Can an Alpine be a daily driver?
Discussion
Hello all,
Thanks to some knob head in a Polo, my beautiful MX5 has been written off. I had it specced to exactly what I wanted and it has broken my heart that some plonker speeding up behind me on a slip road has destroyed my pride and joy. The main thing is the car looked after me and no injuries which was amazing given the amount of damage.
Anyway onto more cheerful things (hopefully!)
I’m looking to move on to Alpine as I have secretly been in love with them since I saw them at launch at the Festival Of Speed and I’m thinking now maybe the time. I will be at the bottom end of the market if I do go ahead (used at about £45k.) but surprisingly the servicing costs do seem to be in the same ball park as main dealer Mazda showrooms.
So the million dollar question…. Can it be used as a daily driver?
Here are my circumstances.
1.) It will be just me, the Toad is extremely single and there are no relatives to be moved around.
2.) I do about 11000 miles a year.
3.) I have two dealerships within reasonable distance of myself plus a Renault showroom reasonably close.
4.) if I don’t take the piss, I do have access to other cars a few times in a year if needed.
5.) it would be parked in a private car park.
I am a big fan of the dark blue but not black wheels. Having had a look though this bit of the forum it seems like parking sensors, sports exhaust, mirror pack and the upgraded media unit are extras to have and it seems that any used one I buy needs to have the fuel pump recall done
As you can tell, which ever one in the range comes my way will be a significant upgrade in power so I’m not looking for the all singing, all dancing variants, I have just loved the look and concept of the car right from day one.
I have had 3 MX-5s now and my last one was so good, it’s like I’ve peaked with that car. I still want something rapid and I’m just not a Porsche kinda guy.
Basically any help and/or advice gratefully received!
Thanks to some knob head in a Polo, my beautiful MX5 has been written off. I had it specced to exactly what I wanted and it has broken my heart that some plonker speeding up behind me on a slip road has destroyed my pride and joy. The main thing is the car looked after me and no injuries which was amazing given the amount of damage.
Anyway onto more cheerful things (hopefully!)
I’m looking to move on to Alpine as I have secretly been in love with them since I saw them at launch at the Festival Of Speed and I’m thinking now maybe the time. I will be at the bottom end of the market if I do go ahead (used at about £45k.) but surprisingly the servicing costs do seem to be in the same ball park as main dealer Mazda showrooms.
So the million dollar question…. Can it be used as a daily driver?
Here are my circumstances.
1.) It will be just me, the Toad is extremely single and there are no relatives to be moved around.
2.) I do about 11000 miles a year.
3.) I have two dealerships within reasonable distance of myself plus a Renault showroom reasonably close.
4.) if I don’t take the piss, I do have access to other cars a few times in a year if needed.
5.) it would be parked in a private car park.
I am a big fan of the dark blue but not black wheels. Having had a look though this bit of the forum it seems like parking sensors, sports exhaust, mirror pack and the upgraded media unit are extras to have and it seems that any used one I buy needs to have the fuel pump recall done
As you can tell, which ever one in the range comes my way will be a significant upgrade in power so I’m not looking for the all singing, all dancing variants, I have just loved the look and concept of the car right from day one.
I have had 3 MX-5s now and my last one was so good, it’s like I’ve peaked with that car. I still want something rapid and I’m just not a Porsche kinda guy.
Basically any help and/or advice gratefully received!
Edited by The Hypno-Toad on Thursday 2nd May 21:52
Thank you very much for all your help so far everyone, lots of very useful comments.
I was aware the infotainment system was a bit rubbish in the early ones but can Apple Car play be retro-fitted? Got to say I'm impressed with the service costs quoted as they work out about the same as main dealer Mazda prices, which is good news so actual running costs might not be that different.
Next up, the battle with the insurance company for payout. I will keep you all informed on how it goes.
I was aware the infotainment system was a bit rubbish in the early ones but can Apple Car play be retro-fitted? Got to say I'm impressed with the service costs quoted as they work out about the same as main dealer Mazda prices, which is good news so actual running costs might not be that different.
