A110 test drive booked...
A110 test drive booked...
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Discussion

Michael_B

Original Poster:

1,250 posts

118 months

Friday 3rd October
quotequote all
... at the local Alpine dealer here in Geneva.

I think that I would be perfectly happy with the 250hp version and don't want a rigid ride that will cause my fillings to fall out; my ideal new vehicle spec/budget would be a base model A110 in Thunder grey, yellow brake calipers, 18" black wheels, comfort/storage/parking pack. However, the only demo vehicle available (not unusually apparently) is a A110S; so the idea is to find out exactly quite how firm the S suspension is in the real life usage.

Their demo car has the 300hp engine, standard bucket seats, microfibre interior, GT race wheels, orange brake calipers, parking sensors/camera, Focal premium audio, storage pack, sports exhaust, in Thunder grey with a gloss CF roof. First registered January 2024 and has 2'800 km on the clock. Price when new was 25% more than a base model A110 to my spec, and it is now priced at about 5% more. It is of course available almost immediately instead of the 3-4 months it would take to order a new one from the factory, which it not a problem as the weather is about to go bad. Although that carbon roof does look quite spectacular wink

I do sometimes miss the NA 6-cylinder Cayman S that I had from 2015-2019, and this could be a chance to drive something similarish again, although with a cleaner (and *much* less VED and maintainance expensive) smaller turbocharged engine.

We'll see what next week brings !

PHusername

85 posts

14 months

Friday 3rd October
quotequote all
Good luck & I'm interested to hear what you decided.

johnnyreggae

3,102 posts

178 months

Friday 3rd October
quotequote all
I don't know if the storage pack option has changed but it was a rather silly receptacle a couple of years ago - not worth the money at all

Enjoy the drive - do they (or another local dealer eg Lausanne) not have a used base model for you to compare ?

Edited by johnnyreggae on Friday 3rd October 13:26

Michael_B

Original Poster:

1,250 posts

118 months

Friday 3rd October
quotequote all
johnnyreggae said:
I don't know if the storage pack option has changed but it was a rather silly receptacle a couple of years ago - not worth the money at all
It's not the most impressive storage solution, I'll grant you. But in the absence of a real glove compartment or centre console, probably not such a bad option for the cost.

johnnyreggae said:
Enjoy the drive - do they (or another local dealer eg Lausanne) not have a used base model for you to compare ?
Thanks. I did call and Lausanne has only a GTS demo and no used base model available for test drives.



SeS

8 posts

1 month

Saturday 4th October
quotequote all
Michael_B said:
... at the local Alpine dealer here in Geneva.
...
However, the only demo vehicle available (not unusually apparently) is a A110S; so the idea is to find out exactly quite how firm the S suspension is in the real life usage.
...
Same issue, one dealer told that they are not allowed to have the standard version as a demo car, only S and GTS are allowed

bcr5784

7,308 posts

163 months

Saturday 4th October
quotequote all
Michael_B said:
johnnyreggae said:
I don't know if the storage pack option has changed but it was a rather silly receptacle a couple of years ago - not worth the money at all
It's not the most impressive storage solution, I'll grant you. But in the absence of a real glove compartment or centre console, probably not such a bad option for the cost.
The "door bin" which are now on the options list are a far more sensible solution. I say bins but I believe they will only supply one for the passenger side on the grounds that if it slides forward it could cuaes an accident. That's rubbish I have one on the driver's side and there is not the slightest chance of it moving forward. You can buy another from the dealer. Unfortunately the "comfort" seats are too wide to fit them - so you have to have bucket seats if you want them.

The trouble with the storage pack (apart from the outrageous price) is that it hampers access to the space behind the seats. Unless you are tall there is a surprising amount of space there.



