alfa 4c depreciation

[Ullers]

ian996 said:

I think the issue that puts me off the most is the noise level - I need to be very protective of my hearing, and I don't really want to have to stick ear-plugs in every time I drive it. Useful info about Alfa-works...I'd wondered if a bit of expert fettling would address the handling issues that always seem to be raised in reviews.

It's a very tempting prospect for a long-term Alfa fanatic - maybe I'll get a test-drive once the weather picks up and experience the noise levels for myself.

I've had my steering sorted by Alfa Workshop and also fitted their exhaust (developed with Quicksilver). It has transformed the car. What ever you do don't go for the Alfa racing exhaust - the drone/boom is just awful. The standard steering is also scary to say the least.

I bought my 4C after a 1 year wait and no test drive. If I had test driven it, I wouldn't have bought! That's why they can't get rid of them now (and the spider is also bonkers money)! However if they had the Alfa Workshop mods they would walk out the door! I don't work for Alfa Workshop and have no connection with them whatsoever, so this opiniom is unbiased

[Bensaunders1973]

Hi,

Sorry to revive this old thread, but I have been following adverts of 4C's for a while as I'm thinking of buying one and nothing really seems to be moving.

There are quite a few cars between £42k and £47k and even new cars with minimal miles are now showing up below £50k.

Does anyone have any views on this, are prices being held up by dealers who are reluctant to make reductions?

I'm staggered that more are not selling, however, having driven a couple, it's clear to me that they are primarily a second car and not a daily driver. Maybe it falls between a cheap weekend car and a true supercar and this is why it's not as popular as expected.

Its a truly stunning car and I'm desperate to own one, however I don't want to jump in to early and then see prices decline rapidly.

Many Thanks

Ben

Edited by Bensaunders1973 on Wednesday 27th April 11:09

[corporalsparrow]

Bensaunders1973 said:

Hi,

Sorry to revive this old thread, but I have been following adverts of 4C's for a while as I'm thinking of buying one and nothing really seems to be moving.

There are quite a few cars between £42k and £47k and even new cars with minimal miles are now showing up below £50k.

Does anyone have any views on this, are prices being held up by dealers who are reluctant to make reductions?

I'm staggered that more are not selling, however, having driven a couple, it's clear to me that they are primarily a second car and not a daily driver. Maybe it falls between a cheap weekend car and a true supercar and this is why it's not as popular as expected.

Its a truly stunning car and I'm desperate to own one, however I don't want to jump in to early and then see prices decline rapidly.

Many Thanks

Ben

Edited by Bensaunders1973 on Wednesday 27th April 11:09

Offer £35 now. Because you never know.

[Mawsleycarvalet]

I bought a red launch addition 2 months ago after selling my lotus 111r which I had for 12 years front new. I payed £48k for a 4K miles car and I love it. Yes it's loud at motorway speed and yes it moves around a lot on the road and knowing Alfa it will probably lose its arse, but your here for a good time not a long time so don't over thinking st if you want one just get it bought.

[Boshly]

Know nothing about the cars (other than what I read on here ) but that looks lovely

[Stuart J]

Ullers said:

ian996 said:

I think the issue that puts me off the most is the noise level - I need to be very protective of my hearing, and I don't really want to have to stick ear-plugs in every time I drive it. Useful info about Alfa-works...I'd wondered if a bit of expert fettling would address the handling issues that always seem to be raised in reviews.

It's a very tempting prospect for a long-term Alfa fanatic - maybe I'll get a test-drive once the weather picks up and experience the noise levels for myself.

I've had my steering sorted by Alfa Workshop and also fitted their exhaust (developed with Quicksilver). It has transformed the car. What ever you do don't go for the Alfa racing exhaust - the drone/boom is just awful. The standard steering is also scary to say the least.

