Alfa 4C - the reality?????
Discussion
cheddar said:
...I buy what I like and some of my flawed purchases have been remarkably enjoyable, including my remarkably flawed Alfa GTV.
Modern Alfa's remind me of one the better Top Gear segments where the team were asked to choose between three brands:
"The Alfa Romeo is the worst car here, so which one would you buy?"
"The Alfa Romeo"
"So would I"
"Bad cars can be brilliant".
I know exactly what you mean. I replaced my wife's Alfa Spider 3.0 V6 with a Boxster 2.9 - In every respect the Porsche is a better car but even after 3 years she still talks about the Alfa with affection. Modern Alfa's remind me of one the better Top Gear segments where the team were asked to choose between three brands:
"The Alfa Romeo is the worst car here, so which one would you buy?"
"The Alfa Romeo"
"So would I"
"Bad cars can be brilliant".
cheddar said:
I can't wait to hear the good and the bad from an honest owner on here.
So how will you be able to tell? Or is that an orwellian way of saying "I can't wait to hear a supposed owner saying he thinks he should have a cayman"? If the response to the owner reviews I posted here from several forums is anything to go by, they will get a severe telling off and will be told they should have bought 'the better car'. Any rebuttal to that will see them categorised as tin foil hatter by those that have the divine knowledge.Elderly said:
I admire your patience to write all that but the characteristic of the people you describe can be summed up in just one word:
'Ultracrepidate' - yes it's a real word
.
While you are holding a dictionary, perhaps look up the word gullable.'Ultracrepidate' - yes it's a real word
.It describes people that believe everything they read in newspapers and car rags.
Personally i dont like the look of it, just looks like a cheap plastic toy, looks wise it isnt even in the same league as a 981 Cayman, it looks like it should cost as much as a GT86.
As for how it drives, im sure its amazing, I know i wouldnt be able to drive to anywhere near its capability.
As for how it drives, im sure its amazing, I know i wouldnt be able to drive to anywhere near its capability.
Edited by Jim909 on Wednesday 5th February 07:02
errek72 said:
Elderly said:
I admire your patience to write all that but the characteristic of the people you describe can be summed up in just one word:
'Ultracrepidate' - yes it's a real word .
While you are holding a dictionary, perhaps look up the word gullable.'Ultracrepidate' - yes it's a real word
.It describes people that believe everything they read in newspapers and car rags.
I don't need a dictionary ..........
......... to inform me that there is no such word as 'gullable'
Jim909 said:
Personally i dont like the look of it, just looks like a cheap plastic toy, looks wise it isnt even in the same league as a 981 Cayman, it looks like it should cost as much as a GT86.
Have you seen one on the road? It has real presence on the road, far more than a Cayman/Boxster, it looks much wider and lower giving it a similar stance to a Ferrari 360 when seen head on or from the rear. I actually think it looks like it costs more than it does not less!Edited by Jim909 on Wednesday 5th February 07:02
Hi,
I am one of the 4C LE owner which got their cars all ready.
Because of the big worries about the qualities of the 4C I would like to tell you little bit of my experience:
First of all, according to my informations all the cars tested by the press are pre-production cars.
I had the opportunity to drive such a pre-production car last year.
What are the differences?
- the TCT is faster now
- the sound is better, btw the race exhaust has only a cat, no silencers at all, only plain tube
- the front axle feels different and better
- engine power delivery seems to be better
Now how it feels compared to other cars?
I am only able to compare it to my other cars. Namely a Lotus Elise MK1 with 160bhp, a Porsche 996 and my Ariel Atom supercharged.
The Elise and the Atom using a modified suspension geo to improve the ride, the Atom is on Oehlins-dampers, the elise on racing suspension. This was done with a specialist. Both on AO48s.
Even compared to these cars, the 4C feels sharp, very direct, fast, stable and exciting even on normal Pirelli PZero at temperatures around 0 degrees.
On cornering you feels a little bit like understeer, but as soon as it is under load it is neutral. The grip on the rear is amazing. Much better than a Elise or the Atom. The front axle grip should be no problem with a little modification to the geo. The ride is very stable.
For sure she is not as fast with the PZeros as the other two with the AO48s. But I am sure she will as soon she is on the all ready order Dunlop Direzzas.
The TCT is really very fast upshifting under load.
The steering gives you a little bit of kickback on bad roads. But it is very precise. It gives you very good feel under load. It is very light in the center. I think this is why some people say it has no feel.
The brake is very strong, and has a hard brake point. They have a good feel but you need shoes with a plain sole on your shots because of the racing padel box.
The sound, especially in tunnels is addictive. She is so loud, with deep sound.
After all the driving is really very funny.
She is very well equipped for the weight. You have all the safety and comfort features you need. But none of the ones you don´t need.
Now is the 4C better or worser?
She is different. For me she is very exciting, even compared to my other cars. The 996 feels much more heavier, less direct, less agile than the 4C.
