Alpine A110 GT

FINAL REPORT We're sad to say goodbye to French sports car

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THERE were some big questions that A practical appeal of the Alpine A110 GT when it first joined our fleet. We knew it was one of the great driver's cars at any price. But what about the ownership experience? The limitations of its diminutive two-seat cabin and its pair of tiny luggage areas? Or the build quality of its partially hand-made, overtly French-feeling interior?

Would these elements drive us slightly nuts over the six months we were due to keep our A110 GT, or would the good bits be so good that the bad bits would be forgotten about? And what about the aftersales support when it needed a service? Would that be comparable to what you'd expect and receive from a Porsche franchise, or would the A110 feel much like any other Renault when it came to dealer support?

In the end, would we recommend the A110 to a good friend if they asked "Should I buy one?" Or did its impracticalities get the better of us after 13,825 miles, seven months and one full annual service later?