RE: Alpine A110 vs. Porsche 718 Cayman
Discussion
PeterGadsby said:
Sion111R said:
Pete, you are a step ahead of me. I am yet to see one in the metal. I am excited to try one as if it can really do the “two cars in one” trick and offer excitement/feel and then munch the motorway miles it will be a very tempting proposition.
You should defo get a 4c, very similar to an Elise. My "normal" car is a Ford Focus RS mk3 which I also love.Had an S1 Elise in Yellow a good few years ago and loved that too, but the 4c has double the HP and the same weight. Go get a test drive.
- Pete
MJK 24 said:
PeterGadsby said:
Sion111R said:
Pete, you are a step ahead of me. I am yet to see one in the metal. I am excited to try one as if it can really do the “two cars in one” trick and offer excitement/feel and then munch the motorway miles it will be a very tempting proposition.
You should defo get a 4c, very similar to an Elise. My "normal" car is a Ford Focus RS mk3 which I also love.Had an S1 Elise in Yellow a good few years ago and loved that too, but the 4c has double the HP and the same weight. Go get a test drive.
- Pete
Ugly? Ever seen a Lotus Evora.
Couple of pics for you.
This one I took at Klassikstaad in Frankfurt - the new car is properly compact but just look at the original - so tiny! Just wow to both - the new car is very nicely made - I spent a while examining the shell and it has a lot of clever details.
Then, look at this one. Those of you that went to Le Mans this year will recognise this shot of their display car. When I was there I thought that, although very classy, it looked a bit restrained for a display car, and that perhaps a more jaunty shade would have been better.
Now I’ve read that the styling isn’t universally accepted as a success, with people even saying it looks like a kit car, perhaps their choice of colour was deliberate to make it look more “grown up”. That’s presuming the sentiments of the PH collective are echoed universally which of course isn’t a given.
I think it looks fabulous!
This one I took at Klassikstaad in Frankfurt - the new car is properly compact but just look at the original - so tiny! Just wow to both - the new car is very nicely made - I spent a while examining the shell and it has a lot of clever details.
Then, look at this one. Those of you that went to Le Mans this year will recognise this shot of their display car. When I was there I thought that, although very classy, it looked a bit restrained for a display car, and that perhaps a more jaunty shade would have been better.
Now I’ve read that the styling isn’t universally accepted as a success, with people even saying it looks like a kit car, perhaps their choice of colour was deliberate to make it look more “grown up”. That’s presuming the sentiments of the PH collective are echoed universally which of course isn’t a given.
I think it looks fabulous!
MJK 24 said:
JMF894 said:
Romo said:
The name of the game; WEIGHT
Al modern cars are far to heavy, it makes them dull and lifeless in driving experience. You can't beat physics.
So kudos for the Alpine, 1100kg is a masterpiece compared by current weight standards.
I've driven all kind of BMW M`s, my current M2 is nice and all, but 1550 kg is a shame for such a car, I used to own a 981CGTS, nice yes, but 1400kg, so they are all obese.
A long, very long time ago, I used to own a Honda CRX 1.6i VTEC, 1010 kg, 160 HP, it was the nicest drive of them al.
Until you have an accident with a modern 1500kgs car then you'll be wishing your nice drive had more substance. Old, lightweight cars are all well and good but as a daily i'll take my heavy modern barge everyday. That's why they are what they are; to keep you safe. And that's why comparing old with new is disigenious. Old cars' weights were dictated by the same rules as new ones, it's just that the rules, and technology have moved on. I agree lightweight makes for a better drive but people must understand what you get and don't get with with such a car. What more people should be doing is spending less on the daily so there's a bit left for the fun. That way the bloated daily won't annoy quite so much.Al modern cars are far to heavy, it makes them dull and lifeless in driving experience. You can't beat physics.
So kudos for the Alpine, 1100kg is a masterpiece compared by current weight standards.
I've driven all kind of BMW M`s, my current M2 is nice and all, but 1550 kg is a shame for such a car, I used to own a 981CGTS, nice yes, but 1400kg, so they are all obese.
A long, very long time ago, I used to own a Honda CRX 1.6i VTEC, 1010 kg, 160 HP, it was the nicest drive of them al.
Edited by Romo on Saturday 1st September 12:06
RJG46 said:
Ugly? Ever seen a Lotus Evora.
Beauty is subjective. My Evora was described on ph 2 days ago by someone I have never met who saw it in the flesh as “Stunning”. See the south west spotted thread. Personally I think the Alpine styling reflects its heritage well, for me the Cayman is ok but I hate the grill and Porsche logo on the back n
Edited by blueg33 on Sunday 2nd September 10:32
Really interesting debate here.
There is more to the discussion than only a badge snob would choose the 718.
Both look like great cars and seem very good value.
If I was really forced to choose between the 2, it would be the Alpine simply because it is more special and it would have to be significantly worst for me to choose otherwise.
There is more to the discussion than only a badge snob would choose the 718.
Both look like great cars and seem very good value.
If I was really forced to choose between the 2, it would be the Alpine simply because it is more special and it would have to be significantly worst for me to choose otherwise.
Deviating a little from this but in response to the simulated accident between a modern 1500kg car and an old 1000kg one - wouldn’t it have been more sensible for the authorities to impose weight restrictions on vehicles so that this accident never happened?