And yes the Porsche feels boring compared to the 4C. Very boring. To be honest, I am german and in my opinion german cars are the best in the world. But unfortunately often not the most exciting ones.
I am one of the 4C LE owner which got their cars all ready.
Because of the big worries about the qualities of the 4C I would like to tell you little bit of my experience:
First of all, according to my informations all the cars tested by the press are pre-production cars.
I had the opportunity to drive such a pre-production car last year.
What are the differences?
- the TCT is faster now
- the sound is better, btw the race exhaust has only a cat, no silencers at all, only plain tube
- the front axle feels different and better
- engine power delivery seems to be better
Now how it feels compared to other cars?
I am only able to compare it to my other cars. Namely a Lotus Elise MK1 with 160bhp, a Porsche 996 and my Ariel Atom supercharged.
The Elise and the Atom using a modified suspension geo to improve the ride, the Atom is on Oehlins-dampers, the elise on racing suspension. This was done with a specialist. Both on AO48s.
Even compared to these cars, the 4C feels sharp, very direct, fast, stable and exciting even on normal Pirelli PZero at temperatures around 0 degrees.
On cornering you feels a little bit like understeer, but as soon as it is under load it is neutral. The grip on the rear is amazing. Much better than a Elise or the Atom. The front axle grip should be no problem with a little modification to the geo. The ride is very stable.
For sure she is not as fast with the PZeros as the other two with the AO48s. But I am sure she will as soon she is on the all ready order Dunlop Direzzas.
The TCT is really very fast upshifting under load.
The steering gives you a little bit of kickback on bad roads. But it is very precise. It gives you very good feel under load. It is very light in the center. I think this is why some people say it has no feel.
The brake is very strong, and has a hard brake point. They have a good feel but you need shoes with a plain sole on your shots because of the racing padel box.
The sound, especially in tunnels is addictive. She is so loud, with deep sound.
After all the driving is really very funny.
She is very well equipped for the weight. You have all the safety and comfort features you need. But none of the ones you don´t need.
Now is the 4C better or worser?
She is different. For me she is very exciting, even compared to my other cars. The 996 feels much more heavier, less direct, less agile than the 4C.
And yes the Porsche feels boring compared to the 4C. Very boring. To be honest, I am german and in my opinion german cars are the best in the world. But unfortunately often not the most exciting ones.
crostonian said:
Have you seen one on the road? It has real presence on the road, far more than a Cayman/Boxster, it looks much wider and lower giving it a similar stance to a Ferrari 360 when seen head on or from the rear. I actually think it looks like it costs more than it does not less!
You are right!!No picture will tell you how this car looks like in reality.
No one which hash´t seen one in real can imagine the presence of the 4C on the road.
Good to hear of your experiences Tuscan-Blue.
Why do Alfa continually shoot themselves in the foot by allowing pre-production cars with significant flaws to be driven by the press? I'm sure they do it in good faith unfortunately journos aren't always clear in communicating this. Other, less naive press departments, offer journos rides rather than drives of pre-production cars although we all know how less scrupulous journos have reported these!
Why do Alfa continually shoot themselves in the foot by allowing pre-production cars with significant flaws to be driven by the press? I'm sure they do it in good faith unfortunately journos aren't always clear in communicating this. Other, less naive press departments, offer journos rides rather than drives of pre-production cars although we all know how less scrupulous journos have reported these!
I think Alfa Romeo is very happy and proud about the 4C.
The 4C brings CF-technology to low price segment compared to the other CF-cars.
They had a little bit delay with some developments, but at the same time a great interest on the 4C.
But I am sure every journalist knew he is driving a pre-production car.
The 4C brings CF-technology to low price segment compared to the other CF-cars.
They had a little bit delay with some developments, but at the same time a great interest on the 4C.
But I am sure every journalist knew he is driving a pre-production car.
You always have to have the latest news on the one hand and you have to be careful about your industrial customers which are paying the ads on the other hand.
And don´t forget, journalists getting cars from some manufacturers, if they wanna go on holiday or have a nice weekend. The tyre industry provides them with tires if they need some etc. etc.
That is how it works.
And don´t forget, journalists getting cars from some manufacturers, if they wanna go on holiday or have a nice weekend. The tyre industry provides them with tires if they need some etc. etc.
That is how it works.
Tuscan-blue said:
You always have to have the latest news on the one hand and you have to be careful about your industrial customers which are paying the ads on the other hand.
And don´t forget, journalists getting cars from some manufacturers, if they wanna go on holiday or have a nice weekend. The tyre industry provides them with tires if they need some etc. etc.
That is how it works.
Uh-oh, now you've done it. You have dared doubt the holiness of the Royal Brrritish motoring press. Here come the pitchforks.. And don´t forget, journalists getting cars from some manufacturers, if they wanna go on holiday or have a nice weekend. The tyre industry provides them with tires if they need some etc. etc.
That is how it works.
I refer on information about german press.
