Alpine A110 owners
Discussion
Just had to do a motorway run across Europe to see a very sick friend. I had to take the Alpine (other family car was in use) and I have to admit I wasn't sure about spending 3 hours on the motorway in such a small car - but it was fantastic - stable, relaxing to drive and easy on the fuel. I have had the car coming up to a year now and it never ceases to surprise.
It is probably of no use but a few pros and cons below for anyone loitering on here and thinking about buying one - I am not a petrol head, don't do track days and wont be customizing my GT in any way but I do like nice cars - particularly ones that are fun on UK roads and where you don't have to risk your license to enjoy them... I had the original Elise but have also had plenty of horrible family cars. I have a fully loaded base model (not the s)
So short list of negatives first
- Rust - small patches of bodywork corrosion which the dealer will fix but not acceptable on a £50K car - and its not a PE
- Driving it in the wind, rain and darkness of a UK winter is not a particularly fun experience
- Infotainment system is a bad joke - but the speakers are good
- some of the switchgear is rubbish but Lotus owners will be used to that
- Stop start can be a bit alarming sometimes
Positives
- It is by a country mile the most fun car I have ever owned or driven and makes me smile every time I get in it... isn't that what spending this kind of money is about? The Elise was an awesome car but getting in and out....
- It mostly works as a daily driver except when the weather is really bad
- Driving it on B roads without driving like an idiot and putting other people at risk is still the best fun on 4 wheels you can have
- Its French - and their cars are always quirky and entertaining in a way German cars are not - not always as reliable so buy a long warranty
- Interior is super comfortable and mostly well put together but see my comment above..
- I don't know enough about car dynamics and handling but whoever set this thing up to squirt and squirm around country lanes without feeling like it is gong to kill you is a genius - and then it manages to handle 3 hours of autoroute driving without crippling you
- I am not one for showing off and that's not why I got the car - but everyone else loves it too. From thumbs from other drivers - to being let out so they can have a good look - and I have lost count of the number of strangers who just walk up and ask questions - although the lady who was stroking it the other day possibly went a bit far
Anyway - hope that helps someone - and enjoy your cars...
It is probably of no use but a few pros and cons below for anyone loitering on here and thinking about buying one - I am not a petrol head, don't do track days and wont be customizing my GT in any way but I do like nice cars - particularly ones that are fun on UK roads and where you don't have to risk your license to enjoy them... I had the original Elise but have also had plenty of horrible family cars. I have a fully loaded base model (not the s)
So short list of negatives first
- Rust - small patches of bodywork corrosion which the dealer will fix but not acceptable on a £50K car - and its not a PE
- Driving it in the wind, rain and darkness of a UK winter is not a particularly fun experience
- Infotainment system is a bad joke - but the speakers are good
- some of the switchgear is rubbish but Lotus owners will be used to that
- Stop start can be a bit alarming sometimes
Positives
- It is by a country mile the most fun car I have ever owned or driven and makes me smile every time I get in it... isn't that what spending this kind of money is about? The Elise was an awesome car but getting in and out....
- It mostly works as a daily driver except when the weather is really bad
- Driving it on B roads without driving like an idiot and putting other people at risk is still the best fun on 4 wheels you can have
- Its French - and their cars are always quirky and entertaining in a way German cars are not - not always as reliable so buy a long warranty
- Interior is super comfortable and mostly well put together but see my comment above..
- I don't know enough about car dynamics and handling but whoever set this thing up to squirt and squirm around country lanes without feeling like it is gong to kill you is a genius - and then it manages to handle 3 hours of autoroute driving without crippling you
- I am not one for showing off and that's not why I got the car - but everyone else loves it too. From thumbs from other drivers - to being let out so they can have a good look - and I have lost count of the number of strangers who just walk up and ask questions - although the lady who was stroking it the other day possibly went a bit far
Anyway - hope that helps someone - and enjoy your cars...
Good evening Alpine people. I’ve enjoyed more than one hundred track days with an increasingly modified Cayman GT4, unfortunately my chosen Porsche Specialist wrote the car off while out on test last week. Today I enjoyed an extended test drive in an Alpine. As a consequence I’ve purchased a low mileage example. I plan to get out on track in the next couple of weeks, may I ask if there is anything I need to do before trying the car on track ? Thanks, Tim.
ravon said:
Good evening Alpine people. I’ve enjoyed more than one hundred track days with an increasingly modified Cayman GT4, unfortunately my chosen Porsche Specialist wrote the car off while out on test last week. Today I enjoyed an extended test drive in an Alpine. As a consequence I’ve purchased a low mileage example. I plan to get out on track in the next couple of weeks, may I ask if there is anything I need to do before trying the car on track ? Thanks, Tim.
Make sure to have the toeing eye fitted.To not apply the handbrake after a hard session, hold down the handbrake button while switching the engine off.
That's about it
OscarP said:
Just had to do a motorway run across Europe…
I agree with a lot of your points, but…- I found at 6'4" / 194cm tall the cabin is one of the most comfortable places I've ever driven in. It's better than my old Vantage by far, definitely as good as my old 981 Boxster. I think the cabin space makes up for the tiny storage compartments front and rear.
