RE: Buying an Alpine A110 | PH Footnote
Discussion
Arsecati said:
What does it matter? It's his own hard-earned... I got a massive loan to pay for one of my dream cars years ago: a Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet for my 30th birthday. Come November, and I'll have owned that car 18 years... That loan was paid off 13 years ago - and don't regret a single penny of it. 
Bravo! The definition of a proper Brave Pill in my mind. Although not as brave, I did a similar thing in 2001 when I ploughed a substantial percentage of a small inheritance into a Saab 900 Monte Carlo Convertible, which I still own and am going to enjoy today in the sunshine. Next week it's taking my 11 year old to his school prom...
I had literally the same sort of thought processes before I ordered my A110. I never thought I'd buy a brand new car, and was eyeing up a 981 Cayman, but after driving them both, the Cayman just didn't feel as alive or special as the Alpine, and I pretty much fell in love with it when I drove it
Good man Dan. Can’t wait for the running reports on this as an everyday car regarding reliability.
SFO said:
real tribute to A110 ... Dan gets to drive all kinds of wonderful stuff and he goes for an A110
That’s a very salient point. A big thumbs up for the A110. Edited by sideways man on Saturday 29th June 12:59
Seems a good choice; I hate the fact cars are becoming more lardy, so when something like this comes along, it really makes me sit up and take notice. I just wish more manufacturers would too.
Just a point of curiosity; I know right now you'll be wanting to keep it forever. That's awesome. Have you given much thought maybe to later in life if / when kids come along? What's the plan? I only ask, because I'm the kind of person that thinks a little ahead, though I appreciate everyone's different. (I don't suppose you got an inside scoop that these manufacturers will bring out a 2+2 version of this, or something similar...?).
Just a point of curiosity; I know right now you'll be wanting to keep it forever. That's awesome. Have you given much thought maybe to later in life if / when kids come along? What's the plan? I only ask, because I'm the kind of person that thinks a little ahead, though I appreciate everyone's different. (I don't suppose you got an inside scoop that these manufacturers will bring out a 2+2 version of this, or something similar...?).
First off superb, many congrats. As someone who's followed Dan's automotive career since Evo and seen the many superb cars he's tested etc, that he's using his own money says an awful lot about the A110 - as someone said above.
Also nice that there's universal agreement that the first reply is both typical schoolboy PH & utterly irrelevant. Well done Mr Prosser, I look forward to the updates, enjoy.
Also nice that there's universal agreement that the first reply is both typical schoolboy PH & utterly irrelevant. Well done Mr Prosser, I look forward to the updates, enjoy.
What a great article. Car journalist who has access to sports cars as his job actually chooses to spend his own money on the A110. The driver’s choice, not the default German option.
For a long while I’ve been thinking about an Evora, but couldn’t see it as a daily driver. Recently I’ve started to think the Alpine might actually be the perfect daily Lotus.
Looking forward to reading about the ownership experience. I’m sure it’ll be brilliant.
For a long while I’ve been thinking about an Evora, but couldn’t see it as a daily driver. Recently I’ve started to think the Alpine might actually be the perfect daily Lotus.
Looking forward to reading about the ownership experience. I’m sure it’ll be brilliant.
Well done and fabulous choice. My first new new car was a MK5 R32 Golf.
I went there to look at the GTi, I'd read all the reviews about the GTi being the better car but when the salesman started the R32 in the showroom I was 99% of the way there. A long test drive with the slightly more comfortable than GTi ride, instant low down grunt of the engine and a good finance package due to residuals being better than the GTi clinched the deal. I still have many very fond memories.
I wish you as much pleasure and pride as I carry in my memories. (..and ohhh that 1am drive to the Welsh coast
...)
I went there to look at the GTi, I'd read all the reviews about the GTi being the better car but when the salesman started the R32 in the showroom I was 99% of the way there. A long test drive with the slightly more comfortable than GTi ride, instant low down grunt of the engine and a good finance package due to residuals being better than the GTi clinched the deal. I still have many very fond memories.
I wish you as much pleasure and pride as I carry in my memories. (..and ohhh that 1am drive to the Welsh coast
...)How does this compare with the 4C? I know it's been out of production for a while now and the handling on these roads is a bit iffy, but I read that many classic car articles/magazines that modern cars seem to go past me. I am however interested in both of these cars (Alpine and 4C) and they seem evenly matched, although the Alfa is now certainly a lot cheaper to buy!
Will be interested in following the ownership experience of this.
And if you are concerned about the balloon you could always do videos of your ownership experience on youtube, what the spec is going to be, collection day, new sports exhaust, getting it wrapped, 5 things you love/hate about it, why you're selling it, apparently it's quite popular these days.
