25 replies to this topic

[Trevsked]

Had to scratch the itch for one of these as I had a N/A acouple of years ago which I have to sa was and is a very good experience. At the moment I am a little underwhelmed with the Turbo version but the N/A did have tubular wishbones, new suspension bushes and a good geo setup so will reserve judgement until this one is similar spec. Very economical returning about 28mpg around townand saw over 40mpg on a 70mph plus run back from Yorkshire. Feel free to slate it as it will make the thread more interesting :-)
I hope it's not going to turn out to be an unlucky car as the first time I parked it I came back and someone managed to hit the door and put some carcks in it :-(

Trevor.

[vintaylor]

I think its a good looking car ... I love the older version they got on wheeler dealers last week!

[Bibs]

Preferred the white one!

[jonwat]

A bloke at work had one many years ago & the garage he'd bought it off had bodged the track rod ends to get it through the MOT.

They'd drilled them & fitted grease nipples then pumped them full of resin which when set removed the play in them long enough to pass the MOT.

He needed two new track rod ends but none were available as the factory was closed for the August holidays & none were available in the UK.

Instead of having tapers to fix them to the steering arms they had threads which meant only the dealers could replace them as the bump stop needed resetting whenever they were removed.

[obione]

Looks very nice Trevor - will you park it next to mine at the next Lotus meet..?

[mr.oogieboogie]

Cool looked around one of these a couple of years back

[simonb]

Looks good, but that dash has not aged well

[Roger the Dodger]

[Trevsked]

Bibs,

Agreed but Blue is the second best colour and never seen a white turbo, pearl white yes but not gloss white.

Obione,

Of course.

Roger,

Mais oui.

Trevor.

Simonb,

Thats part ob the charm I guess. Nice tacky plastic.

[gospeedv8]

My dad had one in his younger days. Brilliant to drive. Can remember some trips to the salzburgring
and the hockenheimring. It was blue too. But if i remember correct - his wheel was on the other side,
so to say on the right side

[Rich H]

Love it!

Fantastic looking things.

[red vtec]

Like em, but the dash looks like the bastard child of a zx81 and a matsui hifi.

Whats it like to drive?

[B1 RMA]

Nice one Trev, I'm a great fan of these cars they are quirky and full of character and do go rather well and the blue is just right, although the Pearl is one of the few cars it suits. I can't see myself getting rid of the A610 and I'm taking it off to the Classic Le Mans with the RAOC and I'm doing the parade lap so hopefully won't spin it in front of everyone this time.

[sizona]

There is one parked next to my Evora where I keep my car in Central London, was chatting with it's owner last weekend about both our cars.

I'll get a few photos and post them up, his one is also blue, great condition and he is thinking of maybe selling it and getting an Evora.

The body is a bit Esprit...ish even though than being taller etc especially the lip on rear of the boot lid and yes the dash is very dated.

[Mark B]

Nice looking car Trev! Hope it's lucky.
I've always hankered after the earlier A310 with the plexiglass light. Looked very exotic when I was a kid.
Wasn't happy when Clarkson destroyed that A610 a few years ago, just to make his dvd sell.

[cjtpb13]

I can remember seeing one in an advert in PUNCH. The University I attended had the magazine in their periodicals section...first time I saw it I feel in love with the car...Have often thought about having one imported but never enough time...

All I ask Trevor is that the next time I am in, for more than a day in the UK and I meet up with everyone again, I get the opportunity to look at it in person.

Edited by cjtpb13, 26 April 2012 - 01:54 PM.

[Lex Templar]

Nice purchase Trevor. This magazine would be a must, nice article on Esprit vs Alpine GTA vs 911 'The sensible supercars'

http://www.ebay.com/...9#ht_619wt_1187

Actually think the interior is quite cool. Literally does looks like 'Alpine' the audio manufacturer designed it!

Edited by Lex Templar, 27 April 2012 - 01:17 AM.

[Steve1]

My mate had a 88 Turbo in red and I have to say he loved it. Unfortunatley it caught fire(fuel problem) and in true plastic fashion it didnt survive. He used to take it to a specialist near Crystal Palace, bit of a treck from Stansted but the guy did know what he was doing. I did laugh at one bill because he was charged £45 for the bulb that lights up the digital display for the fuel and such. Apparently they got very hot, unfortunatley his one lasted 2 weeks before it went again and of corse we run out of fuel on M11 one Sunday morning on the way to Alley Palley to the Classic car show.

Still a great car though, and B****Y fast

[Trevsked]

Christopher,

You are welcome anytime and would be good to see you again.

Lex,

Decided to have a read and it arrived today so thanks for the heads up.

Steve1,

Popular running out of fuel as the gauge lies often, if working that is. They catch fire in a similar fashion to Esprits but the Alpine has fuel objection so the pressure is higher but the fuel lines are fitted with jubilee clips in a hot engine bay so deteriorate readily.

As I have been fiddling with this and sorting out boost issues (poor boost, lag and inconsistent boost) it has improved power no end and the driving experience has greatly improved. I fitted a Dawes device for the frusta time and am impressed with the results. It stops wastegate creep as boost builds and leads ti better spool times which is noticeable. And £15 too!

Trevor.

[Rich H]

What is a Dawes device?