- The infotainment is terrible. But I just bluetooth my phone to it, and have the phone on a magnetic charging mount. That's fine. Leave the main screen for the telematics.
- Stop start is the first thing I switch off immediately on starting the car (since the alternator issue I'm paranoid about it)
Sad times!
After 18 months of ownership I have decided that the Alpine must go. Been a great car and a great growing community on hear. Sorry for not being much of a contributor.
Now the interesting bit, selling without a clue on actual values. Be interested to hear from anyone who has sold recently.
I wish you all well and hope the next owner of my car enjoys it as much as I did.
After 18 months of ownership I have decided that the Alpine must go. Been a great car and a great growing community on hear. Sorry for not being much of a contributor.
Now the interesting bit, selling without a clue on actual values. Be interested to hear from anyone who has sold recently.
I wish you all well and hope the next owner of my car enjoys it as much as I did.
Meonstoke said:
Thanks Chaps 
Good to know l am in good company ref: sounds, and thanks for the explanation, appreciated. A quick check on the internet led me to assume it was connected to the turbo and the release valve, but l thought it best to check with other owners. Its now confirmed as normal. This is my first benzine turbo, and had never experienced the same sound with my olds TDI’s.
p.s. l found a great luggage solution for the frunk which l’ll add to the Interior Luggage solutions thread.
As promised I just added more luggage options to the Interior Storage & Luggage solutions thread... attached is a photo of the end result - the Cabin Max Oxford. Really happy and impressed with these. Worked a treat. Together with some innovative packing to maximise the rear boot, and using the GT 20 luggage bag (not the smaller side bags). we found we could travel for 3 weeks touring and 3.5K Km no problem at all. Good to know l am in good company ref: sounds, and thanks for the explanation, appreciated. A quick check on the internet led me to assume it was connected to the turbo and the release valve, but l thought it best to check with other owners. Its now confirmed as normal. This is my first benzine turbo, and had never experienced the same sound with my olds TDI’s.
p.s. l found a great luggage solution for the frunk which l’ll add to the Interior Luggage solutions thread.
Edited by Meonstoke on Friday 22 April 09:27
Plenty of shoes, inc waking boots, shirts, 2 coats each, jumpers, dresses, spare clothes, etc, etc, small bagpack in the passenger footwell for carrying day to day stuff. No problem.
For those worried that the A110 can't be used for long touring trips in comfort, I can assure you it can! And the silver lining was we realised that afterall we really didn't need all the other stuff normally thrown into a car for a road trip - i.e. "just in case" or not sure to take or not, etc...
Really great to travel relatively light!
I will post my thoughts on the overall 3 week touring experience shortly. But suffice to say, the GT is indeed just that, a GT machine with sporting pretensions and great to drive in the mountains. A real joy to be honest and very comfortable. The GT seats are great, no issues at all ("I'm 1.83 and 90 kg, and MBH is 1.67 and 58Kg.) No issues for either of us.
More to follow.
M.
Frada01 said:
Sad times!
After 18 months of ownership I have decided that the Alpine must go. Been a great car and a great growing community on hear. Sorry for not being much of a contributor.
Now the interesting bit, selling without a clue on actual values. Be interested to hear from anyone who has sold recently.
I wish you all well and hope the next owner of my car enjoys it as much as I did.
If you find any decent info on this, please let me know, I've decided I'm also going to sell mine.After 18 months of ownership I have decided that the Alpine must go. Been a great car and a great growing community on hear. Sorry for not being much of a contributor.
Now the interesting bit, selling without a clue on actual values. Be interested to hear from anyone who has sold recently.
I wish you all well and hope the next owner of my car enjoys it as much as I did.
xondat said:
Frada01 said:
Sad times!
After 18 months of ownership I have decided that the Alpine must go. Been a great car and a great growing community on hear. Sorry for not being much of a contributor.
Now the interesting bit, selling without a clue on actual values. Be interested to hear from anyone who has sold recently.
I wish you all well and hope the next owner of my car enjoys it as much as I did.
If you find any decent info on this, please let me know, I've decided I'm also going to sell mine.After 18 months of ownership I have decided that the Alpine must go. Been a great car and a great growing community on hear. Sorry for not being much of a contributor.
Now the interesting bit, selling without a clue on actual values. Be interested to hear from anyone who has sold recently.
I wish you all well and hope the next owner of my car enjoys it as much as I did.
worldwidewebs said:
What's the reason for selling, if you don't mind me asking?
Should've got a Pure basically. S is too harsh for UK roads, and I'd argue too much power too. I could swap the springs/ARBs, but the interior quality/infotainment bothers me too much.
I'm not going to replace it with another car, at least not in the UK. So it's mostly the car, but UK roads (quality/weather/cameras) do bother me enough to mention.
xondat said:
If you find any decent info on this, please let me know, I've decided I'm also going to sell mine.
Alpine Winchester gave me a good value for the car. Speak to James, very nice man and won't mess you around. I think I could have made £45000 if I went the Private route but not for me....I see it's up on thier website already.
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