Window shopping...
Discussion
Hello all...
I've had the Alpine down on my shortlist for next car for a while now, and went to test drive one last week. I left feeling as if I'd removed it from the list, but on reflection I may have been hasty!
I'm not trying to be unduly negative towards it at all, but would be keen to hear some feedback from owners over the things I found - maybe a little more time in the car (wasn't a long test) would change my mind back, or maybe I'm just wrong (
), but I'd love some discussion with people who know the car and aren't salesmen.
The thing I was looking forward to most was the handling and its lightness. I've had very light cars before (Caterham), light hot hatches (205GTi, Fiesta ST) and just-about-light-by-modern era cars (Cayman S), and really want to get back to something smaller and lighter than my current German saloon.
Most of the things I've read about so much were all present and correct - great size, lovely compliant ride and plenty of poke, but when I pressed on down a long and straight country road, I really didn't feel connected to the road at all, and if anything felt everything go a bit light as if the tyres were over-inflated. I really didn't enjoy the sensation at all. On the corners also I found it flowed nicely but didn't give much feedback or confidence either.
I think I was expecting something with a great amount of agility and feedback, that I could throw around back lanes with abandon like an 80s hot hatch (but with RWD), but I ended up thinking it was too vague and distant and so I left thinking another predictable Cayman was the only cure.
So the question is, is this what people find or was it just a matter of not spending enough time in it? Or, would something like geometry (and maybe even spring) changes from Life A110 make it everything I want and transform it?
Again, genuinely not trying to start an argument, I kind of want convincing really. It ticks so many boxes for me, I'm disappointed I was disappointed and want to find a way out!
I've had the Alpine down on my shortlist for next car for a while now, and went to test drive one last week. I left feeling as if I'd removed it from the list, but on reflection I may have been hasty!
I'm not trying to be unduly negative towards it at all, but would be keen to hear some feedback from owners over the things I found - maybe a little more time in the car (wasn't a long test) would change my mind back, or maybe I'm just wrong (
), but I'd love some discussion with people who know the car and aren't salesmen.The thing I was looking forward to most was the handling and its lightness. I've had very light cars before (Caterham), light hot hatches (205GTi, Fiesta ST) and just-about-light-by-modern era cars (Cayman S), and really want to get back to something smaller and lighter than my current German saloon.
Most of the things I've read about so much were all present and correct - great size, lovely compliant ride and plenty of poke, but when I pressed on down a long and straight country road, I really didn't feel connected to the road at all, and if anything felt everything go a bit light as if the tyres were over-inflated. I really didn't enjoy the sensation at all. On the corners also I found it flowed nicely but didn't give much feedback or confidence either.
I think I was expecting something with a great amount of agility and feedback, that I could throw around back lanes with abandon like an 80s hot hatch (but with RWD), but I ended up thinking it was too vague and distant and so I left thinking another predictable Cayman was the only cure.
So the question is, is this what people find or was it just a matter of not spending enough time in it? Or, would something like geometry (and maybe even spring) changes from Life A110 make it everything I want and transform it?
Again, genuinely not trying to start an argument, I kind of want convincing really. It ticks so many boxes for me, I'm disappointed I was disappointed and want to find a way out!
Hi Dan
I think that on too short a test drive it is difficult to read any car properly and it does need some time to familiarise yourself with it properly before exploiting its handling...
Which model was it you tried? Maybe an S would give you sharper turn-in and less of a 'floating feeling' over bumps?
I think that on too short a test drive it is difficult to read any car properly and it does need some time to familiarise yourself with it properly before exploiting its handling...
Which model was it you tried? Maybe an S would give you sharper turn-in and less of a 'floating feeling' over bumps?
I would say have a longer test drive, my test drive wasn't great it was round the suburbs of Manchester and didn't do the car justice but it was enough to know I wanted it.
Then running in I sort of had some doubts but after a while I have grown to truly enjoy driving it on the right sort or roads, I too had a 205 Gti back in the day and it sort of reminds me of the fun I use to have driving that, all the German stuff I owned since has been rather good but also rather dull.
