Another challenger
Author
Discussion

avinalarf

Original Poster:

6,438 posts

172 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
I have just finished reading Clarkson's article on the Alfa 4C which he rates as very good.
Now with the new Jag (overpriced imo)and this Alfa (priced about right)it really needs Aston to meet the challenges.
Two years ago, when Aston introduced the Cygnet,I suggested on the AMOC forum that Aston might bring out a stripped down version two seater to sell around £60K (and a 4WD for the export market.)
The guys on there were to busy taking pictures of men in red trousers to give me any comment. ("Haw Haw Rufus look how tight his trousers are,jolly good old boy".)
So what I would want is a car similar to the 4C with 40 mpg a sensible boot and a real point it and go feel and if poss, for me,a manual stick version.
I shall be avinalook at a 4C for the wife to stop her avinamoan.

AdamV8V

1,389 posts

186 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
Do you holiday in Avignon, Steven?

Like the look of 4C and is an interesting proposition. Why they went with those headlights for the production version, however, is anyone's guess.

Bravo73

1,858 posts

204 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
In terms of size and weight, isn't the 4C closer to an Elise/Exige than a V8V/F-Type?

cayman-black

13,265 posts

246 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
Agree that 4c is very lotus.Plus i cant stand the inside too much plastic for £50k

yeti

10,697 posts

305 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
I'm sure the F-Type will steal Vantage roadster sales but I can't see the 4C doing that; it's an Exige/Boxster-Cayman rival.

Although with 50k in your pocket, do you jump on a slow depreciating pre-owned 4.7 V8VR or a brand new 4C..?

I know what I'd choose* but for some who want a toy...

  • DB9V

Jon39

14,929 posts

173 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
yeti said:
  • DB9V
You say DB9V.

Are you referring to the next one, with a V8?


yeti

10,697 posts

305 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
Jon39 said:
You say DB9V.

Are you referring to the next one, with a V8?
No, a DB9 Volante smile

avinalarf

Original Poster:

6,438 posts

172 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
AdamV8V said:
Do you holiday in Avignon, Steven?

Like the look of 4C and is an interesting proposition. Why they went with those headlights for the production version, however, is anyone's guess.
It took me a while but I think I have worked out the cryptic clue in your comment.
I thought at first that you might be offering me a stay in your chateau but then I thought nah can't be that.
So I suppose you are referencing the red trousers.
For myself,having been a fashion icon in my youth I have nothing against red trousers.
The continental has always had been more adventurous in his choice of colour helped ,no doubt,by the climate.

Tony V12V

2,465 posts

182 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
Was it not
avinalarf and mrs avinamoan are avinalook at a car in avingnon

Or have I totally missed the point biggrin

yeti

10,697 posts

305 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
Tony V12V said:
Was it not
avinalarf and mrs avinamoan are avinalook at a car in avingnon

Or have I totally missed the point biggrin
Yes, Steven is a 14th century pope yes

900T-R

20,406 posts

287 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
In an ideal world, the Aston range would start with a smallish, 2-seater GT using a straight six of about three litres. Carbon tub with aluminium front and rear subframes carrying the mechanicals, kerb weight ca. 1250 kg, sub-911 size, front-mid engined and classic long nose, short tail, proportions; a bit like an updated DB 2/ 2/4 /Mk III sort of thing.

Sadly, in the current climate it seems to be much easier for AM or any other of the top echelon marques to sell £300K cars to Russians, Saudis and Chinese than £60K ones to Europeans... (likewise, we won't likely ever see a 'new' Dino from the Italians, probably for the same reason).

avinalarf

Original Poster:

6,438 posts

172 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
900T-R said:
In an ideal world, the Aston range would start with a smallish, 2-seater GT using a straight six of about three litres. Carbon tub with aluminium front and rear subframes carrying the mechanicals, kerb weight ca. 1250 kg, sub-911 size, front-mid engined and classic long nose, short tail, proportions; a bit like an updated DB 2/ 2/4 /Mk III sort of thing.

Sadly, in the current climate it seems to be much easier for AM or any other of the top echelon marques to sell £300K cars to Russians, Saudis and Chinese than £60K ones to Europeans... (likewise, we won't likely ever see a 'new' Dino from the Italians, probably for the same reason).
The car you describe is the one I was thinking of but of course you have the technical language I do not possess,words like "engine" !
You have made a very good point Eric that is probably true re. the export market.
It would help to explain the One77 ,a vanity product, but prestigious and a good advert for the brand in those countries, as well of course being able to apply some of the innovations to new mainstream models.
The ill conceived Cygnet is still a mystery to me.
The need for an upmarket 4WD for those markets has already been heralded.
The problem is that Aston appear to be playing "catch up" with their competitors and if they expect to get top dollar for their cars that has to be resolved.

Edited by avinalarf on Sunday 13th October 19:55

avinalarf

Original Poster:

6,438 posts

172 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
As for the rest of you,well I despair.
Here I am trying to open ,what I thought might be an interesting Topic actually about Aston Martin (which by the way is a first for me and might also get me back in the good books of Molly GTI who described me as "weird", an epithet that I think is quite harsh.)
And all I get to comment are a besotted newlywed,a criminal overlord and some bloke who speaks in French and wants to take me out.

Edited by avinalarf on Sunday 13th October 19:56


Edited by avinalarf on Sunday 13th October 19:57

yeti

10,697 posts

305 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
Tony won the lottery, he's not a criminal overlord. He may know one though whistle

woolders

874 posts

187 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
avinalarf said:
As for the rest of you,well I despair.
Here I am trying to open ,what I thought might be an interesting Topic actually about Aston Martin (which by the way is a first for me and might also get me back in the good books of Molly GTI who described me as "weird", an epithet that I think is quite harsh.)
And all I get to comment are a besotted newlywed,a criminal overlord and some bloke who speaks in French and wants to take me out.

Edited by avinalarf on Sunday 13th October 19:56


Edited by avinalarf on Sunday 13th October 19:57
Molly, is married to Rob, who is wired; maybe some thing was lost in the moment.

I'm not sure if you can confuse besotted with tired in the case of Le Yeti and you are right, Tony does control all of the MOT business in a soon to be discovered part of Norfolk.

The French speaker has retired from the class pro tem and doesn't count, largely on account of his magisterial lack of inches.

robgt

2,587 posts

192 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
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Welcome back Woolders ! We've missed you.

woolders

874 posts

187 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
yeti said:
Tony won the lottery, he's not a criminal overlord. He may know one though whistle
Do we still talk to our friend with the Gin Palace?

yeti

10,697 posts

305 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
woolders said:
Do we still talk to our friend with the Gin Palace?
Only during visiting hours and via a telephone whilst he sits behind a perspex screen.

8-10 stretch I've heard.

Tony V12V

2,465 posts

182 months

Sunday 13th October 2013
quotequote all
yeti said:
Tony won the lottery, he's not a criminal overlord. He may know one though whistle
yesbiggrin

AMDBSNick

7,219 posts

192 months

Monday 14th October 2013
quotequote all
robgt said:
Welcome back Woolders ! We've missed you.
Speak for yourself.