RE: Alfa Romeo 8C | Spotted

[Puzzles]

The 8c coupes are lovely

[footsoldier]

Pinhead69 said:

I am lucky enough to have both an 8c and an SZ. All the disappointment about the driving imo is by journalists who need to be heard. Mine handles a lot better than my Vantage and better than my 575, and a 100 times better than my old ditchfinder 4200 but not as good as my 355 and similar to my mates 599. It is a gt car not a mid engined sports car and it doesn't handle like one. It handles like a big horsepower front engined rear drive car from the mid 2000s with little driver aids. Go drive a Giulia QF in race mode with the traction etc off and tell me that it doesn't scare you s....tless when you floor it out of a bend and the rear is twitching!
I think the 8c is the most beautiful car produced this millennium, but that is my opinion. I don't just glance back at it when I walk away, I stop and stare. The SZ on the other hand is all about the handling and the drive. It is something very very special. Divisory looks, but again I think it is so brutal and aggressive looking that it is gorgeous. A bit like the really hot sexy goth girl that you know you shouldn't fancy but just can't help yourself. Go buy an 8c, drive it hard and then come back and comment. And if you don't like it you can always sell it again (and likely make a profit).

Edited by Pinhead69 on Sunday 19th March 22:53

Want going to comment, as why interrupt armchair experts when they are in full flow, but I have an 8c (in fact it's the blue spider in a previous post). My first and last convertible car, always wanted a coupe but the colour did it for me.
As you say, it's flawed but not as much as the stories would have you believe, and more than makes up for it with character, looks, and engine. One of few cars that I would struggle to part with, as every time I take it out it gets under my skin. It's a strange parts bin special that has a bespoke carbon body...

SZ has been on list for a while, won't be long! The brutalist counter argument to the 8c's looks.
(and have the Giulia GTA, which does as you describe...but better rubber is a game changer).

[WTFWT]

NGK210 said:

This one‘s owner spent £20k trying to sort the suspension, and it’s still not right:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nWNzeCiQBvM&t=3s
Nothing more than a cynical, marketing-led, parts bin lash-up that tarnished the brand, imho.

That was my car. I wrote extensively about it on here.

It came 3rd in ECOTY. It’s not a bad car. It just wasn’t great out of the box.

Ownership view here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by WTFWT on Monday 20th March 17:34

[footsoldier]

NGK210 said:

Nothing more than a cynical, marketing-led, parts bin lash-up that tarnished the brand, imho.

Fairly sure it didn't tarnish the brand...

WTFWT said:

That was my car. I wrote extensively about it on here.

It came 3rd in ECOTY. It’s not a bad car. It just wasn’t great out of the box.

Ownership view here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by WTFWT on Monday 20th March 17:34

Hadn't seen that before - I've thought about playing with suspension, but as you say it works most of the time, and I don't ever feel the need to max out an 8C on the road...that's not what it's about.
I did own it for some time before realising you could lift the seat via mounting holes! Made a big difference when I could see over the front wings...

Also interested to see you also had an Integrale experience (my favourite car) - I think these cars just appeal to a certain type of brain!

[scoopdydoo]

Stopped reading after the bit about the SZ because why would I read the ramblings of an idiot?

[robsco]

I worked at an Alfa dealer for nearly ten years, our MD had an 8C coupe and for several years it sat pride of place in the centre of the showroom. It was a tremendous looking car, but it was the noise that will always remain with me. I was told that actually the car was a bit naff, and to be quite frank for that reason alone I’m glad now that I never drove it as I have such fond memories of it.

[pacdes]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I am sure Mr Howell has a beautiful boyfriend as well.

[BikeSausage]

Yep, an 8C coupe in red please.

Followed but this cabrio in white. Both are gorgeous.

I don’t care how well these drive, just like I don’t care how well the Mona Lisa does the washing up. They’re all beautiful enough not to have to worry about those matters.

And if I can’t have either of those, a Z8 in silver Bond spec please.

[StescoG66]

robsco said:

I worked at an Alfa dealer for nearly ten years, our MD had an 8C coupe and for several years it sat pride of place in the centre of the showroom. It was a tremendous looking car, but it was the noise that will always remain with me. I was told that actually the car was a bit naff, and to be quite frank for that reason alone I’m glad now that I never drove it as I have such fond memories of it.

Piccadilly in Knareborough?

[DeejRC]

I followed a red 8C across the M4 and then down a bit of the M5 a cpl of yrs ago in the F12. We weren’t overly hanging about and you know something sounds good when you can sit in a V12 donkey and smile at hearing the other car.
An 8C is a stunner.

[blue al]

footsoldier said:

My first and last convertible car, always wanted a coupe but the colour did it for me.
(and have the Giulia GTA, which does as you describe...but better rubber is a game changer).

Any more pictures as I have never seen this before.

[jjdw33]

footsoldier said:

Pinhead69 said:

I am lucky enough to have both an 8c and an SZ. All the disappointment about the driving imo is by journalists who need to be heard. Mine handles a lot better than my Vantage and better than my 575, and a 100 times better than my old ditchfinder 4200 but not as good as my 355 and similar to my mates 599. It is a gt car not a mid engined sports car and it doesn't handle like one. It handles like a big horsepower front engined rear drive car from the mid 2000s with little driver aids. Go drive a Giulia QF in race mode with the traction etc off and tell me that it doesn't scare you s....tless when you floor it out of a bend and the rear is twitching!
I think the 8c is the most beautiful car produced this millennium, but that is my opinion. I don't just glance back at it when I walk away, I stop and stare. The SZ on the other hand is all about the handling and the drive. It is something very very special. Divisory looks, but again I think it is so brutal and aggressive looking that it is gorgeous. A bit like the really hot sexy goth girl that you know you shouldn't fancy but just can't help yourself. Go buy an 8c, drive it hard and then come back and comment. And if you don't like it you can always sell it again (and likely make a profit).

Edited by Pinhead69 on Sunday 19th March 22:53

Want going to comment, as why interrupt armchair experts when they are in full flow, but I have an 8c (in fact it's the blue spider in a previous post). My first and last convertible car, always wanted a coupe but the colour did it for me.
As you say, it's flawed but not as much as the stories would have you believe, and more than makes up for it with character, looks, and engine. One of few cars that I would struggle to part with, as every time I take it out it gets under my skin. It's a strange parts bin special that has a bespoke carbon body...

SZ has been on list for a while, won't be long! The brutalist counter argument to the 8c's looks.
(and have the Giulia GTA, which does as you describe...but better rubber is a game changer).

Those posts are why threads like this can be interesting and helpful.
People that own(ed) or at least have driven the cars we talk about.
That the article is written by somebody who never drove one.... No so good.
You can write about static info from the books and comment on looks, but that s pretty much it.
Have a question to those who have driven those and/or Z8 from bmw.
How do they compare on the road? Or has there ever being a comparing test?
Still struggle with the money, but if one day enough funds, those 2. tempt so much.
Probably on looks the 8c is a big favorite here, but for me the Z8 does it as well.
Both are really nice looking from many angles. Tried the Z8 and liked it, being a kind of muscle car,
cruising being the strong side, gt travel as well, no track at all i d say...
On the 8c, as great as the open one looks, the coupe is even better, in my eyes.
But as i want to drive open, it would be one of the 2...
Just waiting for the nrs to come up ;-)

[Mackofthejungle]

I always thought they were the most beautiful modern car, in the classic sense.

They were touching 100k a decade ago, and it was clear as day they were going to appreciate. Wish I could've afforded one.

[nismo48]

Beautiful little thing..

[Pinhead69]

footsoldier said:

Want going to comment, as why interrupt armchair experts when they are in full flow, but I have an 8c (in fact it's the blue spider in a previous post). My first and last convertible car, always wanted a coupe but the colour did it for me.
As you say, it's flawed but not as much as the stories would have you believe, and more than makes up for it with character, looks, and engine. One of few cars that I would struggle to part with, as every time I take it out it gets under my skin. It's a strange parts bin special that has a bespoke carbon body...

SZ has been on list for a while, won't be long! The brutalist counter argument to the 8c's looks.
(and have the Giulia GTA, which does as you describe...but better rubber is a game changer).

Totally agree about the rubber change. Michelin PS4 for me on a Giulia, Wasn't brave enough to put my hand in my pocket for a GTA - now wish I had. Well done you. And in fact I found it a massive improvement on the 8C. PS4S's on mine, but then I did take off some pretty old Pirellis so maybe wasn't a fair back to back test.

[florian]

Always regarded the 8C - and especially the Spyder - as one of the most beautiful car designs ever. However, after seeing one recently up close, I have to say that the details did not live up to my expectations: Especially the interior has that typical "cheap" Alfa look and feel which quite a disappointment considering the price point.

For that money, I would go with the BMW Z8 ...

[robsco]

StescoG66 said:

robsco said:

I worked at an Alfa dealer for nearly ten years, our MD had an 8C coupe and for several years it sat pride of place in the centre of the showroom. It was a tremendous looking car, but it was the noise that will always remain with me. I was told that actually the car was a bit naff, and to be quite frank for that reason alone I’m glad now that I never drove it as I have such fond memories of it.

Piccadilly in Knareborough?

Yes!

[PatVR]

BikeSausage said:

Yep, an 8C coupe in red please.

Followed but this cabrio in white. Both are gorgeous.

I don’t care how well these drive, just like I don’t care how well the Mona Lisa does the washing up. They’re all beautiful enough not to have to worry about those matters.

And if I can’t have either of those, a Z8 in silver Bond spec please.

But why settle for an interesting driving experience when you can get a raw experience in a Lotus Elise/Exige that are stunning as well? Interstingly, from the side, the Alfa looks alot like the Elise S2 minus the scoops to cool the engine compartment. The Alfa has a bit of a nose though, like Jimmy Durante.

Edited by PatVR on Tuesday 21st March 22:09

[footsoldier]

blue al said:

footsoldier said:

My first and last convertible car, always wanted a coupe but the colour did it for me.
(and have the Giulia GTA, which does as you describe...but better rubber is a game changer).

Any more pictures as I have never seen this before.

It’s originally an Aston colour, glacial blue. I’m second owner, the first one obviously had some clout, as got this one-off colour, and the model designation plate has his wife’s name instead of a number…

[footsoldier]

I’ve never driven the z8, and actually didn’t ‘get it’ til I saw one in the flesh. Really do see the 507 influence, and it’s going to be a classic for sure.
It gets similar feedback to Alfa - some think it’s great, others not so much! I know people who have owned it and don’t rate the driving experience, but others who say it’s a car that gets right under your skin. Also has a great engine. I’d be tempted if didn’t have the Alfa, but wouldn’t swap.

Not everything has to handle like a go kart and ride like an Evora to be a great car - la dolce vita has its attractions too!

Edited by footsoldier on Tuesday 21st March 23:24