Alfa 4C

[356boy]

Has anyone ever driven an Alfa 4C, reviews overall seem good, lovely looking car and prices seemed to have firmed up due to limited numbers. i like the idea that its back to basics.

[Sam]

I really wanted one, until I drove one.

Everything the reviewers say about the steering being wooden is true. It's like slapping your way up the road on a scaffold board. I'm sure you'd get used to it, but it feels rotten after you've driven to the test drive in a 911.

And you can't get it in manual.

And once you start to look at the details you can tell it's a design that's been rushed into production on a budget.

The only reason I could find to get one over an Elise at half the price was rarity.

Depending on your view on price, weight, roof and long-distance comfort I'd also sooner have a Cayman, Boxster, Exige, Elise or Alpine.

[smallspeed]

The thing that struck me as a passenger was how wide it seemed - not sure what it’s like to drive, might be an optical illusion
Also I kind of felt the engine was a bit of a cop out vs some of the wonderful na Alfa engines of the past
I think rarity aside, I’d be after an sc exige or even one of the newer v6 ones

[356boy]

i'm actually looking at the matte white launch edition one, race exhaust and suspension etc, i like the idea that it is minimalistic and think the design is pretty good, yes there are faults but i think it should be compared to the Exige and not the Cayman.
Does it feel under powered

Sam; where do you mean by " once you start to look at the details you can tell it's a design that's been rushed into production on a budget."

[smallspeed]

It’s not underpowered, and it’s a reasonably light car so goes well, but it sounds a bit dull compared to one of their warbly v6’s.. ..it felt like all the sound was in the exhaust system if you know what I mean, and none in the engine bay

If you’re compare it to an exige (assuming you’ve not experienced one) please go drive an exige - the s2 is epic, the supercharged s2 monstrous, and the new v6 is a serious piece of work.. if you don’t need the practicality of a roof try a 2-eleven (if you can find one) as they are MIND BLOWING*

*only ever driven one on track

[Sam]

Sam; where do you mean by " once you start to look at the details you can tell it's a design that's been rushed into production on a budget."

The headlights mainly. Looks like no one told the designers there is a minimum legal height until the last minute and they just lifted them up 100mm and thought 'that'll do'.

The fit and finish isn't really production standard either.

[356boy]

agree with the headlights, the one i am getting has those little lamps, not sure on them but they were standard on the launch edition

[sng45]

I test drove a 4C Spider about three years ago, I went determined to buy it as I thought it looked fantastic. I did five miles in it took it back and went and bought another Elise ( the sixth one I've owned) .

As I recall the 4C was about sixty grand, it bounced all over the road, tracked in any uneven surfaces and the handling was atrocious . I've done quite a lot of reading about them and appreciate that there are suspension upgrades available to correct handling "issues" ( I think the main one is done by Jamie Porter) but felt that a car of that price shouldn't need upgrades to make it controllable.

In addition as mentioned earlier, it's not available in manual but I was prepared to overlook that if it was a good car to drive - it wasn't !

Matt what you need is an Alfa SZ Zagato - just like the one I (may) have for sale ! ( more so if you've got a 105 step front you want to do a deal on )

Steve

[Sam]

the one i am getting has those little lamps

They're marginally better.

Get a Lotus.

[356boy]

not a Lotus fan

[smallspeed]

alpine

[911hillclimber]

Very very good idea. ^^^^

[Sam]

I’d definitely drive an Alpine before committing to a 4C.

Are 4C prices definitely levelling? They’ve been gently dropping over the last year. I think they’ll get to £30k, maybe even £25k before they turn.

[Darren65]

If you've got the itch then why not scratch it .....quite a funky looking car for a modern.

Go for it

[356boy]

looked at the Alpine but out of budget, agree i think they will drop to 30 before they turn, Launch Editions may hold a little better as there are some pcp financed cars coming to market but in basic form