Discussion
Hi,
I'm thinking about buying a new Alfa 4c - maybe a spider, but likely to be a coupe. There seem to be a lot of really good deals out there.
Can you owners out there give me some advice/feedback on the car. I'm used to quite extreme cars, I have a Caterham seven & previously owned a Lotus Elise.
Any thoughts/advice really much appreciated.
Thanks
Pete
I'm thinking about buying a new Alfa 4c - maybe a spider, but likely to be a coupe. There seem to be a lot of really good deals out there.
Can you owners out there give me some advice/feedback on the car. I'm used to quite extreme cars, I have a Caterham seven & previously owned a Lotus Elise.
Any thoughts/advice really much appreciated.
Thanks
Pete
I've been monitoring the 4c situation for a while myself. There seems to be a lot for sale considering it's a relatively new and desirable car..... and they don't appear to be moving. If it was a Porsche there would be a six month waiting list... so it's all a bit odd. I guess it's down to plain old market forces where people aren't willing to pay the sort of money being asked.
I've also read plenty of feedback about poor steering and suspension set up for UK roads, but I believe there are fixes for this.
I suspect there are a lot of people just playing a waiting game willing the prices to come down a bit.
I've also read plenty of feedback about poor steering and suspension set up for UK roads, but I believe there are fixes for this.
I suspect there are a lot of people just playing a waiting game willing the prices to come down a bit.
Coincidentally I drove a friends one on Saturday, first time I've even been in one. First impressions were wow, its a real flyer just wants to keep going. So performance and handling are superb. Downsides are the tramlining effect which, as has been said, is curable. I think Jamie Porter does a kit of simple to fit parts. I was in a coupe and it isn't the place for a decent conversation although this one has the racing exhaust on it. I prefer the driving experience over an conversation though. Just need to break into the piggy bank. 
They are fantastic little cars, more of a focused baby supercar than a sports car/Cayman rival. Had mine for just under 2 years and did 12000 miles including a couple of European road trips. Striking, different, engaging, beautiful - they are not everyone's cup of tea but if you want a car for driving pleasure then it will really get under your skin. I've posted thoughts/review of the car on here that I am sure you can search for.
I only sold mine as am awaiting delivery of a Quadrifoglio. But Thames Tunbridge Wells has mine and I can totally vouch for the car.
Would recommend the geo set up from Alfaworks and their exhaust.
Please feel free to ask any specific questions
I only sold mine as am awaiting delivery of a Quadrifoglio. But Thames Tunbridge Wells has mine and I can totally vouch for the car.
Would recommend the geo set up from Alfaworks and their exhaust.
Please feel free to ask any specific questions
I've had plenty of driving in one. This sounds like hyperbole, but it's truly one of the most exciting cars on the road. Well quick enough, darty handling (yes it can be tamed for about £450 given our roads are so bad, if you don't do so much track work - but the mod doesn't take away the good feel for the road). If fuel economy concerns you, then about 40ish mpg because it's so light. There's a similar thread further down for more feedback.
I have a Spider with the Alfaworks exhaust & geo set up. If you can stretch to the Spider then do so, makes no difference to rigidity & it's such a blast to drive on a sunny day!
I've also done 3 track days so far, It's been brilliant & hasn't missed a beat.
Values are all over the place so negotiate hard !!
I've also done 3 track days so far, It's been brilliant & hasn't missed a beat.
Values are all over the place so negotiate hard !!
ferdi p said:
I have a Spider with the Alfaworks exhaust & geo set up. If you can stretch to the Spider then do so, makes no difference to rigidity & it's such a blast to drive on a sunny day!
I've also done 3 track days so far, It's been brilliant & hasn't missed a beat.
Values are all over the place so negotiate hard !!
Does the Alfaworks geo-setup widen the front track ?I've also done 3 track days so far, It's been brilliant & hasn't missed a beat.
Values are all over the place so negotiate hard !!
Ive had mine for 2 years, been used fairly hard including 2 European trips, both around 3000 miles, car is now coming up to 17000 miles & not a single issue, that's better than the Merc SLK we bought around the same time, it really is the best car Ive ever owned and being 50 something Ive had a few including many with a lot more BHP.
