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
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!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.
AlexHat said:
I really should stop clicking on threads like these...I had an extended test drive in early May of a coupe with the racing exhaust and suspension and my back didn't break which I wasn't expecting. From the reviews everywhere I was expecting to get out a broken, deaf man. Instead I got out NEEDING to find the money to buy one. Bugger.
I did a similar test drive to you and that was the final nail in the coffin! Two days later i had bought one!Took it out today for a quick trip to pick up some paperwork and it puts a huge smile on your face!
Nero77 said:
Good to see others enjoying them! I've had mine for 16 months now and done close to 10,000 miles including 2 European road trips. I am still totally smitten with the thing and despite changing cars every year I really can't think what I would change it for. Well, anything that is under 100k! I think the only thing I miss is the wail from the V8 in the back of my old 360. But as a package the 4C is hard to beat.
If you get it you love it, if you don't you won't.
I am in the next few days taking the car to Alfaworks for the quicksilver exhaust and the front suspension/geo set up. I have the racing pack and whilst the noise is generally epic it is very tiring at cruising speed. As to the geo, well I enjoy the interaction of the steering but am intrigued to see what difference their well regarded changes make. Whilst I am there I may well get the new ECU and an extra 40 bhp.
Will keep you informed!
Oh and like OP said, any questions as to ownership please ask. I've had no issues whatsoever and use it whenever I can, including popping out for milk. Though often I find the best milk is in the South of France...
Hi ya,If you get it you love it, if you don't you won't.
I am in the next few days taking the car to Alfaworks for the quicksilver exhaust and the front suspension/geo set up. I have the racing pack and whilst the noise is generally epic it is very tiring at cruising speed. As to the geo, well I enjoy the interaction of the steering but am intrigued to see what difference their well regarded changes make. Whilst I am there I may well get the new ECU and an extra 40 bhp.
Will keep you informed!
Oh and like OP said, any questions as to ownership please ask. I've had no issues whatsoever and use it whenever I can, including popping out for milk. Though often I find the best milk is in the South of France...
What is the advantage of the quicksilver exhaust? Have you hear one in the flesh yet? I love the sound of the stock exhaust especially when cold and you get the crackles...is the quicksilver an improvement?
Cheers
Ben
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