Alpine A110 GT.

[photo_ed]

I surprised myself last night by visiting a car manufacturers website and seeking out the car configurator, it suddenly struck me that it's something I haven't had any inclination to do for several years...

The reason?

Well, I'm blaming Harry Metcalfe for this one, I'd just watched his latest 'Harry's Garage' video on Youtube featuring the Alpine A110 in it's latest GT iteration. I'd read about the 'R' in EVO car of the year a month or so ago, but to be honest, the bits of carbon fibre splashed all over the car made it look too fussy to my eyes. The GT on the other hand looks more to my taste, more subtle. From Harry's review too, it sounds like a cracker of a car, the sort of car to take on long continental jaunts and a fine compliment to our other cars. I just wish they did a manual gearbox, I'm sadly put off by the thought of an auto, however, I'm still very tempted to give one a try though.

Harry's Garage vid here for context:

 

[Titan]

As per usual, a really good review by Harry.

Cars like this, are really becoming an endangered species.
Your not going to be able to buy a new car with specs and performance like
that, with such little weight....unfortunatley cars like that are fast coming to an end.

If you are in the position Ed, I would definitely be making a trip down to the local dealer
to try one out.
When you see the likes of Gordon Murray using one as a daily, you know there must
be something really special about them.

At least its a possibility for you all in the UK.
They aren't even sold over here and I've just seen one at a local C&C a few years ago.

The GT seems to be the perfect spec, a car that you could easily see holding on to for
a very long time, I would imagine.
They seem to be along the lines of an Elise, but something that can be used daily and
not be too tortuous to get in and out off.
The running costs also, seem to be on the lighter end too, also like an Elise.

YOLO Ed (You Only Live Once!!)

 

[marrow]

Last September my local Alpine dealer offered me a GT for the weekend!

The good bits -
looks (especially in Thunder Grey)
exotic
more than quick enough
gearbox
decent mpg
very impressive roadholding

The not so good stuff -
almost no storage for anything
GT comfort seats for me looked great but not so comfortable on longer trips
slightly annoying resonance inside cabin coming I think from the engine behind
price

Almost 6 months on and the same car is still For Sale at the same price....!

Used 2023 ALPINE A110 1.8L Turbo 300 GT 2dr DCT £49,995 2,500 miles - Thunder Grey | Alpine Cambridge | John Banks

Buy a used 2023 Thunder Grey ALPINE A110 1.8L Turbo 300 GT 2dr DCT with 2,500 miles on the clock for £49,995 from John Banks at Alpine Cambridge.

www.johnbanks.co.uk

 

[Craig196]

There are some VERY tempting 0% deals on them at the moment!

5k down, £414/month (albeit 5k annual mileage - if you want 10k its 7k down and £599/month for the GT)

Also been told the seats aren't the best in the GT, but its the one I'd want

 

[photo_ed]

Cars like this, are really becoming an endangered species.
Your not going to be able to buy a new car with specs and performance like
that, with such little weight....unfortunatley cars like that are fast coming to an end.

This is certainly part of the appeal isn't it Francis. Harry's review really brought it home to me that it feels like time's perhaps running out for cars like this, driver focused and lightweight, it's just not something that the majority of the populous seem to want from a vehicle these days it would seem.

The thing is, I've been down this 'pocket GT' road before, and it quickly paled for me, returning myself to hot hatches with a renewed gusto! But then it was a good few years ago, and it felt like I was having some sort of premature mid-life crisis, perhaps now, at shall we say, more advanced years, a sporting GT with an auto box might be just the thing.

It's tempting to give the local Alpine dealer a wee call, that's for sure.

 

[photo_ed]

Last September my local Alpine dealer offered me a GT for the weekend!

Thanks for those insights Mark, really great to read your thoughts on the A110.

Wonder if I could be lucky enough to wangle one for a weekend test drive...

 

[photo_ed]

There are some VERY tempting 0% deals on them at the moment!

There are aren't there Craig, those deals have certainly not escaped my attention . Making it a very attractive proposition indeed, and reading between the lines, I wonder if they're struggling a little bit to sell them. I know for us driving enthusiasts think they're a great car, but I do wonder if they're at odds with what the majority want and enjoy in a vehicle these days and thus sticking a bit?

 

[NickReilly063]

Jazzy colour Ed - says it’s a 4k option ??

 

[photo_ed]

Jazzy colour Ed - says it’s a 4k option ??

That is a jazzy colour Nick, not for me that kind of hue I'm afraid. Though I did once look at a Lotus Exige in that sort of green, I was much younger then though...

 

[marrow]

Last September my local Alpine dealer offered me a GT for the weekend!

The good bits -
looks (especially in Thunder Grey)
exotic
more than quick enough
gearbox
decent mpg
very impressive roadholding

The not so good stuff -
almost no storage for anything
GT comfort seats for me looked great but not so comfortable on longer trips
slightly annoying resonance inside cabin coming I think from the engine behind
price

Almost 6 months on and the same car is still For Sale at the same price....!

Used 2023 ALPINE A110 1.8L Turbo 300 GT 2dr DCT £49,995 2,500 miles - Thunder Grey | Alpine Cambridge | John Banks

Buy a used 2023 Thunder Grey ALPINE A110 1.8L Turbo 300 GT 2dr DCT with 2,500 miles on the clock for £49,995 from John Banks at Alpine Cambridge.

www.johnbanks.co.uk

Another month goes by and this car is still for sale at the same price, that‘s 7 months since it hit the market...