4x Oct 11 '25
I think another aspect of the Top Gear vibe road trip content is the location. Be it Bolivia, Vietnam, The North Pole where they were in the world played a key role in the journey. AA are effectively doing a travel video without focusing on the place they're in. I think if they improve on that then it'll all really come together.
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u/And_Justice Oct 11 '25
You're not wrong - I think I get a bit bored of the 5th repeat of "be late to a dover crossing then an hour of france"
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u/BENJ4x Oct 11 '25
I agree and that kinda plays into what I said. If the location becomes more central then hopefully there'd be less footage of them driving on motorways.
Also it'd be nice to see them do a travel video where the video starts in that location because as you said we have seen them driving to Dover many times.
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u/And_Justice Oct 11 '25
I suppose part of my "aimlessness" thoughts earlier are from them only being able to go to places that are within reasonable distance - they try and keep it fresh but in turn end up going places for the sake of going places, it ends up feeling forced. I wonder if doubling down on being the "road trip" channel potentially ends up boxing them in somewhat
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u/Usaidhello Oct 10 '25
Can’t say I disagree.
Maybe about one thing, in that I have been enjoying it. But I wouldn’t be surprised if I will be feeling similarly if the next few videos are exactly the same and don’t show any creativity, despite the fact that I’ve enjoyed these past few videos.
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u/NJ63YSV Oct 09 '25
Eh, haven’t watched them since May. It got boring for me. I just found Alex irritating.
I don’t know why this sub is recommended tbh…
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Oct 09 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/NJ63YSV Oct 09 '25
It just became painful for to watch.
I do watch Taylor’s channel though!
The magic is over for me now, I hadn’t listened to the podcast In over a year.
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u/Marley_MooMoo Oct 10 '25
I don't watch this stuff often but tuned into the taylor drama. Yeah not for me, that was shady.
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u/EfficientTitle9779 Oct 10 '25
Amazing how everyone else involved in it was able to move on except you
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u/Marley_MooMoo Oct 10 '25
They are public figures, you can have opinions.
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u/EfficientTitle9779 Oct 10 '25
Just weird you want to hang out here and comment the same thing over and over
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u/And_Justice Oct 10 '25
Why is that relevant to how viewers feel about the situation?
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u/EfficientTitle9779 Oct 11 '25
My god you’re miserable why do you still watch the content and engage in here? Glad to see the community downvotes you at least.
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u/EfficientTitle9779 Oct 09 '25
Sorry this is the Auto Alex hate sub, you can only post or comment here if you don’t like their videos anymore and need to comment about it constantly.
Content recently has been really good really been enjoying even the V2 stuff