Can an Alpine be a daily driver?
Discussion
A shame about the MX5, good that you're still in one piece though and if switching to an Alpine you may even end up seeing it as meant to be.
I've only sat in an MX5 and the Alpine feels more spacious but still a small car on the road. Initially I felt dwarfed by bigger vehicles but you must be used to that after 3 MX5s. The Alpine generally rides very nicely and when tuning into it, the feel of the car is enjoyable around speed limits; in that sense it makes a great everyday car. An effortless mid 30s - 40 mpg is pretty decent for a sporty daily too. The Alpine does move a bit on the motorway in winds and lorry tracks but apparently Life110 geometry helps. Much of this may be normal for you having driven lightweight cars.
If you haven't had a modern infotainment before, you can simply pair and use your phone and may not miss it. There have been people who have fitted aftermarket tablets, but after 6 years there's still no solution offered publically. I admit I have actually had the idea of switching to an early car, forgoing the infotainment and saving a lot of money, only the higher mileage of low priced cars is off-putting as I'd like the Alpine to be a keeper.
I think rear sensors are enough for daily use, but if you don't mind the front sensors, which do blend well on an Abyss Blue, then you may aswell go for the full pack with the rear camera. If I bought again, the mirror pack wouldn't be a deal breaker. It's nice to have the auto-dimming and classier rear view mirror, but as it's a narrow car I don't find the folding mirrors necessary.
When it comes to wheels, I feel the 17" are slightly softer overall, the 18" a touch sharper. The brake discs are smaller with the 17" wheels but have plenty of stopping power.
I think up there with paint colour and whether you prefer the more tied-down S, is finding which seats you prefer. I'd suggest trying both for a good while, back to back if possible.
Please do report back and let us know what happens...
I've only sat in an MX5 and the Alpine feels more spacious but still a small car on the road. Initially I felt dwarfed by bigger vehicles but you must be used to that after 3 MX5s. The Alpine generally rides very nicely and when tuning into it, the feel of the car is enjoyable around speed limits; in that sense it makes a great everyday car. An effortless mid 30s - 40 mpg is pretty decent for a sporty daily too. The Alpine does move a bit on the motorway in winds and lorry tracks but apparently Life110 geometry helps. Much of this may be normal for you having driven lightweight cars.
If you haven't had a modern infotainment before, you can simply pair and use your phone and may not miss it. There have been people who have fitted aftermarket tablets, but after 6 years there's still no solution offered publically. I admit I have actually had the idea of switching to an early car, forgoing the infotainment and saving a lot of money, only the higher mileage of low priced cars is off-putting as I'd like the Alpine to be a keeper.
I think rear sensors are enough for daily use, but if you don't mind the front sensors, which do blend well on an Abyss Blue, then you may aswell go for the full pack with the rear camera. If I bought again, the mirror pack wouldn't be a deal breaker. It's nice to have the auto-dimming and classier rear view mirror, but as it's a narrow car I don't find the folding mirrors necessary.
When it comes to wheels, I feel the 17" are slightly softer overall, the 18" a touch sharper. The brake discs are smaller with the 17" wheels but have plenty of stopping power.
I think up there with paint colour and whether you prefer the more tied-down S, is finding which seats you prefer. I'd suggest trying both for a good while, back to back if possible.
Please do report back and let us know what happens...
Edited by 7en on Friday 3rd May 21:07
You have all the answers you need above but I just wanted to add, I daily mine and it’s fantastic.
I don’t have issues with cabin storage as I’ve never been one for keeping loads of crap in the car and if I do need to take a laptop bag or similar for work it gets chucked in the passenger footwell but, if you’re lucky, you might find one with the storage pack option. It primarily features a leather, toblerone shaped box that fits to the firewall between the seats and gives you glovebox-sized storage. I have one though I never really need to use it.
I don’t have issues with cabin storage as I’ve never been one for keeping loads of crap in the car and if I do need to take a laptop bag or similar for work it gets chucked in the passenger footwell but, if you’re lucky, you might find one with the storage pack option. It primarily features a leather, toblerone shaped box that fits to the firewall between the seats and gives you glovebox-sized storage. I have one though I never really need to use it.
I took my daughter camping in it last weekend.
Tent, camping mats, sleeping bags, 21L of drinking water, gas stove, food, clothes, night vision goggles, drone, washing up bowl, puncture repair kit, torches/lamps etc. and there was still a bit of space to spare. They are perfectly useable as a daily car.
When driving I usually have a flip top water bottle on the passenger seat.
No need for cup holders- I’ve never consumed a coffee in a car. Who does that? Either have the coffee at home or at destination or when stopping for fuel. “Oh, should I turn the wheel and spill my coffee or crash headlong into this wall”
Tent, camping mats, sleeping bags, 21L of drinking water, gas stove, food, clothes, night vision goggles, drone, washing up bowl, puncture repair kit, torches/lamps etc. and there was still a bit of space to spare. They are perfectly useable as a daily car.
When driving I usually have a flip top water bottle on the passenger seat.
No need for cup holders- I’ve never consumed a coffee in a car. Who does that? Either have the coffee at home or at destination or when stopping for fuel. “Oh, should I turn the wheel and spill my coffee or crash headlong into this wall”
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.
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.
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.
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.
I've come an MX-5 ND2 and switched to the A110 about 5 months ago. Its everything i hoped for, same light weight agility as the Mazda, but the performance, refinement and comfort is way better. Its a much better daily, the cabin space is much bigger which makes the difference on a long journey.
Yes the old infotainment system is crap, but with a good phone mount and connected via USB its seen as an ipod and you can change tracks with the remote control. I thought the lack of CarPlay was going to be a problem but in reality its fine. Its definably not worth spending thousands more just for that feature.
Yes the old infotainment system is crap, but with a good phone mount and connected via USB its seen as an ipod and you can change tracks with the remote control. I thought the lack of CarPlay was going to be a problem but in reality its fine. Its definably not worth spending thousands more just for that feature.
Currently I own both an MX-5 ND and an A110, and I mostly agree on a110au's comment from 3rd May. I would like to add though that the MX-5 does feel more agile to me, especially at low speeds. Living in the overcrowded Western part of Holland, I hardly use my cars on country roads as long as I am not on a multi-day road trip. And every time I take the MX-5 on those shorter trips the car still instantly puts a smile on my face, because it feels so much lighter and makes you feel as if you are driving really fast all the time. If your daily trips are mainly on city streets, I can imagine that you will miss your MX-5.
Plus, the MX-5 feels a lot more 'premium' (I hate that word), because of use of better materials which cause fewer rattles and other interior noises, and also give the car a bit more luxurious look (but that may be personal).
I still love the A110 too of course, for all those reasons in other responses, and mostly for those longer trips on fast country roads: it is sportier and at the same time more comfortable. If that is the car's main purpose, the A110 is a real upgrade from the MX-5.
Plus, the MX-5 feels a lot more 'premium' (I hate that word), because of use of better materials which cause fewer rattles and other interior noises, and also give the car a bit more luxurious look (but that may be personal).
I still love the A110 too of course, for all those reasons in other responses, and mostly for those longer trips on fast country roads: it is sportier and at the same time more comfortable. If that is the car's main purpose, the A110 is a real upgrade from the MX-5.
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