Why I Bought an Alpine A110 as my daily!
Dan Prosser has been a fan of the Alpine A110 since he first set eyes on it. He liked it so much, in fact, that he decided to buy one. So, six months, down the line, how's he getting on with it?
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Written review: www.cargurus.co.uk/research/A...
Pros
Tremendous balance of ride and handling
Surprising fuel efficiency for such a quick car
The A110S is a great track day car
Cons
Sparse dealer network
Most rivals are more practical
Plasticky interior
The CarGurus verdict
Many would-be buyers will wonder why they’d ever want something called an Alpine when they could have a Porsche for similar money. Others will think the A110’s interior too plasticky to justify the asking price, while a fair number will think its sub-300bhp power outputs are rather meagre. Those complaints and others besides (notably a sparse dealer network) explain why the A110 hasn’t sold in strong numbers in the UK.
For a certain type of buyer, though, nothing will come close. There is a purity about the A110’s engineering: aluminium construction is expensive and double wishbone suspension tricky to package, but both of those things make the car better to drive. Alpine was uncompromising in its pursuit of ride and handling brilliance, and that shows on the road. The A110 won’t be for everyone, but for a small number of people - people who care about driving above all else - it’ll be everything.
#cargurusuk #alpinea110 #alpinea110s
Can we agree that the A110 is the best sports car of the decade?
Fuck no,megane 265 trophy R is by far the best hot hatch in last 20 years,just ask Chris Harris and pretty much any auto journalist in Europe.
DADO mate, he said sports car not a hot hatch. 2 different cars
@@dado380 a hot hatch is very different from a sports car.
Agreed
As an owner, I too love my A110. One of the things I really love about the look is that unlike most sports cars, it looks delicate, light, elegant. In other words, it looks like it is, a Colin Chapman inspired “less is more” sports cars. And i have one of the Alpine Blue ones...I’m not a blue car guy, but in the flesh it is stunning!
I'd agree w/the Lotus comparison and the A110s fine delicate appearance. Enjoy!
Did you get the blue that they used in the premier edition or is it the darker Abyss Blue?
Mathurin Kerbouchard Mine is a Premiere Edition in Alpine Blue, not Abyss Blue, although it looks great too.
@@simonng2077 You have an awesome car, that's for sure!! Maybe someday I will have one too.
Mathurin Kerbouchard Hopefully :-)
+1 .. The color Thunder Grey metallic choice is "spot on". .. Best of luck with your new wheels. .. Cheers, Vail, Colorado
Thanks for putting this together, nice to hear your experiences
Great choice, sir. I hear, understand (and largely agree with) all of your points. Happy driving! 🚘👍🏻😎
I am very happy with mine. One thing I noticed is kids just point and stare. They seem to recognize the “matchbox car come to life“ look of it. It isn't aggressive it just looks friendly. Perhaps the size, or the front lights, or that the driver is on their level, or the color (blue) or all of the above? It is also frugal on fuel and had two personalities without needing mode buttons. Drive like grandma and it is quiet and comfy. Drive hard and it makes satisfying noises and feels equally happy.
I'm with you! Huge enthusiast of Alpine ... since I bought the A110S. Would there be no S version for sure I would buy the A110. Both are outstanding cars and driving experience is unbelieveable! Smiling every day!!!
One of the smartest most forward thinking, important sports cars today, and from what I can see the joy to drive, albeit I'll never get to try one as I am in North America. I saw in another review when an older British gentleman said you don't get into an Alpine you put one on.
Ordered mine in January. I’m waiting very impatiently... 🥺
Ian Robertson congrats my friend
@@daniel_lisbona It's here. It's love.
Glamorous is a relative experience- being able to own an Alpine I’d say would be sublime - enjoy 😉
Great looking car especially the rear and good choice 👍
Very nice and I like your reasoning for why you bought it. It's an individualists choice and you can see you're a happy man.
Great vid, Dan.
Really interesting, cheers Dan. Have you got any road trips planned for the future? Also how did the parking sensor pop inwards?
The Alpine A110 is such an attractive piece of engineering as well stated, it's th design to have fun driving it and it's brings a big smile :) I had the pleasure to drive this super car here in Australia and it was like, fall in love at first site. The drive was an absolute wonderful experience and if I had the money, I would by once at an instant, Very good review and not biased ...
I’ve had mine since September 2018. What you say about not looking at the ads for something else rings true. Nothing else I would want. Delight to own. My only bugbear would be the palaver to check the oil.
