RE: Alpine A110 | PH Used Buying Guide

[PH User]

nickfrog said:

You've got to wonder what kind of disgruntled weirdo trolls a thread about a car they've never driven nor will ever buy.

I would just ignore him.

[john41901]

I see that all humour has now been outlawed from this thread.

Poor show really, that particular comment I read earlier was just light hearted banter about the warranty cost.

[greenarrow]

Like all Alpine threads in PH history, this one is becoming a hilarious read with all the usual characters involved! I look forward to logging on each evening and seeing the latest developments! Is there a more marmite car amongst PH posters?

[greenarrow]

Changing subject for a minute, has anyone seen the article in this month's EVO on David Pook? He's the ex JLR vehicle engineer who is behind the Life110, the modified Alpine which had such rave reviews in EVO last year. Worth a read, especially when you see what he has owned and developed or modified before getting into the Alpine. Owned but didn't gel with a Cayman R apparently (ducks for cover......)

[bcr5784]

greenarrow said:

Like all Alpine threads in PH history, this one is becoming a hilarious read with all the usual characters involved! I look forward to logging on each evening and seeing the latest developments! Is there a more marmite car amongst PH posters?

Pretty sure it's only a marmite car for those who have never driven it. Sure there are those who want something more hardcore - or more softcore. Fair enough, but most detracters have never driven the car or (I suspect) owned or driven the opposition. Most A110 owners have owned/driven Porsches and Loti - and can make valid arguments BASED ON EXPERIENCE pro and con them.

[PH User]

bcr5784 said:

Pretty sure it's only a marmite car for those who have never driven it. Sure there are those who want something more hardcore - or more softcore. Fair enough, but most detracters have never driven the car or (I suspect) owned or driven the opposition. Most A110 owners have owned/driven Porsches and Loti - and can make valid arguments BASED ON EXPERIENCE pro and con them.

Exactly, every car has it's good points and every car has things that other cars do better.

[dajw]

I pick mine up on Thursday this week, and cannot wait!

In the meantime I have kept myself busy compiling this playlist of Alpine A110 and A110s content on YouTube, where the car is specifically the subject of the video. It may come in handy for those researching the car: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRT9sOc4ZZ-...

I've also made an Alpine A110 subreddit too, as there wasn't one.

[CABC]

PH User said:

bcr5784 said:

Pretty sure it's only a marmite car for those who have never driven it. Sure there are those who want something more hardcore - or more softcore. Fair enough, but most detracters have never driven the car or (I suspect) owned or driven the opposition. Most A110 owners have owned/driven Porsches and Loti - and can make valid arguments BASED ON EXPERIENCE pro and con them.

Exactly, every car has it's good points and every car has things that other cars do better.

One of the joys of a fleet is feeling the comparisons and doing so over time helps develop a deeper understanding of the contrasts. I really think this applies even more to the Alpine as it straddles 2 or 3 segments. Slotting it into a multi-car garage would be enriching.

[Leon R]

James May seems to be a big fan of his:

[nickfrog]

Leon R said:

James May seems to be a big fan of his:

Thanks for sharing - really good review - I particularly like the bit when he says that 6 inches in width makes a massive difference on B-roads compared to his 458. I have found that even a 3 inch difference in width significantly improves the driving experience.

[blue al]

Good review, but who is admitting to being a pervert ?

I’m used to the bhp per ton measure
But now is it bhp per ton per inch that counts?

Edited by blue al on Monday 13th September 19:43

[exige250]

Mysstree said:

Still think i would go for a Cayman as Porsche build quality, fit and finish has been pretty good for some years now whereas this (Alpine) is still a Renault and it would make me wonder whether a few years down the line Renaults legendary flimsy build quality and dodgy electrics would surface. (Have owned a couple of Renaults as have family members and all had electrical problems and interior trim problems)..

Still think i would go for a Alpine as Renault build quality, fit and finish has been pretty good for some years now whereas this (Cayman) is still a Skoda and it would make me wonder whether a few years down the line Skodas legendary flimsy build quality and dodgy electrics would surface.

[Sporky]

As I recall, Renault were way ahead of Porsche on Reliability Index - I think it was 13th vs 27th.

I suppose it's whether you're more interested in perceived reliability or measured reliability.

[john41901]

exige250 said:

Still think i would go for a Alpine as Renault build quality, fit and finish has been pretty good for some years now whereas this (Cayman) is still a Skoda and it would make me wonder whether a few years down the line Skodas legendary flimsy build quality and dodgy electrics would surface.

Skoda lol. You knock yourself out with that “excellent” French build quality, I say that running Italian cars which look and drive great but their reputation for reliability is thoroughly deserved.

[Sporky]

Come to think of it, Skoda were even further ahead of Porsche than Renault were.

The A110s aren't knocked out of the same line as the Clios and Kadjars - there are a few factory videos showing the assembly process. It's largely a hand-built car; the Renault ownership thing is a bit of a distraction, though I appreciate that the people who keep shouting "RENAULT" every time the Alpine is mentioned are just acting daft for attention.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tamn9WdBPKM

[SidewaysSi]

john41901 said:

exige250 said:

Still think i would go for a Alpine as Renault build quality, fit and finish has been pretty good for some years now whereas this (Cayman) is still a Skoda and it would make me wonder whether a few years down the line Skodas legendary flimsy build quality and dodgy electrics would surface.

Skoda lol. You knock yourself out with that “excellent” French build quality, I say that running Italian cars which look and drive great but their reputation for reliability is thoroughly deserved.

I wouldn't touch a Cayman - my old Estelle was totally crap.

[cerb4.5lee]

SidewaysSi said:

john41901 said:

exige250 said:

Still think i would go for a Alpine as Renault build quality, fit and finish has been pretty good for some years now whereas this (Cayman) is still a Skoda and it would make me wonder whether a few years down the line Skodas legendary flimsy build quality and dodgy electrics would surface.

Skoda lol. You knock yourself out with that “excellent” French build quality, I say that running Italian cars which look and drive great but their reputation for reliability is thoroughly deserved.

I wouldn't touch a Cayman - my old Estelle was totally crap.

I quite liked my old Estelle...but it was a bloody handful in the wet though for sure! It had character I thought, but that is usually something that you say when something is crap though!

My Cerbera had character as well!