jimbobc
Emira Fan
After putting my deposit down on July 7th 2021 I finally got to see a finished car and take the test drive which was a cancelled slot at lunchtime. The hours before were torrential rain but it came over beautiful sunshine for the test drive! Lotus Silverstone were great and the route was varied and well thought out. None of this I will drive out of the car park and we will swap nonsense.
But for me I prefer my Alpine and I didn't come away thinking I must find the extra £40k needed and swap the Alpine for one. Appreciate everyone is different but here are a few thoughts:
-Spectacular looking -it looks double the price
- Major controls are fairly heavy (at least compared to what I am used to) and I found the hydraulic steering heavy at low speeds. I should say I have mild cerebral palsy on my right side so this is probably more perculiar to me
- Found the gearbox rewarding if you are precise and it's slot in nicely. There is no way I could drive this anywhere near as quickly as my Alpine or smoothly
- Quite rattly particular drivers side
- The infotainment is bizzarre in that the map is almost black in either mode - no colours?! The guy showed be both modes and it made little difference
- Agree the brakes are grabby but you would get used to it and they have the stopping power as I needed to use them with a lorry on the wrong side of a country lane!
- The water running into the engine bay is bizzarre
- Down underdulating roads I didn't feel it had the composure of the Alpine but then I am sure plenty would say the Alpine is too soft. It also tram lined on that road
- Exhaust is underwhelming in either mode
The guy said did it live upto what I was expecting. Probably reflecting on it no. If I didn't have the Alpine and was still in the F-Type it would seem a more logical purchase. I am pretty certain I am remaining Team Alpine and would be buying for the looks rather than the car. The chap did say he is handing over his first car on Friday and Lotus haven't confirmed the spec yet so it will be a surprise.
But for me I prefer my Alpine and I didn't come away thinking I must find the extra £40k needed and swap the Alpine for one. Appreciate everyone is different but here are a few thoughts:
-Spectacular looking -it looks double the price
- Major controls are fairly heavy (at least compared to what I am used to) and I found the hydraulic steering heavy at low speeds. I should say I have mild cerebral palsy on my right side so this is probably more perculiar to me
- Found the gearbox rewarding if you are precise and it's slot in nicely. There is no way I could drive this anywhere near as quickly as my Alpine or smoothly
- Quite rattly particular drivers side
- The infotainment is bizzarre in that the map is almost black in either mode - no colours?! The guy showed be both modes and it made little difference
- Agree the brakes are grabby but you would get used to it and they have the stopping power as I needed to use them with a lorry on the wrong side of a country lane!
- The water running into the engine bay is bizzarre
- Down underdulating roads I didn't feel it had the composure of the Alpine but then I am sure plenty would say the Alpine is too soft. It also tram lined on that road
- Exhaust is underwhelming in either mode
The guy said did it live upto what I was expecting. Probably reflecting on it no. If I didn't have the Alpine and was still in the F-Type it would seem a more logical purchase. I am pretty certain I am remaining Team Alpine and would be buying for the looks rather than the car. The chap did say he is handing over his first car on Friday and Lotus haven't confirmed the spec yet so it will be a surprise.