Official: New Alpine A110

[gtengr]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

How many other low power NA engine sports cars have been made in the last 5 years?

I didn't mean the last 5 years, I just meant in the first 5 years of the BRZ.

[Rampage]

Originally Posted by bcj

And the Alpine is French and powered by Renault.

And Renault owns Nissan. It would be nice if they would re-badge the Alpine and sell it in Nissan dealerships for about $35000 a copy. Or maybe even $40000.

[why?]

Originally Posted by gtengr

I don't know of any other 5 year old car that has had such a vast forced induction aftermarket sprout up around it so quickly. To me that speaks volumes about what a lot of owners want out of this platform.

Or maybe it was the fact Toyota did literally everything they could to make sure the aftermarket was insanely gigantic for these cars, including giving the aftermarket companies early prototypes to do research on and listening to their feedback to make the car better.

They knew from the beginning they were not going to add power, but they wanted the aftermarket to offer everything.

[MarkR171]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Miata's body roll is not a problem. It is a feature.

Actually, I think this is true. They wanted the roll feel to be there. Miatas have always been soft. Supposedly Fiat used stiffer anti roll bars in the 124 and 124 Abarth, haven't had a chance to drive one so I don't know if the feel is any different.

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

You could just as easily say that the ND's body roll out of the box is real and noticable too. I can't think of any new car for 25k that is perfect out of the box.

Never claimed the ND was. The suspension feels awful to me out of the box. Mine was stock for less than a week. It had Koni shocks and a front sway bar after a couple days for SCCA CS. This winter, it's going to STR partly because it still feels floppy in CS, mostly because the CS setup tears the subframe by putting all the load through the swaybar alone.

[MarkR171]

Originally Posted by guybo

Though tthe 4C I'm sure is great to drive and everything, it's just a matter of time until the problems start to show up. It's FCG and it will have any reliability problems and it'll be very expensive to fix. For that price point you can do a lot better. THAT IS the business model of FCG. Give them good looks and a fun drive, engineer in problems and make them pay out the nose to fix.

There are no reliability reports as yet for the 4C (too new), but CR gives it a 1/5 for predicted reliability. That is in keeping with FCG in general and the return of Alfa in the US in particular. The Giulia has been a nightmare of problems from the get-go. You really have to look past the fake news paid-for reviews in the standard magazines and online outlets to get the real scoop. I would take pretty much any other sports car over the 4C (in that price range) though it looks awesome on paper and it's a gorgeous fun car to drive.

Renault and Nissan have a partnership and I'd take anything by Nissan over FCG even though I have no experience with Renault. Back in the day when Renault sold cards in the US they had very poor reliability, that was then and this is now There's more than performance to consider- sometimes you have to take into consideration what company you're hopping in the sack with. If you sleep with FCG, you deserve all the STD's you wake up with.

FCA.

Also, not much entirely useful info in this post or in reviews and CR, in my opinion, is worthless.

The engine and transmission in the 4C was used in the Giulietta Quadrifoglio hatchback since 2014, updated from the 2010 version. The only difference is the use of aluminum in the 4C version. Same power figures and everything. The powertrain in the 4C is not some brand new magical powertrain that's untested and unknown.

The Giulia issues were electronic/programming issues that have since been resolved. I have two friends with daily driven Giulia Quadrifoglios that also see track time. Not a problem.


Not to say that the 4C hasn't had it's share of issues, but I have heard of nothing catastrophic or mechanical. Mainly sealing issues with the hood allowing water into the cabin (fix is just a new seal), early ball joint failures, and loose heat shields causing rattles. Also, a transmission software update for jerky and glitchy early 2015 production cars. There are several in the 4C community who daily drive the car with some upwards of 30 and 40k miles without anything other than the scheduled services. Granted, the 4C has an annual "bolt tightening" service that includes removal of the body panels and retorquing of bolts to the chassis. I'm told that's common with carbon tubs.

Reliability has always been a bullshit topic to me. My FRS (granted, I was unlucky) had a manufacturing issue with excess engine sealant blocking oil causing scoring and complete blockage of the oil control valves. Toyota bought mine back after 20k miles, 12k of that with recurring issues with the VVT that wasn't found until the engine was disassembled on the 4th warranty visit. I'm not the only one that had this issue, there are several posts on this forum with the same problem.

I also know that's not unique to the FRS/BRZ, Toyota, or Subaru. Every manufacturer can have issues, but the fact is the grand majority of any model will be problem free. To be deterred from a car because of "reliability" ratings is bullshit. Every ND Miata with the first two iterations of the ND transmission will have 2nd gears fail. Mercedes 722 transmissions will have their conductor plates go out leaving you stuck in gear. BMW has the HPFP and water pump issues.

The Alpine is really an intriguing car - I really wish it was sold here. While I drive the 4C a lot, I think the Alpine would be a much more usable car for most people. It would be a lot heavier to meet US standards though, just like the US 4C is compared to the Euro 4C.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by MarkR171

Actually, I think this is true. They wanted the roll feel to be there. Miatas have always been soft. Supposedly Fiat used stiffer anti roll bars in the 124 and 124 Abarth, haven't had a chance to drive one so I don't know if the feel is any different.

Double wishbone suspension is more expensive than McStrut but can be designed to maintain wheel camber as it articulates.

That's also why the miata's envelope has a sharper edge than the 86's.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

envelope has a sharper edge

Sounds like a paper cut to me.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

Sounds like a paper cut to me.

Why do they hurt so much?

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Why do they hurt so much?

Haven't you been paying attention? It's because of the ND's body roll.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

Haven't you been paying attention? It's because of the ND's body roll.

Well, I'm just going to have to be more careful handling it.

[Captain Snooze]

I've read that envelopes fitted with Penskes don't exhibit the same trait.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

I've read that envelopes fitted with Penskes don't exhibit the same trait.

I can't justify the cost of such fancy stationery.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I can't justify the cost of such fancy stationery.

Costs nothing to remain motionless.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

Costs nothing to remain motionless.

Unless it's in a loading zone.