Can you 'daily drive' an Alpine A110?

[16610LV]

Assume 10k miles per year and I'm not concerned about the lack of luggage space or cupholder.

It would be used 2 times a week for a 70 mile return commute and weekend duties as well. Plus road trips. Reliable for this use-case?

I have an Audi Q5 for practical stuff.

I currently have a Porsche 911 (997.2 C4S PDK) - it's a great car, just not quite 'special' enough and doesn't have the 'go-kart' feel I'm looking for. I'd miss the Flat 6 howl though.

[s111dpc]

Mine is my daily driver, currently on about 9k per year. Use mine most days for both short trips into town etc and longer runs of 90+ miles. Absolutely no issues (this is my second A110:since 2020). Only thing I’ve had to change was rear tyres after about 10k miles. Its great for road trips too, done a few ‘weeks away’ with the wife and storage isn’t a problem if you pack smartly

[AMRicardo]

Of course you can.

Ours is a daily driver. So long as you are fine with two seats and the boot(s) then it’s actually a very sensible daily.

Compact footprint means it’s easy to park and zip through city traffic. Compliant suspension and quiet enough on the motorway (Life110 geo makes it less darty at speed). 35mpg without trying, pretty low running costs (wear on consumables and servicing).

And when you get to a good bit of road, it’s magic.

[bigglesA110]

I find these questions just odd. Can you daily drive an A110? Of course you can, its not some fragile italian exotica, and even then, other than the cost of doing so, I bet an italian exotic would be totally fine with it and probably be in better fettle long term being used than being some barely used garage queen.

The only really question is whether you want to risk your A110 being more exposed to everyday hazards like stone chips, door dings and scuffed wheels and general wear and tear. If you're fine with this, I'd have no concerns about whether it's basically reliable. I'm not aware of any fundamental weak points as much of the drivetrain is well proven.

I wouldn't even be that concerned about depreciation as a result of higher mileage as you might with lots of high end sports cars. These aren't that expensive to start with and the residuals are solid. And running costs per mile are much less than plenty of the A110's alternatives.

So yes, if you have one, get out there and enjoy it every day. 10k per year isn't that much really.
I don't daily mine as I work from home most of the time and have an i3s and an EV is just better for local running around. But very definitely it gets well used for long road trips into Europe (from Scotland). I'm just planning summer 2026 when we'll be down over the Alps and to Modena before coming back via France. Three weeks and I have no thought about reliability or mileage bugging me.

Edited by bigglesA110 on Wednesday 31st December 10:30

Edited by bigglesA110 on Wednesday 31st December 10:34

[jamesjc_uk]

Back in the day I daily drove my S1 Elise for 5 years , including commuting in the snow - now that was a bit more challenging. Now I'm the wrong side of 50 I don't think I could do that again but the A110 has all you need and more to be a daily driver as well as reasonable running costs.

We have a family EV in the fleet that does all the heavy lifting but still get out in the A110 a few times a week and in nearly all weathers - does it good to get used.

The only negative I can think of is that by dailying a decent 'toy' is feels less special / less of an event to drive.

[Sporky]

16610LV said:

Assume 10k miles per year and I'm not concerned about the lack of luggage space or cupholder.

Yes.

[Bushi]

Yes, easily and with pleasure.

I do so and only use the "family" wagon when more seats..trip to the dump... is required. Mines and S so should be even more comfortable in anything else bar the R.

Great around London, easy to park, people tend to like it and that helps at junctions etc...

However I have the PS4 tyres and now its getting cold again I think a winter set of wheels tyres would be a big improvement.

[16610LV]

Thanks for all the replies and input, Guys.

All very reassuring. Think I'll pull the trigger in early Spring.

[croyde]

Mine was my only car for a year, did about 9000 miles of commuting in London, going to the shops plus just heading out for a drive.

I did a 3500 mile trip in it to Tenerife and back. It was comfy during the long days of driving. I averaged 35mpg on that trip and I wasn't hanging about

I sold it to buy something practical and I feel like a bit of me has died inside. Now I only drive if need be.

Sorely tempted to buy another A110.

[7en]

I'm curious, for those that daily an A110, do you get used to it or does it continually surprise you?

croyde said:

Mine was my only car for a year, did about 9000 miles of commuting in London, going to the shops plus just heading out for a drive.

I did a 3500 mile trip in it to Tenerife and back. It was comfy during the long days of driving. I averaged 35mpg on that trip and I wasn't hanging about

I sold it to buy something practical and I feel like a bit of me has died inside. Now I only drive if need be.

Sorely tempted to buy another A110.

What did you buy for your practical car?

[HTP99]

7en said:

I'm curious, for those that daily an A110, do you get used to it or does it continually surprise you?

croyde said:

Mine was my only car for a year, did about 9000 miles of commuting in London, going to the shops plus just heading out for a drive.

I did a 3500 mile trip in it to Tenerife and back. It was comfy during the long days of driving. I averaged 35mpg on that trip and I wasn't hanging about

I sold it to buy something practical and I feel like a bit of me has died inside. Now I only drive if need be.

Sorely tempted to buy another A110.

What did you buy for your practical car?

Had an enquiry come through yesterday; trade in value of their recently purchased Dacia Bigster, transpires they had recently traded in their A110 for something more practical, they missed the 110!

[PRO5T]

Gordon Murray famously daily's his, talks about it in the Chris Harris Xmas Podcast.