Traded the German for an Italian - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

MarkR171 · 10-30-2016, 06:31 PM

Sold my SLK55 last week.

On Saturday, I flew from DC to Cincinnati, bought an Alfa Romeo 4C, and immediately drove it 522 miles back to DC in a span of 11 hours... because I'm a crazy idiot.

The 4C is such a lovely car. Other than the parts everyone knows about... the exposed carbon tub, gorgeous curves, no power steering, etc. It's also surprisingly comfortable, I had no aches or pains in 8 hours of driving... but I will say it is LOUD in there when driving 75-80mph in Ohio with the engine 10 inches behind your head and the race exhaust (muffler delete) option. I drove it around today to a Cars and Coffee event, to an autocross, and to the grocery. I wasn't registered so I didn't race it this time - I will. The whole time I was thinking... Yea, I could totally daily drive this.

I love it.

DarkSunrise · 10-30-2016, 06:44 PM

Looks sexy in black, probably my favorite color for the 4c. Congrats!

Irace86 · 10-31-2016, 01:15 AM

You forgot something...

serialk11r · 10-31-2016, 04:08 AM

Looks great. I saw one for the first time at a racetrack last year, definitely a beautiful car. I don't think I could ever get over the lack of manual transmission though.

Midengine cars are way louder because the engine is so close to your head, you almost need a track pipe on an FR car to match the volume. However since it's all mechanical noise it doesn't sound crappy and harsh like a fart can or track pipe. In my MR2 I put in earplugs for longer highway trips since I don't want to damage my hearing more than it already has been. Even something well insulated and luxurious like a Porsche has a surprisingly loud engine.

MarkR171 · 10-31-2016, 06:23 AM

I thought the lack of manual would be a bad thing, and I almost bought a 2012 Cayman R before the Alfa because of that... But no, the car is very involving. The steering is beautiful and even the floor gives you road feedback through your feet because under the floormat is the carbon tub - no insulation anywhere.

The car is great in Manual mode with super quick shifts and perfect rev match, as a dual clutch should. I was surprised about how it behaves at low speed though, much better than the DCT I had in my BMW.

I think I remember reading the manual was never a possibility with the design of the carbon tub.

MarkR171 · 10-31-2016, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irace86

You forgot something...

Do you even race bro?

Re_Invention · 10-31-2016, 09:25 AM

Very cool and congrats! Great color combo.

What are the notorious fail-fatal parts to the car? How does standard maintenance look like? Is insurance significantly above/below the FRS? "Must do" mods or changes? Planned mods?

If I fit comfortably and the wife approved, I'd trade in my 911 for one tomorrow and invest in Toyo stock. But I don't and she doesn't.

Dave-ROR · 10-31-2016, 11:23 AM

Love everything about the 4C - except for that transmission.

strat61caster · 10-31-2016, 12:20 PM

On paper the AT looks like meh, but I bet if I sat in it and drove it I wouldn't give a damn.

It's a baby supercar and I would love to beat the hell out of it.

On the level, how's the engine response? I'd be afraid any turbo lag would wear thin.

MarkR171 · 10-31-2016, 01:48 PM

There is some turbo lag, but to me, it just adds to the drama because there is so much boost (I believe 22psi stock) and you really feel and hear the turbos spooling.

Dave-ROR · 10-31-2016, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strat61caster

On paper the AT looks like meh, but I bet if I sat in it and drove it I wouldn't give a damn.

It's a baby supercar and I would love to beat the hell out of it.

On the level, how's the engine response? I'd be afraid any turbo lag would wear thin.

Not sure.. every real complaint I hear about the car from reviews and owners is that the transmission sucks. I like driving manuals so it's a deal breaker for me, I considered them until I discovered that issue.

mazeroni · 10-31-2016, 02:41 PM

Baby Ferrari for the win!

Def jealous! Except if I ever bought one, the Cayman S (918) would always be in the back of my mind. Tough decision. The 8C is certainly rarer, thus more desirable. Good choice, I think.

MarkR171 · 10-31-2016, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Not sure.. every real complaint I hear about the car from reviews and owners is that the transmission sucks. I like driving manuals so it's a deal breaker for me, I considered them until I discovered that issue.

At this point I really dont understand the criticism. The transmission is very quick and responsive.

Dave-ROR · 10-31-2016, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkR171

At this point I really dont understand the criticism. The transmission is very quick and responsive.

Well for me it's the fact that it's not a manual

For others, it seemed to be based on it's logic/programming - which may have been updated?

10-30-2016, 06:44 PM	#2
DarkSunrise Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: 22 BRZ (Previously 13 FR-S) Location: USA Posts: 5,794 Thanks: 2,164 Thanked 4,242 Times in 2,220 Posts Mentioned: 48 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Looks sexy in black, probably my favorite color for the 4c. Congrats! __________________ "Never run out of real estate, traction, and ideas at the same time." 2022 BRZ Build 2013 FR-S Build

10-31-2016, 11:23 AM	#8
Dave-ROR Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Drives: Stuff Location: Florida Posts: 10,317 Thanks: 955 Thanked 5,965 Times in 2,689 Posts Mentioned: 262 Post(s) Tagged: 8 Thread(s)	Love everything about the 4C - except for that transmission. __________________ -Dave Track cars: 2013 Scion FRS, 1998 Acura Integra Type-R, 1993 Honda Civic Hatchback DD: 2005 Acura TSX Tow: 2022 F-450 Toys: 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1991 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Parts: 2015 Subaru BRZ Limited, 2005 Acura TSX Projects: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited track car build FS: 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 LT CCSB 8.1/Allison with 99k miles

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10-31-2016, 09:25 AM	#7
Re_Invention Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Drives: '22 Tacoma, '19 Macan, '22 BRZ Location: Corona, Ca Posts: 317 Thanks: 121 Thanked 237 Times in 112 Posts Mentioned: 38 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Very cool and congrats! Great color combo. What are the notorious fail-fatal parts to the car? How does standard maintenance look like? Is insurance significantly above/below the FRS? "Must do" mods or changes? Planned mods? If I fit comfortably and the wife approved, I'd trade in my 911 for one tomorrow and invest in Toyo stock. But I don't and she doesn't.

10-31-2016, 02:41 PM	#12
mazeroni Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S Series 10 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,116 Thanks: 600 Thanked 1,017 Times in 512 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Baby Ferrari for the win! Def jealous! Except if I ever bought one, the Cayman S (918) would always be in the back of my mind. Tough decision. The 8C is certainly rarer, thus more desirable. Good choice, I think.

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