Renault Alpine?

[KM2]

Something that would fit my bill nicely, pricewise as well as spacewise.

Just wondering if any members have experience with reliability, which model to look for, how fun they are to drive etc.

[Alpineandy]

Which model?
A110
A310
GTA
A610

see www.renaultalpine.co.uk for the v6 models

GOM mentioned his GTA on an early thread in this (french) forum.
I can tell you about A110s and A310s

I can put you in touch with an A610 owner.

Whereabouts are you - I may be able to give you a local contact.

Cheers

[GOM]

My previous comments are here
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=251840&f=160&h=0

If you have any queries email me through my profile.

As a general guide
A110 - very expensive, a guy in Torquay has just paid £25k for one in need of total rebuild.
A310 - not many around. Don't know about prices.
GTA and GTA Turbo - reasonably price from £4k to £12k depending on condition, provenance etc.
A610 - again fairly rare to find one for sale. Price for a good one £12k upwards.

As I say, any questions feel free to email me.

[KM2]

I am moving to the UK next week, to London actually. I still have a lot of things to arrange but I always liked the look of the cars and the reviews were all quite good, too.

I am not quite sure of my budget but around 4-6k, max. A high mileage should not be a problem, since the car won't be used every day

Thanks for the links, checking out the OC as I am writing this

[Alpineandy]

You still don't mention which model/s your interested in.

[GOM]

www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=305

[KM2]

Sorry, it would be GTA V6 or A610, but it seems I cannot afford anything other than GTA V6.

Seen the classified, also the others at the OC site. But as I said, I need to get there first, see how I'll get my dog over and then think about cars, so that might take a month or two. I guess I need to earn a little bit first, too

[crugbun]

A nice atmo GTA on the 'bay at present in grey. Should be good value. Also a nice A610 but highish miles and out of your budget.

[GOM]

Hi Rupert, how's tricks. Sorry I've not made any meets yet, but it's difficult during the summer. Perhaps see you at the next Route 38 meet.

[crugbun]

Yes Clive, I've been away a lot recently, was contacted by Brian Pengilly who has given me a list of potential locals to come out for a meet. I'm currently without a car thouogh at present, sold the spider, and my 24V gta is still a few months away.... I may try to do a meeting in Sept never sure what is the best day for people tho.

[KM2]

Just generally would you recommend a turbo or NA GTA? From the viewpoint of driving, insuring, reliability?

[GOM]

KM2 said:

Just generally would you recommend a turbo or NA GTA? From the viewpoint of driving, insuring, reliability?

Turbos tend to be a little dearer. The NA is probably less expense and easier to tune. I've never driven an NA but if it's as good as the Turbo then it's good. As previously mentioned the Turbo does suffer lag, but this can be improved considerably by changing the exhaust, increasing boost etc. or even changing turbos if you have the money. Driving wise, handling in the dry is excellent, our old Elise being the only thing better that I have driven. In the wet, be very CAREFUL especially in the turbo as it can break with little warning and is fairly difficult to get back because of rear/mid engine configuration producing the dreaded pendulum effect a la 911's of old. Great long distance tourers, fast and very comfortable even with tweaked suspension. MPG is good on the turbo and I averaged about 28-30mpg in general use and reasonably hard driving. Insurance wise I do mine under classic insurance and it's about 200 notes, which I think is pretty good. As for reliability, I only had one small problem in 100k miles, but some are prone to the French Electrics Syndrome, although most of these seem to be with speedos, dash warning lights etc and are more annoying than troublesome - other may have a different view. I personally would recommend them to anyone as a very underrated and little known car; you get a lot of performance and comfort for very little outlay and prices have been stable for a long time with some models even inching up in value. I will never part with mine and I still feel it gives our TVR a good run for it's money and it's certainly much rarer.

Go for it, I don't think you will regret it, but take your time finding a good one with a leather interior (a must). Happy hunting

[djmojo]

Go for it! Awesome car! For you budget I would buy a tidy Atmo rather than a turbo needing attention. Turbo's can be got for that money, but would require money money to spend on them.

[KM2]

Thanks guys! It is inching up my list However first on there is still finding a flat, so will take some more time...