Thoughts on the Alfa Romeo 4C?

[M1k3yC]

I'm interested in what people think of the 4C, especially if you have driven one. Coupe or Spider.

I found this detailed thread on PH: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=99&t=1761111

I also dug up an old thread on here, but I don't think many people replying had driven the 4C.

Thanks in advance

Mike

 

[Smartbear]

Not driven one, I’ve read a few verdicts saying it’s an expensive Lotus Elise alternative (a very pretty one)
Rob

 

[buzyg]

Wide and pretty. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The 8C is the really special one. :wub:

 

[Anonymous]

Wide and pretty. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The 8C is the really special one. :wub:

It's also 6 times the price!

 

[Mr Tidy]

buzyg wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2020 10:53 pm
Wide and pretty. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The 8C is the really special one.
It's also 6 times the price!

And to be fair the few reviews I've read suggest that as stunning as the 8C was, it wasn't a great driving experience.

But then the Z8 wasn't well reviewed either and it hasn't hurt their values!

While I appreciate all the technological wizardry in the 4C, and it is quite a looker in it's own right, it's all too "digital" for my taste in my advancing years what with a 4 cylinder turbo engine, flappy-paddles only, etc.

If I was spending that sort of money on a car I'd much rather spend it on one of those barely used MCs Hexagon get from time to time, or maybe a manual Ferrari 456GT.

Still, that's just the musings of an old technophobe! :roll:

 

[M1k3yC]

Wide and pretty. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The 8C is the really special one. :wub:

It's also 6 times the price!

Yes and yes, regarding the 8C. Here is a photo I took of one in 2008 at the Classic Motor Show at the NEC.

 

[buzyg]

buzyg wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2020 10:53 pm
Wide and pretty. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The 8C is the really special one.
It's also 6 times the price!

And to be fair the few reviews I've read suggest that as stunning as the 8C was, it wasn't a great driving experience.

But then the Z8 wasn't well reviewed either and it hasn't hurt their values!

While I appreciate all the technological wizardry in the 4C, and it is quite a looker in it's own right, it's all too "digital" for my taste in my advancing years what with a 4 cylinder turbo engine, flappy-paddles only, etc.

If I was spending that sort of money on a car I'd much rather spend it on one of those barely used MCs Hexagon get from time to time, or maybe a manual Ferrari 456GT.

Still, that's just the musings of an old technophobe! :roll:

Yes I was thinking of the Z8 comparison as I wrote my first reply. Totally with you on the none digital thing to.

 

[-Tom-]

I absolutely love them. My brother has had one for the last two years, I’m in love with it. I will dig out some detailed photos tomorrow and maybe some videos ...

 

[MrPT]

One of the most disappointing cars ever, but it’s beautiful and I’d still have one (to try and put right).

 

[brillomaster]

nah, not for me. i think it looks very weird, i'm unlikely to like the engine, and i've never been that fussed by alfa romeos. if i was thinking purely from an enjoyment point of view, i'd rather have a nice S2000 - better engine, better gearbox, better looks!

 

[M1k3yC]

I will dig out some detailed photos tomorrow and maybe some videos ...

Yes, please!

 

[M1k3yC]

I’d still have one (to try and put right).

I'm curious - what would you do to improve it?

I know it's far from perfect. Although, I think I watched a review that suggested the later cars were an improvement, after they ditched the controversial headlights.

 

[MrPT]

I’d still have one (to try and put right).

I'm curious - what would you do to improve it?

I know that I’d want to experiment with the engine sound as it comes across as very cheap and harsh. From the outside it’s just a horrible blaring mess - at Goodwood it took me a while to adjust to the fact that the noise was coming from a 4C. There are some good sounding 4 pots on the market these days, so Alfa has no excuse.

I haven’t driven one, but I suspect I’d also get annoyed at the steering, since reviews have cited a lack of feel and involvement, which are exactly the things you’d hope for from an unassisted rack. There are community-recommended geo settings which I’d try, and potentially also experiment with bushings and other fixed points in the steering system.

Given we aren’t blessed with amazing driving roads in the south east, it’d be nice if it had a little more boot space for short road trips. It has even less capacity than an Elise, arguably a more focused (and affordable) machine, and 50% less than an Evora.

Apart from that, not much, but the first two are deal breakers for a sports car, and the third isn’t unmanageable but will really limit your ability to get the most out of it.

 

[-Tom-]

Some strong viewpoints on its steering when you haven’t driven it

It has no power steering, and as a result it of course feels heavy and rather odd at low speeds. However, once moving, it is the epitome of the over used phrase “it’s like a go kart”. In the dry and on a decent road, it’s so engaging and the steering is unbelievably direct. But at the same time, if you don’t concentrate and hit a rut, it will try and kill you

The engine note I will agree is a little odd, but it’s a clever unit. Whilst there are some odd noises at certain revs, at others it sounds great; couple that with intake nosies next to your ear, and waste gates making all sorts of noises. It makes me feel like I’m driving a baby F40.

