Considering buying new or used - warranty consideration?

Considering buying new or used - warranty consideration?

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Silverye

Original Poster:

10 posts

11 months

Saturday 31st August
quotequote all
Evening lovely A110 owners :-)

Current considering getting my first A110 and could do with some advice. Coming from a Yaris GR which I've had for two years, only done 5k miles in it during that time. Amazing car as expected but fancy a little change into something that feel special even just sitting it in.

Been considering an A110, GR86 or a 718. I live in central Scotland, so no GR86's available around here to test drive and second hand A110 (that aren't at a dealer seem non-existent) - before coming into the GR Yaris I had a GT86 for four years. Yesterday went to my local A110 dealer in Glasgow and took the A110 GT out for a drive and loved it. What a car, so light, amazing suspension compliance, lovely pickup, engine noise, etc, etc. Also popped over the road to the Porsche centre but they didn't have a standard 718 to test drive that day, but I did take a 718 GT4 out for a drive. Got to say the Alpine seats were MUCH more comfortable than the 18 way adjustable GT4 ones. Preferred the feel of the A110. GT4 ride was more compliant and less harsh than I was expecting, and when you really put your foot down that engine roar and pick-up was great, but there were times when I was push the throttle a bit and the engine made the noise, the PDK box started changing away but it didn't have instantaneous pick-up, which surprised me given it's 4 litre NA. Probably just a driving style I would need to get used to and put the loud peddle down more. However, really underlined how zippy the GR Yaris is when I got back into it. Upshot of all the I'm pretty set on getting a A110 - as it had so much more character.

Need to try the base 110 with the buckets again, rather than the GT. I see Alpine has a 0% finance deal on this month, so currently weighing up going for a new one on that, or whether buying one in the high £30k's for a 2019 car might be a sensible option.

How important is the warranty? Are these pretty robust (gearbox, etc) - or I'm I better getting one that has warranty left that I can extend (assuming you car) or just getting a brand new one?

Thanks in advance :-)

neon_fox

379 posts

290 months

Sunday 1st September
quotequote all
It's French, not Japanese.

I chose the warranty.

Silverye

Original Poster:

10 posts

11 months

Sunday 1st September
quotequote all
Very good point :-)

Also just noticed the Aberdeen dealership as a 0% PCP offer over 3 years, which is better than the current Alpine 0% HP deal over 2 years.

Looking to go back an test drive the base A110 today to see how different it feels on the road (and in the seat) over the GT.

Subculture

31 posts

50 months

Sunday 1st September
quotequote all
The base and GT should drive pretty much the same on the road. The seats will be the big difference. You you fit in them, then most people feel the buckets are actually the more comfortable seat and obviously better in the twisties.

Silverye

Original Poster:

10 posts

11 months

Sunday 1st September
quotequote all
Thanks :-)

Just back from diving the base model - as expect the ride was the same, didn't notice the lower power output and the bucket seats were comfortable, but then went back and forward between a GT and the base model in the showroom to compare the seats, and got to say I did prefer the GT ones just a little more. I know my wife would prefer the heated seats too - so that is a consideration.

neon_fox

379 posts

290 months

Sunday 1st September
quotequote all
In the end I went with the GT because my wife is much shorter than I am and not being able to adjust the seat height was a deal breaker.
I did find the buckets to be superbly comfortable though.

Silverye

Original Poster:

10 posts

11 months

Sunday 1st September
quotequote all
Ah - that is a good point. I'm 6'4" and my wife is 5'4". Hadn't considered that one!

Portti

221 posts

41 months

Sunday 1st September
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When I bought my A110 I was a little worried that my stepdaughter who is 30 cm shorter than me would not see well out or would not have comfortable seating position on the bucket seats. My worries were unfounded, she says she has good driving position and has no problems seeing out.

I'm 191 cm, she is 161 cm and the seats are in the lowest position.

