RE: Alfa 4C: The Comeback

[Chris Stott]

Almost identical to CAR Magazine comments on the 4C they had for their car of the year article - wayward, verging on dangerous on typical British roads.

The one they had for that test had the sports suspension and big wheels option though, and they also said the version they had without these was much, much better.

Could be it works fine in other countries that don't suffer from the generally rubbish roads we have in the UK.

[dc2rr07]

TNH said:

That interior is bloody awful.

Love the outside bar the front light cluster though.

Shame it doesn't live up to they hype.

Agree with above, the standard lights finish the car off a lot better, these look like a DIY set from Halfords.

[Pooh]

From reading the forums, most of the owners seem to love them so they must have something about them.
One of the owners on Alfa Owner returned his car to the dealer for a full 4 wheel geometry set up, which is a big job because of the need to fit shims to change the front camber, he reported that the car was transformed so it seems like it at least partly a geo set up issue.

[Dagnut]

I wouldn't consider the dimensions small..it's quite wide.

[Captain Muppet]

A friend of mine had one for a weekend a couple of weeks ago. He said similar things about the steering and engine as PH.

He also said that the interior is somehow smaller than the Elise SC he used to drive, with nowhere to put things (can't even put a coat behind the seats).

He said it was great for being stared at in, but terrible to drive and live with.

I expect they'll sell all they can make. It makes me a little sad.

[GTEYE]

vz-r_dave said:

GTEYE said:

Much as I want to applaud Alfa for doing this, its really a bit of an ego trip, that won't make them any money.

Something a little more mainstream might have been in order - this is a little too "Lotus".

The long awaited Giulia really needs to be good - this year I believe?

I am sorry but forget the sales, you are on a 'Speed Matters' car forum how can anything be 'a little too Lotus'? really?

Do Alfa really see this as a money maker or an enhancement of the over-all brand? It has been a long time since Alfa made a sports car and judging by this I very much applaud them, even if the car has it's flaws.

Perhaps too Lotus in that Alfa are rather spectacularly unsuccessful commercially. Which has been a worry for 30 years or more.

But the point remains, unless they make something that is a genuine commercial success, there might not be an Alfa Romeo in the medium term. Which is a genuine worry.

[DMC2]

£54k at tested... lol. Although they might have decent residuals...

[Gorbyrev]

Sounds like geometry issues in the front suspension, perhaps too little castor in the setup. Someone, somewhere must be working on a solution to this. As with other Alphas the aftermarket world is needed to bring out the best in the machine.

[Matt Bird]

Paddymcc said:

Strange how the jalopnik writers have the complete opposite view of this car.

Do the Americans have a different steering/suspension setup?

http://jalopnik.com/the-alfa-romeo-4c-shames-every...

Also the americans headlights look miles better too

Edited by Paddymcc on Wednesday 6th May 13:17

Edited by Paddymcc on Wednesday 6th May 13:18

I think they're getting a little carried away here. No UK review is anywhere near as glowing. Better than an Evora, R8, Cayman and 650S to drive? They're mental.

[kambites]

How do Alfa so often manage to make such a mess of so much potential?

[Fetchez la vache]

8bit said:

I'd walk out to my 4C, look at it and wish I had the 8C. For me, that's it ruined.

All very good if you could afford the £200k+ for an 8c in the first pace! They're not really in the same ballpark.

[Paddymcc]

Matt Bird said:

I think they're getting a little carried away here. No UK review is anywhere near as glowing. Better than an Evora, R8, Cayman and 650S to drive? They're mental.

Bit of a bargain in America starting at around $55k

[jonm01]

So what's causing this steering problem? Is it just because the thing is so light? The stiffness of the tub?

[MajorMantra]

Pooh said:

From reading the forums, most of the owners seem to love them so they must have something about them.

To be honest, (current) owners are the last people I'd consult about a car like this, because buying one is a fundamentally irrational thing to do. If they've already taken the plunge, then of course they love it - that's why they bought it.

The 4C is lovely, but until they sort out its various issues (and give the Euro market the US spec headlights), it looks like pretty poor value.

[misterchase]

Finally saw one of these on the road at the weekend, it looked far more impressive moving in traffic than sat in isolation on various stands and showrooms I've visited.

Its on my shortlist.

[unpc]

That Jalopnik review seems to have been written by a 12 year old.

[kambites]

jonm01 said:

So what's causing this steering problem? Is it just because the thing is so light? The stiffness of the tub?

Stiffness and lack of weight should both help the steering. It's probably caused by compromised suspension geometry at one or both ends (it's surprisingly how much changes in rear suspension geometry can effect steering). From what I've read I also get the impression it's too stiffly sprung. h

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 6th May 14:26

[braddersm3]

Can't understand all the hype around this car..£54k!...it would need to be pretty special to justify that and aside from a carbon tub palpably isn't..Makes an Elise S,with impeccable steering,handling at@£40k look a no brainer,let alone an Exige V6 at @£54k.

[Dagnut]

kambites said:

How do Alfa so often manage to make such a mess of so much potential?

I bet as soon as it hits the Fiat brass

[TA14]

braddersm3 said:

Can't understand all the hype around this car..£54k!...it would need to be pretty special to justify that and aside from a carbon tub palpably isn't..Makes an Elise S,with impeccable steering,handling at@£40k look a no brainer,let alone an Exige V6 at @£54k.

It's all very well you and others saying that the car is priced too high but it's selling like hot cakes and they recently doubled production.