Should I buy one?
Discussion
Perhaps a silly question on an owners’ section but some opinions based on experience would help a lot.
I have had a few Boxsters and currently have a new shape m4 convertible while I wait for a boxster gts 4.0. I have zero interest in electric cars and no intention of ever owning one. I’ve bought a panda cross 4x4 and an Abarth 595 comp in the last year to keep forever. I know that Alpine is going electric in 2024 or thereabouts so it’s getting close to a last chance to get one and keep it with the Boxster and the rest of the fleet.
However, I tried one a couple of years ago and loved the feel/size/handling but felt it needed more power - it was one of the originals before the power hike.
So has the power hike made a big difference? To me they are a special and unique car and it like that. The interior quality that some complain about I think is fine.
Should I get one to keep and perhaps replace the m4 which is massively powerful and massive and lacking in any finesse but has enough power to keep you on your toes?
Thanks for any thoughts.
I have had a few Boxsters and currently have a new shape m4 convertible while I wait for a boxster gts 4.0. I have zero interest in electric cars and no intention of ever owning one. I’ve bought a panda cross 4x4 and an Abarth 595 comp in the last year to keep forever. I know that Alpine is going electric in 2024 or thereabouts so it’s getting close to a last chance to get one and keep it with the Boxster and the rest of the fleet.
However, I tried one a couple of years ago and loved the feel/size/handling but felt it needed more power - it was one of the originals before the power hike.
So has the power hike made a big difference? To me they are a special and unique car and it like that. The interior quality that some complain about I think is fine.
Should I get one to keep and perhaps replace the m4 which is massively powerful and massive and lacking in any finesse but has enough power to keep you on your toes?
Thanks for any thoughts.
Of course I think you should get one, but frustratingly (for you) I have no experience of the 290PS tune. Many on here have opted for ~300PS tunes (particularly the Life110 map) and the general feedback from those feels like it might take the car to where you want it to be? (In short, goes from 'fast' to '******* fast', it seems.)
Although my buying history doesn't indicate it, I do 'get' the appeal of excess (power) and crave it myself - albeit not, interestingly, in the A110. I just enjoy using it for just about everything, and really hope it continues to be an enduring, well balanced joy for years yet. I really ought to pick up that S550 Mustang to test my own theory though (in the name of science, of course).
I'm with you on the interior quality - I've not owned enough (well any) Porsches to have developed a particularly high threshold for whatever it is people don't like, but I have witnessed the airfix nature of a 996 and generally can't see what anybody is complaining about. To me the design and material balance is great (I've driven an AM Vantage and though that may not be a great yardstick, it told me that no amount of leather thrown at a naff design can save it), and I've zero beef with the bits carried over from lesser models. Interesting that you do have a lot of Porsche experience and find it fine.
O/T but EV doesn't automatically mean 'rubbish'. The Taycan is probably the most broadly talented car I've driven for a while - it's incredible. Added only to suggest the future isn't completely bleak.
But still, you should absolutely buy that A110
Nick
Although my buying history doesn't indicate it, I do 'get' the appeal of excess (power) and crave it myself - albeit not, interestingly, in the A110. I just enjoy using it for just about everything, and really hope it continues to be an enduring, well balanced joy for years yet. I really ought to pick up that S550 Mustang to test my own theory though (in the name of science, of course).
I'm with you on the interior quality - I've not owned enough (well any) Porsches to have developed a particularly high threshold for whatever it is people don't like, but I have witnessed the airfix nature of a 996 and generally can't see what anybody is complaining about. To me the design and material balance is great (I've driven an AM Vantage and though that may not be a great yardstick, it told me that no amount of leather thrown at a naff design can save it), and I've zero beef with the bits carried over from lesser models. Interesting that you do have a lot of Porsche experience and find it fine.
O/T but EV doesn't automatically mean 'rubbish'. The Taycan is probably the most broadly talented car I've driven for a while - it's incredible. Added only to suggest the future isn't completely bleak.
But still, you should absolutely buy that A110
Nick
Thanks Nick.
The interior to me doesn’t feel cheap or bad in any way. I’m not bothered by the use of parts from other cars and I think it all suits the car well and is elevated by the seats and the steering wheel itself. I agree with what you say about the Aston by the way.
The Alpine does look and feel special which is what is attracting me along with the size,lightness and handling which all feed into the special feeling it gives off.
With regard to electric cars I just can’t get past the lack of noise,engagement and feel of an ICE. Noise has always been a big thing for me ever since my first car -a fiat 126 and my second a Daimler 2.5 v8 and my third an Alfa alfetta 1.8. They set my connection with cars and I’m too long in the tooth the change now!