It's taken me a while to really gel with the car, and learn how to drive it smoothly and to find its balance.
I am going to hire a car shortly with the life110 springs and wheels and see if there is a big difference before I consider changing mine. I am sure others on here can tell you how the Life110 mods change things,
Then running in I sort of had some doubts but after a while I have grown to truly enjoy driving it on the right sort or roads, I too had a 205 Gti back in the day and it sort of reminds me of the fun I use to have driving that, all the German stuff I owned since has been rather good but also rather dull.
It's taken me a while to really gel with the car, and learn how to drive it smoothly and to find its balance.
I am going to hire a car shortly with the life110 springs and wheels and see if there is a big difference before I consider changing mine. I am sure others on here can tell you how the Life110 mods change things,
The cars are sensitive to tyre pressures
They give great feedback but also move around quite a bit when having fun- that’s the appeal. It feels very different to a Cayman that always feels so planted. The other side of that is that a Cayman feels dead below 70 IMHO as it’s set up for the autobahn. The A110 feels like a big go-cart in comparison.
There is also every possibility that it isn’t the car for you ! It’s your money and only you know what is fun for you. Enjoy - whatever you pick
They give great feedback but also move around quite a bit when having fun- that’s the appeal. It feels very different to a Cayman that always feels so planted. The other side of that is that a Cayman feels dead below 70 IMHO as it’s set up for the autobahn. The A110 feels like a big go-cart in comparison.
There is also every possibility that it isn’t the car for you ! It’s your money and only you know what is fun for you. Enjoy - whatever you pick
CliveJ7 said:
Hi Dan
I think that on too short a test drive it is difficult to read any car properly and it does need some time to familiarise yourself with it properly before exploiting its handling...
Which model was it you tried? Maybe an S would give you sharper turn-in and less of a 'floating feeling' over bumps?
Yeah, a longer drive would've been better. It wasn't technically that short but was in Cambridge so there was 20mins at each end sat in traffic!I think that on too short a test drive it is difficult to read any car properly and it does need some time to familiarise yourself with it properly before exploiting its handling...
Which model was it you tried? Maybe an S would give you sharper turn-in and less of a 'floating feeling' over bumps?
It was the GT model I tried. The younger me would've definitely been all over the S, but everything I've read pointed me to the standard suspension setup and the S didn't really interest me. Should've probably tried that as well maybe, in retrospect.
springfan62 said:
I am going to hire a car shortly with the life110 springs and wheels and see if there is a big difference before I consider changing mine. I am sure others on here can tell you how the Life110 mods change things,
Yeah, I saw that rental earlier today. Shame it's a long way from me but might be tempting anyway.Miserablegit said:
The cars are sensitive to tyre pressures
They give great feedback but also move around quite a bit when having fun- that’s the appeal. It feels very different to a Cayman that always feels so planted. The other side of that is that a Cayman feels dead below 70 IMHO as it’s set up for the autobahn. The A110 feels like a big go-cart in comparison.
The tyre pressure thing was intended to be just an illustration, but it's certainly possible it was actually off. And I have no problem with the moving around bit, that's kind of what I'm looking for really, but it just felt a bit too distant from the drive I had.They give great feedback but also move around quite a bit when having fun- that’s the appeal. It feels very different to a Cayman that always feels so planted. The other side of that is that a Cayman feels dead below 70 IMHO as it’s set up for the autobahn. The A110 feels like a big go-cart in comparison.
Miserablegit said:
There is also every possibility that it isn’t the car for you ! It’s your money and only you know what is fun for you. Enjoy - whatever you pick
This is very true! The thing is that I know pretty well what I want in a car and I've read and watched pretty much everything there is about the Alpine, so I was surprised that my experience didn't stack up with what I was expecting.Miserablegit said:
What was your route around Cambridge?
A good question as I don't know it very well and ended up having to use the sat nav to get back But basically east past the airfield and turned right there. Down round Cherry Hinton and then out towards Fulbourn, then turned almost back on myself down some lanes until arriving back south of Cherry Hinton and then back up to the dealership somehow.
Miserablegit said:
That’s like trying to make love to a beautiful woman and leaving your trousers on!
