Alfa 4C - New Owner
Discussion
What a car... What an absolutely epic car...
Only way I can start this thread. I am blown away by the 4C. It's an incredible machine and has surpassed all expectations I had of it.
First of all, for credibility / comparison, I have had a number of cars over the years - Five Elise's, an Exige, an Evora (mrs daily driver), a JCW Cooper S, E46M3, Cayman S, F430 Spider, Two Aston V8V coupe manuals and One Aston V8V roadster sportshift. The 4C is an itch I have wanted to scratch for a while and the opportunity came up a few weeks back which I jumped at.
Exterior - What a beautiful looking thing. This car does not take pictures well. It's stunning in the flesh - and this comes from someone who thought it looked average in person. The lines and the styling of it has been considered so well. Every line tracks from the front right to the very back and it looks different from every angle as well. Even the lights which I weren't sold on look incredible in person.
Interior - Really nice place to sit. And incredibly spacious. It's bigger than the Evora inside and even feels pretty much the same as my F430. I think the width is what does it. Seat position is a little high to me but only because the dash is so low. Think it's just about getting used to it... Other than that; the plastic dash doesn’t bother me at all and actually feels much more solid which I prefer. The carbon inside looks incredible and even the door shuts and hinge plates are all carbon. So much work has gone into it.
Performance - Open the boot and full carbon engine bay with a 1.7 turbo sitting in the middle. It's incredibly quick. And it pulls no matter what speed you are going. Turbo noise is quite nice as well and definitely not too intrusive. Gearbox is lighting quick and nice to use as well. This would easily outpace the Evora on an open road. The Aston feels slow compared! Brakes are incredibly responsive as well and the car doesn’t feel light to drive. I've barely felt the understeer when pushing hard on an A Road, but it's not really noticeable.
Bad bits - the suspension is made of jelly and it's already had some replacement parts. It's going in for another few in a couple of weeks time. It's wide and it's low - and I mean it's really really wide and really really low! I love the look of it but it's not incredibly practical. Depreciation? Who knows if this will be an issue or not but I'm hoping the bottom of the market is around £40k. In fact I can't quite believe you can buy this car for £40k. Full carbon tub, the looks, the gearbox, the performance, not many about... How is it this cheap?
I'm sure you can tell I'm really happy with it. I found it hard to find good reviews and in particular good pictures so here is a couple of my own. It's had pretty much every option ticked and I genuinely feel like this is 'THE' car.
Questions welcome!
Only way I can start this thread. I am blown away by the 4C. It's an incredible machine and has surpassed all expectations I had of it.
First of all, for credibility / comparison, I have had a number of cars over the years - Five Elise's, an Exige, an Evora (mrs daily driver), a JCW Cooper S, E46M3, Cayman S, F430 Spider, Two Aston V8V coupe manuals and One Aston V8V roadster sportshift. The 4C is an itch I have wanted to scratch for a while and the opportunity came up a few weeks back which I jumped at.
Exterior - What a beautiful looking thing. This car does not take pictures well. It's stunning in the flesh - and this comes from someone who thought it looked average in person. The lines and the styling of it has been considered so well. Every line tracks from the front right to the very back and it looks different from every angle as well. Even the lights which I weren't sold on look incredible in person.
Interior - Really nice place to sit. And incredibly spacious. It's bigger than the Evora inside and even feels pretty much the same as my F430. I think the width is what does it. Seat position is a little high to me but only because the dash is so low. Think it's just about getting used to it... Other than that; the plastic dash doesn’t bother me at all and actually feels much more solid which I prefer. The carbon inside looks incredible and even the door shuts and hinge plates are all carbon. So much work has gone into it.
Performance - Open the boot and full carbon engine bay with a 1.7 turbo sitting in the middle. It's incredibly quick. And it pulls no matter what speed you are going. Turbo noise is quite nice as well and definitely not too intrusive. Gearbox is lighting quick and nice to use as well. This would easily outpace the Evora on an open road. The Aston feels slow compared! Brakes are incredibly responsive as well and the car doesn’t feel light to drive. I've barely felt the understeer when pushing hard on an A Road, but it's not really noticeable.