Philip Rodney what do u have to do? On Renaults you press the settings button before you hit the start button.
Don't you have to just look to the display? You don't have to check the oil every month then I would say
Very interesting video. And I see the appeal of the Apine. Is that Exmoor shots? I think I recognise that road 😉
I actually like to have the Alpine A110 as a daily driver's car, since the video explains. Another reason was because that I wasn't really wanted to choose obvious choices.
The USA needs this car.
Just picked up a remaining brand new premier edition yesterday, number 01/60 here in Melbourne which was being held by the dealership. Your videos and few others led to the purchase, as someone else has stated always reassuring when a reviewer buys one with their own money.
Dominic Savill Can’t be many of us in Melbourne. I have no. 36. Are you doing the Adelaide Rally?
All good points!
Lovely Jubbly, think the colour suits it the best.
Informative review. Would you prefer a manual? Surely that would make it better to drive just like with the M3 CSL.
Would be good to hear how and what you specced your car. How much was the paint protection from Litchfield?
Just wondered if you still gad it? Any chance if an update video? Any problems? Service cost? Have you needed pads and discs yet? Etc
The Alpine sounds like the perfect sports car. I wonder how you will feel about it at the end of the summer? I am hoping you will have had at least one or two good summer drives with it! Thanks for sharing the car with us!
Wait! What kind of Porsche 718 is also best deal in winter? Or the other possiblities? I tell you, if you want a car like this ... it's pure fun! Also and for sure in winter ... it's an ALPINE ... (nomen est omen!)
If I were 30/35 years younger, this would definitely be high on my list. But now, getting in and out of the damned thing would rather spoil the ownership experience for me. I've only seen one, a blue one in a supermarket car park (what's that all about), so yes, they're pretty rare.....which is nice when you own something a bit special. Good review, just a shame it wasn't a driving one. But you can get out and about driving a bit more now apparently.....so maybe a follow up? Unless you're in Wales or Scotland!
Go to the Alpine dealer and try it out . You will be amazed how easy it is to get in and out and how comfortable it is ! The bucket seats are just amazing ! BTW I am 56 years old, weigh close to 100 kgs and measure 1.90 m and I use the A 110 as My daily driver .
@@blackbess338 Yup - getting in and out is a doddle. It's nothing like an Elise or Exige in that respect.
I see your point, do I ever!
Alpine A110 just feels like my Alfa Romeo 4C really, i liked how much it’s not a Cayman.. its special 🇮🇹
The alfa 4C is known to be a VERY understeery car, and very hard to live with every day. The A110 you can use it as a daily driver. Time to switch dude.
The Alfa is not a Daily Driver car.. Its Drive it like you Stole it weekend Car :)
Totally agree that this is so much for fun to drive than super-cars. And such a looker. But Dan - That 'colour' !! What were you thinking?
I’m not in the market at the moment but I love that A110. However, if I was spending that, it would be on a Cayman. I’d just have to. Probably an old one with a straight 6 and keep the extra cash. But love seeing the A110 out and about. Nice colour choice.
Did you test drive the S variant before purchasing? I hope it holds its value as good as Porsche's do. I've been toying with the idea of getting one, I bought a megane rs based on your review a few years back, did you ever own an rs?
Looks a bit like the cool looking, 1990s Mazda RX-7, from the rear. That's a _good_ thing!
I don't think you're missing much without the sports exhaust. I spec'd it on mine, but with the WLTP particulate filter, it's pretty disappointing and still pretty muted, even after 4000 miles. It's the one thing I regret bothering with.
Everyone who has purchased this car has been really happy with it from what I know. I can't afford it sadly, I am yet a poor student, further it's not offered my country yet (should be soon). But since Renault makes good and fun starter cars, imma look at sthg. like Twingo RS... And maybe one day, I might be able to buy this beauty.
Ceramic coating?
I wonder if they would service an alpine a110 in renault service shops?
Nice video Dan, glad I can see you still enjoy your A110 as much as I love mine! On the positive side I would have had, the seats are great quality, they hold you well in corners and I would insist on the lightness. It starts off so vividly, so agile into corner. On the negative side, the multimedia system, let’s say it, it is utterly rubbish! But who cares on that! I love this car, really !
Everyone insults the media system but I don't think it's too bad! 😂 A bit of a run around is needed sometimes but besides that, it's smooth and looks quite cool!
How is the stereo?
