Anyone driven an Alfa 4C?

[MysticLlama]

I'm considering putting the 911 up and getting one of these. The old car thing is starting to get a little old sometimes.

[stuartj]

I drove one tonight. Seriously fast, even in electronic run in mode, lithe, low, beautiful.

I am besotted.

[MysticLlama]

Went and checked out one of the local ones this weekend, fired it up, didn't get to drive it.

Very cool, and seems much better put together just spending a few minutes with it than an Elise. Of course the US ones are heavier than the Elise too.

Not totally convinced on the seats, would need to go sit in it again for a bit and fool with them more.

Still haven't put up the 911, it's a tough decision. And then of course, F360s are down in the same price range now too, and who knows which might be more finicky over time, lots more 360s out there.

Anyone else have a chance to drive one yet?

[MysticLlama]

Bump, any more experiences yet?

There were two that hit Western Washington, both are sold now. As far as I know, it's still not possible to order one.

[Don Ro]

I don't dare go look at them...let alone drive one.
The auto doesn't bother me...I'm tired of shifting.
,
BTW, I wish those YouTube reviewers would speak English.

[intakexhaust]

Seeing the above pic of the Graduate cracks me up. Reminiscent of years ago and how nothing really has changed. The Spider 'Graduate' model was nearly the same as the standard (just had less trim features) and then another version was a Lauda with just a dash plaque. Neither was flying out of the showrooms but the marketing of limited this, limited that was the answer to rid of them.

Interesting the 4C may be but just like the marques previous attempts at the US market, another attractive style, fun driver but so chincy are worth half the list price.

I'm still having a hard time seeing past a $65k four banger 1.7L auto trans., un-proven car from Fiat-Chrysler so I'm curious how many have lined up for the premium asking price of 6 figures USD on the Launch Edition of 500 units.

I could be way off and perhaps the younger generation doesn't know about the past but to me, the stigma lingers. Safer bet is shopping Porsche.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

this review isn't very complimentary

Alfa 4C: The Comeback | PistonHeads

[MysticLlama]

Lots of them in the US have sold at the MSRP of $79k, so the 6 figure thing isn't totally accurate.

The Launch Edition has pretty much every option, not just a plaque. By the time I configure an SE how I want it'd be in between a base and an LE at around $70ish. There are some things I'd actually rather not have like the race suspension and a couple other things, but would want the leather trim and race exhaust for instance.

The trans is a dual clutch, not an auto, big difference. There is already a tuned one that has been running around with over 400hp from the 1.7L, so it seems pretty stout, and the 285hp tune should be a good mix of a load of fun and not on the edge of blowing up. (we'll have to see on this)

Of the reviews that I've read, the one I most identified with said something along the lines of "but I just don't actually *want* a Cayman". I've driven a Cayman GTS, it's neat, but I still don't really want one.

It's a bummer that it's not easier to drive one. If they sent a rental around and even charged $250-500 for a few track laps locally, I'd be willing to try it out. No good ways to test drive cars there are so few of. Even F360s have this issue, I may hate them too once actually driving one.

[MysticLlama]

Oh, and there is also a Noble M12 floating around for sale in town, that could be a riot too.

[KNS]

Perhaps, like the Jaguar F Type, they will release a manual trans after a couple of years.

I'm 6'1" so I may not fit in it anyway...

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by KNS

Perhaps, like the Jaguar F Type, they will release a manual trans after a couple of years.

I'm 6'1" so I may not fit in it anyway...

You'll fit.

We manual trannie luddites have to face a hard reality. Semi autos are the shizz. While we may bemoan the loss of connection, the skill in the execution of a perfect set of heel/toe down shifts while standing the car on its nose and hammering into corner.....the DSG type trannies are faster, smoother and more clever than us. And theyre just getting better.

A curious footnote: the hood/bonnet of the 4C does not open.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by stuartj

I drove one tonight. Seriously fast, even in electronic run in mode, lithe, low, beautiful.

I am besotted.

This was the same as my experience. We have several at work and I took home one a few nights ago, which was optioned with the factory "Race Pack" (18 & 19" staggered wheels, a race exhaust and some other stuff). It is a genuinely fast car and I can only imagine how much more is to come with an ECU tune.