I bought my 4C after a 1 year wait and no test drive. If I had test driven it, I wouldn't have bought! That's why they can't get rid of them now (and the spider is also bonkers money)! However if they had the Alfa Workshop mods they would walk out the door! I don't work for Alfa Workshop and have no connection with them whatsoever, so this opiniom is unbiased

It's a car you will love or hate, it's raw, it's exciting, it's stunning to look at, it's a car I just don't want to get out of after I have driven it. I ran it for a year before doing the Alfa workshop steering mods and like you fitting the quicksilver exhaust , both great value for money and the steering mod transforms the car for the better if your a person who wants to use it a lot on the uk cart tracks called roads. The std steering is very track focused but was also very good on continental roads. I ran mine at silverstone as std and also had a px lap in it being pedaled by an ex F1 and Le Mans driver who showed me how quick it really is and he was pretty complimentary on the car as was a former lotus cup champion who tried it.

As for comfort, it's noisy, it's a sports car, they are meant to be, the ride is very good, amazingly so, I purpously avoided the launch edition as I didn't want sports suspension as I intended to do a lot if miles in it and it is very comfortable , we took it to italy last year via a lot of alpine passes and there was no fatigue. As a comparison we did a very similar trip a few years ago in an early 500 Abarth and that was really uncomfortable, that banged and crashed over any bump or hole in the road but that was 50% heavier so I guess needed stronger springs.

I did nearly 9000 miles with the std steering so it's not that horrid, the fix is £450 and IMO worth it. I've also heard the Alfa sports zorst is boomy so maybe worth avoiding. There were a lot it appears bought by people speculating hense so many on the market so if I was buying now I would be bidding low as many may feel they have to shift it in the spring

I've owned many cars and I still find it very special to drive, in fact it's special just to look at. I haven't had any issues with the car, it's incredibly economical, not that it really worries me, our Italy trip was 3000 miles in a week with 2 lotus's and a Porsche so some very spirited driving but it still returned well over 30 mpg. Driving it at legal speeds it's better than my diesel daily drive.

I think at the present prices they are worth seriously considering , where else can you get a beautiful carbon fibre sports car that is a real sports car for well under 50k

One tip, servicing is annual not mileage and the first one as they are hand built is a big service as it's given a very good check over, most of the panels come off to check torque settings on fixings etc , takes over a day and we all know how much garages charge an hour these days so if you are buying a speculators car make sure it's been serviced, if not check rates with your preferred dealer , if you can't budget for around a grand.

I can't see me selling mine at all, just going to carry on enjoying it and if I get bored with it Alfa Workshop are developing a 2 litre 400 ish bhp conversion, that in a car that weighs around 800 kilos will be "interesting"

Personally I can see prices dropping a little more but once production stops and with prices of new cars still on the up I think they will settle at around 40 and then creep slowly back up as it's a car loved by so many and they will be rare and if you look at depreciation against many other cars it's held up very well and as the Alfa brand is built back up rarity and it's looks alone will make it desireable

I've just typed this on a phone so apologies if there are typos or nonsensical auto spell corrections but I hope it helps.

[Stuart J]

Ullers said:

ian996 said:

I think the issue that puts me off the most is the noise level - I need to be very protective of my hearing, and I don't really want to have to stick ear-plugs in every time I drive it. Useful info about Alfa-works...I'd wondered if a bit of expert fettling would address the handling issues that always seem to be raised in reviews.

It's a very tempting prospect for a long-term Alfa fanatic - maybe I'll get a test-drive once the weather picks up and experience the noise levels for myself.

I've had my steering sorted by Alfa Workshop and also fitted their exhaust (developed with Quicksilver). It has transformed the car. What ever you do don't go for the Alfa racing exhaust - the drone/boom is just awful. The standard steering is also scary to say the least.

I bought my 4C after a 1 year wait and no test drive. If I had test driven it, I wouldn't have bought! That's why they can't get rid of them now (and the spider is also bonkers money)! However if they had the Alfa Workshop mods they would walk out the door! I don't work for Alfa Workshop and have no connection with them whatsoever, so this opiniom is unbiased

It's a car you will love or hate, it's raw, it's exciting, it's stunning to look at, it's a car I just don't want to get out of after I have driven it. I ran it for a year before doing the Alfa workshop steering mods and like you fitting the quicksilver exhaust , both great value for money and the steering mod transforms the car for the better if your a person who wants to use it a lot on the uk cart tracks called roads. The std steering is very track focused but was also very good on continental roads. I ran mine at silverstone as std and also had a px lap in it being pedaled by an ex F1 and Le Mans driver who showed me how quick it really is and he was pretty complimentary on the car as was a former lotus cup champion who tried it.