And if you are concerned about the balloon you could always do videos of your ownership experience on youtube, what the spec is going to be, collection day, new sports exhaust, getting it wrapped, 5 things you love/hate about it, why you're selling it, apparently it's quite popular these days.
big_rob_sydney said:
Seems a good choice; I hate the fact cars are becoming more lardy, so when something like this comes along, it really makes me sit up and take notice. I just wish more manufacturers would too.
Just a point of curiosity; I know right now you'll be wanting to keep it forever. That's awesome. Have you given much thought maybe to later in life if / when kids come along? What's the plan? I only ask, because I'm the kind of person that thinks a little ahead, though I appreciate everyone's different. (I don't suppose you got an inside scoop that these manufacturers will bring out a 2+2 version of this, or something similar...?).
I had the same thinking process. I was going to go for a 2 seater.Just a point of curiosity; I know right now you'll be wanting to keep it forever. That's awesome. Have you given much thought maybe to later in life if / when kids come along? What's the plan? I only ask, because I'm the kind of person that thinks a little ahead, though I appreciate everyone's different. (I don't suppose you got an inside scoop that these manufacturers will bring out a 2+2 version of this, or something similar...?).
But then I thought what if I have a family? Then what if I needed a wheelchair? Then what if I took up windsurfing?
Ended up in a Citroën Berlingo Multispace. Other than its limited track ability, I love it and it has future proofed my life.
Only a shortsighted t
t would buy a 2 seater IMO.Great article, I am a similar age. I have young children and therefore my 335d touring is as close as I get to a sports car these days. I have has 968cs , vx220, mx5, Subaru’s etc and although never owned one identify as a lotus fan at heart. The Elise just wont get used ( my father has a s1 and uses his m100 eland much more because of its comfort and practicality) the Evora and Exige are either to expensive or impractical.
The 996/997 £30 k spend is a possibility but and much as I like them it will be and expensive ownership prospect.
The Alpine is the car Lotus should have made and because it is different and carries some real diving magic I am also going to be buying one ! - good choice
The 996/997 £30 k spend is a possibility but and much as I like them it will be and expensive ownership prospect.
The Alpine is the car Lotus should have made and because it is different and carries some real diving magic I am also going to be buying one ! - good choice
SidewaysSi said:
I had the same thinking process. I was going to go for a 2 seater.
But then I thought what if I have a family? Then what if I needed a wheelchair? Then what if I took up windsurfing?
Ended up in a Citroën Berlingo Multispace. Other than its limited track ability, I love it and it has future proofed my life.
Only a shortsighted tt would buy a 2 seater IMO.
You, Sir, are the short sighted tw*t!But then I thought what if I have a family? Then what if I needed a wheelchair? Then what if I took up windsurfing?
Ended up in a Citroën Berlingo Multispace. Other than its limited track ability, I love it and it has future proofed my life.
Only a shortsighted t
t would buy a 2 seater IMO.Your thinking should mean you buy a hearse - that would cover all eventualities. From now to the grave.
Glad you aren't buying one of these. It would be a tragic waste.
When I get some toys sold, this will be my first choice.
V8 FOU said:
SidewaysSi said:
I had the same thinking process. I was going to go for a 2 seater.
But then I thought what if I have a family? Then what if I needed a wheelchair? Then what if I took up windsurfing?
Ended up in a Citroën Berlingo Multispace. Other than its limited track ability, I love it and it has future proofed my life.
Only a shortsighted tt would buy a 2 seater IMO.
You, Sir, are the short sighted tw*t!But then I thought what if I have a family? Then what if I needed a wheelchair? Then what if I took up windsurfing?
Ended up in a Citroën Berlingo Multispace. Other than its limited track ability, I love it and it has future proofed my life.
Only a shortsighted t
t would buy a 2 seater IMO.Your thinking should mean you buy a hearse - that would cover all eventualities. From now to the grave.
Glad you aren't buying one of these. It would be a tragic waste.
When I get some toys sold, this will be my first choice.
SpudLink said:
For a long while I’ve been thinking about an Evora, but couldn’t see it as a daily driver. Recently I’ve started to think the Alpine might actually be the perfect daily Lotus.
I chose between an Evora (about 2 years old) and an A110. I don't think you'd regret either; both are well equipped enough and ride well enough that you could use them every day (well, every day you don't have a lot of stuff to lug). Both are easy to get in and out of (unlike every Lotus other than the Evora).In the Evora's favour is the sheer mechanicalness (sorry) - the V6 makes an excellent noise, the gentle jiggling of the steering. In the Alpine's favour is the much more modern feeling throughout. The Lotus hides its extra weight extremely well, I thought, and the steering is much chattier.
I ordered an A110, in Pure spec, but with heated comfort seats (can't get that combination any more). It's sitting at the dealer until the new house is ready to move into. Only 6 more months to wait...
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