RE: Alfa Romeo 4C: Review

RE: Alfa Romeo 4C: Review

Author
Discussion

otolith

55,899 posts

203 months

Friday 20th September 2013
quotequote all

Audi RS5 - 33% more expensive
BMW M3 Coupe - 22% more expensive
Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe - 27% more expensive
Lotus Evora - 17% more expensive
Corvette Z06 - 47% more expensive
Audi TT RS+ - 9% more expensive

Porsche Cayman R - no longer made

So the TT is the only car close on price, and it's nowhere close to the Alfa in desirability IMO.


Grandfondo

12,241 posts

205 months

Friday 20th September 2013
quotequote all
MikeGoodwin said:
If a Cayman was in reach, why would you not have a new Cayman?
If you have to ask.......

john_r

8,353 posts

270 months

Friday 20th September 2013
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Some people have far too much time on their hands... hehe

LuS1fer

41,086 posts

244 months

Friday 20th September 2013
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It could certainly have been prettier but it is growing on me. it was never a "Wow" for me but I imagine in the flesh, it will be far more so, especially in that red.

Is that red ludicrously expensive, like the 8C? What does the £45k include as a no-cost colour or are the metallics silly prices to disguise the real cost of a decent spec car, like some other manfacturers do?

AML

244 posts

229 months

Friday 20th September 2013
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Styling is subjective I know- but the width and THOSE headlights do it no favours IMHO.
However I cant wait to try it back to back with the Cayman R.
Never mind the hoopla it is going to have to be really special to tempt me out of the former. Now when can I get my paws on one?

AV12

5,305 posts

207 months

Friday 20th September 2013
quotequote all
It wouldn't be an Alfa without a flaw.

For me, it's the most desirable car for as long as I can remember.

alfabadass

1,852 posts

198 months

Friday 20th September 2013
quotequote all
The 4C does have something the others don't have.

It seems to be built from the ground up to be an out and out track/sports car in the mould of the Elise.

The others are sexed up cruisers. No bad thing but I don't think the 4c will be an every day car really? Something much more special.

I'm sure Alfa will have a new spider/brera replacement to compete with those mass market cars.


TheRoadWarrior

1,241 posts

177 months

Friday 20th September 2013
quotequote all
Excellent review, thanks. Proportions also reminded me of the new Stratos.

It sure sounds interesting.. I'd filed this car away under 'marketing exercise' but it sounds genuinely compelling. A new take on lightweight, somewhat practical (Does it have a boot btw?) and a real hoot to drive.

They MUST be taking a loss on this selling at that price? Either way, it's a bold statement and I can't think of anyone else selling a product that sounds as rewarding to drive at anything like that price point.

VinceFox

20,566 posts

171 months

Friday 20th September 2013
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MANUAL.

Ffs why can no one make a small powerful rwd manual car now? After the gt86 it was an open goal.

ewenm

28,506 posts

244 months

Friday 20th September 2013
quotequote all
VinceFox said:
MANUAL.

Ffs why can no one make a small powerful rwd manual car now? After the gt86 it was an open goal.
Packaging. Auto means no need for gear linkages etc so you can put the gearbox where you want to rather than somewhere that allows a decent smooth manual gearchange.

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Friday 20th September 2013
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danp said:
interestingly (well to me!) is that 3.5k p.a. are the numbers the elise sold in, in it's successful early years.
Which makes the 4C's figures look very conservative, given that the Elise's sales were extremely geographically limited.

Ali_T

3,379 posts

256 months

Friday 20th September 2013
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I had a GIGANTIC amount of want for this before the review. Could almost afford the non launch edition BUT still need another car to ferry kids around in, and for winter. After the review? Sod it, the kids can go on eBay.

peter450

1,650 posts

232 months

Friday 20th September 2013
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Be interesting to hear more news on it, and how it compares directly to other cars

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Friday 20th September 2013
quotequote all
peter450 said:
Be interesting to hear more news on it, and how it compares directly to other cars
yes We need a Cayman, 4C, Exige S, Evora,... group test.

V6Alfisti

3,305 posts

226 months

Friday 20th September 2013
quotequote all
Great review, I am glad Alfa seems to have cracked it, even with a few improvements to make e.g. Steering wheel and perhaps engine responsiveness.

However this seems to be a very competent car and Alfa should be applauded for making a sub £50k car that is as focused as this and with a carbon tub!

Just wish I put my name down for an LE now, as I recall reading that placing an order now will result in delivery in H2 2014 due to demand.

I don't see values moving going down for a while yet frown and probably an initial peak.

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 20th September 2013
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First Alfa to live up to the hype for decades, really excited to see what they do with their collaboration with Mazda for their roadster!

TA14

12,722 posts

257 months

Friday 20th September 2013
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kambites said:
4C, Exige S, Evora,... group test.
That would be an interesting group test but the Cayman would be a waste of time. Those who want a Cayman/German car, ad Z4 etc. will buy one regardless of the report. Those who want an alternative to the German offerings won't be interested in any Cayman comments.

Disastrous

10,072 posts

216 months

Friday 20th September 2013
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MikeGoodwin said:
If a Cayman was in reach, why would you not have a new Cayman?
I suppose it would come down to which brand you most identify with and aspire to owning.

I don't find Porsche aspirational at all but am excited about a new (non-super) car for the first time in as long as I can remember with the launch of this as the idea of owning a mid-engine Italian exotic appeals hugely. A Cayman doesn't at all sadly.


I doubt Porsche are going out of business any time soon so it's probably just as well that people like different things.

DB9VolanteDriver

2,612 posts

175 months

Friday 20th September 2013
quotequote all
Ill-proportioned little bugger. I like Alfas, but not THIS one.

Dagnut

3,515 posts

192 months

Friday 20th September 2013
quotequote all
Cracking little car, OK so its compromised in "purists terms" as it has FI and no clutch, BUT it would never have been commissioned without these..top brass at FIAT would have binned it straight away.
I guess 300hp should be fairly easy to map from this engine I'm wondering if the gearbox is the limiting factor?
300bhp per tonne puts it well out of the Caymans reach in raw performance terms.