Bad bits - the suspension is made of jelly and it's already had some replacement parts. It's going in for another few in a couple of weeks time. It's wide and it's low - and I mean it's really really wide and really really low! I love the look of it but it's not incredibly practical. Depreciation? Who knows if this will be an issue or not but I'm hoping the bottom of the market is around £40k. In fact I can't quite believe you can buy this car for £40k. Full carbon tub, the looks, the gearbox, the performance, not many about... How is it this cheap?
I'm sure you can tell I'm really happy with it. I found it hard to find good reviews and in particular good pictures so here is a couple of my own. It's had pretty much every option ticked and I genuinely feel like this is 'THE' car.
Questions welcome!
You summed up my feelings exactly after I had a long drive in one. They are quite simply brilliant to drive. The build quality is good, it looks like Alfa have made a big effort on the 4C. I expect values to drop a bit for a while, after all they are still making them, however, when they stop making them I expect in a year or two, I think that'll change. It shouldn't take too long for a wider appreciation to percolate through and values to rise; I think at the moment some people cling on to some of the negative journalists' feedback without trying for themselves - some journalists I think have been brought up on the many so called 'sports' cars which are really numb over assisted electric steered, infested with dozens of CPU nannies. This is a drivers' car. (I'm getting one!)
I keep an eye on these.
I've been able to read the pro-reviews and still keep in mind that this is a different proposition to it's price-like competition.
But whilst I rarely if ever get in a car and start touching the interior plastics and evaluating them, how do owner's feel about the build quality inside? seat comfort?
We can see from the design it looks great, but there has been a weird reaction to fit and finish and bare wires etc.. Is it a case of accepting that costs needed to be cut in some areas to help with the fact is a Carbon tub'd sports car.
Personally I hope they drop a bit more to make them a bit more affordable... and I'd have to have a red one...
A good read there though OP, thanks for that.
I've been able to read the pro-reviews and still keep in mind that this is a different proposition to it's price-like competition.
But whilst I rarely if ever get in a car and start touching the interior plastics and evaluating them, how do owner's feel about the build quality inside? seat comfort?
We can see from the design it looks great, but there has been a weird reaction to fit and finish and bare wires etc.. Is it a case of accepting that costs needed to be cut in some areas to help with the fact is a Carbon tub'd sports car.
Personally I hope they drop a bit more to make them a bit more affordable... and I'd have to have a red one...
A good read there though OP, thanks for that.
Thanks guys.
The interior quality to me is actually very good. A leather dash looks nice but actually just creates problems, otherwise I dont see anything wrong with it. In fact I probably prefer it to other cars I've had. The seats are comfortable, the wheel and leathers that you do have feel very luxurious and there is no bare wires to note. Everything very neatly tucked away actually. I have seen one without the leather seats however and they look very tacky. Not a fan. The interesting part I find - the Cayman S I had didn't have a leather dash and the air vents were the same material...
I hope prices dont drop and current owners dont talk them down either. But I've watched for the last 12 months and they have held fast. I genuinely think that's because people that buy them dont want to give them up - and that's certainly how I feel.
It speaks volumes when you instantly bond with a car. Lotus are the only other brand that have managed to make me feel that way.
The interior quality to me is actually very good. A leather dash looks nice but actually just creates problems, otherwise I dont see anything wrong with it. In fact I probably prefer it to other cars I've had. The seats are comfortable, the wheel and leathers that you do have feel very luxurious and there is no bare wires to note. Everything very neatly tucked away actually. I have seen one without the leather seats however and they look very tacky. Not a fan. The interesting part I find - the Cayman S I had didn't have a leather dash and the air vents were the same material...
I hope prices dont drop and current owners dont talk them down either. But I've watched for the last 12 months and they have held fast. I genuinely think that's because people that buy them dont want to give them up - and that's certainly how I feel.
It speaks volumes when you instantly bond with a car. Lotus are the only other brand that have managed to make me feel that way.
Lotus Elise
Lotus Exige
Lotus Evora
Mini JCW Cooper S
BMW E46 M3
Porsche Cayman S
Ferrari F430 Spider
Aston V8V coupe
Aston V8V roadster
And this Alfa has the nicest cockpit of them all? that's quite a statement... (Not arguing, I haven't owned anything like that list)..just really interesting to hear that kind of opinion, you having actually owned that lot.