Derek182

162 posts

86 months

Sunday 1st September
quotequote all
Part of the new v used question is how you are going to pay for it?
If you can afford to buy a secondhand A110 outright then that may well be a good option, if not interest rates for used car finance are currently high and the total amount to pay may well be quite off-putting!
In my case it made much more sense to buy new, I got my A110GT on 1st March on the Alpine 0% PCP deal, obviously with the added bonus of a proper 3 year warranty which I do think has made for a more relaxed ownership experience. There is talk of minor problems (fuel pumps, wing corrosion) on early cars which hopefully won't be an issue on a new one.
Whether I will keep it beyond the 3 years I don't know...

Silverye

Original Poster:

10 posts

11 months

Sunday 1st September
quotequote all
Alpine Aberdeen has a 0% 3 year PCP just now, which is excellent. Though considering second hand cars up to £40k (ish) that still have warranty left (so that I have the option of extending). Can pay up to £40k in cash currently (with what’s sitting in my GR Yaris and other funds). Saving up to £20k over new for a 18-24 month low mileage example is appealing.

jont-

116 posts

95 months

Monday 2nd September
quotequote all
Nearly 5 years in (Nov 2019 car), 36k miles so far in a Pure. A fair few track days and some enthusiastic road driving.
Beyond servicing and consumables, I've needed the following under warranty:
Fuel pumps (1 at second year service as service campaign, 1 as a failure in service, 1 as a further recall under the large program last year).
Rear toe links (on 4th year service)
Corrosion repair on all 4 corners.

At 3 years I took out the extra 3 years extended warranty for IIRC £1k-ish but I think only the toe links have qualified.

I was advised the offside dampers had started leaking at 4 years, these were refused under warranty as only degraded, not failed (despite being MOT advisory). Used the excuse of replacing to upgrade to Life110 AST road setup.

SWMBO also has a GR86 that we've done about 3000 miles in. A great car in its own right, certainly more practical than the Alpine, and a great step on from the GT86/BRZ (I did 50k miles in a BRZ). Steering feel superior to the alpine, and being naturally aspirated has better throttle response. Infotainment also better than my Alpine, although the latest Alpine one may cure that. But the ride is poorer and it doesn't feel as special.

Silverye

Original Poster:

10 posts

11 months

Monday 2nd September
quotequote all
jont- said:
Nearly 5 years in (Nov 2019 car), 36k miles so far in a Pure. A fair few track days and some enthusiastic road driving.
Beyond servicing and consumables, I've needed the following under warranty:
Fuel pumps (1 at second year service as service campaign, 1 as a failure in service, 1 as a further recall under the large program last year).
Rear toe links (on 4th year service)
Corrosion repair on all 4 corners.

At 3 years I took out the extra 3 years extended warranty for IIRC £1k-ish but I think only the toe links have qualified.

I was advised the offside dampers had started leaking at 4 years, these were refused under warranty as only degraded, not failed (despite being MOT advisory). Used the excuse of replacing to upgrade to Life110 AST road setup.

SWMBO also has a GR86 that we've done about 3000 miles in. A great car in its own right, certainly more practical than the Alpine, and a great step on from the GT86/BRZ (I did 50k miles in a BRZ). Steering feel superior to the alpine, and being naturally aspirated has better throttle response. Infotainment also better than my Alpine, although the latest Alpine one may cure that. But the ride is poorer and it doesn't feel as special.
Many thanks - really appreciated reading your experience on this. Those costs/issues aren't too bad and the extended warranty costs aren't bad at all compared to what my wife paid for a Jaguar she had in the past. I've emailed a dealer for updated costs for the warranty extension.

Really interesting feedback on the GR86. I am tempted by those but as you say, can't see it feeling as special as the Alpine. Loved the second test drive I had in the Pure A110 yesterday, the ride was wonderful and it did feel very very special indeed. Even with a 0% PCP deal on a new one, then I'm looking at £61k-£62k for a OTR price taking into consideration the options I'd want plus new car tax. When a GR86 is around £30k second hand, then in my head justifying double the price is a hard one to get over, but paying £40k (ish) feels much more like it.

croyde

23,664 posts

236 months

Monday 2nd September
quotequote all
There's a base car with lots of options, low miles and just one owner going for £46k on an '23 plate at Manchester Alpine.

