First test Drive of A110 mixed feelings.

[a110au]

the auto is a different experience in S or Track or Manual mode than default mode.

It isn't clairvoyant but most of the time it has already selected the next gear.

It is a pretty rare public road that you can even push it. Not sure how anyone an hour out of a dealership can, unless the dealership is in the middle of Scottish highlands.

No it is not a manual, but you can spend more time on picking lines through corners and enjoying the lightness rather than worrying about your heel and toe style or whether you'll be crawling along a motorway on the way home constantly changing first to neutral and back again.

[leglessAlex]

Jumpingjackflash said:

The new Lotus disappoints me because it is 1,400 kg and plastic body. I used to own an Elise S2 but it fell apart around me. If I was buying a new car I would go for a Cayman GTS. I configured two Alpines at £60k and £67K. The monthly payments with 10% deposit were £700-790 per month. The Cayman GTS is more expensive but I am sure the monthly rental would be similar.

I'm sure you've looked up the weights of the 718 Cayman GTS on various owners forums, right? They all come in 1,400kg+

I don't see why you'd bother with another test drive, tbh. It doesn't have a manual, it never will, and from your posts it does rather seem like you'd always be dissatisfied with that, whether you are in the right gearbox mode or not.

[mrCraigyC]

I may be able to give some perspective on the Alpine vs. GTS debate. I've owned the 2.5 GTS, the Manual 4.0 GTS, a Manual GT4 and now a 4.0 GTS PDK after having an Alpine for 6 months. I miss the Alpine to be honest and I've been lucky to have Porsche for 17 years. I have a GT4 PDK hopefully coming in a couple of months time and will take this for a period of time but I really think I'll then get another Alpine - probably a newer 300BHP GT or S.

By comparison, the 718 GTS feels heavy, heavier steering, feels bigger and is not as agile. Don't get me wrong, it is an amazing car, but the Alpine is very special. Yes the Porsche engine sounds better but it isn't as fast off the line (non Turbo) and I actually think the gearbox in the Alpine is pretty good, I always found with a little blip of the throttle it dropped a gear or two with immediacy - definitely no slower (and in some cases faster) than a PDK 718.

Also if you are looking to buy a 718 GTS new then good luck - current waiting time is into 2023 and there is a rumour you might not get one anyway as they are transitioning to electric in 2024. I had to buy a 6 month old PDK GTS and paid list price.

Let me know if you have any further Qs and as always these are my opinions and perceptions and by no means what everyone else will think!

Craig

[bcr5784]

mrCraigyC said:

I actually think the gearbox in the Alpine is pretty good, I always found with a little blip of the throttle it dropped a gear or two with immediacy - definitely no slower (and in some cases faster) than a PDK 718.

Craig

Good tip - not something I'd tried before you suggested it.

[tony993]

Thanks MrC. It sounds like my H&T skills will not be completely redundant, after all - unless I apply myself to mastering left foot braking, that is (& I don't think I will).

[bcr5784]

tony993 said:

Thanks MrC. It sounds like my H&T skills will not be completely redundant, after all - unless I apply myself to mastering left foot braking, that is (& I don't think I will).

The A110 brakes are heavier than is the norm these days - which makes LFB easier to get used to - I'd try it. Even though I've H&Td for ever I've always though it as an abortion to overcome the ergonomic nonsense of having 3 pedals for 2 feet.

[Pete182cup]

tony993 said:

Thanks MrC. It sounds like my H&T skills will not be completely redundant, after all - unless I apply myself to mastering left foot braking, that is (& I don't think I will).

In the alpine I find it very much go kart like with the pedal positioning and left foot braking has become second nature 100% of the time - I tried it initially as my legs are too long for the car and pivoting my right foot onto the brake was a bit awkward.

Driving this way on a fast B road is really great fun actually, it’s more the day to day stuff that takes a bit of getting used to; like when a dog threatens to run into the road and trying not to put yourself through the windscreen when you react on the brake pedal!

It’s become the norm much quicker than I would have imagined

[tony993]

Yes, the brake pedal feel was a real selling point for me. When I got my Evora I had a good moan on the forum about the over sensitive brakes. I explained, what I wanted was a rock hard pedal that barely moves, with plenty of pressure being required for max. braking. The response was, "they don't make cars like that anymore". Hopefully, my Alpine will be just right once I've got the hard pads & braided hoses fitted.

I think you've persuaded me I'll be wanting to LFB. The real problem I foresee is not learning the technique, but switching my brain back to normal mode when I get in one of my other cars.

[Life110]

leglessAlex said:

Jumpingjackflash said:

The new Lotus disappoints me because it is 1,400 kg and plastic body. I used to own an Elise S2 but it fell apart around me. If I was buying a new car I would go for a Cayman GTS. I configured two Alpines at £60k and £67K. The monthly payments with 10% deposit were £700-790 per month. The Cayman GTS is more expensive but I am sure the monthly rental would be similar.

