any tips?

hi all thinking of buying a GTA as i love the shape. Is there much difference in real world performance between normal aspirated and turbo and in running costs between the two, and are there any common problems i should be looking for. Also does anyone live near manchester.


thanks in advance
david

The atmos are cheaper and easier to fix (engine wise), but more juicy on fuel than the Turbo models.

As for driving, both have their advantages. I find most Turbo owners have never driven an atmo, and think it would be a lesser performance car, and most atmo owners have never driven a turbo model and wish to aspire to the 'higher performance model'....

Let me say, both are very surprised when they drive the other....

As Clee is a turbo owner that has just bought at atmo, ill leave to him to explain....

Welcome, look on the http://www.renaultalpine.co.uk/PHPBB/ph ... erlist.php memberlist, you should see some fellow enthusiasts around Manchaster.

Both mine are off the road at the minute so that tells it's own story
Having just got the Atmo I've got a bit of tuning work to do but I do like the overall drive better than the Turbo .They will both handle the same (I need to put some new front shocks on the Atmo as they are totally shot )The main + for the atmo is it's immediate response compared to the lag you get with the Turbo .I didn't think it would be that noticeable but it is ,corners are much more fun
The Turbo is obviously quicker and you can do a lot with the setup to get more power cheaply .
As far as running costs, it easier to work on the atmo as you can see and get to all the engine without having to remove anything so that helps DIY or not .
They are both very good drives so it comes down to what you need from the car .If you're looking for all out grunt and BHP go for the Turbo as you can get it fairly cheaply .If that's not your thing then go with the atmo as it will still leave most things for dead as std and you could get some good power increase by just upgrading the exhaust/manifolds .

The turbo does have a big kick when the boost comes in. They don't really lack power below around 2500rpm because it's still a fairly large capacity engine but you certainly notice it when its spooled up. On a motorway at 70 you get almost instant response anyway because even in 5th you are close to 3000 revs. You really only notice it badly if you're being a bit lazy with the gearbox. The thing is that you can do that with both cars if you want as they can both cruise around with the other traffic at low revs just using the torque.

With the turbo you have a weird sensation of getting something for nothing - even with just a tiny throttle opening on the motorway you still get a large shove as it 'boosts' along. The atmo is much more linear, you want more then just press harder. The other odd thing is that with the turbo if you drive it as an everyday car then you get used to using barely any throttle just because you mooch around in the traffic - every so often you then find yourself overtaking something and forgetting that you have another 80% of throttle travel to play with. Both cars have very long travel throttles (it kind of works as an in-built traction control) and it's easy to forget.

In terms of noise the atmo has more of a classy V6 sound to it but the turbo gives a better scream at high revs and cool Airwolf sound effects as the turbo spools up and down.

The only other thing to consider is that the atmo is considerably cheaper to buy initially but can be harder to sell should you ever decide to.

10 years ago I chose a turbo after driving both, and I still think it's fantastic. If I had the room though I'd get an atmo just for fun to go with it. (An A610 or a Le Mans would also be nice) Drive both and see for yourself.

I'm not near manchester but I have one of each for sale. The atmo has twin triple carbs which are better than the standard carb and has ss exhaust on it yours for £3500, the turbo is £5000. pm me if you want to know more.

[Alpineandy]

I don't own a GTA but have driven both.
They're both great drives.
I think the Turbo is more expensive to run and the extra heat generated in the engine compartment does put everything else there under extra pressure.
IMHO I'd go for the atmo and spend the difference on upgrading/running the car.
If you get an inferiority complex about the BHP then you can change in a few years time when you know what to look for.

Or maybe I'm wrong....

[stephendell]

Also the Atmo has a smoother reving engine. Most turbos have an annoying vibration around 1500rpm varying from mild to unbearable. We think this is down to the odd fire & even fire cranks as they are the only major difference between the engines other than the capacity.

The atmo is ultimately the most tuneable via conventional means, but at vastly more expense than the turbo. Alpine got more power from an atmo than they ever did from a turbo (A610 bi-turbo apart!). It is widely accepted that there is a 280bhp limit due to the manifolds on the turbo (however Tonys new project might prove this wrong). The atmo is good for 50bhp more if you have big bucks to spend.

If you are planning on a lot of long distance journeys you may prefer the turbo. I only get 20-22mpg at best from my atmos on a long run but often achieve 35mpg from the turbos.

Regarding the comments in the previous posts, yes a turbo is always easier to sell in a hurry but an atmo shouldn't be worth considerably less. The problem is that its possible to run an atmo completely into the ground and it's still just about useable (the engine goes on forever) so there are some very cheap neglected examples around. Whereas a turbo would have just expired earlier and been scrapped or repaired at vast expense, hence the smaller number of bargain priced cars.

Drive both. If you don't have a clear winner then just buy the best one you can find/afford and don't get too hung up on whether it's an atmo or a turbo.

Or maybe follow the latest trend and have one of each!

Yeah what is it with this latest trend of having one of each? Do you all have much bigger driveways than me or something?

If you get one of each you can pick different colours too! Over the years I reckon Stephen's tried to collect the whole colour chart.

[Alpineandy]

Or you could try an A310




OK I'll get my coat....

They both have thier own characteristics and I think you'll love the way either drives. Such a different experience from most things on the road!

As for things to look out for - how long have you got...! I would say the two main things though (especially with a turbo) are to check the clutch is working properly and when it last had one. And check very carefully for any coolant leaks and the condition of the hoses. Also give it a good run and check the engine cooling fans (turbo) and radiator fans are working.

Make sure it starts properly and runs properly without any missing or hesitation. Any niggly problems like this can be very difficult to trace and fix.

I would also recommend buying a car that's used and maintained regulary, rather than one that appears mint but is sat little used. In my experience, as soon as you start putting it to regular use, all the bits that aren't used to it will start to fail.

Oh, and I live in Runcorn. Quite near to Manchester!


BTW do I get something for fairly long word of the day with 'characteristics'?!

Yeah what is it with this latest trend of having one of each? Do you all have much bigger driveways than me or something?

If you get one of each you can pick different colours too! Over the years I reckon Stephen's tried to collect the whole colour chart.

ahh, but you lot with two, should aspire to be in the elite 3 alpine club......

Unfortunatley, quantity, not quality...!

You're not including that lemon thing are you! Or has that gone to Aus now?

BTW if he's reading this - lovely colour!

Doesn't look like a sherbert car at all!

Ahh, no, the yellow one is the best Ive had, problem was, it is too nice for me to mutilate. I actually enjoyed the nice smooth suspension, proper tyres, no squeeks, rattles, properly opening and closing doors.......

When ever Steve Dell gets in it he spends about 10 minutes on the doors....opening - closing - opening - closing - opening - closing. They just pop open with the lightest touch


..I need my fix, I need an old sh*tter again..

[stephendell]

When ever Steve Dell gets in it he spends about 10 minutes on the doors....opening - closing - opening - closing - opening - closing

True