Alfa 4C - "Without The Heart We Would Be Mere Machines"

If I wanted a 25-year-old replica this helps, but if I want a modern, de-contented Elise or 4C, no joy. Hence my now 11-year-old Elise remains as compelling to me as it was new

 

The 4c is amazinginly strong and safe. Here's a terrible accident last week in Casablanca. The guy seems to have been street racing and spin into a tree. The car completely disintegrates but the CF shell is intact. The burning mess is the engine and gearbox which are barely recognizable.

The guy had no injuries and walked away.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfQ-UrIfZbw[/ame]

 

Your point is well taken, Ferrari et al definitely need to better address their vehicles' weights. However, there are performance (as in HP/WEIGHT ratio) differences between the Miata vs. the 4C and FIAT presumably had their Mazda-based 124 Spider in mind when they decided to market the 4C.

IMO, the 4C is a display of design, technology capability and performance that would set apart future cars in the AR brand relaunch. Viewed from that perspective, one might see why the 4C created such a unique segment by itself.

As for de-contented cars, I think the 4C manual steering was already pushing the idea to viable limits in a halo car that also had to project appeal to the general sporty-driving public vs track petrol heads. It would have sent the wrong message. However, I imagine they can always look into the costs of offering de-contented track-only versions of future AR cars once they become established enough. They have to be profitable enough before they can afford to do that.

 

It seems like there are a +/-100 of 4c for sale in the US right now. That seems like a lot.

 

The dealers are finally getting stock. There's only 36 used cars available.

This is probably the last year for the coupe. When they are done less than 2000 will be in America which doesn't seem like a lot. I mean, they make 32,000 Corvette C7's a year!

 

So dealers do get stocks. I was told twice they wouldn't and all cars coming would be sold already.

It seems it's keeping value. Nothing for less than 55k.

 

I'm not sure how this crew manages to make videos with near-zero info and emotion in them, but they've done it again:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKB7mdCXD4E[/ame]

As a quick first look of a just released model this clip would be OK. But to release this thing at this point . . . come on, Drive.

 

Drive has always been behind the curve. And this guy has no personality. Makes Tanner Foust look interesting.

 

Did they actually put a DCT in the 4C? Thought it was an F1 style dry clutch system.

 

It's the same gearbox as the Dodge Dart but souped up. It has a dry clutch.

 

yes, its dual clutch

 

Dual clutches are wet clutches, as in DCT. Will look it up, but I think you are correct, Bob.

The guy in the video said DCT, which I did not think was correct.

 

Taz - to me "F1" type meant automated traditional single clutch manual transmission. With the bolt on bits that take care of moving the clutch and changing gears.

Dual clutch is more like an automatic without a torque converter?

I'm likely clueless, but would love to really understand the different types...

 

I looked it up for you..

"A dual-clutch transmission, (DCT) (sometimes referred to as a twin-clutch transmission or double-clutch transmission), is a type of automatic transmission or automated automotive transmission. It uses two separate clutches[1] for odd and even gear sets. It can fundamentally be described as two separate manual transmissions (with their respective clutches) contained within one housing, and working as one unit.[2][3] They are usually operated in a fully automatic mode, and many also have the ability to allow the driver to manually shift gears in semi-automatic mode,[1] albeit still carried out by the transmission's electro-hydraulics"

The 4C has a six speed Alfa TCT Dual Dry Clutch Transmission like Bob said.

 

It's a DCT. it's fast as crap and makes my 360 feel archaic.

 

That guy would be great in the Sonic commercials!

 

Guys,

Posted this over on the 4C Forum Fri night. Someone on one of the boards said that the car is an event every time you get in her, could not agree more. I really think Alfa hit it out of the park with the 4C. I'm still in natural mode, dynamic should be available shortly. The car is rock solid, very well damped and actually rides very well, the race exhaust to me makes all the right sounds. The DCT I am very impressed with in my two days with her and her shifting will only get faster once in a Dynamic mode. Paint quality seems to be great, do not see any orange peel. Anyway, below were/are my initial thoughts.

Just picked her up Fri Jun 10 at about 1pm.

I have to say that this car is really insane, 38 miles on the odo pulling out and after the commute home about 64 miles. Fill out all the paperwork which was easy as all cash deal + trade and then onto the car. Funny thing...Service Mgr Steve goes to start her to pull her out and she's dead...Thought to myself, How appropriate! One of the service guys evidently had left the interior light on, quick boost, they pull her out and she's good to go. Very little orientation.