The interior to me doesn’t feel cheap or bad in any way. I’m not bothered by the use of parts from other cars and I think it all suits the car well and is elevated by the seats and the steering wheel itself. I agree with what you say about the Aston by the way.
The Alpine does look and feel special which is what is attracting me along with the size,lightness and handling which all feed into the special feeling it gives off.
With regard to electric cars I just can’t get past the lack of noise,engagement and feel of an ICE. Noise has always been a big thing for me ever since my first car -a fiat 126 and my second a Daimler 2.5 v8 and my third an Alfa alfetta 1.8. They set my connection with cars and I’m too long in the tooth the change now!
Not tried the latest S but don' t think the previous version would satisfy your lust for power. It's really about torque, not power - the first s had no more torque, the latest S just a bit more. I suspect Litchfield (and others) who are happy to remap and ignore the published torque limits of the gearbox might well do it for you. A Litchfield remap will give you a car which will comfortably blow a 718GTS away at road speeds if that is what you want.
Edited by bcr5784 on Friday 2nd December 21:59
bcr5784 said:
Not tried the latest S but don' t think the previous version would satisfy your lust for power. It's really about torque, not power - the first s had no more torque, the latest S just a bit more. I suspect Litchfield (and others) who are happy to remap and ignore the published torque limits of the gearbox might well do it for you. A Litchfield remap will give you a car which will comfortably blow a 718GTS away at road speeds if that is what you want.
Currently, no-one can increase the torque on the MY21 or MY22 carsThanks for the thoughts. I felt the original was lacking a bit. I’m not chasing big numbers or anything, just a feeling of I suppose edginess or something. I’m more than happy with my Abarth which has only about 185bhp but has that feel to it.
I’ll have to try a new S and see how it goes but I suppose I was looking for encouragement for my wanting one with confirmation that the increase in bhp makes a noticeable difference.
Love the looks and feel of the car.
I’ll get in touch with the local dealer but any ideas on order times. I suppose discounts are not out there.
I’ll have to try a new S and see how it goes but I suppose I was looking for encouragement for my wanting one with confirmation that the increase in bhp makes a noticeable difference.
Love the looks and feel of the car.
I’ll get in touch with the local dealer but any ideas on order times. I suppose discounts are not out there.
I'm not really sure they 'need' more power or torque. I've had plenty of quick cars and on the road you're still backing off before you know it. On track it surprises 'much quicker' machinery. Mine is the MY22 A110 but I didn't notice that much difference on the road between it and an MY21 A110S I had for a weekend - I suppose as they have very similar torque.
Also, unlike some other marques where you can go for a drive and just leave it in 2nd or 3rd, the gearbox actually has a use.
But if you're looking to be convinced, many A110 owners come from Lotus and/or Porsche. The little Alpine is light, lithe and alive and a real joy to drive at any speed. I sold a 991.2 Carrera T for it and don't regret it one bit (the Elise S1 is staying though!)
Also, unlike some other marques where you can go for a drive and just leave it in 2nd or 3rd, the gearbox actually has a use.
But if you're looking to be convinced, many A110 owners come from Lotus and/or Porsche. The little Alpine is light, lithe and alive and a real joy to drive at any speed. I sold a 991.2 Carrera T for it and don't regret it one bit (the Elise S1 is staying though!)
undred orse said:
Thanks for the thoughts. I felt the original was lacking a bit. I’m not chasing big numbers or anything, just a feeling of I suppose edginess or something. I’m more than happy with my Abarth which has only about 185bhp but has that feel to it.
I’ll have to try a new S and see how it goes but I suppose I was looking for encouragement for my wanting one with confirmation that the increase in bhp makes a noticeable difference.
Love the looks and feel of the car.
I’ll get in touch with the local dealer but any ideas on order times. I suppose discounts are not out there.
You might find this comparison between the old and new S interesting. https://zeperfs.com/en/duel7981-9672.htm The increase in torque in particular is noticeable - in gear acceleration figures are about 10% shorter - quite a bit better than you might expect from the nominal 20nm increase in torque.I’ll have to try a new S and see how it goes but I suppose I was looking for encouragement for my wanting one with confirmation that the increase in bhp makes a noticeable difference.
Love the looks and feel of the car.
I’ll get in touch with the local dealer but any ideas on order times. I suppose discounts are not out there.
undred orse said:
..................................... I suppose discounts are not out there.
I don't think you will get a discount on a factory order but I think you would get a small concession to buy a new unregistered car in a showroom.I have just purchased one and it replaced a PDK Cayman R which I had for 9 years. They are quite different cars. The Alpine is defined by its lightness and delicacy. The Cayman was defined by its engine and build quality. I love both cars!