Happy to suggest a route for your next test drive
Yeah. Trouble is, he said to take it out for 20 mins or so, but the location meant either heading into the city, going on the A14 or doing what I did. I still took about 45 mins, mind you.Happy to suggest a route for your next test drive
Miserablegit said:
Ah, that’s a real problem- you need at least an hour for a test drive from Cambridge - 30 mins of that is getting in and out of the place.
Indeed.Not sure what the best course of action is really. Though I could probably ask for a longer drive, they were very friendly.
I’d definitely ask for a longer drive - if they want to sell you a car they are going to have to let you try it out.
Route out of Cambridge is the same but carry straight on at the big roundabout (where you turned right) and make your way to “Six Mile Bottom” - then Brinkley and then you can do a loop clockwise or anti-clockwise to Borough green, then Dullingham and then head back via Newmarket “for the roundabout”
Some nice undulating roads, good vis and a few nice bends
Route out of Cambridge is the same but carry straight on at the big roundabout (where you turned right) and make your way to “Six Mile Bottom” - then Brinkley and then you can do a loop clockwise or anti-clockwise to Borough green, then Dullingham and then head back via Newmarket “for the roundabout”
Some nice undulating roads, good vis and a few nice bends
Miserablegit said:
I’d definitely ask for a longer drive - if they want to sell you a car they are going to have to let you try it out.
Route out of Cambridge is the same but carry straight on at the big roundabout (where you turned right) and make your way to “Six Mile Bottom” - then Brinkley and then you can do a loop clockwise or anti-clockwise to Borough green, then Dullingham and then head back via Newmarket “for the roundabout”
Some nice undulating roads, good vis and a few nice bends
Thanks. Yeah, I'm familiar with Six Mile Bottom and Dullingham... Dullingham's got some nice bits, definitely.Route out of Cambridge is the same but carry straight on at the big roundabout (where you turned right) and make your way to “Six Mile Bottom” - then Brinkley and then you can do a loop clockwise or anti-clockwise to Borough green, then Dullingham and then head back via Newmarket “for the roundabout”
Some nice undulating roads, good vis and a few nice bends
In an ideal world I'd get back to Bury and try my local roads... no substitute for proper context! Would probably be 90 mins for a good run though.
Ah, interesting, found it...
I've never seen one around here tbh, assuming the 3 of you are at least localish. Think I've seen 2 on the road ever, both in London.
Are you going to be heading off on a drive or hanging around for a bit? I wouldn't expect a ride as such but if you're going to be staying put for a bit and talking the talk then maybe I could at least have a chance to look over them again and ask some questions. Obviously I'd park the Audi out of sight
I've never seen one around here tbh, assuming the 3 of you are at least localish. Think I've seen 2 on the road ever, both in London.
Are you going to be heading off on a drive or hanging around for a bit? I wouldn't expect a ride as such but if you're going to be staying put for a bit and talking the talk then maybe I could at least have a chance to look over them again and ask some questions. Obviously I'd park the Audi out of sight
I think it does take some time and it depends on what you are used to. Coming from stiff sprung Germans I found the sensation of wheels moving about in the arches a little disconcerting initially and its taken a while and several longer journeys to get a feel for the subtleties of it, which have turned out to be very satisfying indeed. I'm no driving god but like you pre-purchase I anticipated an instantly revelatory experience but it wasn't. It was just curiously different and the lack of crashing around on rock hard suspension was an immediate and very welcome experience. In terms of truly appreciating the depth of its qualities though, time and miles have defiantly helped as it feels better and better as I get used to it.
Simples. The A110 is delicate and requires a deftness of touch. You need to listen, to feel and be gentle and you’ll be rewarded with a softly spoken French accent and a whirlwind of delight across the ground. It definitely is not your everyday, shouty German accented Porsche, throwing loud commands and signals at you whilst bludgeoning down the road.
Basically, go for a longer drive as there is a lot to learn and it is definitely not a Cayman. But that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone.
Basically, go for a longer drive as there is a lot to learn and it is definitely not a Cayman. But that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone.
Gassing Station | Alpine | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff