Big Steve Raiders Alpine A290

[Big Steve - Raider]

As all of the old skool members know. In September 2023 I had a life changing accident, and lost the use of my right arm. (Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury)

…so my Renault dreams have really taken a hit recently, given that I’ve now lost my Manual Car License, so I can NO LONGER drive any of these cars I own:

5GTT Raider

11 Turbo

Clio Williams 2

Clio 182 Cup

Clio 200 Raider


However (thank god) when I bought my Megane 4 RS Trophy, I ordered an EDC one, so I can still drive that:


I’ve just been a bit numb with it all recently, wondering if I’m going to get any use of my arm back, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen, so just recently I’ve decided to face the fact I need to thin the herd, so in coming months, I’m planning on offloading the 11 Turbo, Clio 200 Raider, and Clio Williams 2 (sale already agreed).

Just as I’ve been going thru all this, Renault announced they’re going to build 1980 Full Electric Renault 5 Turbo 3E’s so I’d be able to drive one!

In a fit of madness, I found myself completing the application form, to see if I could get one..!

THEN they announced their price… £135,000!! Holy fudge!!

A few days later, I got a call from Renault Cambridge, telling me if I wanted one… I could get one!! There was still allocation. They would require a £43,000 down payment, then the remaining £92,000 payable in January 2027 before delivery in Summer 2027…

 

[Turbell]

Go on,
Go on,
Go on.

 

[Adey]

Oh my...... go on....

 

[andybond]

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Go on,
Go on,
Go on.

Oh my...... go on....

So I made an appointment to go to Renault dealer last Saturday with @Millie_Bee and we thought we’d take the Raider for a run out:

We get there, and there’s the new Alpine A290 demonstrator innocently sitting there, so I took the chance to get a few comparison photos with its Great x5 Grandson:




And before we knew it, we were out in it for a test drive…



WOW! Got to say, I was very impressed!! Yes I know it’s only 220bhp and 0-60 in 6.4 Seconds, but it drives really well, and is certainly a handful driving thru the front wheels with 1 arm..!

A very quick bit of man maths, made me wonder if the Turbo 3E is really 3.5 times better than this car at 3.5 times the price…??

Before I knew it, a deal was struck, and I’d ordered ordered an Alpine A290 Premieré Edition in Alpine Vision Blue, just like this:





Interestingly, the Premieré Edition is a limited number car also, with only 1955 units being made (The year Jean Rédélé founded Alpine) so strangely enough, this car is rarer than the Turbo 3E??


On the drive home, I couldn’t resist a Quick Look on the DVLA website and ended up buying this:

So now the waiting game for the car to be built, and they’re expecting delivery in September 25..


Sorry to disappoint you guys, I didn’t plump for the Turbo 3E. But I just didn’t want to sell EVERY other car to just get the 3E.

 

[Adey]

awesome stuff that fair play

 

[Leigh5t]

Classic! You went with the “I almost spent this much, but I ONLY spent this much. They almost gave it to me”

Love it. I’m grinning for you!

 

[andybond]

I understand where you are coming from by not purchasing the 3E

You are still a tease though!

 

[Mart]

Great purchase

The size difference of that and your Raider is crazy.

 

[DaveL485]

Although I am sad that you didnt go for the 3E as it would probably be my only chance to go in one, I am delighted you found a compromise!

How much was the 11 again...?

 

[Sparkysparks]

'innocently sitting there'
They knew you were coming
That 3E is mega. But for that money. It's a Renault.

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

How much was the 11 again...?

Make me an offer Captain Lowball?

 

[Steve Swan]

There will be a few lucky people out there who are going to get some fantastic cars, when you move yours on. Good news that you can still get your car fix with modern tech. There did have to be one good reason for making it.....