I’m absolutely not a mathematician but I’d wager that the inertia at play with two 1500kg cars colliding is much more difficult to manage than two 1000kg cars in the same accident?
If you add in efficiency savings made by the lightweight throughout the lifetime of the car it becomes truly puzzling to me how we got where we are?
I’m absolutely not a mathematician but I’d wager that the inertia at play with two 1500kg cars colliding is much more difficult to manage than two 1000kg cars in the same accident?
If you add in efficiency savings made by the lightweight throughout the lifetime of the car it becomes truly puzzling to me how we got where we are?
Pistom said:
Really interesting debate here.
There is more to the discussion than only a badge snob would choose the 718.
Both look like great cars and seem very good value.
If I was really forced to choose between the 2, it would be the Alpine simply because it is more special and it would have to be significantly worst for me to choose otherwise.
In a driving sense, the option of a manual might tip some to the Cayman, as would the prospect of owner experience (servicing, residual etc).There is more to the discussion than only a badge snob would choose the 718.
Both look like great cars and seem very good value.
If I was really forced to choose between the 2, it would be the Alpine simply because it is more special and it would have to be significantly worst for me to choose otherwise.
Will be very interesting which works out best especially for those who drive one as an 'only car'.
/ hijack thread
Mark you’re right. I’ve continued to amass parts over the last 18 months and I think I have 95+% of the things I need to finish it. I also have an offer from an Italian friend of mine who is an expert body man to do the repaint of the car in Italy which sounds like a very exciting thing to be involved in, especially as he accepts Peroni Red as payment! I’m anticipating re-starting the Ferrari project in early 2019 and then relentlessly working until it’s done. I managed to restore the little Boxster this year and also the Caterham which was starting to look a bit sorry for itself so I haven’t been sitting around doing nothing you’ll be pleased to hear. The Sunbeam Lotus and the 924 are also in need of some TLC (especially the Sunbeam) and both are much shorter jobs than the Ferrari so I might even see if I can do those this winter before I start again on it with a clean schedule! I also have this awful drain on my car fettling career called “work” which gets in the way terribly. I keep thinking I should give it up but my accountant thinks that’s a really bad idea. Idiot. 
// hijack thread off
mwstewart said:
Julian Thompson said:
Couple of pics for you.
Never mind that, finish the garage so I may continue follow your CS thread // hijack thread off
Cayman is nice but boring compared to what the Alpine is. The Cayman has it's place in the Porsche lineup but the Alpine is there for the sake of it and that makes it much more desirable to me personally. It's brilliant to see manufacturers doing this and I hope it's a success for that reason.
Have to love the butthurt Porsche fanboys on here. Personally, I’d never consider a Cayman. They have zero appeal to me stylistically, looking like they were designed by a committee of accountants. Seriously considering the Alpine, though, or a 4C Spider next. Flawed, for sure, but actually interesting.
I sat in one the other day and was expecting to get into a cheap, plastic interior as all reviews seemed to mention the quality. Well I was very pleasantly surprised! It's a really smart interior with gorgeous seats, nice brushed metals and lovely quilted leather door cards. Yes it may not be quite to the standard of the Germans but not for one second did it feel cheap.
Speaking as an owner of a GT4 and now an Alpine, I can say without hesitation that the Alpine is the nicer car to drive on UK roads. Where the GT4 crashes around, the Alpine just seems to deal with poor Road surfaces so much better. My only reservation at the moment is that I am struggling with seats that seem to be causing lower back ache.
With regards to the looks, I have had more interest in it than any other car I have ever owned and given the initial allocation sold out in 5 days there must be plenty out there that like it.
With regards to the looks, I have had more interest in it than any other car I have ever owned and given the initial allocation sold out in 5 days there must be plenty out there that like it.
Difficult market sector, and going up against such an established player they have their work cut out. So important to get the price point right. 50k for a ‘Renault’ is simply too much, damn shame but I soon see this going the same way as that other great little overpriced coupe, the Alfa 4c...
A friend's Dad has a new Cayman and I got to spend some time with it a couple of weekends ago. It has covered 11k miles so reasonably run-in. My friend has an E92 M3 and his Dad happily swaps as he prefers the chassis and engine in the E92 - which says something.
The Cayman has these wheels:
I don't know Porsche's too well, but when I saw it my first thought was how ridiculously over-wheeled it was. It may well be a much better car with lighter wheels. Also, it is quite a big car - for a Cayman.
The Cayman has these wheels:
I don't know Porsche's too well, but when I saw it my first thought was how ridiculously over-wheeled it was. It may well be a much better car with lighter wheels. Also, it is quite a big car - for a Cayman.
Bob-2146 said:
Difficult market sector, and going up against such an established player they have their work cut out. So important to get the price point right. 50k for a ‘Renault’ is simply too much, damn shame but I soon see this going the same way as that other great little overpriced coupe, the Alfa 4c...
This type of comment doesn’t really make sense. It’s no more over priced than the Cayman or a TTRS. If the Alpine is a “Renault” then the Porsche, a Bentley and a Bugatti are all VW’s. using Renault as a negstivr term is quite small minded. Renault an Alpine also have a huge and very successful motorsport history. Possibly a better one than Porsche. What other sports cars with similar performance etc come in at a lower price? I can’t think of one.
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