Life after Alfa Romeo 4C
Discussion
My Alfa Romeo 4C is going back to the lease company in the next couple of weeks after a very enjoyable two years. I am however struggling to find a replacement with as much drama and as excitement. My plan for the last 3/4 years was to get
a late Porsche 997.2 Carrera S but after test driving one yesterday I was left feeling a underwhelmed especially when I drove my brothers rust heap of an MX5 which gave me more excitement.
The problem is I don't think the car that I want exists without getting into supercar territory which I can't afford.I jumped at the chance at leasing the 4c as after the test drive it felt a very similar experience to the McLaren 570 I was fortunate to drive a few years back. I want a weekend car that handles like its on rails, feels special when driving and the sort of car you just look at on your drive. I also want a car that can live outside and can be used for weekends away in relative comfort which the 4c doesn't really do.
My toy car history is mostly mid engined:
- MX5 NC
- MR2 Mk3
- Boxster 987 S
- Alfa 4c spider
Any recommendations?
a late Porsche 997.2 Carrera S but after test driving one yesterday I was left feeling a underwhelmed especially when I drove my brothers rust heap of an MX5 which gave me more excitement.
The problem is I don't think the car that I want exists without getting into supercar territory which I can't afford.I jumped at the chance at leasing the 4c as after the test drive it felt a very similar experience to the McLaren 570 I was fortunate to drive a few years back. I want a weekend car that handles like its on rails, feels special when driving and the sort of car you just look at on your drive. I also want a car that can live outside and can be used for weekends away in relative comfort which the 4c doesn't really do.
My toy car history is mostly mid engined:
- MX5 NC
- MR2 Mk3
- Boxster 987 S
- Alfa 4c spider
Any recommendations?
My 911 was the most uninspiring car I'd ever driven, so I'm adding another vote for the Evora.
I know I keep recommending them but that's because I've very much been there done that got the tshirt and for a comparable experience it'll need to be another lightweight powerful car which leaves you with another 4C or the Lotus
I know I keep recommending them but that's because I've very much been there done that got the tshirt and for a comparable experience it'll need to be another lightweight powerful car which leaves you with another 4C or the Lotus
I think you'll find my post asking EXACTLY the same question on page 2 or 3 of this section.
Lots of people suggested the Evora. I went at looked at a few at Lotus Silverstone, but I didn't drive one. It's just as hard to get in and out of as the 4C and the boot is a little smaller (didn't think that was possible). The only difference from a practicality perspective is that the Evora has 2 rear seats - which are only really suitable for luggage. Apparently it is quieter than the 4C, so holding a conversation whilst driving would be possible. My biggest problem is that I'm not sold on the looks. I may change my mind when I drive one.
The other car I've been considering is a Maserati Gran Turismo / Gran Cabrio. I went and looked at a couple this morning. It's a very big car. The engine sound is awesome. Again, I haven't driven one yet, but sitting in it felt very special. The boot on the Cabrio is tiny, probably smaller than the 4C, but again it has 2 rear seats for luggage.
I was also considering a Giulia, but I think I've shelved that idea for now.
I looked at a Boxster S before I got the 4C, it just felt too ordinary, there was no WOW factor.
Lots of people suggested the Evora. I went at looked at a few at Lotus Silverstone, but I didn't drive one. It's just as hard to get in and out of as the 4C and the boot is a little smaller (didn't think that was possible). The only difference from a practicality perspective is that the Evora has 2 rear seats - which are only really suitable for luggage. Apparently it is quieter than the 4C, so holding a conversation whilst driving would be possible. My biggest problem is that I'm not sold on the looks. I may change my mind when I drive one.
The other car I've been considering is a Maserati Gran Turismo / Gran Cabrio. I went and looked at a couple this morning. It's a very big car. The engine sound is awesome. Again, I haven't driven one yet, but sitting in it felt very special. The boot on the Cabrio is tiny, probably smaller than the 4C, but again it has 2 rear seats for luggage.
I was also considering a Giulia, but I think I've shelved that idea for now.
I looked at a Boxster S before I got the 4C, it just felt too ordinary, there was no WOW factor.
omniflow said:
I think you'll find my post asking EXACTLY the same question on page 2 or 3 of this section.
Lots of people suggested the Evora. I went at looked at a few at Lotus Silverstone, but I didn't drive one. It's just as hard to get in and out of as the 4C and the boot is a little smaller (didn't think that was possible). The only difference from a practicality perspective is that the Evora has 2 rear seats - which are only really suitable for luggage. Apparently it is quieter than the 4C, so holding a conversation whilst driving would be possible. My biggest problem is that I'm not sold on the looks. I may change my mind when I drive one.
The other car I've been considering is a Maserati Gran Turismo / Gran Cabrio. I went and looked at a couple this morning. It's a very big car. The engine sound is awesome. Again, I haven't driven one yet, but sitting in it felt very special. The boot on the Cabrio is tiny, probably smaller than the 4C, but again it has 2 rear seats for luggage.
I was also considering a Giulia, but I think I've shelved that idea for now.
I looked at a Boxster S before I got the 4C, it just felt too ordinary, there was no WOW factor.
