I know the 4C isn't a supercar, but...
Discussion
I've done something rather rash and impetuous. Have put a deposit on a 4C, and am giving back my lovely 997.2 C4S (complete with sharkwerks exhaust and aerokit).
Having owned, in the last 5 years, an E46 M3, 996 C4S, 996 Turbo, Ferrari 360 and now the 997, it will be interesting to see how it compares.
I should never have sold the 360, and whilst Porsche's are great they lack soul, character IMHO. But a 4C, with far cheaper running costs, rarity value, looks, noise and presence it was a almost a no brainer. Especially with my advanced man maths/logic.
I know people are split on the car, but for me driving is not about pure speed or precision, I want to smile whilst driving and feel special in the car. As this is a weekend car I can live with a few 'character traits'. Probably nothing compare to the various Ducati's I've owned over the years!
I will post a full report as to my thoughts when I pick her up on Saturday - Rosso Competizione, racing and luxury pack, 700 miles.
I am sure plenty here will think I am barking, but hell. If we all thought the same the world would be a boring place
Having owned, in the last 5 years, an E46 M3, 996 C4S, 996 Turbo, Ferrari 360 and now the 997, it will be interesting to see how it compares.
I should never have sold the 360, and whilst Porsche's are great they lack soul, character IMHO. But a 4C, with far cheaper running costs, rarity value, looks, noise and presence it was a almost a no brainer. Especially with my advanced man maths/logic.
I know people are split on the car, but for me driving is not about pure speed or precision, I want to smile whilst driving and feel special in the car. As this is a weekend car I can live with a few 'character traits'. Probably nothing compare to the various Ducati's I've owned over the years!
I will post a full report as to my thoughts when I pick her up on Saturday - Rosso Competizione, racing and luxury pack, 700 miles.
I am sure plenty here will think I am barking, but hell. If we all thought the same the world would be a boring place
Thanks!
As for small, well it's low and short - but it is wide. It's 6" wider than my old 360! Granted, the ridiculous (sorry, characterful) wing mirrors account for some of this. On the plus side, the interior is spacious and certainly not cramped.
PS loved my 748s. Before stopped riding on road, last bike was a Xerox rep 1098. Flawed, single minded but amazing. Can you see a trend...?!
As for small, well it's low and short - but it is wide. It's 6" wider than my old 360! Granted, the ridiculous (sorry, characterful) wing mirrors account for some of this. On the plus side, the interior is spacious and certainly not cramped.
PS loved my 748s. Before stopped riding on road, last bike was a Xerox rep 1098. Flawed, single minded but amazing. Can you see a trend...?!
Porsche is going back to where I bought it from - Chappell Sports Cars in Chichester. If you ever want to buy a Porsche I cannot recommend Kier enough (I've bought all 3 of mine from him).
As for man maths...well I am getting out 2k more than I put in (I obviously don't count monthly payments as they are more of a hire charge...) so I've effectively been paid for a year to drive a 911
The spec on the 4C - Rosso Competizione, racing and luxury packs (incl half leather/alacantara interior and red stitching), carbon headlight surrounds and rear sensors. Only think I want to get are satin mirror covers and the floor mats. Can't find the latter for love nor money.
As for man maths...well I am getting out 2k more than I put in (I obviously don't count monthly payments as they are more of a hire charge...) so I've effectively been paid for a year to drive a 911
The spec on the 4C - Rosso Competizione, racing and luxury packs (incl half leather/alacantara interior and red stitching), carbon headlight surrounds and rear sensors. Only think I want to get are satin mirror covers and the floor mats. Can't find the latter for love nor money.
Well I picked her up on Saturday and already done 200 miles, motorway and A and B roads. First impressions:
Well simple really, she's epic.
I was genuinely close to pulling out and keeping the 911 but so glad I didn't. It is such a different car, but as something to admire, enjoy and get the juices going the 4C in a different league. It's not too bad getting in and out, it's not as wide as people seem to indicate (sounds silly as the width is the width but had no issues or squeaky bum moments), the noise is something else - especially induction, and it has so much presence. It encourages quite a lot of attention but so far all good - people want to know more about the car as opposed to asking if I have any coffee beans. The steering is fantastic, yes it can move with the road but it is really not as bad as people make out in reviews. Suspension, even the sports, is hard but not painfully so. It's remarkably comfortable on anything except for heavily potholed roads.
It's also damn fast. I mean really, really fast. Because of the noise and the low seating position it probably seems faster than it is and it is addictive. The whole package feels raw, immersive and special. I can't see why the 4C is any group test - it really is one of a kind. If I wanted precision and engineering I would have stayed with a Porsche, if I wanted a track toy I would have gone Lotus. The 4C is not as good on the road as a Cayman or 911, not as good on the track as an Exige. But I don't care one bit. Neither make me feel the way the Alfa does.
Now, bad points. Sorry, character traits. Yes, the radio is crud, there is no storage, the boot is tiny, you need allan keys to add windscreen washer fluid, have to park in particular places as you need to open the door wide enough to get in and out (and I dread the day come back to find someone has parked to close...), and there is not huge amount of soundproofing. The latter is not really a problem but at 75/80 the sports exhaust emits a drone that is a little tiring after a while.
But none of that matters. When I park the car I can't stop looking back at it; when I get home I just want to go out for a drive. It's that addictive.
If you are thinking of buying one, just do it.
If there' something particular you want to know be delighted to help. She'll be at Goodwood on Sunday (and they class it as a supercar
)
Well simple really, she's epic.
I was genuinely close to pulling out and keeping the 911 but so glad I didn't. It is such a different car, but as something to admire, enjoy and get the juices going the 4C in a different league. It's not too bad getting in and out, it's not as wide as people seem to indicate (sounds silly as the width is the width but had no issues or squeaky bum moments), the noise is something else - especially induction, and it has so much presence. It encourages quite a lot of attention but so far all good - people want to know more about the car as opposed to asking if I have any coffee beans. The steering is fantastic, yes it can move with the road but it is really not as bad as people make out in reviews. Suspension, even the sports, is hard but not painfully so. It's remarkably comfortable on anything except for heavily potholed roads.
It's also damn fast. I mean really, really fast. Because of the noise and the low seating position it probably seems faster than it is and it is addictive. The whole package feels raw, immersive and special. I can't see why the 4C is any group test - it really is one of a kind. If I wanted precision and engineering I would have stayed with a Porsche, if I wanted a track toy I would have gone Lotus. The 4C is not as good on the road as a Cayman or 911, not as good on the track as an Exige. But I don't care one bit. Neither make me feel the way the Alfa does.
Now, bad points. Sorry, character traits. Yes, the radio is crud, there is no storage, the boot is tiny, you need allan keys to add windscreen washer fluid, have to park in particular places as you need to open the door wide enough to get in and out (and I dread the day come back to find someone has parked to close...), and there is not huge amount of soundproofing. The latter is not really a problem but at 75/80 the sports exhaust emits a drone that is a little tiring after a while.
But none of that matters. When I park the car I can't stop looking back at it; when I get home I just want to go out for a drive. It's that addictive.
If you are thinking of buying one, just do it.
If there' something particular you want to know be delighted to help. She'll be at Goodwood on Sunday (and they class it as a supercar
)
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