As for comfort, it's noisy, it's a sports car, they are meant to be, the ride is very good, amazingly so, I purpously avoided the launch edition as I didn't want sports suspension as I intended to do a lot if miles in it and it is very comfortable , we took it to italy last year via a lot of alpine passes and there was no fatigue. As a comparison we did a very similar trip a few years ago in an early 500 Abarth and that was really uncomfortable, that banged and crashed over any bump or hole in the road but that was 50% heavier so I guess needed stronger springs.

I did nearly 9000 miles with the std steering so it's not that horrid, the fix is £450 and IMO worth it. I've also heard the Alfa sports zorst is boomy so maybe worth avoiding. There were a lot it appears bought by people speculating hense so many on the market so if I was buying now I would be bidding low as many may feel they have to shift it in the spring

I've owned many cars and I still find it very special to drive, in fact it's special just to look at. I haven't had any issues with the car, it's incredibly economical, not that it really worries me, our Italy trip was 3000 miles in a week with 2 lotus's and a Porsche so some very spirited driving but it still returned well over 30 mpg. Driving it at legal speeds it's better than my diesel daily drive.

I think at the present prices they are worth seriously considering , where else can you get a beautiful carbon fibre sports car that is a real sports car for well under 50k

One tip, servicing is annual not mileage and the first one as they are hand built is a big service as it's given a very good check over, most of the panels come off to check torque settings on fixings etc , takes over a day and we all know how much garages charge an hour these days so if you are buying a speculators car make sure it's been serviced, if not check rates with your preferred dealer , if you can't budget for around a grand.

I can't see me selling mine at all, just going to carry on enjoying it and if I get bored with it Alfa Workshop are developing a 2 litre 400 ish bhp conversion, that in a car that weighs around 800 kilos will be "interesting"

Personally I can see prices dropping a little more but once production stops and with prices of new cars still on the up I think they will settle at around 40 and then creep slowly back up as it's a car loved by so many and they will be rare and if you look at depreciation against many other cars it's held up very well and as the Alfa brand is built back up rarity and it's looks alone will make it desireable

I've just typed this on a phone so apologies if there are typos or nonsensical auto spell corrections but I hope it helps.

[Guybrush]

Stuart J said:

Ullers said:

ian996 said:

I think the issue that puts me off the most is the noise level - I need to be very protective of my hearing, and I don't really want to have to stick ear-plugs in every time I drive it. Useful info about Alfa-works...I'd wondered if a bit of expert fettling would address the handling issues that always seem to be raised in reviews.

It's a very tempting prospect for a long-term Alfa fanatic - maybe I'll get a test-drive once the weather picks up and experience the noise levels for myself.

I've had my steering sorted by Alfa Workshop and also fitted their exhaust (developed with Quicksilver). It has transformed the car. What ever you do don't go for the Alfa racing exhaust - the drone/boom is just awful. The standard steering is also scary to say the least.

I bought my 4C after a 1 year wait and no test drive. If I had test driven it, I wouldn't have bought! That's why they can't get rid of them now (and the spider is also bonkers money)! However if they had the Alfa Workshop mods they would walk out the door! I don't work for Alfa Workshop and have no connection with them whatsoever, so this opiniom is unbiased

It's a car you will love or hate, it's raw, it's exciting, it's stunning to look at, it's a car I just don't want to get out of after I have driven it. I ran it for a year before doing the Alfa workshop steering mods and like you fitting the quicksilver exhaust , both great value for money and the steering mod transforms the car for the better if your a person who wants to use it a lot on the uk cart tracks called roads. The std steering is very track focused but was also very good on continental roads. I ran mine at silverstone as std and also had a px lap in it being pedaled by an ex F1 and Le Mans driver who showed me how quick it really is and he was pretty complimentary on the car as was a former lotus cup champion who tried it.

As for comfort, it's noisy, it's a sports car, they are meant to be, the ride is very good, amazingly so, I purpously avoided the launch edition as I didn't want sports suspension as I intended to do a lot if miles in it and it is very comfortable , we took it to italy last year via a lot of alpine passes and there was no fatigue. As a comparison we did a very similar trip a few years ago in an early 500 Abarth and that was really uncomfortable, that banged and crashed over any bump or hole in the road but that was 50% heavier so I guess needed stronger springs.