Next up, the battle with the insurance company for payout. I will keep you all informed on how it goes.
Thank you very much for all the friendly and helpful comments above.
However.... the plot very much thickens...
My insurance company are now telling me that are going to repair the damage, which given the discussion I had with the bodyshop assessor last week simply staggers me but there you go. I think they will start the repairs and then discover something dark and fatal hidden in the depths and we will be back to write off. I also won't want it back if it has been "categorized".
I will be back later with an update but even if the car is repaired, I will probably only keep it until after the summer. As I said in my original post, I want a change.
However.... the plot very much thickens...
My insurance company are now telling me that are going to repair the damage, which given the discussion I had with the bodyshop assessor last week simply staggers me but there you go. I think they will start the repairs and then discover something dark and fatal hidden in the depths and we will be back to write off. I also won't want it back if it has been "categorized".
I will be back later with an update but even if the car is repaired, I will probably only keep it until after the summer. As I said in my original post, I want a change.
Colin P said:
Assuming that you'd rather it was written off, is it your insurer or the Third party insurers you are dealing with?
Your insurers will not be concerned as you'd need to go to the TP insurers with any additional costs, but if it is marginal, you are not being supplied with a courtesy car and you are in contact with the third party insurers you might want to take the approach of telling them that you will be getting a credit hire vehicle and passing on the cost. This will likely push it into "uneconomic" and prompt a quick settlement.
You could also try the direct approach to the TP insurers saying that your insurers are intending to repair, then ditto the above and that you are concerned that this approach will elevate their ultimate expenses......would they prefer to agree a direct cash settlement to mitigate their costs.
If they repair it, they cannot categorise it. It's not their car to categorise.
To be honest, I would just like it sorted asap with the minimal financial loss to myself. Changing to an Alpine is still very much on the agenda but to facilitate that, if I did bring the MX-5 in as part exchange I will need it to be worth the maximum amount possible. (as would anyone!) Your insurers will not be concerned as you'd need to go to the TP insurers with any additional costs, but if it is marginal, you are not being supplied with a courtesy car and you are in contact with the third party insurers you might want to take the approach of telling them that you will be getting a credit hire vehicle and passing on the cost. This will likely push it into "uneconomic" and prompt a quick settlement.
You could also try the direct approach to the TP insurers saying that your insurers are intending to repair, then ditto the above and that you are concerned that this approach will elevate their ultimate expenses......would they prefer to agree a direct cash settlement to mitigate their costs.
If they repair it, they cannot categorise it. It's not their car to categorise.
At the moment because I have a very good insurance policy and the supplying company have been excellent with a loan car and all other expenses being covered as the accident was nothing to do with me and they will be recovering all costs from the Third Party. I am just hoping they can definitively make their mind up as to what they are going to do shortly, so I can either enjoy my MX-5 through the summer & then consider what to do or start moving forward with something else, preferably French.
But thank you for your helpful comment & as I mentioned, I will repost here when I have some definite news as to what's happening.
Hi all,
Thanks again for all your helpful thoughts again.
Quick update on my situation.
It would now appear my MX-5 will be rebuilt, which having seen the damage & following on from the conversation I had with the assessor has astounded me but there you are. It may well be that they will find something nasty lurking once they have fully stripped down. Also the third party is now trying to pull a fast one about liability (not sure how as he ran straight into the back of me.) so the concentration is now on sorting that out.
However, as soon as I can I will be organising a test drive.
Life’s never simple is it?
Thanks again for all your helpful thoughts again.
Quick update on my situation.
It would now appear my MX-5 will be rebuilt, which having seen the damage & following on from the conversation I had with the assessor has astounded me but there you are. It may well be that they will find something nasty lurking once they have fully stripped down. Also the third party is now trying to pull a fast one about liability (not sure how as he ran straight into the back of me.) so the concentration is now on sorting that out.
However, as soon as I can I will be organising a test drive.
Life’s never simple is it?
Edited by The Hypno-Toad on Sunday 19th May 19:01
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