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.
Thanks for sharing, looks great in that colour.
I was looking at these and probably would've gone for Fire Orange too. Only didn't because I couldn't get on with the steering, interestingly it's the immediacy you like which I couldn't get on terms with, just shows how much it's a matter of taste - I'm stuck in the past being used to driving older cars.
There's a lot of Lotus in the A110, I think you've made a good call tbh. If you've not seen David Twohig's book Inside the Machine I recommend it, about 1/3 of it is about the A110 project, with the rest on the Qashqai and Zoe he also headed up.
Have fun!
Terminator X said:
I knew within 100 meters that I wanted one. Amazing cars and equally amazing that almost no one seems to know that!
TX.
To the average person it's not really a known brand I guess. Also for me as a petrolhead and someone aware of the brand and how good they are, I personally don't like the styling, they look very "marmite".TX.
All that said....I'm still jealous, because I bet it's a hoot to drive! Though, also as a fan of Lotus chassis cars, I'd have held out for the Emira, or bought a newer Evora.
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.
Lovely car, OP!
With regards to the back end moving around more at speed than you'd like, and the sidewind issues, is this perhaps the lightness of the car surprising you and therefore something that you'll quickly get used to?
They're quite a small car, aren't they? When I first saw one I was taken by how diminutive it was when sat next to a hatchback or other supposedly small car.
With regards to the back end moving around more at speed than you'd like, and the sidewind issues, is this perhaps the lightness of the car surprising you and therefore something that you'll quickly get used to?
They're quite a small car, aren't they? When I first saw one I was taken by how diminutive it was when sat next to a hatchback or other supposedly small car.
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