A friend of mine is motor journalist in germany.
If he need a car over the weekend he gets a Porsche or what ever. If he needs tires for his private car, he gets them for free......
This is how it works here.
But I think could be the same in the UK.
The one side of the arrangement are the same people.
A friend of mine is motor journalist in germany.
If he need a car over the weekend he gets a Porsche or what ever. If he needs tires for his private car, he gets them for free......
This is how it works here.
But I think could be the same in the UK.
The one side of the arrangement are the same people.
Tuscan-blue said:
Hi,
I am one of the 4C LE owner which got their cars all ready.
Because of the big worries about the qualities of the 4C I would like to tell you little bit of my experience:
First of all, according to my informations all the cars tested by the press are pre-production cars.
I had the opportunity to drive such a pre-production car last year.
What are the differences?
- the TCT is faster now
- the sound is better, btw the race exhaust has only a cat, no silencers at all, only plain tube
- the front axle feels different and better
- engine power delivery seems to be better
Now how it feels compared to other cars?
I am only able to compare it to my other cars. Namely a Lotus Elise MK1 with 160bhp, a Porsche 996 and my Ariel Atom supercharged.
The Elise and the Atom using a modified suspension geo to improve the ride, the Atom is on Oehlins-dampers, the elise on racing suspension. This was done with a specialist. Both on AO48s.
Even compared to these cars, the 4C feels sharp, very direct, fast, stable and exciting even on normal Pirelli PZero at temperatures around 0 degrees.
On cornering you feels a little bit like understeer, but as soon as it is under load it is neutral. The grip on the rear is amazing. Much better than a Elise or the Atom. The front axle grip should be no problem with a little modification to the geo. The ride is very stable.
For sure she is not as fast with the PZeros as the other two with the AO48s. But I am sure she will as soon she is on the all ready order Dunlop Direzzas.
The TCT is really very fast upshifting under load.
The steering gives you a little bit of kickback on bad roads. But it is very precise. It gives you very good feel under load. It is very light in the center. I think this is why some people say it has no feel.
The brake is very strong, and has a hard brake point. They have a good feel but you need shoes with a plain sole on your shots because of the racing padel box.
The sound, especially in tunnels is addictive. She is so loud, with deep sound.
After all the driving is really very funny.
She is very well equipped for the weight. You have all the safety and comfort features you need. But none of the ones you don´t need.
Now is the 4C better or worser?
She is different. For me she is very exciting, even compared to my other cars. The 996 feels much more heavier, less direct, less agile than the 4C.
And yes the Porsche feels boring compared to the 4C. Very boring. To be honest, I am german and in my opinion german cars are the best in the world. But unfortunately often not the most exciting ones.
Thank you for sharing your experiences.I am one of the 4C LE owner which got their cars all ready.
Because of the big worries about the qualities of the 4C I would like to tell you little bit of my experience:
First of all, according to my informations all the cars tested by the press are pre-production cars.
I had the opportunity to drive such a pre-production car last year.
What are the differences?
- the TCT is faster now
- the sound is better, btw the race exhaust has only a cat, no silencers at all, only plain tube
- the front axle feels different and better
- engine power delivery seems to be better
Now how it feels compared to other cars?
I am only able to compare it to my other cars. Namely a Lotus Elise MK1 with 160bhp, a Porsche 996 and my Ariel Atom supercharged.
The Elise and the Atom using a modified suspension geo to improve the ride, the Atom is on Oehlins-dampers, the elise on racing suspension. This was done with a specialist. Both on AO48s.
Even compared to these cars, the 4C feels sharp, very direct, fast, stable and exciting even on normal Pirelli PZero at temperatures around 0 degrees.
On cornering you feels a little bit like understeer, but as soon as it is under load it is neutral. The grip on the rear is amazing. Much better than a Elise or the Atom. The front axle grip should be no problem with a little modification to the geo. The ride is very stable.
For sure she is not as fast with the PZeros as the other two with the AO48s. But I am sure she will as soon she is on the all ready order Dunlop Direzzas.
The TCT is really very fast upshifting under load.
The steering gives you a little bit of kickback on bad roads. But it is very precise. It gives you very good feel under load. It is very light in the center. I think this is why some people say it has no feel.
The brake is very strong, and has a hard brake point. They have a good feel but you need shoes with a plain sole on your shots because of the racing padel box.
The sound, especially in tunnels is addictive. She is so loud, with deep sound.
After all the driving is really very funny.
She is very well equipped for the weight. You have all the safety and comfort features you need. But none of the ones you don´t need.
Now is the 4C better or worser?
She is different. For me she is very exciting, even compared to my other cars. The 996 feels much more heavier, less direct, less agile than the 4C.
And yes the Porsche feels boring compared to the 4C. Very boring. To be honest, I am german and in my opinion german cars are the best in the world. But unfortunately often not the most exciting ones.
However, THIS IS USELESS WITHOUT PICTURES GOD DAMN IT!!
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