Had the privilige to test drive one. Really loved it, Sadly it was not in my budget. I would have bought one without any thought, when it was in my budget. Maybe in the future if it depreciates. For now i enjoy my MX-5 ND :)
I literally only just upgraded from a 1.5 ND to an alpine A110 premier edition with 2k miles and man... Its bloody spectacular. I wish you all the best and I hope that you'll be as luck as me and able to get one!
A5hTriX i hope, one day. But first priority is to buy a house or appartement. Which is really difficult as a single in the Netherlands. Prices of houses are very high and there is a big shortage.. Even with a good job it is nearly impossible
Lovely car and different so many Porsches around and too many extras. Only other car around at this price is the Mustang 5.3 V8 totally different but good value. Would take the Alpine in racing blue or white.
with the environment issues and the pandemic that will force car companies and airlines to change the way they operate and build. This lightweight car is actually the future, along with mother brand Renault, other brands will be looking to these cars for future designs.
Great honest review. Love the car... btw be grateful that you can look out of the window at it, my new car is 100 miles away; and we're still in lockdown in Wales,🙄
lovely car, sounds a great choice. Personally saving money on a decent sports exhaust is silly, as the sound is half the pleasure of driving any sports car. Also it seems rather under powered, the torque figure is unimpressive, even though the car is light. I would have thought your consideration of an Audi R8 would have been the more exciting option. My daily drive is a 996 turbo with a remap and bigger turbos, it produces 560 BHP and 600ftlb of torque, and in manual of course. The prices of the Maclaren C12 have plummeted and for another £26K you could have bought one of those! One on autotrader as we speak for £77K and 37,000 miles. AN INCREDIBLE BARGAIN (but potential headache!) Nice review. THANK YOU.
It's about 500kg lighter than an R8, so it doesn't need anything like the power. It'll still do 0-62 in 4.5 seconds if you're really concerned about the Tops Trumps aspects. As for a used C12, there are a lot of reasons why they've depreciated so heavily. Running costs will be crippling.
Apologies for the naff question but assuming it does not have Apple CarPlay does the bluetooth infotainment LIST songs/podcasts etc that you can then SELECT from like all VAG cars. Thanks
Mini Eggs Yes, it does. I have another car with Apple CarPlay and the A110. The infotainment system works, honestly, just as well in the A110 as it does in my other car. It doesn’t look quite as polished, but functionally it does all the same stuff that I need-navigation, music and radio-and its ease of use is not much different. And if you go for the Focal lightweight premium sound system, the audio quality is a cut above. Really good sound quality using very high tech drivers from a very well-regarded speaker manufacturer (unless you like doof-doof music). The midrange of these Focal speakers is stunning.
No Apple Carplay... but an app MySpin.... I don't use it... radio is so so.... but driving the car makes it up for all this
Philippe Massin I used MySpin for a few weeks, but really the inbuilt system is just as easy to use. You can add MySpin apps, but they just replicate iPhone apps that are easier to use anyway. Radio reception is a bit patchy. But I don’t listen to radio...
No manual?! Aren;t manual boxes lighter than DCT? And, obviously, better for drive focussed machinery. IMO.
Come to San Antonio and stay with me
Can you get out for long enough to show the interior?
Try to check the oil… A nightmare on this car. It will delay many people doing it. Result: Engine damage. That is my prediction. For the rest, very beautiful car.
But it's on the computer also. I'd just check every 3000km or so... I have an oil guzzler right now but I could see it burning more and more over the years at a safe pace honestly.
Do you regret not buying the A110s?
practically every single review of the a110s that compares both cars almost inevitably sides with the cheaper, regular version: more agile, more fun, more alpine!
Man that sucks not being able to drive the car on warranty. Seems like such a waste
Lightness isn't the key to efficiency in modern cars. Lowering energy waste is key to efficiency. In an internal combustion or fuel cell vehicle 80% of the energy is lost either as heat or in fabrication of fuel. In a battery electric car only 30-40% is lost. That's the sole reason why all cars will be a battery electric within a very short timespan.
"over my dead body".
:The Alpine A110 :Rich mans Toyota 86, a simply pure sports car :Yes!!
A110, best handling car of the german channel "sport auto" kzhead.info/sun/dqtwc9Gua2iXqXk/bejne.html 👌 (enable eng sub) The video from "best motoring" is a must watch too : kzhead.info/sun/gNerfrVlg3yBmps/bejne.html 👍 (enable eng sub) Did you see them already Dan ?
Sure it's nice to drive - but not a fan of Turbo, paddles not Manual and the looks & damn it's expensive for what you get.
£585 road tax