RE: Alfa Romeo 4C: Spotted

[V6Alfisti]

As mentioned, the suspension oddities can be fixed with a cheap suspension fix developed by AlfaWorkshop - reviews that I have seen suggest this is a very capable upgrade.

In terms of the 4C's capabilities, I was flung around a track at Millbrook many many times....and was astonished by how controllable/pointable this little 4C appeared to me - driven to the ragged edge.

A small investment (£250 to get this UK ready via Alfaworkshop), a change of exhaust if you don't like the sound and you have you something that looks like the 4C does, as well as being hugely capable.

They can be a bit tough to live with, but I can't imagine they would be any tougher than a Caterham 7 I used as a daily for a bit.

[hondansx]

Which reviews? I would like to see who has said the car is transformed - not just a) owners who are biased b) owners who can't drive and c) partisan 'We Love Alfa' magazines.

I'd like to drive one. I'm not sure I could get over the racket they make though. A shame, because they are gorgeous little things.

[Ares]

hondansx said:

Which reviews? I would like to see who has said the car is transformed - not just a) owners who are biased b) owners who can't drive and c) partisan 'We Love Alfa' magazines.

I'd like to drive one. I'm not sure I could get over the racket they make though. A shame, because they are gorgeous little things.

Racket? If it's too loud, you're too old

[hondansx]

It was a subtle way of saying they sound awful. The guy who compared it to a Corsa on the first page pretty much nailed my first impression when I first heard one.

[kambites]

Frimley111R said:

an Elise is far less of an every day proposition.

In what way? Aside from cabin access (which I'm young and fit enough not to find an issue), I couldn't really see anything the 4C would have done better as a daily driver than my Elise, and it did a number of things considerably worse. I've happily lived with an Elise as a daily driver for more than ten years now but I don't think I could cope with the awful ride of the 4C day-in, day-out. As above it also sounds ear-bleedingly horrible.

From the reviews coming in, I can't imagine why you'd buy the Alfa over the Alpine. The Alpine even looks better to my eyes.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 10th January 17:35

[wal 45]

Excellent and enjoying the general negativity toward the 4C above, just means one is attainable that much earlier (usual Alfa story I guess).

[ZX10R NIN]

hondansx said:

Which reviews? I would like to see who has said the car is transformed - not just a) owners who are biased b) owners who can't drive and c) partisan 'We Love Alfa' magazines.

I'd like to drive one. I'm not sure I could get over the racket they make though. A shame, because they are gorgeous little things.

Evo among others have tested the Alfa Workshop upgrade & recommended it.

[theplayingmantis]

rudester said:

theplayingmantis said:

hate it visually!

Done hot laps as a passenger in one. is pretty uncomfortable for those of normal height even traveling to the track, but i suppose all cars of this class are.

I'm 6ft 2 and have no problem getting comfortable

im 6.3 and athletic (carrying a few spare after christmas mind) and found it awkward. but i suppose all cars in this niche are like that.

[Jonesy23]

Podie said:

cookie1600 said:

But what's with those horrible headlights??!!!

Spider headlights are far better...

I always had the impression the proper lights weren't ready in time for some reason so they went for a (really ugly) module based stopgap for launch.

I like the look of these and the core ingredients are there but it always sounds like it'd end up as a project sorting out the quirks and the prices are much too strong for a project. Can't really see them dropping much though.

[D200]

kambites said:

In what way? Aside from cabin access (which I'm young and fit enough not to find an issue), I couldn't really see anything the 4C would have done better as a daily driver than my Elise, and it did a number of things considerably worse. I've happily lived with an Elise as a daily driver for more than ten years now but I don't think I could cope with the awful ride of the 4C day-in, day-out. As above it also sounds ear-bleedingly horrible.

From the reviews coming in, I can't imagine why you'd buy the Alfa over the Alpine. The Alpine even looks better to my eyes.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 10th January 17:35

Not being funny but I think describing your Elise as a daily driver is stretching it a bit. You had it more than ten years and according to your garage you put 27500 miles on it. So that’s about 2700 miles a year or so

Maybe you do drive it daily so technically could well be a daily driver but to most that’s weekend car mileage

I’ve a couple of weekend cars and I put more on them than that

[kambites]

D200 said:

Not being funny but I think describing your Elise as a daily driver is stretching it a bit. You had it more than ten years and according to your garage you put 27500 miles on it. So that’s about 2700 miles a year or so

That's pretty much entirely my commuting mileage. I work four days a week, about 4 miles away from home.

I wouldn't want to do that in a 4C.

[D200]

kambites said:

That's pretty much entirely my commuting mileage. I work four days a week, about 4 miles away from home.

I wouldn't want to do that in a 4C.

Lazy brute lol

[givablondabone]

kambites said:

That's pretty much entirely my commuting mileage. I work four days a week, about 4 miles away from home.

I wouldn't want to do that in a 4C.

Christ! When I was a yoof I did more than that in one winter on a C90 lol

[kambites]

D200 said:

kambites said:

That's pretty much entirely my commuting mileage. I work four days a week, about 4 miles away from home.
I wouldn't want to do that in a 4C.

Lazy brute lol

It's funny, I used to cycle when I lived 12 miles away. I just can't be arsed for four.

[D200]

kambites said:

It's funny, I used to cycle when I lived 12 miles away. I just can't be arsed for four.

There is logic in there somewhere

[Ares]

D200 said:

kambites said:

In what way? Aside from cabin access (which I'm young and fit enough not to find an issue), I couldn't really see anything the 4C would have done better as a daily driver than my Elise, and it did a number of things considerably worse. I've happily lived with an Elise as a daily driver for more than ten years now but I don't think I could cope with the awful ride of the 4C day-in, day-out. As above it also sounds ear-bleedingly horrible.

From the reviews coming in, I can't imagine why you'd buy the Alfa over the Alpine. The Alpine even looks better to my eyes.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 10th January 17:35

Not being funny but I think describing your Elise as a daily driver is stretching it a bit. You had it more than ten years and according to your garage you put 27500 miles on it. So that’s about 2700 miles a year or so

Maybe you do drive it daily so technically could well be a daily driver but to most that’s weekend car mileage

I’ve a couple of weekend cars and I put more on them than that

I did 30,000 in 20 months in an Elise, then 40,000 in 2 years in an Exige. Daily drivers!

[Pooh]

Most owners seem to love them. I have test driven the coupe and spider, I also test drove a supercharged Lotus Elise and much preferred the Alfa, particularly in Spider form.
This video comparison with a modified supercharged Exige is interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irPZ5_WdCas&t=...

[MawsleyCarValeting]

We have had ours for 2 years now and still love it. Alfaworks suspension and their 280bhp remap makes a big difference. Yes it’s a bit crude and bloody expensive on servicing but it has something that make you love it. It’s a fourth car for us so we only do 2000 miles a year and to be fair that’s probably enough lol. To conclude it’s very Italian and that’s what pulls the heart string.

[EngineFreak]

Omg I want the 4C so bad..

[D200]

Ares said:

I did 30,000 in 20 months in an Elise, then 40,000 in 2 years in an Exige. Daily drivers!

I’m not saying they aren’t suitable daily drivers was just saying 27500 miles in over 10 years isn’t that many miles

It’s entirely correct as it’s all kambites daily commute is

In 2 years You done not far on twice what he done in 10 years

Kudos to you both btw

great to hear about cars like these being used as daily’s

I’d love to use one as a daily, must actually look into it as they are one of my fav cars and I never owned a Lotus