Alpine adventures
Discussion
It feels like I've done a lot of 'readers cars' threads but this is the last one.
For now.
I have bought an Alpine A110 but how did I get here?
Two years ago (almost to the day) I placed a deposit on a Lotus Emira & to fund the purchase my NSX had to go. The NSX is (and always will be) the greatest sports car but I'd had it 6 years & it was time for a change. With that sold I needed a car to fill the 6 months (lol) until the Emira arrived. At the time the hot car was the GR Yaris, so I picked up a lightly used example. It is a very capable car but my experience behind the wheel did not correspond with what the journalists were reporting. So that was swapped for a 981 Cayman. Another very good car, but lacking involvement. Then came a brief flirtation with a 1960 Fiat. During this time the Emira has been delayed, delayed again and had the price increased. When I first ordered it I was like a giddy schoolboy with his first crush. Lotus have done everything to rebuff my dedication and I'd come close to cancelling a couple of times.
For now.
I have bought an Alpine A110 but how did I get here?
Two years ago (almost to the day) I placed a deposit on a Lotus Emira & to fund the purchase my NSX had to go. The NSX is (and always will be) the greatest sports car but I'd had it 6 years & it was time for a change. With that sold I needed a car to fill the 6 months (lol) until the Emira arrived. At the time the hot car was the GR Yaris, so I picked up a lightly used example. It is a very capable car but my experience behind the wheel did not correspond with what the journalists were reporting. So that was swapped for a 981 Cayman. Another very good car, but lacking involvement. Then came a brief flirtation with a 1960 Fiat. During this time the Emira has been delayed, delayed again and had the price increased. When I first ordered it I was like a giddy schoolboy with his first crush. Lotus have done everything to rebuff my dedication and I'd come close to cancelling a couple of times.
So yet again, I found myself waiting patiently for the Emira. Obviously the Alpine has been on my radar since launch. My criteria was not white, or that metallic blue most seem to be painted in & comfort seats were a must (I am old, fat & bald). Alpine Winchester were very accommodating (would recommend) but after only 10 minutes behind the wheel it was clear the 'comfort' seats just weren't. Gutted. Those 10 minutes also revealed how deftly it went down a B road. My experience with the Yaris meant I now take car reviews with a large pinch of salt, but in this case, all the glowing prose seemed appropriate.
Winchester also had a newer model, with bucket seats - these were great. I agreed to do a deal if they could deliver in time for Goodwood (buying a car for the drive to Goodwood makes me sound like a pr1ck, but I'm sick of driving my van everywhere!).
Winchester also had a newer model, with bucket seats - these were great. I agreed to do a deal if they could deliver in time for Goodwood (buying a car for the drive to Goodwood makes me sound like a pr1ck, but I'm sick of driving my van everywhere!).
Edited by LarJammer on Thursday 20th July 10:57
So it's a newer model which comes with Car Play and had around £7k of options including Fire Orange paint, Grand Prix wheels, Brembo brakes, Focal audio and an active exhaust. It was great on the drive to Goodwood and excels on cross country roads - the suspension compliance just deals with any bumps and potholes for you & the steering needs very little input, almost telepathic. However, it is alarmingly bad in crosswinds, the only car I've driven which felt as bad was a 60's Beetle... Also, at high speeds the back end moves around a lot and doesn't inspire confidence. So I've has the Life110 geo settings done already, we'll see how this improves things.
A couple of dislikes are the exhaust pops & crackles in sport mode. It's a bit chavvy for my liking. And it gets some unwanted attention from said chavs, seemingly every Golf and Merc with tinted windows wants a race. Whilst not ugly, its more Lisa Kudrow than Jennifer Anniston. But overall I'm so impressed that I've canceled the Emira and it feels like a weight has been lifted. Tomorrow I start a 1500 mile roadtrip and we will see if it continues to impress but I think it is the right choice. A coupe more pics -
nice wheels, impossible to clean.
A very pleasant place to spend time.
I will update from the roadtrip.