Lotus Exige
Lotus Evora
Mini JCW Cooper S
BMW E46 M3
Porsche Cayman S
Ferrari F430 Spider
Aston V8V coupe
Aston V8V roadster
And this Alfa has the nicest cockpit of them all? that's quite a statement... (Not arguing, I haven't owned anything like that list)..just really interesting to hear that kind of opinion, you having actually owned that lot.
The interior is a nice place to spend time. You sit very low with your legs straight out and all the controls are easy to reach. I have heard journalists moan about things like the heater controls being basic and cheap but they completely miss the point. Firstly, on the move they are easy to reach and use without looking down and secondly they are lightweight. Besides you are sitting deep within a gorgeous hand lay-up preg-preg carbon tub and everywhere you look you see the carbon weave. Even if the odd bit of plastic offends you then there is a very quick cure; look across to the passenger side window and the view is pure Stratos. After a long drive it is nice just sitting in the car listening to it cool down.
I should add to what I said about them only getting better with time; from the very start I have loved every mile and I think it is safe to say she is my perfect car. What has been great though is that feeling only strengthens with time. It would be a thoroughly miserable time if I ever had to sell her, this is a car to keep for good.
As for reliability. We are knocking on 43,000 miles and life has been good. There are quite a few owners also using their cars as daily drivers.
We have had a two issues dealt with under warranty:
alternator failed
lower front wishbone ball joints started to knock
Our car has the standard suspension (not comfort as the bloody magazines keep calling it).
Yes leather on the dash is available as an option but it only adds weight which would be a shame.
I should add to what I said about them only getting better with time; from the very start I have loved every mile and I think it is safe to say she is my perfect car. What has been great though is that feeling only strengthens with time. It would be a thoroughly miserable time if I ever had to sell her, this is a car to keep for good.
As for reliability. We are knocking on 43,000 miles and life has been good. There are quite a few owners also using their cars as daily drivers.
We have had a two issues dealt with under warranty:
alternator failed
lower front wishbone ball joints started to knock
Our car has the standard suspension (not comfort as the bloody magazines keep calling it).
Yes leather on the dash is available as an option but it only adds weight which would be a shame.
Love mine
Re comfort it's very good, we did a trip to Italy , 3000 miles in a week and it was really comfortable, boots a bit restrictive though so you need to pack carefully , I did a similar trip in a 500 Abarth and the 4c was streets ahead on comfort , I've also done a similar trip in a 500 bhp 350 zed running tein adjustable suspension and the 4c was easily as comfortable and a lot more fun. I think because the car is so light they can run softer springs as you have less weight to counteract when hitting bumps , mines got the stock suspension purpously as I wanted some comfort on long runs so I steered away from the sports suspension but I'm hearing that is also not over stuff. Reliability 10000 miles and only the radio has had issues and that us pants anyway, a full blown parrot and way to complex, I believe they may now be using a different unit. Inside it's basic but that keeps weight down but the quality is good and all that gorgeous exposed carbon is rather nice.
Overall I can't think of any car that's so good for the price and it's the kind of car you just want to keep driving. You also get a great response from other road users which is nice. Anyone who has one take it to Italy , the reaction is so so good, even in Modena which is Ferrari territory
IMHO no other car even comes close, I'm in my late 50's so have owned a few so it's a view based on experience.
Alfa have built a winner, maybe the press don't like it as it's so different to all the other cars built today which are gadget and comfort laden
Re comfort it's very good, we did a trip to Italy , 3000 miles in a week and it was really comfortable, boots a bit restrictive though so you need to pack carefully , I did a similar trip in a 500 Abarth and the 4c was streets ahead on comfort , I've also done a similar trip in a 500 bhp 350 zed running tein adjustable suspension and the 4c was easily as comfortable and a lot more fun. I think because the car is so light they can run softer springs as you have less weight to counteract when hitting bumps , mines got the stock suspension purpously as I wanted some comfort on long runs so I steered away from the sports suspension but I'm hearing that is also not over stuff. Reliability 10000 miles and only the radio has had issues and that us pants anyway, a full blown parrot and way to complex, I believe they may now be using a different unit. Inside it's basic but that keeps weight down but the quality is good and all that gorgeous exposed carbon is rather nice.
