Alfa 4c Spider to 650s Spider - carbon tub to carbon tub!
Discussion
I loved my 4c Spider - it was a joy to own, cheap to run and attracted only positive attention. The overdone criticism by motoring journalists re tramlining on UK roads occurred only once for me-with this car you needed to be properly driving it at all times and I would argue maybe that’s the point of having a performance sports car?!
However plenty of time to think in lockdown started me on the path to what’s next. My goal was to one day get a 458, but as a self employed builder financially that was fantasy-430’s look dated, so I decided on a Mc.
It had to be a Spider and with my budget the 650s was the obvious choice. I found a great one from Autolounge in Aberdeen- warranty until end of April. I bid a tearful farewell to my beloved 4c, comforted by the excellent price and the fact that it was going to the 4c master - Joe from Supercar sourcing.
The Mc arrived Wednesday and I finally got to drive it yesterday.
First impressions from someone who had only ever seen one 12c on the road much less sat in a McLaren- well, I was a bit overwhelmed- it’s beautiful and big compared to the 4c. I could slide effortlessly into the 4c but I’m still struggling to find how to do that with the 650....
Once you’re in however it’s fabulous- I love the layout and the quality. Shaking slightly I pressed the start button and immediately jumped as the engine barked at me before idling.
I’d been up since 5 thinking about getting in through my gate posts but that was no issue as it’s as wide as the 4c - but longer. I was surprised at how easy it was to drive around town and very comfortable- I kept it on winter mode until I reached my favourite roads and was stunned at how quickly I overtook a car (didn’t have time to see what it was) it just turned into a dot in the rear view. The power delivery is so smooth and when the airbrake popped up it was an awesome moment. I had my first conversation at a petrol station then parked it in the drive so I could look at it some more. Compared to the 4c the exhaust was eerily quite - almost luxurious. It isn’t a sports exhaust so I’ll have to see how I feel about that - maybe I change it (once I’ve paid to renew the warranty at the end of April....), but I need to be sure it’s won’t affect the warranty.
As for Ferrari’s forget them! I’ve learned what a Supercar is and what McLaren do.
Anyway big thanks to Joe at Supercar sourcing, Mike Theobold at Charles and Dean and Craig at the Autolounge Aberdeen. Can’t write anymore-any questions welcome but the suns out..,
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/NnH5Sjmp[/url]
However plenty of time to think in lockdown started me on the path to what’s next. My goal was to one day get a 458, but as a self employed builder financially that was fantasy-430’s look dated, so I decided on a Mc.
It had to be a Spider and with my budget the 650s was the obvious choice. I found a great one from Autolounge in Aberdeen- warranty until end of April. I bid a tearful farewell to my beloved 4c, comforted by the excellent price and the fact that it was going to the 4c master - Joe from Supercar sourcing.
The Mc arrived Wednesday and I finally got to drive it yesterday.
First impressions from someone who had only ever seen one 12c on the road much less sat in a McLaren- well, I was a bit overwhelmed- it’s beautiful and big compared to the 4c. I could slide effortlessly into the 4c but I’m still struggling to find how to do that with the 650....
Once you’re in however it’s fabulous- I love the layout and the quality. Shaking slightly I pressed the start button and immediately jumped as the engine barked at me before idling.
I’d been up since 5 thinking about getting in through my gate posts but that was no issue as it’s as wide as the 4c - but longer. I was surprised at how easy it was to drive around town and very comfortable- I kept it on winter mode until I reached my favourite roads and was stunned at how quickly I overtook a car (didn’t have time to see what it was) it just turned into a dot in the rear view. The power delivery is so smooth and when the airbrake popped up it was an awesome moment. I had my first conversation at a petrol station then parked it in the drive so I could look at it some more. Compared to the 4c the exhaust was eerily quite - almost luxurious. It isn’t a sports exhaust so I’ll have to see how I feel about that - maybe I change it (once I’ve paid to renew the warranty at the end of April....), but I need to be sure it’s won’t affect the warranty.
As for Ferrari’s forget them! I’ve learned what a Supercar is and what McLaren do.
Anyway big thanks to Joe at Supercar sourcing, Mike Theobold at Charles and Dean and Craig at the Autolounge Aberdeen. Can’t write anymore-any questions welcome but the suns out..,
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/NnH5Sjmp[/url]Welcome to the club. That’s a beauty you have there.
Well, the sports exhaust is louder - sounds like a large burbling V8 when loping, and then to a snarling howl with the backlight down. Suggest you turn off the moaning/whooshing intake sound generator - I hate that.
As far as ingress, you can either do:
- the young man : one foot in, back bent, hand on door handle or,
- the old man: enter backwards, sit on the tub, slide backwards into the seat and swing your legs in last.
In the 650s you can do the old man, unlike in the newer cars.
Enjoy!
Well, the sports exhaust is louder - sounds like a large burbling V8 when loping, and then to a snarling howl with the backlight down. Suggest you turn off the moaning/whooshing intake sound generator - I hate that.
As far as ingress, you can either do:
- the young man : one foot in, back bent, hand on door handle or,
- the old man: enter backwards, sit on the tub, slide backwards into the seat and swing your legs in last.
In the 650s you can do the old man, unlike in the newer cars.
Enjoy!
12pack said:
- the young man : one foot in, back bent, hand on door handle or,
Blimey - I'm still young 
Congratulations OP - they are great cars and can switch very easily from daily driving to proper supercar. I assume that thing in the background is some kind of temporary garage? It doesn't look like a carcoon - what is it?
davek_964 said:
Blimey - I'm still young
Congratulations OP - they are great cars and can switch very easily from daily driving to proper supercar. I assume that thing in the background is some kind of temporary garage? It doesn't look like a carcoon - what is it?
It’s the former garage- the 650 deserves better so I built thisCongratulations OP - they are great cars and can switch very easily from daily driving to proper supercar. I assume that thing in the background is some kind of temporary garage? It doesn't look like a carcoon - what is it?
There you go - might need a wider one though.
Thanks for your posts about the 650 by the way.
https://m.dancovershop.com/uk/product/portable-gar...
Thanks for your posts about the 650 by the way.
https://m.dancovershop.com/uk/product/portable-gar...
Jim82 said:
There you go - might need a wider one though.
Thanks for your posts about the 650 by the way.
https://m.dancovershop.com/uk/product/portable-gar...
Thanks!Thanks for your posts about the 650 by the way.
https://m.dancovershop.com/uk/product/portable-gar...
Moley RUFC said:
Delighted to see it Jim and looking forward to a ‘legally allowed’ catch up when we can (and I have the 4C)....
Tim
It made me laugh to do this vid!Tim
https://youtu.be/UN22SHx0tOc
Jim82 said:
.............It isn’t a sports exhaust so I’ll have to see how I feel about that - maybe I change it (once I’ve paid to renew the warranty at the end of April....), but I need to be sure it’s won’t affect the warranty.
.........
The new car looks fabulous, enjoy .........
For exhausts, its worth checking with your dealer on the warranty, but mine (Manchester) were comfortable with me fitting a new cat-back Larini system on my 570s, but wouldn’t support anything that changed the cats or sensors.
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