The handling as std is very track focused & strangely was fine on Italian roads ( perhaps it felt at home ) but on the English roads which lets face it are pants the occasional wild tramlining issue can be " exciting" I had mine corrected if that's the right word by Alfa works, £450. Its a great balance as it just sanitises it slightly but doesn't dull the sharp handling
Alfa works do a nice Exhaust as well & it doesn't drone at Motorway speeds which apparently the Alfa Sports exhaust will , the std Alfa Exhaust is fine but for me it needed a sweeter note.
Its not everyones cup of tea, its a bit basic inside, its noisier than your average car , all part of the weight saving so if you want comfy seats, glove boxes & deep carpets & other creature comforts its not for you, get a Porsche etc, if you love a rewarding car to drive & probably the prettiest car for under 100K then its a no brainer IMHO.
Meridien Milano Ive found to be a good dealer if you do go there
For anyone buying second hand make sure its serviced, its annual or every 12000 & the first one is around £900. Its a hand built car & in the first service a lot is checked
As for prices I cant see them going much lower, now the handling is sorted there's more love for the car & with new ones going up, I'm guessing due to the falling pound & also summer just around the corner I feel prices will only go up on the older ones. Again if your buying second hand check the spec as the cost new would have varied a lot.
The only essential item IMO which was an extra on earlier cars but might now be std is reversing sensors, parking it without would be a lottery
The handling as std is very track focused & strangely was fine on Italian roads ( perhaps it felt at home ) but on the English roads which lets face it are pants the occasional wild tramlining issue can be " exciting" I had mine corrected if that's the right word by Alfa works, £450. Its a great balance as it just sanitises it slightly but doesn't dull the sharp handling
Alfa works do a nice Exhaust as well & it doesn't drone at Motorway speeds which apparently the Alfa Sports exhaust will , the std Alfa Exhaust is fine but for me it needed a sweeter note.
Its not everyones cup of tea, its a bit basic inside, its noisier than your average car , all part of the weight saving so if you want comfy seats, glove boxes & deep carpets & other creature comforts its not for you, get a Porsche etc, if you love a rewarding car to drive & probably the prettiest car for under 100K then its a no brainer IMHO.
Meridien Milano Ive found to be a good dealer if you do go there
For anyone buying second hand make sure its serviced, its annual or every 12000 & the first one is around £900. Its a hand built car & in the first service a lot is checked
As for prices I cant see them going much lower, now the handling is sorted there's more love for the car & with new ones going up, I'm guessing due to the falling pound & also summer just around the corner I feel prices will only go up on the older ones. Again if your buying second hand check the spec as the cost new would have varied a lot.
The only essential item IMO which was an extra on earlier cars but might now be std is reversing sensors, parking it without would be a lottery
DeltonaS said:
ferdi p said:
I have a Spider with the Alfaworks exhaust & geo set up. If you can stretch to the Spider then do so, makes no difference to rigidity & it's such a blast to drive on a sunny day!
I've also done 3 track days so far, It's been brilliant & hasn't missed a beat.
Values are all over the place so negotiate hard !!
Does the Alfaworks geo-setup widen the front track ?I've also done 3 track days so far, It's been brilliant & hasn't missed a beat.
Values are all over the place so negotiate hard !!
Here's the page on Alfaworks website describing the fitting of the blocks:
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_4C_front_geomet...
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_4C_front_geomet...
PeterGadsby said:
Cool - Good luck with your new car...
I'm thinking either 4c or older Ferrari 360 (manual)....I'm weighing up the difference in running costs :-)
The wife wants me to get the Ferrari (as I have always wanted one)
- Pete
The Alfa will have a warranty & does 35 mpg when driven sensibly are 2 pluses for the 4CI'm thinking either 4c or older Ferrari 360 (manual)....I'm weighing up the difference in running costs :-)
The wife wants me to get the Ferrari (as I have always wanted one)
- Pete
Really I would suggest try both as the cars are very different for sure.
Well delivery was delayed due to a recall, something to do with the chassis plate the dealer said. Anyhow got it weekend before last and just want to keep driving it, its so addictive. I'm just about done the 250 miles that Alfa state before you can use the 'D' mode so this weekend will put an even bigger smile on my face, if that's possible. As far as handling goes I would describe the steering feel as 'lively' but nowhere near as bad as some of the road tests I have read make out. I like the feedback you get and its not too intrusive, to my mind, and very controllable. Not sure if Alfa have improved things or not but I did drive a friends earlier version, which is when the bug bit, and there is no discernible difference. I suppose it depends when Alfa did the upgrade however I'm a very happy bunny.
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