Canyon Endurace CF SLX 8 Di2
That’s my daily ride to work! 
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I’ve been driving a vanilla (well OK, bright yellow) R5 since launch day & love it. My very first car was a second hand 1972 orange one, so am trying to re-live my yoof. Whilst not perfect it is incredibly good value and great fun to drive. It brings a smile to my face every time I use it.
I have never tried an Alpine, in many ways would like one, but I’m not 100% sure they are worth the ~£10k premium?
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What a great journey…
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Congrats on your renewed R5 journey!
The French had an interesting approach to build quality back in the day - check out those panel gaps! I don’t think Renault or the French customers really cared about such niceties and maybe that was one of the many endearing aspects of the original R5.
Steve Cropley from Autocar had a long term loan from Renault of a bright yellow model and spoke very highly of it. He did mention the Alpine - I think Matt Prior may have brought along the Alpine (Steve owns an A110) and they both agreed that it might be more desirable but definitely not worth the premium and the R5 nails the brief - reasonable cost; very efficient drivetrain; not huge; decent build quality; very appealing design. Great choice haffle!
Peter
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A friend of mine has a hi-spec, non Alpine R5. He likes it. I like it. Neither of us are particularly fond of electric cars. Bar the i4 I had as a courtesy car a few weeks back, it’s about the only leccy car I’ve been in which I could cope with beyond a day I think!
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The R5 nails its brief 100%; great value, amazingly well put together, (subjectively) looks great and manages to not look to look like a typical euro-box or that it is made out of chinesium. That it is made in France is good news all round.
What still amazes me is that, despite the almost universal rave reviews in the media and on YouTube, even after 6 months I doubt I have seen more than 12-15 on the road. No idea why - maybe the target market are wanting their ten-a-penny bland soft roader pumped up SUVs? Shame if so.
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Several modes transport AM superleggera, Audi RS4, Suzuki GSX-R, Honda CB 600F (hornet) & 2 Bromptons 
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Well, the Merc went back today and the Audi GT RS eTron was delivered. Unfortunately I’m too under the weather to go and play with it. Also it was -5 this morning so not the best weather for a car with 590 bhp.
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That’s quite a machine. One of the contractors at work has one in Merlin Purple and rather likes his.
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Now that looks proper ! Enjoy it.
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I’m hoping to feel well enough over the next couple of days to go and play. I have it until the new car is built which has an ETA of April. Plenty of time.
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Looks sharp as hell.
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Lovely run out for us today in the E30 316.
Blue skies, that big thin-rimmed wheel, top notch heater, great seats, and a very decent lunch together too.
Happy chap.
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Looking at the NOCO GB20 500A Jump Starter (£95 in Halfords)
Pretty sure the 7 year old battery in the Celica is okay but only gets a drive once a week (on a 25 mile round trip) in the winter months, sometimes twice a week but the cold weather tends to flatten it anyways. 
Or would it be better to not bother with a jump-starter and instead buy a more heavy duty battery? 
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Noco . Either the battery charger (AGM/ recovery type) or the Noco jump starter if you cant plug a charger in somewhere.
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Have you access to power to connect a battery conditioner?
The car is parked outside so would need an extension lead, don’t like the idea of this.
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Most cars need the battery to provide back up settings and alarms/ door lock capability. These will drain the battery over a few weeks. A 7 year old battery that has not been regularly charged will now be sub optimal. I’d look at the biggest physical battery you can fit in the car, alongside its starting capacity. Then check that your car can take an agm battery ( most can). It will last longer and provide a higher ampage for longer. Make sure you start and run the car every two weeks or so. That will help the battery last. I would also get a Noco jump starter for when you forget. If you want to keep one indoors and keep it charged for use, their are plenty of cheaper jump starters on Amazon. I have a couple gathered over the years and always take one if I’m parking up at a hotel or airport for a few days. The cheap ones will start my 3.5 litre car with no problem. Just remember to charge it at the hotel last thing.
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Thanks for your reply, bruss.
Just ordered a NOCO GB40 : 1000A
One model up from GB20, twice the amperage for just a few bucks more: £104 
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Fantastic gadget. Bought its little brother - GB20 (petrol cars only) - last year and it has really got me out of trouble a couple of times. Every driver should carry one around. A must. You’ll love it!
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