Possible 4C Purchase - Spec Advice Please

[rudester]

So i've decided I need a 4C Coupe in my life. I've test driven a couple that had varying specs, but i've got to say i'm a little lost as to what is worthwhile. What are considered must have options?
Is there an easy way to tell if the car has one of the racing packs fitted as of the 2 cars i've driven I felt one steered much better than the other.
Also there seem to be a lot on the 2nd hand market at the moment. Has anyone been watching the market to see how long these cars have been hanging around? Do you think the prices are likely to drop over the winter months?

[rudester]

Thanks for the information. I've had a look around a few now I'm set on the competizione red with 19 inch wheels. I'm easy on the interior spec. I agree that the leather dash lifts the interior but it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.
I agree with the comments about the market. Apart from a couple of early low priced cars there doesn't seem to be any different between the 2014 - 16 cars and most seem to have very little miles.
I'm going to have another chat with the dealer today so i'll report back.

[rudester]

So I've driven any car today and I've got to say I just don't understand the bad press that the 4C has received from some of the motoring press. Sure the steering can wander but the trade off is so much feedback through the steering wheel. I have a history of Porsche's (Cayman R, 997 GTS and Boxster 981S) and was looking for a high days car that would set the pulse racing. Most of the frustration with the Porsche's comes from the overly long gearing so by the time you get to the red line in 3rd you're already well into license loss territory. The 4C is just so much quicker everywhere. There's so much torque it doesn't matter where you are in the rev range you can always get the car on tip toes. You quickly get used the speed in the Porsche's, I think it'll take a lot longer in the 4C. And then there's the noise. OK it's not 6 cylinder but my Porsche's all had the optional sports exhaust fitted and I was always left wanting more. In the 4C the sound is just epic, all of the snorting and farting from the wastegate and the full throttle gear change twarp, twarp. Just WOW!!

So I've gone and put a deposit on one this morning. I'll post pictures and specification once the deal is complete. Thanks to all of you that have contributed on this thread.

[rudester]

garreth64 said:

Congratulations, quick work! Look forward to seeing some pics.

I feel like I should go and drive one at some point to see for myself. It would mean selling my TVR though plus additional funds which would be a hard decision, plus I know it's wide and not sure it would fit in my garage.

Quick question re the racing suspension? Does it include the racing exhaust as well so you can tell from the double pipe?

Just been browsing the used cars, there are a few nice ones about and pricing is odd. You can pretty much get a new Coupe for £45k, yet some 64 plate cars are still asking £40k+

I'm still not clear about the racing suspension to be honest. I drove 3 examples one which definitely had it, one that did'nt, and one which had the upgraded wheels, exhaust and microfibe steering wheel so may have but the dealer couldn't confirm!! I just went with the one that I felt drove the best, which was also the better spec IMO.
Regarding pricing, not all of the cars are equal so make sure you spend a little time driving a few. One of them was already tatty and had clearly had some paint work despite only being a year old with 4k on the clock. I do feel though that the heavy discounts that the dealer are current offering on new and pre reg cars are ultimately going to put some downwards pressure on the earlier cars. Why would you buy a 2014 car when you can get into 2016 for the same money? The dinner those dealer cars are snapped up the better for values I feel.

[rudester]

DeejRC said:

The way I describe it is as a handmade carbon fibre tuxedo.

I think the leather dash is mandatory - it brings the interior into standard. It looks horribly cheap inside without it.
As much carbon fibre as possible. It's the USP of the car.

I agree that the dash lifts the interior but I decided on a car that drove better and had the exterior spec that I wanted. TBH once I was moving I was so engaged in the driving process I didn't get the chance to take in the interior ambiance.

Edited by rudester on Sunday 5th November 19:34

[rudester]

Just an update that I should be collecting the 4C at the weekend all being well. Can't wait! Fingers crossed for a dry day

[rudester]

So here's a quick picture of the car at pick up today before the rain came. She's now tucked away until the next fine weather. Which might be a while away up here in Manchester!

[rudester]

Stuart J said:

Congratulations , right colour , right wheels . You may be surprised to know they are waterproof so don’t let the weather put you off driving it , Sunday looks like a dry day

Ha ha quite. It won't be a garage queen don't worry. I would like to get to grips with it in dry conditions though. Role on Sunday

[rudester]

Has anyone on here gone for the Alfaworks suspension blocks? From what I've read they transform the tramlining.

[rudester]

Happy days!!

[rudester]

Stuart J said:

rudester said:

Has anyone on here gone for the Alfaworks suspension blocks? From what I've read they transform the tramlining.

Yes and yes they do transforme it , the early cars tramlines really really badly , my first 4c was an early one and I had that done by alfaworks after a few thousand miles of trying to live with it and that really felt a different car. The new car that I picked up in April was a lot better as std but the Alfaworks tweak still improved that so I would suggest you consider it , they do a whole range of mods for the 4c so worth looking through what they do. The exhaust they do I’ve had on both cars, a beautiful note and doesent drone at motorway speeds like the Alfa sports exhaust , they also do a nice remap , then there’s carbon bodywork to make it even lighter, well it’s a long list

Use the link below, scroll down to page 4, then right to get to suspension etc

http://live.alfaworkshop.co.uk/synergy/4C.php#firs...

Thanks Stuart. Was the second one also done by Alfaworks or an independent?

[rudester]

Stuart J said:

rudester said:

Ha ha quite. It won't be a garage queen don't worry. I would like to get to grips with it in dry conditions though. Role on Sunday

So how was it, what are your initial thoughts ??

Well the sun was shining yesterday so I managed to get out for a couple of hours. Unfortunately most of the North West had the same idea, so the roads were pretty crowded.
Initial impressions are that this is a physical car to drive. It demands you concentration 100% of the time, which was exactly was I was looking for in a weekend car.
It was a particularly cold day with lots of wet patches where the low lying sun hadn't shone on the roads so I was a little hesitant about really leaning on the handling. The wandering steering that is often reported on was really a non-issue except for one exceptionally bad road.
This car has so much torque! I've had 3 Porsche's in the last 4 years (981S, Cayman R, and a 997 GTS) and one of the major frustrations was their overly long gearing. The 4C has so much torque and weighs so little often you don't evening need to drop a gear to make seriously quick progress. The 4C makes the Porsche's feel like GTs.
The sounds the drivetrain makes is addictive. I had the drivers window down all the time just to get the full effects of the wastegate, and exhaust, whooshing, chirping and farting away. It's so loud. My brother-in-law said he could hear me coming 3 minutes before I arrived.
I'm really looking forwards to getting to know the car better, and for some warmer days. I'm already planning a trip up to Scotland to replenish my dwindling whiskey stocks!