When I initially pulled out of the dealership I thought Oh man this thing is raw, but after a few miles things settled down. Obviously still in Natural mode but Manual. She is entertaining as all Hell and I know that I am really going to enjoy her . Mixed highway and then backroads .on the trip home

- I love the downshift blip of the throttle
- I love the gear/tranny whine
- The noises made by the turbo popoff valve are nuts
- Hard ride, but very very solid piece of machinery, no rattles . Very happy with how she seems to be put together, feels like one piece.
- Still in Natural but can tell she has balls, maybe another 75-100 miles for Dynamic, cant wait.
- Race exhaust is perfect for me, plenty of rumble. Some say too loud, I love it.
- 1st DCT, but I think I will be highly entertained and I still do not have full appreciation of her capabilities. Dont think I will miss manual
in her at all. I still have two others with manual to get me through anyway.
- Manual steering is a big Non Issue, don't understand what others are talking about. Easier than my Fiat 124 Spider back in the day from what I can remember.
- Rear view while driving is not as bad as advertised imo, have not tried backing up yet but can see where that will be interesting and I ahve the backup sensors.

- Cabin rear window needs to be cleaned in the engine compartment,. Done rather easily Sat.

- to think that Alfa Romeo could make such an outrageous car for the street really makes me smile/laugh.

The radio I have no idea what the hell Im doing, finally just put it on mute. Need to do some reading this wknd, have a stack of stuff on my coffee table to go through. Drove home with the seat in one position but have pushed it back a notch in the garage and will try that out tonight. Sun update, iPod connects np. Sys sound is just ok.

Only small issue so far that I can tell is that the passenger side view mirror does not extend far enough out, anyone else experience this? Resolved Sat, moved my seat back one more notch from how I drove her home and now I'm legs and arms more extended and better view from the pass side mirror.

Anyone on the fence just go do it, shes as outrageous as you have read...and Im still in Natural mode. Love her...

As of today still in Natural mode at 120 miles, Dynamic is within reach, 150 miles I believe.
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congrats!
what dealer did you get it from?

 

Alfa Romeo/Fiat of Larchmont, dealt with the owner Alfredo. He has a white spider, yellow spider and possibly one more. Had a black spider but I believe that's gone.

 

Were they flexible on the price? Did you order or buy a stock?

 

Minimal flex ability and I have bought cars there before. Did not order, was on his floor since March, was exactly as I wanted less xenons and race suspension which I wanted, but everything else hit the right buttons.

 

I like mine a lot. I'm going to drive it in a few weeks from Vegas to Reno to LA and keep it in LA a month or so.

It's not the most comfortable car but it has so much personality. One of the prettier cars I've ever owned. What's surprised me is how reliable it's been. The gearbox is pretty similar to the F430 which I liked a lot. One downside is you can't shift to neutral by pulling both paddles. But it goes up inclines and stop and go better than an F430.

I won't say it will be a classic but it's unlikely we will ever seen anything like the 4c again. And, it's pretty much a "hand built car" in today's world of modern manufacturing processes.

 

So I have been thinking about selling my 599 for a few months, and have started to move forward in that directions. I did, however, want to replace it with another fun car. At first I was thinking the Ghibli, but I have a daily driver that runs fine, so my next thought was the 4C.

I love the look of the spider, but wasn't thrilled with how the roof has to be removed and reinstalled. The reviews of the car seem to be mixed with the biggest issues being how loud it is inside the cockpit, and hard steering.

Current owners, what are your thoughts of the hardtop vs the spider? While I know its not on the same level as a 599, it still seems like a blast to drive. What are your thoughts? FWIW, I am going to lease the car.

 

To be honest, most of the bad reviews are just BS. No one drives a car without power steering anymore. Gee.. Don't buy a 246 Dino or 308!

It's a bit crude inside. Very simple. A bit tight. Noisy? Meh... My Dino droned more at highway speeds.

Writers complained about seeing out the back. Well, my Corvette C7 convertible was far worse and they never complained.

I think the top looks simple enough to remove. Easier than Lotus I have a coupe and would not replace it with a spider. It's enough for me.

This car is a toy. Buy it as a toy. The best thing is it's not a Ferrari so you can park it anywhere, drive it anywhere, and forget about the mileage. It's got no creature comfort other than AC, it's hard to get in and out of, the seat belts scratch your neck, the sun visors are the size of a post card, the radio is an abomination, the trunk holds one small bag at best, and there's almost no storage inside for anything

Is it the fastest thing ever? No. Is it the funniest thing ever... Might be!

 

Something odd is going on - I agree with Bob more and more.

It is not possible to have all manner of luxury, etc in a small, light, nimble car. You buy this car for the joy of driving. Thank goodness there are a few cars built to drive. If the "work" of turning the wheel, cozy compartment, situational awareness, and nimble (no huge understeer), and stiff ride and NVH are a problem, then you won't like this kind of car (or Elise or Miata or BRZ).