I'm sure you've looked up the weights of the 718 Cayman GTS on various owners forums, right? They all come in 1,400kg+

I don't see why you'd bother with another test drive, tbh. It doesn't have a manual, it never will, and from your posts it does rather seem like you'd always be dissatisfied with that, whether you are in the right gearbox mode or not.

What makes me chuckle about this is when EVO magazine had my car with Exige and Cayman GTS on the same day the clincher for my car was the gearbox! The GTS may be manual but the gearing is so long it saps the need to change and makes the car feel leggy. The A110 has short gearing and snaps through the gears. Simply doesn't need a manual.

[Jumpingjackflash]

Morning guys.

Yes I do live in Scotland. The test drive took me some good country roads through Kilmalcolm, Bridge of Weir, Bishopton and Renfrew. The motorway Stretch to Clydebank allowed me to test acceleration. I would say it was a comprehensive test drive offering me various types of roads and no traffic.

Firstly I will tell you some of the cars I’ve owned. Elise s2, Boxster & Boxster S manuals, NSX manual, DB9 Manual, Ferrari 355 manual, Ferrari 550 manual, 996 turbo manual, 996 gt3 manual and B5 RS4 manual. The autos are mclaren 570s, 12c, bmw e60 M5, Ferrari 599, Bentley continental Gtc v8 and Rolls Royce Silver spirit 1 & 2.

There are other cars I’m sure I’ve forgot and junk like Honda Shuttle lol.

I like a manual.

Cars like the McLarens need DSG gearboxes because they are mental fast but frustratingly fast. The automated manuals are more of an event when driving fast but it is true they are hopeless everywhere else. You also realise that a the DSG gearboxes and stability systems all work together to keep the car on the road which dilutes the driving experience.

I wanted to get back to fun without risking my license. I am doing the correct thing test driving the Alpine but it did not excite me. I fear the Porsches will disappoint me too. I was waiting for the new Lotus but even though it looks like a Mclaren rival it has positioned itself at the caymen with spec and price.

I look at modern classic but prices are just stupid at the moment. I feel manufacturer’s are in limbo just now because they are working to a deadline for electric cars which seriously seriously upsets me. One of the reasons I’m looking at news cars just now because it could be my last chance. Next Alpine is electric too.

[essexstu]

Jumpingjackflash said:

I might give it a second chance. I will go back to dealer and ask them to clarify the different gearbox modes.

Select Sport mode then hold D button and it turns blue which means you are in manual drive not auto. If you select second gear it will stay in second gear until you change it. Auto Mode will always change up after a while if you leave it one gear for a period of time.

Driving it in "manual" mode is totally different experience. Go and have another drive😁

[Pete182cup]

tony993 said:

Yes, the brake pedal feel was a real selling point for me. When I got my Evora I had a good moan on the forum about the over sensitive brakes. I explained, what I wanted was a rock hard pedal that barely moves, with plenty of pressure being required for max. braking. The response was, "they don't make cars like that anymore". Hopefully, my Alpine will be just right once I've got the hard pads & braided hoses fitted.

I think you've persuaded me I'll be wanting to LFB. The real problem I foresee is not learning the technique, but switching my brain back to normal mode when I get in one of my other cars.

Haha this is true, when I jump in the family Kodiaq I have to remember to readjust or else the whole family go through the windscreen!

[xondat]

essexstu said:

Select Sport mode then hold D button and it turns blue which means you are in manual drive not auto. If you select second gear it will stay in second gear until you change it. Auto Mode will always change up after a while if you leave it one gear for a period of time.

Driving it in "manual" mode is totally different experience. Go and have another drive??

To add to this, sport mode (single press on sport button) means the gearbox will shift at redline. When it's in track mode (hold the sport button), it will hit redline and not shift. A good way to have both options imo!

[Jumpingjackflash]

It would be good if D meant Auto and M meant manual.

It would also be good if the Atelier colours were cheaper. The Colours are stunning but £5k on a £50k car is expensive. I also think heritage options like some decals and yellow light lenses would be very cool.

[BarryGibb]

Jumpingjackflash said:

NSX manual

I had one too, and there's no doubt I miss the engine and gearbox vs the Alpine. But, I think the Alpine makes up for it in other ways, being more benign over the limit and has superior brakes, a better ride and slightly better steering.

[Reggid85]

My first test drive in the A110, didn't impress me that much, and I also prefer a manual, but then I drove it again, for longer on better roads. Then a third time by which time I was smitten, and placed my order. Just picked it up. Couldn't be happier with it

[domrusty]

Reggid85 said:

My first test drive in the A110, didn't impress me that much, and I also prefer a manual, but then I drove it again, for longer on better roads. Then a third time by which time I was smitten, and placed my order. Just picked it up. Couldn't be happier with it

Hearty congrats!

Pictures, or it didn’t happen