A couple of dislikes are the exhaust pops & crackles in sport mode. It's a bit chavvy for my liking. And it gets some unwanted attention from said chavs, seemingly every Golf and Merc with tinted windows wants a race. Whilst not ugly, its more Lisa Kudrow than Jennifer Anniston. But overall I'm so impressed that I've canceled the Emira and it feels like a weight has been lifted. Tomorrow I start a 1500 mile roadtrip and we will see if it continues to impress but I think it is the right choice. A coupe more pics -
nice wheels, impossible to clean.
A very pleasant place to spend time.
I will update from the roadtrip.
Day 1.
453.8 miles, 44.8mpg.
I didn't buy the car for its economy but thought that was impressive. Was planning on stopping half way to have a break but ran into problems locating a toilet / fuel, so did four 5min breaks. Credit to those seats, I have fewer aches than if I'd done the trip in my van. Luggage space is OK (but it's only me and just 5 days). I'd heard the rear boot gets hot so put the chocolate in the frunk. It didn't survive.
453.8 miles, 44.8mpg.
I didn't buy the car for its economy but thought that was impressive. Was planning on stopping half way to have a break but ran into problems locating a toilet / fuel, so did four 5min breaks. Credit to those seats, I have fewer aches than if I'd done the trip in my van. Luggage space is OK (but it's only me and just 5 days). I'd heard the rear boot gets hot so put the chocolate in the frunk. It didn't survive.
Edited by LarJammer on Friday 21st July 20:21
This journey is really all about the roads & that starts proper in a couple of days (tomorrow is an easy day). So far the car has impressed, driving alongside a Loch on a winding road with a view of the mountains is pretty damn cool! Getting stuck behind a Hyundai for 10 miles less so, but I shouldn't complain.
Whilst the car is very, very good there have been some issues. Seemingly at random it would go into night mode, turn the headlights on and dim the nav. I haven't found a way to put the lights in manual mode (there may not be an option). Thinking the light sensor had got dirty I cleaned it but made no difference. Like any good IT problem, turning it off and on again solved the problem. Also, a couple of foibles - one of these switches is for the speed limiter, the other for cruise control.
I have figured it out now, but they are way too similar. And the key is in a lovely leather pouch. Which is great until it gets dark & you can't even feel where the buttons are.
Sorry if this is a bit rushed but my fish & chips has just turned up.
I have figured it out now, but they are way too similar. And the key is in a lovely leather pouch. Which is great until it gets dark & you can't even feel where the buttons are.
Sorry if this is a bit rushed but my fish & chips has just turned up.
Getting back in the car this morning was like putting on a favourite pair of shoes. The bucket seats are simply awesome, I had heard David Twohig (the lead designer of the A110) say he was most proud of them (in regards to weight saving) and they are supremely comfortable too.
The sat nav lady was shouting at full volume today, despite not saying a word yesterday. Not sure what I did to upset her and it took all morning to find how to shut her up #touchscreen.
Stopping for a morning cuppa, lochside.
The colours really pop in the sunshine & the landscape is pretty good too! Did some touristy stuff today including visiting the Moray car museum. It's only a small place but has some interesting cars including this unique 'Aston healey' and some mad period race cars.
The sat nav lady was shouting at full volume today, despite not saying a word yesterday. Not sure what I did to upset her and it took all morning to find how to shut her up #touchscreen.
Stopping for a morning cuppa, lochside.
The colours really pop in the sunshine & the landscape is pretty good too! Did some touristy stuff today including visiting the Moray car museum. It's only a small place but has some interesting cars including this unique 'Aston healey' and some mad period race cars.
Edited by LarJammer on Saturday 22 July 19:37
Day 3.
179.3 miles, 42.1 mpg.
I was feeling tired this morning & think the lack of sleep has overtaken the thrill of adventure. This led to me inadvertently pulling the handbrake switch when trying to close the window. At 60mph. I certainly felt wide awake after that.
Dunrobin Castle deserves a pic, it is a very impressive and imposing building.