I did nearly 9000 miles with the std steering so it's not that horrid, the fix is £450 and IMO worth it. I've also heard the Alfa sports zorst is boomy so maybe worth avoiding. There were a lot it appears bought by people speculating hense so many on the market so if I was buying now I would be bidding low as many may feel they have to shift it in the spring

I've owned many cars and I still find it very special to drive, in fact it's special just to look at. I haven't had any issues with the car, it's incredibly economical, not that it really worries me, our Italy trip was 3000 miles in a week with 2 lotus's and a Porsche so some very spirited driving but it still returned well over 30 mpg. Driving it at legal speeds it's better than my diesel daily drive.

I think at the present prices they are worth seriously considering , where else can you get a beautiful carbon fibre sports car that is a real sports car for well under 50k

One tip, servicing is annual not mileage and the first one as they are hand built is a big service as it's given a very good check over, most of the panels come off to check torque settings on fixings etc , takes over a day and we all know how much garages charge an hour these days so if you are buying a speculators car make sure it's been serviced, if not check rates with your preferred dealer , if you can't budget for around a grand.

I can't see me selling mine at all, just going to carry on enjoying it and if I get bored with it Alfa Workshop are developing a 2 litre 400 ish bhp conversion, that in a car that weighs around 800 kilos will be "interesting"

Personally I can see prices dropping a little more but once production stops and with prices of new cars still on the up I think they will settle at around 40 and then creep slowly back up as it's a car loved by so many and they will be rare and if you look at depreciation against many other cars it's held up very well and as the Alfa brand is built back up rarity and it's looks alone will make it desireable

I've just typed this on a phone so apologies if there are typos or nonsensical auto spell corrections but I hope it helps.

Good write up. I've driven one quite a bit recently and agree they are a fantastic drive. As near to driving a kart as can get, excellent steering feel, turns instantly and plenty quick enough. The steering geometry as standard ensures excellent handling on good roads, but on the UK's overused worn out roads things can interesting for drivers who are used to insulated electric steering type feedback; I expect drivers not expecting this can try to fight / over compensate for the feedback.

[Stuart J]

you reminded me of a point I should have said with the std car, don't hold the wheel tight, you don't have power steering, don't fight it, yes it may scare you but it won't do more than that , hold the wheel loose and let it help guide you

After today's post earlier I took mine out , rolled past 10,000 miles , came home , relaxed , went out again later, less traffic so able to stretch the car, it's a lovelly place to be . It's a marmite car, you will gell with the rawness or spend more on a sanitized electronically controlled car

[LambShank]

I'm still very tempted by one of the LE cars still for sale.
However, these are now 2 years old so I assume less than a years warranty left?

With these cars having done so little mileage (some as low as a couple of hundred miles), and me only likely to do a couple of k miles in the next year, it doesn't give much scope for anything to go wrong before the warranty expires.

Also have the issue of moving out of my Exige V6 for the 4C, and it's a hard decision.

The saving grace being that there will always be plenty of the Exiges to buy if I don't like the 4C...

[AlexHat]

I had the pleasure of having a 4C for a couple of hours at the weekend. My god is it quick! From what I have read I was expecting the steering to be horrible, but I didn't seem to have any isses. Sure its heavy, duh, its not got any power assistance, but I didn't really find that it was steering itself into ruts in the road. The car I drove had the racing everything (suspension, exhuast etc) and whilst the exhaust did get boomy if you were in the wrong gear, in top at 70 it was quieter than I expected. Again down to every review I have seen saying the exhaust was too boomy at normal speeds (I just think they weren't in the right gear, rather than the highest ) The suspension meanwhile wasn't as stiff as I expected racing suspension to be (ie only good for racetracks). Personally I think I'd have to try one without the racing 'pack' to see the difference.

If I had the money I'd have one immediately. Now where do I find a spare £45K+?...

[Mawsleycarvalet]

LambShank said:

I'm still very tempted by one of the LE cars still for sale.
However, these are now 2 years old so I assume less than a years warranty left?

With these cars having done so little mileage (some as low as a couple of hundred miles), and me only likely to do a couple of k miles in the next year, it doesn't give much scope for anything to go wrong before the warranty expires.

Also have the issue of moving out of my Exige V6 for the 4C, and it's a hard decision.

The saving grace being that there will always be plenty of the Exiges to buy if I don't like the 4C...

Hey. I sold my Elise 111r after a 12 year love affair 😔 My 2 choices were a V6 Exige or the 4c. I went for the Alfa because I've had four Lotus cars and fancied a change. I don't think I've ever owned a car that get so much attention, it's very different to drive to the lotus possibly not quite as pin sharp but I love the thing. Sooooooooo glad I bought it. Do miss my lotus a bit though. 😔

[joscal]

I saw my first a couple of weeks ago and good god they look better in the flesh!

[Stuart J]

LambShank said:

I'm still very tempted by one of the LE cars still for sale.
However, these are now 2 years old so I assume less than a years warranty left?

With these cars having done so little mileage (some as low as a couple of hundred miles), and me only likely to do a couple of k miles in the next year, it doesn't give much scope for anything to go wrong before the warranty expires.

Also have the issue of moving out of my Exige V6 for the 4C, and it's a hard decision.

The saving grace being that there will always be plenty of the Exiges to buy if I don't like the 4C...

If you only do a couple of thousand a year then buy one with a few miles on it and save yourself a few K or as an alternative see if Alfa are doing extended warranties.

I think I posted this before but If you are buying a low miles one make sure it's been serviced, it's annual or 18000 miles, whichever comes first , the first one is a big one , early ones also were required to have what Alfa termed a pit stop service check it's had that , it was to fix a few nigles on the very first ones and some parts I believe were changed. If servicing isn't up to date I would be worried about Alfas attitude to any later warranty claims and also future resale.

[blueg33]

I have test drives of new Spider and Coupe coming up. Alfa are pushing this car hard (to me at least). Will be interesting to see how it compares with my Evora.

[Richyboy]

I thought they weren't selling because of the lack of dealers. I'd look past all the impracticalities but for a 50k car would I'd want a decent after sales service while the car is in warranty.

[LambShank]

I have a dealer 8 miles away, but they never have a car I want.

Just enquired about a white LE that's been for sale for bloody months - price reduced gradually from £58k to £46k and now it looks like there's several people moving on it.
An independent multi marque dealer near me has just sold two for similar prices that had also been up for sale for 5 months.

Looks like the price point has been found. (and yet again I miss out...!)

[Stuart J]

Richyboy said:

I thought they weren't selling because of the lack of dealers. I'd look past all the impracticalities but for a 50k car would I'd want a decent after sales service while the car is in warranty.

After sales is good, just dealers sometimes a few miles away, it's a balance, you want a local dealer, get a ford, at the other end spend a fortune on a McLaren and try and get that serviced locally. It's a rare car and to be exclusive it sometimes has slight difficulties . How many lotus dealers ate there ??

Re price a reosnably specked SLK merc you could be looking at 45k before negotiation, the 4c is a lot of car for 50k, not sure but I bet it's the cheapest car with a carbon tub by someway as well

It's really all down to what you as an individual want

[blueg33]

Stuart J said:

Richyboy said:

I thought they weren't selling because of the lack of dealers. I'd look past all the impracticalities but for a 50k car would I'd want a decent after sales service while the car is in warranty.

After sales is good, just dealers sometimes a few miles away, it's a balance, you want a local dealer, get a ford, at the other end spend a fortune on a McLaren and try and get that serviced locally. It's a rare car and to be exclusive it sometimes has slight difficulties . How many lotus dealers ate there ??

Re price a reosnably specked SLK merc you could be looking at 45k before negotiation, the 4c is a lot of car for 50k, not sure but I bet it's the cheapest car with a carbon tub by someway as well

It's really all down to what you as an individual want

I have more local Maclaren dealers than I do Lotus or Alfa

[Unbusy]

blueg33 said:

I have test drives of new Spider and Coupe coming up. Alfa are pushing this car hard (to me at least). Will be interesting to see how it compares with my Evora.

I would be very interested in your thoughts between them.
Not just the outright performance, but including the daily practicality of them.