Is there a better all-round sports car?
Discussion
Lovely run out to Midhurst in the Alpine with my other half this morning trying to get the run in miles done. I am so impressed with this car.. It's just so accomplished. One minute it's a sophisticated tourer, quiet, comfortable , great sound system. The next It's an agile, characterful, engaging sports car. Add in a few thumbs up from some TVR and Jaguar drivers, and my wife, who isn't a petrol head, saying how much she loves it ( she didn't much like going out in the Esprit I had previously) and I've arrived back feeling like I couldn't have made a better choice. Great community too, already met up with some fellow enthusiasts at C&M and had an enjoyable evening. Looking forward to planning some road trips in this car, think I'm going to have it a very long time!
Seen a fair few Alpines whilst I’ve been thrashing round the French alps in my M2 the last few days.
Do they have any sole to the engine note? Big part of the OGM2 experience is the noise it makes.
Took a look at the price of the things yesterday evening. 60k for a 1.8 4 pot seems bonkers to me.
Maybe I need a drive in one.
Do they have any sole to the engine note? Big part of the OGM2 experience is the noise it makes.
Took a look at the price of the things yesterday evening. 60k for a 1.8 4 pot seems bonkers to me.
Maybe I need a drive in one.
Petrol Only said:
Seen a fair few Alpines whilst I ve been thrashing round the French alps in my M2 the last few days.
Do they have any sole to the engine note? Big part of the OGM2 experience is the noise it makes.
Took a look at the price of the things yesterday evening. 60k for a 1.8 4 pot seems bonkers to me.
Maybe I need a drive in one.
If the sound of a big multi cylinder engine is a priority, the Alpine isn t going to be the car for you. It Is effective, but not a straight six or V8. Do they have any sole to the engine note? Big part of the OGM2 experience is the noise it makes.
Took a look at the price of the things yesterday evening. 60k for a 1.8 4 pot seems bonkers to me.
Maybe I need a drive in one.
For me, the 4 pot Lotus Elise was the best road car ever, because of how it handled. Not because of the engine or how fast it was. The A110 follows that same philosophy of handling and feel, instead of noise, power and grip.
So it’s probably the best sportscar available for people who appreciate what Alpine were trying to achieve. But not for those who want something different.
Maybe I really do need to look at one then. Do wish the M2 was lighter. But it’s been the best of all worlds “sports car” I have owned so far. Can sit in it for hours on the motorway and get out feeling fresh.
Not trying to throw shade. Just curious where I go next from the M2 as the wife hates the image of Porkers which seem a natural progression to me.
Not trying to throw shade. Just curious where I go next from the M2 as the wife hates the image of Porkers which seem a natural progression to me.
Petrol Only said:
Seen a fair few Alpines whilst I ve been thrashing round the French alps in my M2 the last few days.
Do they have any sole to the engine note? Big part of the OGM2 experience is the noise it makes.
Took a look at the price of the things yesterday evening. 60k for a 1.8 4 pot seems bonkers to me.
Maybe I need a drive in one.
The engine in the A110 is often said to be the best sounding 4 cylinder turbo and it does sound very good, nice intake and wastegate noises too. It's quite a smooth engine and suits the car well.Do they have any sole to the engine note? Big part of the OGM2 experience is the noise it makes.
Took a look at the price of the things yesterday evening. 60k for a 1.8 4 pot seems bonkers to me.
Maybe I need a drive in one.
After driving a Clio V6 I can now see what the fuss is about, having a V6 screaming behind you is something else. I still wouldn't change the A110 though as what you miss in noise you gain in effortlessness and frugality.
The only issue as others have mentioned is storage space, you can make it work. It's a good idea to find bags which fit and then that is your limit.
It is all in the driving experience as there is nothing like it, it feels light in everything it does. An old Lotus' is lighter but most people are not going to want to drive one from the UK to the Alps; a Cayman or Emira is a more comfortable place to be but are heavier cars. An A110 strikes the perfect balance/best of both worlds.
Petrol Only said:
Seen a fair few Alpines whilst I ve been thrashing round the French alps in my M2 the last few days.
Do they have any sole to the engine note? Big part of the OGM2 experience is the noise it makes.
Took a look at the price of the things yesterday evening. 60k for a 1.8 4 pot seems bonkers to me.
Maybe I need a drive in one.
As Nick says you can't really compare them. The Alpine weighs around 1100kg, whereas the M2 is around 1600kg. So they're a completely different proposition in many ways I think and you'll always feel a 500kg difference between the 2. It would be like sticking my Caterham on the roof of the A110 for example, although from what I read they both do make great daily drivers though regardless of their weight difference. Do they have any sole to the engine note? Big part of the OGM2 experience is the noise it makes.
Took a look at the price of the things yesterday evening. 60k for a 1.8 4 pot seems bonkers to me.
Maybe I need a drive in one.
On the noise front, I wouldn't say that either engines really set the world alight in that regard for me, but neither sound bad though don't get me wrong.
Gassing Station | Alpine | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff