4C - Where are we with prices right now?

[Stuart J]

OGR4M said:

Apologies if this has been asked before, but can’t find a thread on it - but as the prices fall they become ever more tempting

However, I am burdened with a standard width garage - is it even possible to fit a 4C in an 8ft garage, and get in/out? Or would a 4C also cost me a new house, that’s probably the only way SWMBO would be on board...

Alfa 4c is 2090 o/all wing mirrors , std single garage door is 2100, that’s 7ft, not 8 ft , so measure your door . I can back through a 7ft door , I just fold the drivers side door mirror in as I pass the door pillar my side and then out once in .
If you don’t fancy that the 4c is really light so if your garage entry is flat it’s a dodle to push in and out . I have single doors on a double garage so once in i can open the door fully. Biggest concern with a single garage is getting in and out of the car once in the garage so it’s better if you can push it in and out

[burty39]

Exiting the car is not elegant at the best of times, not as bad as an Elise but not great either

I am 6ft with dodgy knees so it would be near impossible for me. As stated push it in/out or get one of these, cheaper than moving......

[Stuart J]

I’ll add if struggling to get in press and hold the unlock button on the key and after a few seconds the window on the drivers door goes down, handy to know when some oik has parked to close to you , sadly you can’t close the window remotely

[Chrisatronic]

Get a spider then you can clamber out the top 👍

[burty39]

Stuart J said:

I’ll add if struggling to get in press and hold the unlock button on the key and after a few seconds the window on the drivers door goes down, handy to know when some oik has parked to close to you , sadly you can’t close the window remotely

Great tip thanks Stuart

[OGR4M]

burty39 said:

I am 6ft with dodgy knees so it would be near impossible for me. As stated push it in/out or get one of these, cheaper than moving......

My (rapidly aging) 6’2” frame with disc issues isn’t boxing well, then...

A family member has an Elise, and he pushes into his garage, although I’d be worried about shoving it down the brick wall on either side...

[burty39]

OGR4M said:

My (rapidly aging) 6’2” frame with disc issues isn’t boxing well, then...

A family member has an Elise, and he pushes into his garage, although I’d be worried about shoving it down the brick wall on either side...

I tried an Elise / Exige before I purchased the Alfa and didn't fancy crawling on the pavement to get out, getting in was just about ok

You might be fine, I only have 50% knee flexion but can get in and out of the Alfa relatively easily so long as the door is fully open

[Kananga]

I just bought an Exige having owned two 4Cs in the past.

Getting in and out is complete and utter pain, but once in and on the road, it’s an absolutely incredible driver’s car.

Makes the 4C a piece of cake!

[burty39]

Did you have Coupes, Spiders or both?

[993-4C]

Kananga said:

I just bought an Exige having owned two 4Cs in the past.

Very interested in your thoughts comparing the two

[burty39]

Me too, keep thinking of losing the 4c and mx5 for a spider

That said the guy who owned mine for 5 years did the same and regretted it

[MellowshipSlinky]

I’ve had an Exige V6 roadster, a V6 coupe then a 4C. (With an F-Type R in between)
Found the Exige easier to get in to with the high sill but harder to get out.
Plenty of room in both once you’re in.
I’m 6’ 3.5”

[993-4C]

MellowshipSlinky said:

I’ve had an Exige V6 roadster, a V6 coupe then a 4C. (With an F-Type R in between)

How does the 4C compare to the Exige as far as driving and performance? Never driven a Lotus so very curious.
Thanks

[MellowshipSlinky]

993-4C said:

MellowshipSlinky said:

I’ve had an Exige V6 roadster, a V6 coupe then a 4C. (With an F-Type R in between)

How does the 4C compare to the Exige as far as driving and performance? Never driven a Lotus so very curious.
Thanks

The 4C obviously lacks torque against the Exige, and without the Alfaworks wizardry to the suspension isn’t as tactile on the road.
But, I think the fit and finish of the Alfa is quite a bit ahead of the Exige, particularly the later 350 Sport (I always felt the early V6S was better built).

I’d really recommend driving the Lotus - it gets under your skin.

[993-4C]

Thanks. Yeah, it would be great to try one; unfortunately they are not as common here in Spain as in the UK so not so easy. On the other hand, even if I considered one at the time of purchasing the 4C, as soon as I saw the 4C in the flesh there was no contest for me; I mean, I decided to get the Alfa before the test drive.

[andygtt]

omniflow said:

To me, the far bigger issue with the car being discussed is the lack of a leather dash, but I presume that's already been factored into the price.

I suspect in the not to distant future leather dash will be a negative to some people... when warranties are gone and the leather starts bubbling it is a huge cost to have it repaired.

Saying that, I would have had a leather dash in a heartbeat lol... I personally recon it currently reduces the value of the car by around £2k (on a £35k car), certainly that's what I considered it when I bought the car, however lots don't have it so its not like its a massive negative. My daughters one doesn't have leather either!

As I'm keeping it i'm actually considering developing some unique carbon parts for it (encouraged heavily by the son in law).... Carbon always looks particularly good on yellow cars

[Stuart J]

andygtt said:

I suspect in the not to distant future leather dash will be a negative to some people... when warranties are gone and the leather starts bubbling it is a huge cost to have it repaired.

Saying that, I would have had a leather dash in a heartbeat lol... I personally recon it currently reduces the value of the car by around £2k (on a £35k car), certainly that's what I considered it when I bought the car, however lots don't have it so its not like its a massive negative. My daughters one doesn't have leather either!

As I'm keeping it i'm actually considering developing some unique carbon parts for it (encouraged heavily by the son in law).... Carbon always looks particularly good on yellow cars

Sounds like Carbon replacement dashboards might be a good seller if your right about the longevity of the leather ones

[Kananga]

993-4C said:

Very interested in your thoughts comparing the two

MellowshipSlinky said:

The 4C obviously lacks torque against the Exige, and without the Alfaworks wizardry to the suspension isn’t as tactile on the road.
But, I think the fit and finish of the Alfa is quite a bit ahead of the Exige, particularly the later 350 Sport (I always felt the early V6S was better built).

I’d really recommend driving the Lotus - it gets under your skin.

My experience was a little different. I think the fit/finish of the Exige isn’t really worse than the 4C. The 4C leather dash is very nice, but the previous owner had my Exige dash trimmed in matching Alcantara which makes it very nice. The switchgear in both cars is equally poor, but the Alfa digital dash screen is massively better and I’m planning to upgrade the Lotus dash to the AIM unit.

In terms of driving feel, I actually found the power delivery of the 4C to feature ample torque at low rpm. The Exige clearly excels in terms of performance as the revs climb, but this is to be expected given the +100hp power advantage and the progressive nature of the supercharged power delivery.

I had the Alfaworks suspension mods which helped dial out some of the worst of the twitchy handling on uneven surfaces. However, these mods don’t rectify the [lack of] steering feel and sublime, precise handling of the Exige. As a driver’s car, the Exige is in a different league as regards steering feel and handling. Sure it doesn’t look as good as the 4C, is a total pain to get in/out of (yes, moreso than the Alfa!).

I desperately wanted to like/love the 4C. But ultimately, for a car to take out for sheer driving pleasure, there is no contest IMHO.

Am not trying to provoke any arguments, just my personal view!

[Stuart J]

Kananga said:

My experience was a little different. I think the fit/finish of the Exige isn’t really worse than the 4C. The 4C leather dash is very nice, but the previous owner had my Exige dash trimmed in matching Alcantara which makes it very nice. The switchgear in both cars is equally poor, but the Alfa digital dash screen is massively better and I’m planning to upgrade the Lotus dash to the AIM unit.

In terms of driving feel, I actually found the power delivery of the 4C to feature ample torque at low rpm. The Exige clearly excels in terms of performance as the revs climb, but this is to be expected given the +100hp power advantage and the progressive nature of the supercharged power delivery.

I had the Alfaworks suspension mods which helped dial out some of the worst of the twitchy handling on uneven surfaces. However, these mods don’t rectify the [lack of] steering feel and sublime, precise handling of the Exige. As a driver’s car, the Exige is in a different league as regards steering feel and handling. Sure it doesn’t look as good as the 4C, is a total pain to get in/out of (yes, moreso than the Alfa!).

I desperately wanted to like/love the 4C. But ultimately, for a car to take out for sheer driving pleasure, there is no contest IMHO.

Am not trying to provoke any arguments, just my personal view!

Fitting Michelin tyres is a great mod. I’ve had the Alfaworks mods and they made it a lot better , the Michelin’s took it a stage further and the road noise was also a lot less. Are they as grippy as the Pirelli’s I can’t judge but they do give you the confidence to push the car harder .

[Kananga]

Yup. I’ve heard the same from a few other owners.

Don’t get me wrong. The 4C has many many positives. One of the single prettiest cars on the road imho.

The Exige is an aggressive looking car by contrast and has the most ugly wing mirrors I’ve ever seen on a road car... so much so I’ve had to order some replacements.

But the supercharger whine is amazingly addictive, not to mention the noise of those extra two cylinders!!

https://youtu.be/ngL0UUVUKCY

Edited by Kananga on Thursday 23 July 23:57