Michael_B

Original Poster:

1,250 posts

118 months

Saturday 4th October
quotequote all
bcr5784 said:
The "door bin" which are now on the options list are a far more sensible solution. I say bins but I believe they will only supply one for the passenger side on the grounds that if it slides forward it could causes an accident. That's rubbish I have one on the driver's side and there is not the slightest chance of it moving forward. You can buy another from the dealer. Unfortunately the "comfort" seats are too wide to fit them - so you have to have bucket seats if you want them.

The trouble with the storage pack (apart from the outrageous price) is that it hampers access to the space behind the seats. Unless you are tall there is a surprising amount of space there.
Thanks for the tip, I'll keep it in mind when I am next in the showroom.

Further discussions with Mrs B this morning resulted in her stating a preference for bucket seats (for "when you're being a nutter on twisty roads") and a not too hard suspension. I had first thought that it would be a solo toy for me, but it appears that she thinks we will be reviving our weekends away in Germany, France and Italy that we used to do in the Cayman in the mid 2010s. I haven't quite got round to mentioning the somewhat more limited luggage space in an A110 wink

The demo S version at the Geneva dealer (although in one of my preferred colours) is priced according to its as new price which has nearly CHF10k of extras (carbon roof, microfibre pack, orange seat belts, transparent rear light cluster, sports exhaust, wing mirror pack, etc.) which I would not pick myself. It is also almost two years old, has had all kinds of folk driving it, and is still considerably pricier than a new well-ish-specced base model. I am patient and can happily wait the 3-4 (cold winter) months for a new one. I'll test drive the S version next week, to get a general idea of the seats and overall feeling, but will most likely end making a factory order for a 250hp version.



S600BSB

6,823 posts

124 months

Saturday 4th October
quotequote all
Still think the GT is the best choice.

Michael_B

Original Poster:

1,250 posts

118 months

Saturday 4th October
quotequote all
S600BSB said:
Still think the GT is the best choice.
https://www.autoscout24.ch/fr/d/alpine-a110-gt-113...

.. is a possible for me. Thunder Grey paint, black/grey interior (not keen on the tan versions of these), but quite fruity on the price as it is a brand new vehicle. One might ask why it is still there at 50km on the clock when the model was discontinued a while ago. The other issue is that it is a 4 hour drive away up in German-speaking Switzerland, so quite a project in trouble/time terms to negotiate and finalise a deal.

Not impossible as I have purchased numerous used motorbikes and cars from that region over the past 25 years, mostly because the prices are more competitve and our friends in Suisse alémanique tend to look after their vehicles much better than my French- or Italian-speaking compatriots wink

It's just not as easy as ordering a new base model (with 50hp fewer, but so what), to my precise spec from the Geneva dealer for nearly CHF10k less.

S600BSB

6,823 posts

124 months

Saturday 4th October
quotequote all
Michael_B said:
S600BSB said:
Still think the GT is the best choice.
https://www.autoscout24.ch/fr/d/alpine-a110-gt-113...

.. is a possible for me. Thunder Grey paint, black/grey interior (not keen on the tan versions of these), but quite fruity on the price as it is a brand new vehicle. One might ask why it is still there at 50km on the clock when the model was discontinued a while ago. The other issue is that it is a 4 hour drive away up in German-speaking Switzerland, so quite a project in trouble/time terms to negotiate and finalise a deal.

Not impossible as I have purchased numerous used motorbikes and cars from that region over the past 25 years, mostly because the prices are more competitve and our friends in Suisse alémanique tend to look after their vehicles much better than my French- or Italian-speaking compatriots wink

It's just not as easy as ordering a new base model (with 50hp fewer, but so what), to my precise spec from the Geneva dealer for nearly CHF10k less.
That’s your one!

Safak

52 posts

7 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
Michael_B said:
https://www.autoscout24.ch/fr/d/alpine-a110-gt-113...

.. is a possible for me. Thunder Grey paint, black/grey interior (not keen on the tan versions of these), but quite fruity on the price as it is a brand new vehicle. One might ask why it is still there at 50km on the clock when the model was discontinued a while ago. The other issue is that it is a 4 hour drive away up in German-speaking Switzerland, so quite a project in trouble/time terms to negotiate and finalise a deal.

