RE: Alpine A110S vs. Porsche 718 GT4 vs. Audi R8 RWS
Discussion
john41901 said:
Helicopter123 said:
I like the Alpine, I just think it would be a better sports car with a proper gearbox.
Or any other engine than a wheezy little 1.8T...
Porsche have utterly destroyed them now with their new GTS, which is currently manual only just to rub salt into the wound...
Like the R8 though, awesome engine.
john41901 said:
Helicopter123 said:
I like the Alpine, I just think it would be a better sports car with a proper gearbox.
Or any other engine than a wheezy little 1.8T...Porsche have utterly destroyed them now with their new GTS, which is currently manual only just to rub salt into the wound...
Miserablegit said:
The true enthusiast will go out and test drive a number of vehicles and will purchase the one he or she wants.
The others will spend their spare time posting pointless views on the internet in respect of cars they won’t be purchasing.
I’ve driven the Alpine and might have one were the engine more charismatic and the gearbox manual. As it is, I’m out for now.The others will spend their spare time posting pointless views on the internet in respect of cars they won’t be purchasing.
The GTS is on my shortlist. I hadn’t considered the R8 but think I should take a look.
It's an interesting comparison, it's clear that all three have their strengths and weaknesses. It would have been nice to see the Evora in the test as well; to my mind that's far closer in ethos to these cars than the Exige.
Personally, if I was after a mid-engined sports car which could also play the GT when required, I'd probably end up with either an Evora S or an early (manual, V8) R8. Despite (or perhaps because of) the age of those cars, they appeal far more to me than these. If I had to choose one of these three it'd probably be the Alpine because I ultimately value chassis and controls more highly than power-train.
Personally, if I was after a mid-engined sports car which could also play the GT when required, I'd probably end up with either an Evora S or an early (manual, V8) R8. Despite (or perhaps because of) the age of those cars, they appeal far more to me than these. If I had to choose one of these three it'd probably be the Alpine because I ultimately value chassis and controls more highly than power-train.
Edited by kambites on Saturday 8th February 19:06
Helicopter123 said:
I’ve driven the Alpine and might have one were the engine more charismatic and the gearbox manual. As it is, I’m out for now.
The GTS is on my shortlist. I hadn’t considered the R8 but think I should take a look.
Ah so now it’s the engine and gearbox you don’t like in the Alpine...The GTS is on my shortlist. I hadn’t considered the R8 but think I should take a look.
In which case you don’t actually like the Alpine. No need to constantly remind everyone.
Miserablegit said:
Ah so now it’s the engine and gearbox you don’t like in the Alpine...
In which case you don’t actually like the Alpine. You are entitled to your opinion.
It handles nicely and can be placed very easily in the road. It also rides well. I do like it, but as a 3rd car I’m just looking for that little bit more. I would have an mx5 over the Alpine for fun.In which case you don’t actually like the Alpine. You are entitled to your opinion.
Edited by Helicopter123 on Saturday 8th February 19:11
Helicopter123 said:
The GTS will be perfect for many but it is of course much heavier than the Alpine. The true enthusiast who wants a lightweight option sadly has to look past the Alpine as Renault haven’t provided a manual option, which is a shame.
For clarity, a true enthusiast can't have an auto? Or is that simply your own personal preference? I was having a chat with a Radical owner at Silverstone last Sunday. He really came across as quite an enthusiast. Very handy driver too.
nickfrog said:
Helicopter123 said:
The GTS will be perfect for many but it is of course much heavier than the Alpine. The true enthusiast who wants a lightweight option sadly has to look past the Alpine as Renault haven’t provided a manual option, which is a shame.
For clarity, a true enthusiast can't have an auto? Or is that simply your own personal preference? I was having a chat with a Radical owner at Silverstone last Sunday. He really came across as quite an enthusiast. Very handy driver too.
Helicopter123 said:
Different priorities for track and road use I suspect. In a sports car, where driver engagement is a priority why wouldn’t you want a manual?
To focus on what some may found the important stuff when it comes to engagement, the stuff that requires far far more skill, ie the rest of the controls. Have you driven a single seater with a dog leg Hewland? Not many enthusiasts miss those.
There is nothing wrong with preferring a manual, I do.
But your dogmatic and swewping statement about "true enthusiasts" only being manual drivers is ridiculous and doesn't correspond to my observation of enthusiasts whether on the road or the track.
You are confusing your preference with the facts.
I assume you don't use abs equipped cars for maximum engagement as a true enthusiast, where do you draw the line?
Edited by nickfrog on Saturday 8th February 22:18
nickfrog said:
Helicopter123 said:
Different priorities for track and road use I suspect. In a sports car, where driver engagement is a priority why wouldn’t you want a manual?
