Contemplating.......
Discussion
Recently looking on this PH thread as I'm seriously looking at an Alpine and selling my S2 Exige.
Need to find one localish to test drive which will be the deciding factor. Any owners around Nottinghamshire?
Some questions I hope you can answer.
Are they main dealer or Renault dealer for service, as I've seen some very expensive service and repair costs on line?
Apart from fuel pump recall and blistering paint issues are there any other £££££ problems?
I would miss the Lotus community. Always a Lotus meet, show, drive out, club meet available. 100's Lotus at Silverstone Festival last month. Can't find anything Alpine along the same lines or active dedicated forum.
Some great colours available but unfortunately the only ones available second hand are blue, white or black.... where are all the green, orange and different colours!!?? I presume rare?
Need to find one localish to test drive which will be the deciding factor. Any owners around Nottinghamshire?
Some questions I hope you can answer.
Are they main dealer or Renault dealer for service, as I've seen some very expensive service and repair costs on line?
Apart from fuel pump recall and blistering paint issues are there any other £££££ problems?
I would miss the Lotus community. Always a Lotus meet, show, drive out, club meet available. 100's Lotus at Silverstone Festival last month. Can't find anything Alpine along the same lines or active dedicated forum.
Some great colours available but unfortunately the only ones available second hand are blue, white or black.... where are all the green, orange and different colours!!?? I presume rare?
Edited by MajorStare on Saturday 13th September 21:41
Lots of thread both here and in the main FB group about independent post-warranty service but in terms of socials (& independent servicing) there are simply many many fewer Alpine (1500) than Lotus (15000) - as for colours there seem to be quite a few grey around too and there are several different blues for example - also several of the more exotic colours were limited numbers
Servicing is alpine dealers, but safe to assume it’s in the same workshop as Renault. Pricing is a bit racier than a mass brand, but not horrendous. I don’t think it’s vastly different to my old lotus Elise S3 Cup that went to B&C. More independents are springing up, often the same folk who specialise in Renault sport models which makes sense.
The rarer colours do come up, but are few in number so you don’t see them as often. I bought Sierra Blue when one came up.
Lotus to Alpine is quite a logical step. My Alpine has many of the traits of a lotus in terms of nimbleness, flowing over the road, good power/weight without being over powered. It’s a bit like a grown-up lotus that’s easier to live with, albeit a little less visceral.
The rarer colours do come up, but are few in number so you don’t see them as often. I bought Sierra Blue when one came up.
Lotus to Alpine is quite a logical step. My Alpine has many of the traits of a lotus in terms of nimbleness, flowing over the road, good power/weight without being over powered. It’s a bit like a grown-up lotus that’s easier to live with, albeit a little less visceral.
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