Some of the build quality is basic, and you get little to no kit. It really is a toy, and the the daft thing I found was that journalists compared it to a cayman at launch. They’re totally different cars, and can’t be compared. A bit like the Z4M, the journalists who went to town criticising aspects at the launch, now have started talking about those very things as being a positive

The gear box , as far as they go is decent. I prefer a manual, but stuck this in manual mode and you can sit it on the Rev limiter all day if you wanted to; you’re the boss when you want to be. The gearbox and changes do add something to the punchyness of the car, especially when booting it ! Hit boost right, and as a passenger it’s a decent scare!

I’ve driven a lot of interesting, fast, old and new cars. This has been the most exciting for me out of the bunch.

 

[M1k3yC]

[ref]-Tom-[/ref], thanks for sharing your thoughts and the photos! Let your brother know that his car looks awesome!

 

[MrPT]

Some strong viewpoints on its steering when you haven’t driven it

They’re not strong viewpoints. I was pretty clear that I haven’t driven one and my view was just speculative.

I’d have one in an instant. The chassis is incredible and they look fantastic.

 

[-Tom-]

Some strong viewpoints on its steering when you haven’t driven it

They’re not strong viewpoints. I was pretty clear that I haven’t driven one and my view was just speculative.

I’d have one in an instant. The chassis is incredible and they look fantastic.

Yes and me! I’d like to hear one with the akrapovic exhaust though.

The boot as you say though is sooo small! And his has a pretty bad leak at present :roll:

 

[buzyg]

Some strong viewpoints on its steering when you haven’t driven it

It has no power steering, and as a result it of course feels heavy and rather odd at low speeds. However, once moving, it is the epitome of the over used phrase “it’s like a go kart”. In the dry and on a decent road, it’s so engaging and the steering is unbelievably direct. But at the same time, if you don’t concentrate and hit a rut, it will try and kill you

The engine note I will agree is a little odd, but it’s a clever unit. Whilst there are some odd noises at certain revs, at others it sounds great; couple that with intake nosies next to your ear, and waste gates making all sorts of noises. It makes me feel like I’m driving a baby F40.

Some of the build quality is basic, and you get little to no kit. It really is a toy, and the the daft thing I found was that journalists compared it to a cayman at launch. They’re totally different cars, and can’t be compared. A bit like the Z4M, the journalists who went to town criticising aspects at the launch, now have started talking about those very things as being a positive

The gear box , as far as they go is decent. I prefer a manual, but stuck this in manual mode and you can sit it on the Rev limiter all day if you wanted to; you’re the boss when you want to be. The gearbox and changes do add something to the punchyness of the car, especially when booting it ! Hit boost right, and as a passenger it’s a decent scare!

I’ve driven a lot of interesting, fast, old and new cars. This has been the most exciting for me out of the bunch.

Great little write up Tom. 8)

If only it wasn't too wide for Cornish lanes and I could fit in one.

 

[Z4M-2006]

I have driven one for about 30 miles

It was an incredible car...the chassis, poise and balance was up there with the best..

The steering although odd at first felt great on the road.
The car just feels “ different” due to the over suppressed world in which we drive now, power this, control that, anti lock blah blah blah

4C or Cayman would be a hard one for me, both a world away from a Z4

 

[drummachine]

My viewpoint having owned one for a few months now...

They are loud! And i don't mean exhaust loud i mean interior loud. You hear every noise from the engine, turbo and gearbox and at 70mph it omits the same noise as a boiling kettle. It does have a sound system and a bluetooth but both are useless above 50mph. Mine does have a race exhaust as per the launch edition spec though which doesn't help but the noise from outside on full acceleration can be heard a mile away, its that loud!

I see people talking about the steering above. At low speeds its heavy and appears sluggish but once your driving its fine. You feel everything and if you venture over a cats eye its more like running over a physical cat! However, its great for it and has great feel when you push it hard. I am very tempted however to take it to Alfaworks and have the steering and geometry adjusted to stop it darting across the road at random intervals. Its not that bad and it is liveable, but if it makes as much difference as people suggest its certainly worth doing.

There is nothing i have driven (i've had VX220 turbo's before too) that feels as fun and as special as this. I have friends with R8's, Vanquishes etc and having a quick drive in this puts a huge smile on their faces and they remember it. Its a lot more comfortable and well put together than you think. Not a single rattle and from all the reach i have done it appears extremely reliable.

However, it is not a car i would want to drive to the south of France. There is little to no storage, nowhere to rest your arm while driving, its as wide as a Range Rover and i have lost count on how many speed bumps i have scraped so far.

Its also £185 road tax and 40mpg. Whats not to like?

In summary, its epic and I don't regret one bit buying it. I have never owned a car that draws so much attention and gets remember by people as much as this one. However, it has its limitations with noise, practicality and width/height and i'm glad i (currently) have a Z4M and Z3M that if i wanted to travel a little further with my other half in the passenger seat a little happier, i can do - Happy wife, happy life!

If i wanted to have a leisurely drive into the country for a few hours for lunch, i would take the Z4M. If i wanted a blast for a couple of hours I cant think of a car more entertaining for the money (I have also owned a 981 S)

Chris