To focus on what some may found the important stuff when it comes to engagement, the stuff that requires far far more skill, ie the rest of the controls. Have you driven a single seater with a dog leg Hewland? Not many enthusiasts miss those.
There is nothing wrong with preferring a manual, I do.
But your dogmatic and swewping statement about "true enthusiasts" only being manual drivers is ridiculous and doesn't correspond to my observation of enthusiasts whether on the road or the track.
You are confusing your preference with the facts.
I assume you don't use abs equipped cars for maximum engagement as a true enthusiast, where do you draw the line?
Edited by nickfrog on Saturday 8th February 22:18
from 3 quart front? the Alpine looks good (great pictures btw) but from the rear...but ;-) not my taste, great interior though.
the Audi will be great in a sprint or on a big circuit like Nurburgring etc, but on todays busy roads like in NL, its frustration you can't use it the way its meant to, no space or space in jail ;-)
the GT4 looks good all round, also middle of the weight and power, but I guess also still a bit a 'racer' calls to open it up, but busy roads etc spoils its possibility's a bit I guess.
For todays busy roads and short space to 'run' it would be nice in a lightweight not to long car with punchy torq V8.
So you can push the throttle a bit and a lot of power is there, or drive slow and enjoy the V8 sound, maybe a bit like a old TVR Tuscan V8, but then reborn, small light modern but simple tech etc.
edit, I love this picture, great surrounding etc, very jealous, great pictures.
the Audi will be great in a sprint or on a big circuit like Nurburgring etc, but on todays busy roads like in NL, its frustration you can't use it the way its meant to, no space or space in jail ;-)
the GT4 looks good all round, also middle of the weight and power, but I guess also still a bit a 'racer' calls to open it up, but busy roads etc spoils its possibility's a bit I guess.
For todays busy roads and short space to 'run' it would be nice in a lightweight not to long car with punchy torq V8.
So you can push the throttle a bit and a lot of power is there, or drive slow and enjoy the V8 sound, maybe a bit like a old TVR Tuscan V8, but then reborn, small light modern but simple tech etc.
edit, I love this picture, great surrounding etc, very jealous, great pictures.
I don't think it's badge snobbery to acknowledge that the Alpine's interior and engine are simply not good enough in this company. I know the purists will say the plasticky interior and tiny engine is to save weight but for a daily it's just not a rounded proposition nor special enough to keep for a weekend toy. It falls between the cracks for me. I've never been a fan of the rear styling either, it looks like it's been parked too close to anew open fire and everything just slipped down as it was melting.
Leftfootwonder said:
I don't think it's badge snobbery to acknowledge that the Alpine's interior and engine are simply not good enough in this company. I know the purists will say the plasticky interior and tiny engine is to save weight but for a daily it's just not a rounded proposition nor special enough to keep for a weekend toy. It falls between the cracks for me. I've never been a fan of the rear styling either, it looks like it's been parked too close to anew open fire and everything just slipped down as it was melting.
Almost uniquely though, it appears that any criticism of the Alpine is frowned on by some on here. It’s a good, no very good car in many ways, but it’s not perfect and not for everyone.GingerMunky said:
Where is the Lotus Exige 350, faster and better handling than all these.
PH did hint at a future test with the next GT4: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
PH Said said:
Frankly, this Sport 410 feels good enough to take on whatever the next Cayman GT4 can offer.
Good test if they do, especially with the quality of pics like this latest one.Helicopter123 said:
Almost uniquely though, it appears that any criticism of the Alpine is frowned on by some on here. It’s a good, no very good car in many ways, but it’s not perfect and not for everyone.
The reason is that the vocal detractors aren’t actually in the market for a car like this and thus justify it with very weak arguments. Anyone spending this money on a car is too busy enjoying whatever they’ve bought to get too uptight over a car they don’t have and certainly doesn’t continually post it on forums. You carry on driving whatever it is you drive and I hope you are happy in it. Just remember other people want different things out of a car. To some lightness is more important than horsepower.
You, in fact, have said you’re in the market for a gts or an r8 but you’d certainly choose an Mx5 over an alpine. An odd choice but there you go. Perhaps do a readers rides when you get whatever it is you decide to buy.
Leftfootwonder said:
I don't think it's badge snobbery to acknowledge that the Alpine's interior and engine are simply not good enough in this company. I know the purists will say the plasticky interior and tiny engine is to save weight but for a daily it's just not a rounded proposition nor special enough to keep for a weekend toy. It falls between the cracks for me. I've never been a fan of the rear styling either, it looks like it's been parked too close to anew open fire and everything just slipped down as it was melting.
Porsche owner by any chance, badge snob no, never.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff