Alfa 4C - One month (just over) in to ownership
Discussion
Hi All,
I have owned an Alfa 4C now for just over a month and I though I would give my initial impressions..
To start with, let me just say that I loved the shape and look of the car from the day it came out, but it was a while before I was in a position to buy one as its not my daily driver. Over the years I have owned various cars including a TTS, 3 Porsche Boxster's, a Porsche 986, a Porsche 911 (997 gen 1) and a Porsche 911 (997 gen 2), but nothing has the sense of occasion that the Alfa has. It really is a truly special car to drive an one I hope I can keep forever.
I specifically wanted Alfa Rosso Competizione with the telephone dial wheels and I wasn't keen on the Launch Edition as I didn't like the dark wheels or the dark wing mirrors and rear wing. I also wanted a coupe as I love the shape of the car and I think the spider loses some of that pureness. I also love the bug eye headlights (I didn't when it was launched) as they are so unique. I finally found a car with HWM in Walton on Thames (who were excellent btw) and picked it up on the 19th May.
I knew what I was buying and it certainly isn't a Porsche Cayman, it a raw, stripped out sports car and incredibly fun to drive. Mine has the sports exhaust, which I love and have no issue with the noise it makes on a motorway or any booming that I have read about, although its certainly loud!!. Yes, the steering is direct and it tends to wander a bit, but to me that is all part of the joy of a proper sports car.
I think that on launch many journalists compared it to a Cayman and that was a big mistake, its much, much closer to a Lotus. If you think you are buying a Cayman with all the creature comforts and German refinement, you will be sorely disappointed by the 4C. But if you go in to ownership with your eyes wide open, it won't disappoint.
I have drive just under a 1,000 miles so far and have enjoyed every single one of them. I find excuses to take the car out and even just wander outside to look at it from time to time, suddenly we seem to have a lot more rubbish to take out! It also seems to get a very positive reception from people, which never happened in my 911.
Is it perfect?...no! Silly little things are annoying like there is no boot release on the key fob and no gas strut on the boot. I know its all about weight saving, but it still annoying. I wish it had a glove box or just somewhere to put stuff, I wish there was more leather on the dash etc. But you know what, I just don't care because its a stunning car that I feel very fortunate to own and puts a smile of my face (and most of the passengers I have had in it) every time I drive it.
I think prices will drop sub £40k based on the cars currently for sale, but I think that long term its a sound investment as it was always chalked in for a 5 year production cycle and we are getting near to that now. My advice, if you want one and can afford it, don't delay as its the car I have enjoyed owning the most.
Any questions, please feel free to ask!
Cheers
Ben
I have owned an Alfa 4C now for just over a month and I though I would give my initial impressions..
To start with, let me just say that I loved the shape and look of the car from the day it came out, but it was a while before I was in a position to buy one as its not my daily driver. Over the years I have owned various cars including a TTS, 3 Porsche Boxster's, a Porsche 986, a Porsche 911 (997 gen 1) and a Porsche 911 (997 gen 2), but nothing has the sense of occasion that the Alfa has. It really is a truly special car to drive an one I hope I can keep forever.
I specifically wanted Alfa Rosso Competizione with the telephone dial wheels and I wasn't keen on the Launch Edition as I didn't like the dark wheels or the dark wing mirrors and rear wing. I also wanted a coupe as I love the shape of the car and I think the spider loses some of that pureness. I also love the bug eye headlights (I didn't when it was launched) as they are so unique. I finally found a car with HWM in Walton on Thames (who were excellent btw) and picked it up on the 19th May.
I knew what I was buying and it certainly isn't a Porsche Cayman, it a raw, stripped out sports car and incredibly fun to drive. Mine has the sports exhaust, which I love and have no issue with the noise it makes on a motorway or any booming that I have read about, although its certainly loud!!. Yes, the steering is direct and it tends to wander a bit, but to me that is all part of the joy of a proper sports car.
I think that on launch many journalists compared it to a Cayman and that was a big mistake, its much, much closer to a Lotus. If you think you are buying a Cayman with all the creature comforts and German refinement, you will be sorely disappointed by the 4C. But if you go in to ownership with your eyes wide open, it won't disappoint.
I have drive just under a 1,000 miles so far and have enjoyed every single one of them. I find excuses to take the car out and even just wander outside to look at it from time to time, suddenly we seem to have a lot more rubbish to take out! It also seems to get a very positive reception from people, which never happened in my 911.
Is it perfect?...no! Silly little things are annoying like there is no boot release on the key fob and no gas strut on the boot. I know its all about weight saving, but it still annoying. I wish it had a glove box or just somewhere to put stuff, I wish there was more leather on the dash etc. But you know what, I just don't care because its a stunning car that I feel very fortunate to own and puts a smile of my face (and most of the passengers I have had in it) every time I drive it.
I think prices will drop sub £40k based on the cars currently for sale, but I think that long term its a sound investment as it was always chalked in for a 5 year production cycle and we are getting near to that now. My advice, if you want one and can afford it, don't delay as its the car I have enjoyed owning the most.
Any questions, please feel free to ask!
Cheers
Ben
It'll be interesting to hear your feedback as time goes by. I agree the car is a fantastic drive. Looking over a number, the quality control seems very good too, I think Alfa have really made an effort on this car. The feedback would indicate the worst someone may get is the front lid not being aligned quite right, but this should be fixed easily by the dealer. The only issue with some drivers is that they can't get on with the direct feel of the steering, in that the car reacts to our poor roads by tramlining. This can be eliminated by Alfaworks' replacement shims for around £400 including labour. Anything else, for example, if you think it's not fast enough (!) a replacement Alfaworks ECU with a different map will give more punch around the midrange (adding about 50bhp) (other remappers may give more topend).
227bhp said:
I'm an Italian car lover, but can't help thinking those wheels are a bit Marmite, nay, OTT (dare I say ugly?) especially in silver.
If I could afford one I'd be investigating a different design, with quite what I don't know.
Lovely car though, I'm envious.
It's funny because I think the car looks odd on any wheels other than the the classic Alfa telephone dial wheels! But I think its great that we all have different opinions otherwise everyone would spec the car exactly the same. If I could afford one I'd be investigating a different design, with quite what I don't know.
Lovely car though, I'm envious.
limpsfield said:
Beautiful cars - please keep us updated. Long time Alfa fan, ex-Lotusx2 owner and currently have a Boxster and would seriously consider one of these in the future.
Hi, I certainly think you will enjoy the 4C if you have had a Lotus. I certainly could't use it as a daily driver due to the work I do, but I think you could if you purchased it knowing what it is all about and have realistic expectations of creature comforts!
Also had mine just over a month. I had a 4C on order last year but got fed up waiting and so bought an Elise R. It was fantastic but was sold as I then bought a Ferrari F430. The 430 was not all I hoped it would be despite having owned another Ferrari a few years ago. I've also owned 12 Porsches and a host of other cars (grand total of 91 which makes even me shake my head). The 4C is very much the 'Italian Elise' that I had hoped for so when I sold the 430 I decided to take the plunge into 4C ownership. I do really like the look of the larger wheels but with our roads being so poor I decided to buy a car on the standard wheels. Stunning to look at with the 'immediacy' that only seemingly comes from genuine lightness. Thoroughly smitten.
Edited by Steven944 on Friday 8th July 07:45
AMG Merc said:
Didn't Clarkson say the noise was wearing on long drives? What say you owners?
I have done a few long(ish) trips and I have to say I have no issue with it at all. It is loud but certainly not overbearing.I think the exhaust noise is all part of the experience and part of owning a small Italian sports car.
This is s pretty good test by Rory Reid (before he got the Top Gear position): https://youtu.be/UXTvtzRJvOg
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