Discussion
You may recall my foolishness - I left the path of righteousness back in the summer, sold my A110GT for very practial, common sense reasons. Had been scared witless a couple of times by HGVs accidentally or deliberately not seeing me tucked down low on the M25 and nearly swiping me out. Moved quite a long way from any Alpine dealer or garage that can do any form or repair. Bought a Golf R for extra seats (I do regularly need to move stuff around), carrying capacity, 4WD sure-footedness, more creature comforts (the ventilated seats and panoramic sunroof are very pleasant).
What a mistake. Don't get me wrong, the Golf R is an immensely capable car, very comfortable, plenty of noisy grunt (and the exhaust pops and bangs are much more natural than the silly Alpine ones, plus you can set the tone from the dashboard). 4WD holds the road well. All sorts of features can be tuned from the dash. Haptic controls on the Mk8 take some getting used to, but my wife has a Tesla so I'm used to rubbish controls. Nice arm rest (this really does annoy me on the Alpine, the GT is meant to be a touring car, the clue is in the name). Boot space isn't huge but with the seats down you can fit a lot in it. If my kids wanted a performance car, the safety features are comprehensive so I'd feel pretty happy about them being in one.
But there's just no joy, no lust for life in it compared with the A110. Yes, you get round a roundabout at speed, but more with a sense of relief than a sense of excitement. The gearbox is good, but a dog compared with the Getrag. There's no sense of fun threading it through urban traffic at 28mph. Lane assist is so bloody invasive I had to buy an OBD11 kit to switch it off. I always wonder if I ought to be wearing a back-to-front baseball cap and calling everyone 'bruv'.
So, the Golf is getting traded in, and I'm collecting another A110GT from Martins in Winchester next week. To hell with moving luggage around or feeling comfy and safe. I want my fun back. Next one will be a keeper!
What a mistake. Don't get me wrong, the Golf R is an immensely capable car, very comfortable, plenty of noisy grunt (and the exhaust pops and bangs are much more natural than the silly Alpine ones, plus you can set the tone from the dashboard). 4WD holds the road well. All sorts of features can be tuned from the dash. Haptic controls on the Mk8 take some getting used to, but my wife has a Tesla so I'm used to rubbish controls. Nice arm rest (this really does annoy me on the Alpine, the GT is meant to be a touring car, the clue is in the name). Boot space isn't huge but with the seats down you can fit a lot in it. If my kids wanted a performance car, the safety features are comprehensive so I'd feel pretty happy about them being in one.
But there's just no joy, no lust for life in it compared with the A110. Yes, you get round a roundabout at speed, but more with a sense of relief than a sense of excitement. The gearbox is good, but a dog compared with the Getrag. There's no sense of fun threading it through urban traffic at 28mph. Lane assist is so bloody invasive I had to buy an OBD11 kit to switch it off. I always wonder if I ought to be wearing a back-to-front baseball cap and calling everyone 'bruv'.
So, the Golf is getting traded in, and I'm collecting another A110GT from Martins in Winchester next week. To hell with moving luggage around or feeling comfy and safe. I want my fun back. Next one will be a keeper!
Welcome back!
Every morning I’m silently grateful to you for your cupholder solution!
I absolutely know what you mean. The Golf is technically a very accomplished car, but there is something about the Alpine which stirs the soul. Nothing I have owned comes close to how this car makes me feel.
Every morning I’m silently grateful to you for your cupholder solution!
I absolutely know what you mean. The Golf is technically a very accomplished car, but there is something about the Alpine which stirs the soul. Nothing I have owned comes close to how this car makes me feel.
Stablinski said:
Welcome back!
Every morning I’m silently grateful to you for your cupholder solution!
Thank you! I have a nice fresh one waiting to go. For anyone wondering what the magical cup solution is... Purchase one of these, shove into the compartment by your left elbow, place travel cup in and it just works. Still requires a little dexterity to get to your coffee, but the best bit is if you spill a bit, just pull the cup holder out, give it a wash, job done.Every morning I’m silently grateful to you for your cupholder solution!
https://amzn.eu/d/ddbv95c
Sporky said:
An AWD Golf (though mines a Mk7 Alltrack) and an A110 is a good combination. But if I could only keep one...
The Home Secretary has (quite reasonably) forbidden me from having two, particularly since I also have a couple of Land Rovers. I'm going to accept I'm in a noisy old Defender on those occasions (which are common) when I need to move heaps of stuff with me - I don't mind that, it was my daily for 10 years so I'm used to being too hot / too cold / too wet depending upon prevailing weather conditions.Sporky said:
An AWD Golf (though mines a Mk7 Alltrack) and an A110 is a good combination. But if I could only keep one...
Ha, I was just looking at Mk7 Alltracks as an A110 foil this week. Somewhat unfortunately the economy of the Alp makes the financial case for one quite tenuous indeed - I'd need to drive it to the alps a hundred times just to break even...Welcome back OP!
gloomington said:
Thank you! I have a nice fresh one waiting to go. For anyone wondering what the magical cup solution is... Purchase one of these, shove into the compartment by your left elbow, place travel cup in and it just works. Still requires a little dexterity to get to your coffee, but the best bit is if you spill a bit, just pull the cup holder out, give it a wash, job done.
https://amzn.eu/d/ddbv95c
thx for this - looks good but only available from mid Feb now.https://amzn.eu/d/ddbv95c
Any other recommended aftermarket alpine cupholder solutions?
Saw this wtf - in car french fries holder with separate ketchup holder...??? is it me??
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ACHANFLY-Universal-Dippin...
Gassing Station | Alpine | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff