Struggling with configuration, welcome any suggestions
Discussion
Hello.
Short introduction: Kai from Germany, Lotus Elise S1 owner for 24 years. With an age of 55 now it is about time for me to get a more decent, grown up car for weekend fun. As I still prefer rarity and lightweight the Alpine got me, though 400 kg heavier than my S1, but I really like the concept behind it. Searching for A110 forums I ended up here, already got some decent tips.
Initially I intended to buy a thunder grey GT with brown leather seats, looks fantastic and posh. However, while test driving one I noticed the comfort seats are too wide for my skinny butt and I am sliding around on the smooth leather surface, so bucket seats needed. I don't want to get the S as it is even more expensive as the GT and seems to have a rather harsh ride for my intended use (mainly curvy B and C roads). So I ended up with configurating a standard. 252 hp will be enough for me, I doubt I gonna need the extra HP and torque from the GT or S.
Long story short, I am struggeling with the following options and couldn't find an answer so far:
1) Electrochrome vs. standard rearview mirror: looks very nice with its frameless design, but it seems to be much bigger than the standard, though I haven't seen that one in real life. I doubt it is really necessary, as getting blinded from a rear car should already be eliminated by the letterbox rear view. Price wise it is not a big thing with a difference of 200 EUR only, so I might go for it.
2) Rear parking sensors only vs. front +rear parking sensors +rear camera. Strangewise it is no more possible to buy front parking sensors without the rear camera!?! As the rearward view is quite restricted a camera might be usefull, but being honest, when I sometimes drive a car with one I never look at it, mainly using the side mirrors. Don't know how that's gonna be with the A110. Are front sensors really needed when parking in front first? The forward overview is quite good, but how difficult is it to estimate the front end? Ist it possible to lower the side mirrors enough to see the distance from the rear rim to the curb when parking in backwards? Me muppet totally forget to check that during my test drive. Price wise it makes a huge difference with 450 vs. 1285 EUR.
Welcome any suggestions.
Cheers
Kai
Short introduction: Kai from Germany, Lotus Elise S1 owner for 24 years. With an age of 55 now it is about time for me to get a more decent, grown up car for weekend fun. As I still prefer rarity and lightweight the Alpine got me, though 400 kg heavier than my S1, but I really like the concept behind it. Searching for A110 forums I ended up here, already got some decent tips.
Initially I intended to buy a thunder grey GT with brown leather seats, looks fantastic and posh. However, while test driving one I noticed the comfort seats are too wide for my skinny butt and I am sliding around on the smooth leather surface, so bucket seats needed. I don't want to get the S as it is even more expensive as the GT and seems to have a rather harsh ride for my intended use (mainly curvy B and C roads). So I ended up with configurating a standard. 252 hp will be enough for me, I doubt I gonna need the extra HP and torque from the GT or S.
Long story short, I am struggeling with the following options and couldn't find an answer so far:
1) Electrochrome vs. standard rearview mirror: looks very nice with its frameless design, but it seems to be much bigger than the standard, though I haven't seen that one in real life. I doubt it is really necessary, as getting blinded from a rear car should already be eliminated by the letterbox rear view. Price wise it is not a big thing with a difference of 200 EUR only, so I might go for it.
2) Rear parking sensors only vs. front +rear parking sensors +rear camera. Strangewise it is no more possible to buy front parking sensors without the rear camera!?! As the rearward view is quite restricted a camera might be usefull, but being honest, when I sometimes drive a car with one I never look at it, mainly using the side mirrors. Don't know how that's gonna be with the A110. Are front sensors really needed when parking in front first? The forward overview is quite good, but how difficult is it to estimate the front end? Ist it possible to lower the side mirrors enough to see the distance from the rear rim to the curb when parking in backwards? Me muppet totally forget to check that during my test drive. Price wise it makes a huge difference with 450 vs. 1285 EUR.
Welcome any suggestions.
Cheers
Kai
Edited by k_m on Saturday 10th February 11:18
Edited by k_m on Saturday 10th February 11:20
Thanks for the replys.
With my Elise I am strictly avoiding to park in a row or parallel to curbs. The side mirrors ar not adjustable from the cabin, so high risk of rim damage and the front of the car is so low, it is invisible in the rear view mirror of a normal car, so high risk of someone bumping into it. That leads often in cruising around for quite a while to find the right parking spot, what can be quite annoying. Hope to avoid that in the future with the Alpines better practicability.
Regarding the folding mirrors, strangewise these are standard equipment nowadays, but parking sensors are not.
With my Elise I am strictly avoiding to park in a row or parallel to curbs. The side mirrors ar not adjustable from the cabin, so high risk of rim damage and the front of the car is so low, it is invisible in the rear view mirror of a normal car, so high risk of someone bumping into it. That leads often in cruising around for quite a while to find the right parking spot, what can be quite annoying. Hope to avoid that in the future with the Alpines better practicability.
Regarding the folding mirrors, strangewise these are standard equipment nowadays, but parking sensors are not.
Edited by k_m on Saturday 10th February 14:04
Edited by k_m on Saturday 10th February 14:05
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