Overall I can't think of any car that's so good for the price and it's the kind of car you just want to keep driving. You also get a great response from other road users which is nice. Anyone who has one take it to Italy , the reaction is so so good, even in Modena which is Ferrari territory
IMHO no other car even comes close, I'm in my late 50's so have owned a few so it's a view based on experience.
Alfa have built a winner, maybe the press don't like it as it's so different to all the other cars built today which are gadget and comfort laden
SFO said:
what has gone wrong with the suspension?
what was the mileage when suspension bits needed attention?
is it being covered by warranty?
does your car have the racing suspension?
It's had suspension mounts all round and new ball joints. And it's knocking again so back in on the 15th for what would appear to be another ball joint. what was the mileage when suspension bits needed attention?
is it being covered by warranty?
does your car have the racing suspension?
Yes - all covered
Yes it does. But the standard will be the same wish bones / track rods / ball joints I imagine.
Quickmoose said:
Lotus Elise
Lotus Exige
Lotus Evora
Mini JCW Cooper S
BMW E46 M3
Porsche Cayman S
Ferrari F430 Spider
Aston V8V coupe
Aston V8V roadster
And this Alfa has the nicest cockpit of them all?
Well I didn't quite say that... But I would now that you mention it. Mini interior was quite funky but felt like a normal car. BMW interior didnt feel special - same as every BM I've ever been in. Lotus is, well, very basic! Ferrari was nice but wasn't that well built (it rattled and the soft top plastic window left a lot to be desired. The Aston is bar far the nicest to sit in and look at - but have you ever driven one? They rattle like they are made of ten thousand loose screws. Google it and you'll see its a very common problem and by far the single worst thing about the Aston.Lotus Exige
Lotus Evora
Mini JCW Cooper S
BMW E46 M3
Porsche Cayman S
Ferrari F430 Spider
Aston V8V coupe
Aston V8V roadster
And this Alfa has the nicest cockpit of them all?
The Alfa is solid. The carbon is beautiful. The peddle position is perfect (another thing that's crap in the Aston) and it just works.
hmm, not convinced, I sat in and had a good look around a black one near me, the mirrors just appeared to be curvy generic items with overly thick supports detracting from the rest of the form, I know companies are up against it legislation wise, but something coming from the corner of the side glass or even sat on top of the front wing would be preferable IMO...opinion being the point...
Subjective stuff strikes again!!!!
Subjective stuff strikes again!!!!
I am really considering one of these and have recently driven a spider which I thought was great fun. I did experience the nose happy handling and whilst I reckon i could drive around it for the type of driving I'd want to do in this car I'd like a little more certainty and therefore would be off to AlfaWorks in short order.
My concerns are two fold:
1 - I cannot quite reconcile that this is a £65k car (in Spider form at least)
2 - Previous experience has tainted my view of Alfa dealers, in short I think they are poor and frankly don't understand either high (ish) value or complicated cars.
On point one there are (in relative terms) lots of cars available in the Alfa UK system at present so I suspect if I time things right I could get a decent discount.
On point 2 what experience have owners had of the dealers ? Those I have spoken with have ranged from not interested and clueless about the product to very pleasant and clueless about the product. There is a common denominator ..........!
My concerns are two fold:
1 - I cannot quite reconcile that this is a £65k car (in Spider form at least)
2 - Previous experience has tainted my view of Alfa dealers, in short I think they are poor and frankly don't understand either high (ish) value or complicated cars.
On point one there are (in relative terms) lots of cars available in the Alfa UK system at present so I suspect if I time things right I could get a decent discount.
On point 2 what experience have owners had of the dealers ? Those I have spoken with have ranged from not interested and clueless about the product to very pleasant and clueless about the product. There is a common denominator ..........!
Re dealers , good and bad, to many Alfa dealers it's a bit to specialised but they try, others are fine .
Re the number of cars available I can't get a handle on it , not sure what discounts will be around but no harm in trying. Prices of s/hand are firming up so that should firm other things up, I think now there is a fix for the handling there will be more love for the car.
Re the soft top if you are worried about boot space that's where the roof goes so even less luggage space with the roof down
Re the number of cars available I can't get a handle on it , not sure what discounts will be around but no harm in trying. Prices of s/hand are firming up so that should firm other things up, I think now there is a fix for the handling there will be more love for the car.
Re the soft top if you are worried about boot space that's where the roof goes so even less luggage space with the roof down
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