Not impossible as I have purchased numerous used motorbikes and cars from that region over the past 25 years, mostly because the prices are more competitve and our friends in Suisse alémanique tend to look after their vehicles much better than my French- or Italian-speaking compatriots wink

It's just not as easy as ordering a new base model (with 50hp fewer, but so what), to my precise spec from the Geneva dealer for nearly CHF10k less.
I'm so hyped by GTS (my unstoppable desire for factory modifications like the aero kit and Akrapovic exhaust). I'm trying to arrange a test with an S if not GTS. Hopefully after that I will make a decision about the stiffness of course by also considering the budget.

My GT is with 2900km on the clock. Running in (in 2 phases, now still avoiding "sporty" drive) is almost completed with utmost care. It'll be 3200km next week when I'm taking it for the 1st annual service.

If I commit to buy a GTS my car will be for sale. It has all the specs or more that you see on the link you shared. The color is Alpine Blue. The price would be definitely lower. If you'd wait for 3-4 more months, let's see if our starts are aligning biggrin

Michael_B

Original Poster:

1,250 posts

118 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
Safak said:
I'm so hyped by GTS (my unstoppable desire for factory modifications like the aero kit and Akrapovic exhaust). I'm trying to arrange a test with an S if not GTS. Hopefully after that I will make a decision about the stiffness of course by also considering the budget.

My GT is with 2900km on the clock. Running in (in 2 phases, now still avoiding "sporty" drive) is almost completed with utmost care. It'll be 3200km next week when I'm taking it for the 1st annual service.

If I commit to buy a GTS my car will be for sale. It has all the specs or more that you see on the link you shared. The color is Alpine Blue. The price would be definitely lower. If you'd wait for 3-4 more months, let's see if our starts are aligning biggrin
Hi Safak,

I hope your test drive and decision goes well. I appreciate the thoughts, and indeed I am in no particular hurry, but I will definitely be buying an Alpine distributor-imported Swiss vehicle and not getting involved in the VAT/homologation aggro of importing one myself from elsewhere wink

Safak

52 posts

7 months

Monday 6th October
quotequote all
Michael_B said:
Hi Safak,

I hope your test drive and decision goes well. I appreciate the thoughts, and indeed I am in no particular hurry, but I will definitely be buying an Alpine distributor-imported Swiss vehicle and not getting involved in the VAT/homologation aggro of importing one myself from elsewhere wink
No matter from where and which model you'll get I'm sure you'll like it and enjoy the Alps.

MaFue

18 posts

80 months

Monday 6th October
quotequote all
Michael_B said:
Further discussions with Mrs B this morning resulted in her stating a preference for bucket seats (for "when you're being a nutter on twisty roads") and a not too hard suspension. I had first thought that it would be a solo toy for me, but it appears that she thinks we will be reviving our weekends away in Germany, France and Italy that we used to do in the Cayman in the mid 2010s. I haven't quite got round to mentioning the somewhat more limited luggage space in an A110 wink
This is the elephant in the room, avoid it at your peril!

Once the wife is involved in decision making and weekends away become more of a priority than your driving fun, storage space will be more than a minor issue and you're going to end up with another Porsche.. which would be a shame.

LE62NDE

441 posts

38 months

Monday 6th October
quotequote all
MaFue said:
This is the elephant in the room, avoid it at your peril!

Once the wife is involved in decision making and weekends away become more of a priority than your driving fun, storage space will be more than a minor issue and you're going to end up with another Porsche.. which would be a shame.
This gives me one more reason to cherish Mrs L: she has embraced the lightweight ethos and is happy to live out of one cabin case and a small holdall for a fortnight or so. We have done two longish trips (ship to Bilbao, drive back to the UK; and drive to/from Lake Garda, plus add-ons) and she happily books accommodation with a washing machine halfway. She has started thinking about the Picos next year...

