RE: Porsche 718 Cayman T vs. Alpine A110
Discussion
springfan62 said:
I do wish Porsche fans would be a little more objective in their burning desire to criticise the Alpine.
It's isn't a Porsche, its different to a Porsche, not everyone wants a Porsche, why can't Porsche owners respect that and give it a break.
I don't want to spend my time criticising Porsche's, its a really boring game but it would be nice if Porsche owners could step back and realise how dull it is to read the same old stuff.
It would be nice if they actually drove the car first before becoming experts in its (supposed) deficiencies. Of course, if the press had all said it was a dog, fair enough. As it is they all say it's terrific - even though practically to a man they would prefer manual and NA. It's isn't a Porsche, its different to a Porsche, not everyone wants a Porsche, why can't Porsche owners respect that and give it a break.
I don't want to spend my time criticising Porsche's, its a really boring game but it would be nice if Porsche owners could step back and realise how dull it is to read the same old stuff.
As Pistonheads said in a previous review, the only people who don't rave about the car are those who haven't driven it.
Actually I have seen one guy who wasn't that keen - but he wanted it to be raw like his Exige. I also once saw a road test of a Lotus by Which who criticised it for only having 2 seats....!
CedricN said:
Ive alwyas wished the cayman/boxster were alpine sized, to separate it more from its overly large and fat big brother. Great work from alpine on the first try!
How much more is the alpine S?
I think the engine being in a different location and having 2 seats rather 4 were fairly good ways to separate them How much more is the alpine S?
The Crack Fox said:
I just don’t feel that Porsche is all that special any more. The Cayman is supposed to be light and good value, but £60k ish and 1500kg (or whatever) is all too much. And I see them everywhere, along with lots of 911s and their fat SUV things. I’m sure they’re great cars, and owners seem to love them, but that’s not enough for me. For that money I want something special.
For that reason, I’d have an Alpine over a Cayman and an Evora over a 911.
Have you driven any Porsche? Not a 5hitty question just from the way it reads you haven't but yet you've ruled against it for other brands. I have no allegiance to any brand, just like driving good cars and I get that some say only x is great and everything else is crap but surely writing off a brand before driving is just as bad? Any Porsche I've driven has felt pretty much spot on within 30 seconds of adjustment, same as gt86/brz did and I'm sure the alpine does.For that reason, I’d have an Alpine over a Cayman and an Evora over a 911.
springfan62 said:
But Porsche have to satisfy very high expectations and all being said that was a very embarrassing situation to find themselves in.
I do wish Porsche fans would be a little more objective in their burning desire to criticise the Alpine.
It's isn't a Porsche, its different to a Porsche, not everyone wants a Porsche, why can't Porsche owners respect that and give it a break.
I don't want to spend my time criticising Porsche's, its a really boring game but it would be nice if Porsche owners could step back and realise how dull it is to read the same old stuff.
I'm a Porsche fan and an owner of a 987 Boxster S for nearly 10 years. Previous to that an Elise S1 and S2 R so have done the lightweight cars thing. Both Lotus were superb and epic drives and if circumstances had of being different I'd probably have never sold them. Had both at the same time. I do wish Porsche fans would be a little more objective in their burning desire to criticise the Alpine.
It's isn't a Porsche, its different to a Porsche, not everyone wants a Porsche, why can't Porsche owners respect that and give it a break.
I don't want to spend my time criticising Porsche's, its a really boring game but it would be nice if Porsche owners could step back and realise how dull it is to read the same old stuff.
Always loved Porsches though, but I don't see the company through rose colored glasses. The company has become a prevayour of snake oil and smoke and mirrors over the last decade or so. Supposed lightweight models that aren't lightweight whatsoever and each iteration of model getting heavier and heavier, more and more electronic aids, but some buyers and journals falling for the lightweight spin. I do agree with you, as Porsche is a premium badge it does attract a number of people who are more concerned about the badge, useless options, future values that add nothing to the driving experience.