I'm on the edge of pushing the button on an A110GT, had a long test drive (thanks Ryan at Manchester) on all sorts of roads and thought the car was a great all rounder, and back to back made my GR Yaris feel very heavy over the same stretch of B road. After looking at the torque figures between the engines, I believe the max torque is pretty similar but the 300 torque curve is pretty flat all the way up to the red line.
I was pretty impressed with the quality and design in the A110 cabin, and the A110 is much quieter than the Boxster/Cayman at any speed. I've had a 2016 2.7 981 Boxster and must say I thought pretty much all of the car (except the engine) was average, and I've driven pretty much all of the 4 cylinder 718's and they're pretty average too in my opinion. (I wasn't on the DP's nice list for a 6 cylinder car, anyway the sh*te gearing would put me off as a road car.)
I think the car is still a bit of a bargain too, at mid £60k it's more than competitive with the 4 cylinder Porsches and I still can't get my head around a £65k A45 or a £50k Civic Type R.
.....off to the A110 configurator again.....Emerald Green or Abyss Blue......oh the decisions.
I was pretty impressed with the quality and design in the A110 cabin, and the A110 is much quieter than the Boxster/Cayman at any speed. I've had a 2016 2.7 981 Boxster and must say I thought pretty much all of the car (except the engine) was average, and I've driven pretty much all of the 4 cylinder 718's and they're pretty average too in my opinion. (I wasn't on the DP's nice list for a 6 cylinder car, anyway the sh*te gearing would put me off as a road car.)
I think the car is still a bit of a bargain too, at mid £60k it's more than competitive with the 4 cylinder Porsches and I still can't get my head around a £65k A45 or a £50k Civic Type R.
.....off to the A110 configurator again.....Emerald Green or Abyss Blue......oh the decisions.
The point made above regarding the Boxster gearing and having to back off all too quickly is very relevant I think and has given me more cause to think.
I spec’d the Alpine to about £63k but got the Boxster 4.0 gts to about £89k on the road without too much effort. It starts to seem very expensive given the performance and “specialness” of the A110.
I also wonder if being bald and nearly 60 a coupe is a better option! If so I would definitely go for a A110 before a cayman. That brings me to a further logic fail in that if that is the case is it worth nearly £30k for the convertible?
I spec’d the Alpine to about £63k but got the Boxster 4.0 gts to about £89k on the road without too much effort. It starts to seem very expensive given the performance and “specialness” of the A110.
I also wonder if being bald and nearly 60 a coupe is a better option! If so I would definitely go for a A110 before a cayman. That brings me to a further logic fail in that if that is the case is it worth nearly £30k for the convertible?
I've ordered an R after trying a A110S on thruxton circuit. Could it use more power? of course. But the car has plenty and it is delicious. If the all the cars have barely more torque in one form or the other and you only drive on the road, it's a steal (the base car is). The will be a 5% price increase next year i hear.
It's the lotus i've always wanted but with better build quality and a DCT gearbox.
As cars become rolling software..................
It's the lotus i've always wanted but with better build quality and a DCT gearbox.
As cars become rolling software..................
I visited the dealer on Friday and Sunday for a look again and to sit in one. Very impressed and I immediately felt at home in it, which often isn't the case.
I've booked a test drive for next week in a GT and we'll see how that goes. Very tempted as I know in a couple of years they simply won't be available. The same logic has resulted in me buying an Abarth 595 comp. and a Panda 4x4 Cross this year to keep until I'm gone.
Now thinking through the man maths to justify it to myself.
I've booked a test drive for next week in a GT and we'll see how that goes. Very tempted as I know in a couple of years they simply won't be available. The same logic has resulted in me buying an Abarth 595 comp. and a Panda 4x4 Cross this year to keep until I'm gone.
Now thinking through the man maths to justify it to myself.
within 5 minutes of driving one you will know. I did and the Alpine is simply one of the best drivers cars I have owned. Previous cars include Cayman S, 911 S, M2 Competition, and 2017 Camaro. All good cars, the M2 and Camaro were excellent but the Alpine is in a different league for fun and driver feel. Its more Lotus than the latest Lotus!
You will know what I mean after your test drive.
You will know what I mean after your test drive.
essexstu said:
Its more Lotus than the latest Lotus!
I can concur after testing the Emira a couple of weekends ago. Luckily the Alpine doesn't have a Lotus badge or imho they'd have sold a lot more and we'd have lost out on driving something extremely rare which is a major plus point in my book.Gassing Station | Alpine | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff