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]
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...
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
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