Almost went for it myself as I love the Fuch wheels.

Silverye

Original Poster:

10 posts

11 months

Monday 2nd September
quotequote all
croyde said:
There's a base car with lots of options, low miles and just one owner going for £46k on an '23 plate at Manchester Alpine.

Almost went for it myself as I love the Fuch wheels.
Many thanks - away to have a look :-)

lex524

9 posts

79 months

Monday 2nd September
quotequote all
In a similar position!

Currently have a 997.1 c2s. Had it for 5 years and just want something a bit newer and different. It's lovely, and I could clearly just get a newer Porsche, but that's a little predictable!

I'm really between an A110, Emira and potentially FType. I know they are not exactly comparable but this is a heart decision, not a head one!

Will follow this forum with interest! Not many A110s around where I am (Essex)... Also torn between a newer one with android auto for say 45k, or a 35k early car... 10k seems a lot for AA but clearly also get warranty and probably better residuals ongoing...

James Elmer

236 posts

221 months

Monday 2nd September
quotequote all
lex524 said:
In a similar position!

Currently have a 997.1 c2s. Had it for 5 years and just want something a bit newer and different. It's lovely, and I could clearly just get a newer Porsche, but that's a little predictable!

I'm really between an A110, Emira and potentially FType. I know they are not exactly comparable but this is a heart decision, not a head one!

Will follow this forum with interest! Not many A110s around where I am (Essex)... Also torn between a newer one with android auto for say 45k, or a 35k early car... 10k seems a lot for AA but clearly also get warranty and probably better residuals ongoing...
Hi Lex. I’m in Essex, near Colchester. I’ll be at the Takona cars & coffee in Sawbridgeworth, this Sunday, 8th September, if you wanted to meet, chat and have a poke around my A110. James.

lex524

9 posts

79 months

Monday 2nd September
quotequote all
James Elmer said:
Hi Lex. I’m in Essex, near Colchester. I’ll be at the Takona cars & coffee in Sawbridgeworth, this Sunday, 8th September, if you wanted to meet, chat and have a poke around my A110. James.
Ooh that's a v kind offer... Will check with the family if I can sneak out! I'm down in Brentwood but don't mind a Sunday Am drive!

James Elmer

236 posts

221 months

Monday 2nd September
quotequote all
lex524 said:
Ooh that's a v kind offer... Will check with the family if I can sneak out! I'm down in Brentwood but don't mind a Sunday Am drive!
Cool!
I have a white PE, 2018 reg.

Meet details here:
https://www.takona.co.uk/pages/coffees-and-cars?sr...

We park in Bell Street car park and walk ‘round to Pizza Squisita:

Silverye

Original Poster:

10 posts

11 months

Tuesday 3rd September
quotequote all
lex524 said:
In a similar position!

Currently have a 997.1 c2s. Had it for 5 years and just want something a bit newer and different. It's lovely, and I could clearly just get a newer Porsche, but that's a little predictable!

I'm really between an A110, Emira and potentially FType. I know they are not exactly comparable but this is a heart decision, not a head one!

Will follow this forum with interest! Not many A110s around where I am (Essex)... Also torn between a newer one with android auto for say 45k, or a 35k early car... 10k seems a lot for AA but clearly also get warranty and probably better residuals ongoing...
I just missed out on an 18 month old A110 yesterday that was only an hour away from me. It had one owner, alpine blue, comfort pack, mint condition with 5k miles. Went for £41,500.

I hadn't really considered an Emira, or FType. The Jaguar feels too heavy/big but it is a stunning looking car. Feels rude not to go out and get test drives in both those options though :-)

James Elmer

236 posts

221 months

Tuesday 3rd September
quotequote all
On the Emira, if it’s an i4 model then please, please test the gearbox throughly to make sure you’re clear on the shift speeds up and down the gearbox in all modes wink