I'm trying to find some spots off the beaten track and stumbled on a harbour just off the main road, a perfect place for lunch and a couple of photos.
179.3 miles, 42.1 mpg.
I was feeling tired this morning & think the lack of sleep has overtaken the thrill of adventure. This led to me inadvertently pulling the handbrake switch when trying to close the window. At 60mph. I certainly felt wide awake after that.
Dunrobin Castle deserves a pic, it is a very impressive and imposing building.
I'm trying to find some spots off the beaten track and stumbled on a harbour just off the main road, a perfect place for lunch and a couple of photos.
Edited by LarJammer on Sunday 23 July 17:22
The local wildlife has been quite well behaved aside from a couple of suicidal birds. One didn't make it.
No damage done, well, apart from the bird...
Spotted this German registered apocalypse spec Mercedes at John O Groats.
The Alpine has really got under my skin - it is my sort of car. It strikes me how much it has in common with the NSX, both are made from aluminium, have similar power, double wishbone suspension all round, a supple ride and have crap cabin storage.
No damage done, well, apart from the bird...
Spotted this German registered apocalypse spec Mercedes at John O Groats.
The Alpine has really got under my skin - it is my sort of car. It strikes me how much it has in common with the NSX, both are made from aluminium, have similar power, double wishbone suspension all round, a supple ride and have crap cabin storage.
Day 4.
167.7 miles, 36.4 mpg.
Some really enjoyable roads on this route, I think I got lucky with the traffic & most of the campervans very politely pulled over to let me past. Met some motorcyclists at Kylesku Bridge and it tuned out it was the launch of a new range of Honda bikes, fully supported by Honda (who followed in support vans).
167.7 miles, 36.4 mpg.
Some really enjoyable roads on this route, I think I got lucky with the traffic & most of the campervans very politely pulled over to let me past. Met some motorcyclists at Kylesku Bridge and it tuned out it was the launch of a new range of Honda bikes, fully supported by Honda (who followed in support vans).
Also stopped at Corrieshalloch Gorge. I am really impressed with the infrastructure at places like this (and JoG) & have no problem paying extortionate parking fees when the money is clearly being used to good effect.
Another place I wanted to go was the resting place of USAAF Liberator. The directions I'd read online didn't prepare me for the trek & I joked with some walkers that they might be in the newspaper tomorrow, as the last people to speak to an old fat bald man, now missing, presumably mosquito food. It was a very serious climb, up barely trodden rocky paths, through bogs you can lose a shoe in and loose rocks ready to break an ankle. I was drenched in sweat and probably the only human in a 3 mile radius. It was getting late and the weather was coming in so I didn't hang around too long, all in about a 3 hrs trek on very tough terrain.
Another place I wanted to go was the resting place of USAAF Liberator. The directions I'd read online didn't prepare me for the trek & I joked with some walkers that they might be in the newspaper tomorrow, as the last people to speak to an old fat bald man, now missing, presumably mosquito food. It was a very serious climb, up barely trodden rocky paths, through bogs you can lose a shoe in and loose rocks ready to break an ankle. I was drenched in sweat and probably the only human in a 3 mile radius. It was getting late and the weather was coming in so I didn't hang around too long, all in about a 3 hrs trek on very tough terrain.
Day 5.
141.2 miles, 37.0 mpg.
The roads on this section are quite something. Very technical with lots of unsighted corners and crests. A few areas have been resurfaced recently & the gravel made the car move around a lot, which was unnerving. Must have been tricky on a bike. As ever, the locals & travellers have been super friendly. Everyone wants to talk about the car - I didn't get anywhere this much attention in the NSX.
Since this is my last night before I head home I've treated myself to a very posh hotel & turned up at the same time as a huge party of old folks. It was a wake and my bright orange car didn't really fit in!
141.2 miles, 37.0 mpg.
The roads on this section are quite something. Very technical with lots of unsighted corners and crests. A few areas have been resurfaced recently & the gravel made the car move around a lot, which was unnerving. Must have been tricky on a bike. As ever, the locals & travellers have been super friendly. Everyone wants to talk about the car - I didn't get anywhere this much attention in the NSX.