Own an Alpine and book an Air b'n'b with a washing machine; or own a Porsche? I know which I prefer! hehe

bcr5784

7,308 posts

163 months

Monday 6th October
quotequote all
MaFue said:
This is the elephant in the room, avoid it at your peril!

Once the wife is involved in decision making and weekends away become more of a priority than your driving fun, storage space will be more than a minor issue and you're going to end up with another Porsche.. which would be a shame.
Not all women travel with the kitchen sink and full designer wardrobe. I (and others) have travelled abroad for 2 or 3 weeks or more in our a110s with our other halves. I previously had a Cayman and never (apart from now defunct booze cruises) used all of the space available.

Michael_B

Original Poster:

1,250 posts

118 months

Monday 6th October
quotequote all
Mrs B is also used to 7-10 day trips away on the motorbike over the past twenty years, with just one KTM or Triumph side case for all her gubbins, so I’ll just tell her to imagine the A110 is a four-wheeled motorcycle wink

Just received a stonking quote on the brand new well-specced grey GT from the Alpine dealer up past Zürich, basically making it the same price as a new base model with 2k of options from the local dealer.

I will still do the test drive in the local S demo model on Wednesday, but that GT is looking like a strong possibility, especially as the seats are black leather and not the usual tan, which I would probably find hard to live with.

Michael_B

Original Poster:

1,250 posts

118 months

Wednesday 8th October
quotequote all
Well, that was excellent fun. I/we found the S suspension to be perfectly acceptable even on the bumpiest country roads around here. Mrs B and I also decided that the bucket seats would also be fine for us as well, so not a deal-breaker to have the comfort seats.

So the "new" GT up near Zürich doesn't look so wildly attractive any more, as an S with the right spec/colour would be fine, or perhaps take the comfort seats anyway and find an equivalent GTS. Especially since the German-speaking dealer blatantly lied on the offer, saying twice in writing that it is a model year 2025, when the Geneva dealer easily found it on the Alpine Switzerland system showing it was imported in 2023.

Or perhaps I'll just order a new base model with buckets with the colour/options I really want. Decisions, decisions...

bigglesA110

2,142 posts

168 months

Wednesday 8th October
quotequote all
Michael_B said:
Or perhaps I'll just order a new base model with buckets with the colour/options I really want. Decisions, decisions...
Thats what I did. While the GTS is lovely, is it (in the UK) £15k more lovely? Unless you track it, I'm not sure the extra power adds much on the road. The standard suspension is wonderfully supple on the road but can always be firmed up with very high quality aftermarket options.
If you really want an option colour, most are available on the pure.

The great thing about the A110 is that the base model is in no way a poor cousin to the higher level models. It's the same car bar a few minor things in my view. I'm extremely satisfied with my Pure in a way I'm not sure I would be in a 2.0 or 2.5 Cayman looking enviously at the 6 cylinder models.

Safak

52 posts

7 months

Wednesday 8th October
quotequote all
Michael_B said:
Well, that was excellent fun. I/we found the S suspension to be perfectly acceptable even on the bumpiest country roads around here. Mrs B and I also decided that the bucket seats would also be fine for us as well, so not a deal-breaker to have the comfort seats.

So the "new" GT up near Zürich doesn't look so wildly attractive any more, as an S with the right spec/colour would be fine, or perhaps take the comfort seats anyway and find an equivalent GTS. Especially since the German-speaking dealer blatantly lied on the offer, saying twice in writing that it is a model year 2025, when the Geneva dealer easily found it on the Alpine Switzerland system showing it was imported in 2023.

Or perhaps I'll just order a new base model with buckets with the colour/options I really want. Decisions, decisions...
If you happen to buy a car manufactured in '24 or earlier demand an oil change before delivery. Also ensure that the battery is in good condition.