As the weather was pretty rubbish this morning I actually took a drive down to Silverstone Lotus and took a Evora S out for a test drive. It certainly drove very well and felt a lot more special than the 911 so has given me something to think about. It is a lot quieter and comfier ride than the 4c so I imagine my partner will actually go in it! Lots of people suggested the Evora. I went at looked at a few at Lotus Silverstone, but I didn't drive one. It's just as hard to get in and out of as the 4C and the boot is a little smaller (didn't think that was possible). The only difference from a practicality perspective is that the Evora has 2 rear seats - which are only really suitable for luggage. Apparently it is quieter than the 4C, so holding a conversation whilst driving would be possible. My biggest problem is that I'm not sold on the looks. I may change my mind when I drive one.
The other car I've been considering is a Maserati Gran Turismo / Gran Cabrio. I went and looked at a couple this morning. It's a very big car. The engine sound is awesome. Again, I haven't driven one yet, but sitting in it felt very special. The boot on the Cabrio is tiny, probably smaller than the 4C, but again it has 2 rear seats for luggage.
I was also considering a Giulia, but I think I've shelved that idea for now.
I looked at a Boxster S before I got the 4C, it just felt too ordinary, there was no WOW factor.
The Guila looks great and I’m sure drives well but I have a BMW 5 series for everyday use so cant imagine having a weekend car that’s the same size!
Iv not thought about a Maserati but assume they would be to big for fun on a country road? Also I worry about the potential Ferrari sized bills?
highway said:
I don’t think an S3 Elise is as pretty as a 4C. But the post 17 gear change is a delight and they steer properly. If you liked the 4C the Elise steering will feel like stepping into the light after 2 years in the dark.
The problem with the Elise is how large the cill is to get in, I find the 4c hard enough! I test drove an Evora this morning and I think the 4c has the edge on pure handling wise in my opinion. Think I might try an R8 and see one of those feels!
sf88 said:
As the weather was pretty rubbish this morning I actually took a drive down to Silverstone Lotus and took a Evora S out for a test drive. It certainly drove very well and felt a lot more special than the 911 so has given me something to think about. It is a lot quieter and comfier ride than the 4c so I imagine my partner will actually go in it!
The Guila looks great and I’m sure drives well but I have a BMW 5 series for everyday use so cant imagine having a weekend car that’s the same size!
Iv not thought about a Maserati but assume they would be to big for fun on a country road? Also I worry about the potential Ferrari sized bills?
Yep, as the name suggests the GT is a grand tourer not a b road blaster. Far too big.The Guila looks great and I’m sure drives well but I have a BMW 5 series for everyday use so cant imagine having a weekend car that’s the same size!
Iv not thought about a Maserati but assume they would be to big for fun on a country road? Also I worry about the potential Ferrari sized bills?
Plenty of fruity exhaust options for the Evora S if you're looking for a bit more of that, most switchable to suit your passenger.
Have you considered an early V8 manual Audi R8? Not sure the V10 would be in budget.
ETA - Missed the last line of you post above.
sf88 said:
The problem with the Elise is how large the cill is to get in, I find the 4c hard enough! I test drove an Evora this morning and I think the 4c has the edge on pure handling wise in my opinion.
Think I might try an R8 and see one of those feels!
I have a S3 Exige Roadster which I think is the best looking of the current Lotus range, and IMHO is easily as good looking as the 4C. Getting in and out is a breeze with the simplicity of rolling the roof back a little if you need to.Think I might try an R8 and see one of those feels!
I would recommend a test in one of these.
Just to clarify, I have an Evora 400. If the budget stretches to an Evora 4**, in my view its a big step on to the S1. Even if the interior isn't quite as nice - recarros in the S1 rather than Sparco's, and switchgear is more shiny aluminium and less plastic - it's got a lot more grunt and is much more of an experience to drive. Sills are much lower than an S1, its like getting into any other car! 60k will get you a good one. Relatively low depreciation as well if that's important. I drove an S1 sports racer before I bought my previous V6 exige, and it wasn't what I was looking for. 400 was a different thing entirely.
I loved my V6 exige but it's not exactly a civilised and refined GT. And, in my ham fisted hands at least, the 400 was just as quick round spa as the V6, driven back to back...
I loved my V6 exige but it's not exactly a civilised and refined GT. And, in my ham fisted hands at least, the 400 was just as quick round spa as the V6, driven back to back...
gashead1105 said:
Another vote for Lotus/the Evora. I wouldn't keep mine outside over the winter mind but I'm quite precious about it.
It's a car. It's designed for the outdoors! It's choice whether you keep it inside in the winter but mine sat out all year without, predictably, any issues.I sent my lease 4C spider back in May and previously I’d been thinking of an Alpine to replace it but I ended up in a 570S which is great but the 4C has so much character and is a much more of an event that feels and looks truly special but shame it steers so badly, although that’s easily fixed though.
If I was choosing a replacement with a limited budget then I’d go for the Alpine, worth getting a drive as it’s also quite an event similar to the Alfa.
I really do miss that car though despite its faults.
If I was choosing a replacement with a limited budget then I’d go for the Alpine, worth getting a drive as it’s also quite an event similar to the Alfa.
I really do miss that car though despite its faults.
Frimley111R said:
gashead1105 said:
Another vote for Lotus/the Evora. I wouldn't keep mine outside over the winter mind but I'm quite precious about it.
It's a car. It's designed for the outdoors! It's choice whether you keep it inside in the winter but mine sat out all year without, predictably, any issues.My black 4C spider lease ended in June & I managed to get a great lease deal on a BMW M2 Competition in sunset orange. It still hasn't got that special feeling you get when driving a 4C, but just as much fun, with a nice six cylinder engine sound that revs to 7.5k, space in the back for the occasional passenger & a decent size boot.
Edited by CLP20V on Wednesday 14th August 21:39
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