Quality of recent modern Porsches have gone down, cheap plastics, wafer thin carpets. The chassis of all 991, 992, 718 now have a lot of steel in the chassis where the 996, 997 and 987 are 90% aluminium. Three year old 991et al showing bad corrosion to the chassis components. However Porsche charge more and more for an inferior quality product. The bean counters rule.
However we are not all obsessed about options. When I bought mine I wanted it bare bones and that's what I bought. I love it, it's plenty fast enough, hugely practical and handles like it's on rails (thanks centre of gravity).
As for the Alpine, I've never driven one but I like the concept and hopefully companies like Porsche will take note! Did see a lot of them at Le Mans 24hr and they are sweet looking motor in the flesh. Especially in blue.
Olivera said:
Any more rumours of a manual gearbox? 
There are rumours - but it won't be easy to engineer. The pedal box is too narrow for 3 decent sized pedals at the moment. Making it wider is non-trivial. Oddly one of the arguments for the new Corvette being auto only was the same issue (amazing as that sounds given the width of the Corvette).
Also, thanks all for an interesting chat following the story (and the odd compliment too!) - I've enjoyed reading through the responses and insight therein from folk with broader experience of the cars than I. Was a very tough call, as you'll have probably gathered from the piece. But, like Mr Crack Fox says, there's a certain I-don't-know-what about the Alpine. Wish there was a widely known French phrase that captures what I'm trying to say there but you get gist.
Dan
Dan
ben5575 said:
Nerdherder said:
Besides two small plucks of 'yo' language a VERY good article and love that is has tonnes of enjoyable pictures.
Well done Dan and Chris!
Have to echo this. Really strong work guys.Well done Dan and Chris!
Cheers,
Dan
Dan Trent said:
Also, thanks all for an interesting chat following the story (and the odd compliment too!) - I've enjoyed reading through the responses and insight therein from folk with broader experience of the cars than I. Was a very tough call, as you'll have probably gathered from the piece. But, like Mr Crack Fox says, there's a certain I-don't-know-what about the Alpine. Wish there was a widely known French phrase that captures what I'm trying to say there but you get gist.
Dan
Should have paid more attention in French classes Dan instead of dreaming about driving Ferrari Testarossas and Porsche 959s. Dan
It was a well balanced piece. The Alpine is not perfect but until recently (Dan Prosser, we salute you), few journalists seem to call out Porsche for the flaws in their cars. I'd rather read a balanced review and make my own decision rather than being disappointed when I get round to owning one.
I enjoy your reviews as they are real world and not merely a sycophantic p*ssing competition driving the latest exotica with fancy camerawork and a hip soundtrack.
Keep up the good work.
Edited by Prestonese on Monday 29th July 12:53
Dr S said:
The Alpine is really an intriguing proposition, especially in S guise with a bit more oooomph.
Not sure about the S. It is a lot stiffer and that seems to go away from the ethos of the current car. Better for the track I've no doubt, but I'd be surprised if it didn't seriously detract from road use. No-one (from the press) has driven it yet so perhaps premature to jump to conclusions. The engine upgrade I like. I suspect many will want more midrange torque, but I like how eager the current engine is to rev to the red line, and the mods will enhance that. Maximum torque maintained to 6400 is most unusual in a mainstream turbo and I would expect the engine to rev happily to the new red line of 7000. Of course Alpine have had to do that to respect the torque limit of the gearbox while upping the power - but that suits me just fine. If Alpine offer a remap I'll be sorely tempted.
The interior changes don't get me excited and effectively to charge £4k + for the trim changes engine and upgrade and suspension mods seems like a lot to me.
British Beef said:
I would go the other way and shoot for Lotus Exige, similar weight and cost and >100hp more, and a V6 and a manual gearbox - win, win!!
good call.actually, i'll say that the V6 Exige is too much for the public road....
you could make a good case to have an MX5, A110 and Exige in the same garage, they're that different.
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