IMO, it is just gorgeous to look at. I'm 6'2" and the ergonomics suck for someone my size, but what a great little car. The exhaust note with the race pack is intoxicating.

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by Adam

This was the same as my experience. We have several at work and I took home one a few nights ago, which was optioned with the factory "Race Pack" (18 & 19" staggered wheels, a race exhaust and some other stuff). It is a genuinely fast car and I can only imagine how much more is to come with an ECU tune.

IMO, it is just gorgeous to look at. I'm 6'2" and the ergonomics suck for someone my size, but what a great little car. The exhaust note with the race pack is intoxicating.

Hi Adam- the one I drove has now passed its electronic "run in" period, and is now fully rocket ship. Regarding the exhaust- I cant believe its been allowed on the road. It is proper race car loud. Gorgeous noise too.

[MysticLlama]

They fired up the one I looked at in the showroom, and the noise was quite something. I expected the note from the videos, but not the volume, super cool.

I do wonder if an electronic baffle to shut off one side on long road trips may be good to have though.

The hood thing is a bit funny, especially since you have to replace a seal against the windshield when removing it for front end service. They could have just gone with a clamshell like an Elise, but maybe this way was cheaper?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by stuartj

Hi Adam- the one I drove has now passed its electronic "run in" period, and is now fully rocket ship. Regarding the exhaust- I cant believe its been allowed on the road. It is proper race car loud. Gorgeous noise too.

Hey Stu. Yeah, I remember asking "how on earth is this exhaust road legal?"

[jyl]

As cars get faster, roads get more congested. Back in the day, I could drive my old Mustang to the limits of its admittedly small performance envelope while remaining reasonably within sane speeds for public roads. Can you do that with an Alfa C4 or other modern performance car? I sometimes think the most fun, engaging drive would be something like a 914 with 185 tires.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Captain Ahab Jr

this review isn't very complimentary

Alfa 4C: The Comeback | PistonHeads

The most critical report I've read, still they hold out some hope for future refinement and development.

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by kach22i

The most critical report I've read, still they hold out some hope for future refinement and development.

I agree with them about the steering wheel and the seats. First criticisms I made after a drive. Steering and tracking issues - Ive also read similar complaints- Im looking forward to a proper drive on a proper road.

[stuartj]

Asked the owner of the 4C, having lived with it for a few months now, for his views on that review posted by Kach. This guy is a very good steerer, and competes in track and tarmac rally, he knows his cars. His remarks:

Interesting. The steering is too nervous on roads with truck weight created ridges...but on a good toss road, with lots of fast changes of direction....its sublime - and if anything, could go a little more + castor & - camber.

Oddly, my criticism is the brakes. They're not good enough and start to fade about halfway along the (road name redacted. 40 miles of top secret twisting unpoliced goodness) Road. It's readily solvable with fluid and pads...but for mine, a bigger swept area would better enable a soft/cold road pad and still give one adequate 'spirited' performance.

Drove it in the wet for the first time this week. Prodigious grip....I suspect, until there is not.

I don't have a view on his cosmetic criticisms - but truely its head turning impact is stunning. Chicks like it cos it's pretty and I'm getting a sense that guys know it's cheap (supercar wise) and that that makes its more attractive/acceptable than say, a Lambo. Not much science here .....

[intakexhaust]

The road test review is interesting.

That's what makes Alfa different. A trait I rather enjoy, just like the old GTV6 of years ago. And just like our old 911's that ooze character in handling.... 'precisely' of which makes them attractive. From the sensational sound, a handful in the steering to keep one busy, working the pedals, nailing down perfect shifts makes it truly fun and always entertaining, even at everyday restricted road limits. You cannot expect one who's never driven a 911 to safely wail away. It must be learned, otherwise they'll lose it in short time and label it as crap.

Again though, the reliability and nuisance issues are unknown. Let's face it, the early gen 911's (and some later MY!) are rather POS in many area's, not unlike older Alfa's. Even so, I miss the quirky GTV6.

If going in on a new 4C, I think one must be prepared and accept the unexpected. Its for the different mindset buyer. All things considered, base MSRP is not too bad. I keep going back to it, but thats how the GTV6 was for buyers years ago. Hopefully one can acquire at reasonable dealer markup and if the production numbers remain limited, might be a fun long term keeper.