Since this is my last night before I head home I've treated myself to a very posh hotel & turned up at the same time as a huge party of old folks. It was a wake and my bright orange car didn't really fit in!
So my summary of the trip.
A couple of things I realise never got a mention were the engine and gearbox. Both are good. The gearbox works just like every other twin clutch example, shifts quickly with no fuss or drama. Similar story with the engine, it doesn't have the character of a flat 6 or the outright thrust of a big capacity motor it does a good job.
Its worth mentioning a characteristic when overtaking - if you press the throttle hard, it drops down a couple of gears and then you have to wait for the boost to build again. This results in the speed dropping momentarily, which is at odds with what you expect and means more thought is needed when nipping into a gap. It can be overcome by shifting manually beforehand though.
Also, the stop/start function behaves oddly when parking. As usual, the engine shuts off when coming to a stop, when you apply the handbrake it starts up again. by pressing the engine start button before applying the handbrake, it doesn't start the engine. Its a quirk, and there are other quirks with the infotainment but they just needed a bit of getting used to.
The real takeaway is the suspension though and it made me realise how important a good ride is (to me at least). There is none of the low speed fidgeting you get in other cars. The Cayman was quite bad and it was apparent in the Emiras I drove (both on the touring setup). On bumpy, broken tarmac it never tramlined or wandered. I never had to fight the steering - I can imagine doing the trip in a GT3 or GT4 would have been a sweaty chore in comparison. The Scottish roads are not the place to explore handling limits but it felt completely planted, one big mid corner bump did unsettle the rear though. Like the Yaris, I got the impression it would let go in a big way if I exceeded the tyre grip and will explore that when I get it on track.
Also hugely impressive were the seats, buckets don't have any right to be that comfortable. And I never felt the interior was low rent, all of the bits you see and touch are a decent quality.
I rate it more highly that the Cayman or Yaris and it has a lot of attributes of the hallowed NSX. Definitely a keeper whilst it's the most expensive car I've ever bought (by quite some margin) I think I've found The One*).
A couple of things I realise never got a mention were the engine and gearbox. Both are good. The gearbox works just like every other twin clutch example, shifts quickly with no fuss or drama. Similar story with the engine, it doesn't have the character of a flat 6 or the outright thrust of a big capacity motor it does a good job.
Its worth mentioning a characteristic when overtaking - if you press the throttle hard, it drops down a couple of gears and then you have to wait for the boost to build again. This results in the speed dropping momentarily, which is at odds with what you expect and means more thought is needed when nipping into a gap. It can be overcome by shifting manually beforehand though.
Also, the stop/start function behaves oddly when parking. As usual, the engine shuts off when coming to a stop, when you apply the handbrake it starts up again. by pressing the engine start button before applying the handbrake, it doesn't start the engine. Its a quirk, and there are other quirks with the infotainment but they just needed a bit of getting used to.
The real takeaway is the suspension though and it made me realise how important a good ride is (to me at least). There is none of the low speed fidgeting you get in other cars. The Cayman was quite bad and it was apparent in the Emiras I drove (both on the touring setup). On bumpy, broken tarmac it never tramlined or wandered. I never had to fight the steering - I can imagine doing the trip in a GT3 or GT4 would have been a sweaty chore in comparison. The Scottish roads are not the place to explore handling limits but it felt completely planted, one big mid corner bump did unsettle the rear though. Like the Yaris, I got the impression it would let go in a big way if I exceeded the tyre grip and will explore that when I get it on track.
Also hugely impressive were the seats, buckets don't have any right to be that comfortable. And I never felt the interior was low rent, all of the bits you see and touch are a decent quality.
I rate it more highly that the Cayman or Yaris and it has a lot of attributes of the hallowed NSX. Definitely a keeper whilst it's the most expensive car I've ever bought (by quite some margin) I think I've found The One*).
Edited by LarJammer on Friday 28th July 20:16
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