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      10-31-2015, 06:56 PM   #1
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M2 vs Alfa 4c

I haven't seen a thread with these two matched up. If I could make enough excuses to justify the 4c...I would do it. I hope this isn't a repost.

I keep reading a lot of talk about Caymans...etc. A lot about light weight, carbon filled, weekend/track day cars that feel "special".

Has anyone else thought about the 4c? It certainly ticks ALL the boxes. For those who aren't planning on using the M2 as your daily.
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      11-01-2015, 09:50 AM   #2
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I mean, I don't see how the cars are comparable. If you're looking for a weekend or track toy without practicality concerns...why are you buying an M2?
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      11-01-2015, 01:20 PM   #3
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The Alfa is a GORGEOUS car and handles phenomenally well. That said its right in line w the Elise in terms of practicality away from the track. Have driven it, really really nice car. That said think the GT4 is a wiser choice.
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      11-01-2015, 01:59 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ashburyn54
I haven't seen a thread with these two matched up. If I could make enough excuses to justify the 4c...I would do it. I hope this isn't a repost.

I keep reading a lot of talk about Caymans...etc. A lot about light weight, carbon filled, weekend/track day cars that feel "special".

Has anyone else thought about the 4c? It certainly ticks ALL the boxes. For those who aren't planning on using the M2 as your daily.
The Alfa 4C is a super sexy car!

While the M2 would not be my daily driver I am personally to large to fit in the Alfa. Maybe the 4C Spyder is a different story but i have yet to sit in one.
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      11-01-2015, 05:05 PM   #5
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The 4C is a toy car...I have set in one. It is as wide as the M2 but like 2 feet shorter in length. Looks very exotic.

The interior is so cramped and so low that I won't want to spend more than an hour in there. In comparison a Porsche Cayman is heaps more comfy.

The M2 is an everyday practical car with 4 seats with a fluff of sportiness breath upon by BMW M.
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      11-01-2015, 05:28 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut View Post
The Alfa 4C is a super sexy car!

While the M2 would not be my daily driver I am personally to large to fit in the Alfa. Maybe the 4C Spyder is a different story but i have yet to sit in one.
That would be my worry! I have yet to sit in one but I can't imagine fitting in one with a helmet at all.
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      11-01-2015, 06:23 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ashburyn54
Quote:
Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut View Post
The Alfa 4C is a super sexy car!

While the M2 would not be my daily driver I am personally to large to fit in the Alfa. Maybe the 4C Spyder is a different story but i have yet to sit in one.
That would be my worry! I have yet to sit in one but I can't imagine fitting in one with a helmet at all.
Not sure how big you are but Google Clarkson 4C he drove one and is huge. May give you an idea of fit. Think he's 6'6" or thereabouts.
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      11-02-2015, 12:00 AM   #8
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Anyone can fit in it but you will not want to be in there for long...unless you are super skinny n tiny.
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      11-02-2015, 08:20 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
Not sure how big you are but Google Clarkson 4C he drove one and is huge. May give you an idea of fit. Think he's 6'6" or thereabouts.
This is very true. I've heard it feels nothing like an Elise. In terms of quality and even size.
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      11-02-2015, 09:46 AM   #10
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I don't think the 4C is THAT good looking to be honest. Personally, I don't see one reason I'd go with a 4C over a Cayman of some sort.
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      11-02-2015, 03:59 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W/// View Post
I don't think the 4C is THAT good looking to be honest. Personally, I don't see one reason I'd go with a 4C over a Cayman of some sort.
The Cayman is a civilized sports car. The 4C pisses in your champagne glass and wipes its ass with a doily. If you want that, the Cayman just won't do.
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      02-25-2016, 08:14 PM   #12
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Also thinking about these two.

What about speed and lap times? Obviously track dependent but don't want to be downgrading in overall speed from my 1M.

Will clearly need to drive both back to back but opinions sought nonetheless.

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      02-25-2016, 11:12 PM   #13
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I had a hard time locating a 4C to see in the flesh, much less drive one - that being said, I agree that it is a really pretty car that has impressive performance and is worthy of consideration. I wonder about the lack of creature comforts and where it simply becomes too much to deal with daily.

My 981 is good for DD - I have been in an Elise for a while and don't think I could do it all the time. I bet the 4C sort of splits the difference, so a more raw experience than I am used to enjoying now. Nothing wrong with that.
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      02-27-2016, 10:57 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmboone25
I had a hard time locating a 4C to see in the flesh, much less drive one - that being said, I agree that it is a really pretty car that has impressive performance and is worthy of consideration. I wonder about the lack of creature comforts and where it simply becomes too much to deal with daily.

My 981 is good for DD - I have been in an Elise for a while and don't think I could do it all the time. I bet the 4C sort of splits the difference, so a more raw experience than I am used to enjoying now. Nothing wrong with that.
For a weekend car I'm sure it's very doable. They aren't in the same class besides the performance for money. One is insane, the other is everyday awesome.

I saw the all leather interior last night. The switch gear reminds me of an 430. Really surprising. It feels very special inside, yet extremely simple.
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      02-27-2016, 11:25 AM   #15
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If you're just looking for a weekend toy with some comfort as opposed to a all out track machine you should really check out - now bear with me and read on- the new Fiat Spider. It's not really a Fiat. It's the new Miata which I think most would agree is a great drivers car but with Italian designed coach work. Current one is ok, BUT next year they're bringing out an Abarth. With that's right, you guessed it, the 4C engine in it.
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      02-27-2016, 11:26 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4
If you're just looking for a weekend toy with some comfort as opposed to a all out track machine you should really check out - now bear with me and read on- the new Fiat Spider. It's not really a Fiat. It's the new Miata which I think most would agree is a great drivers car but with Italian designed coach work. Current one is ok, BUT next year they're bringing out an Abarth. With that's right, you guessed it, the 4C engine in it.
That car will be insane. I have nothing against the Miata or fiat. I actually sat and fit in the new Miata. If they offer a manual drivetrain it will be close to perfect.
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      02-27-2016, 12:40 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ashburyn54
Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4
If you're just looking for a weekend toy with some comfort as opposed to a all out track machine you should really check out - now bear with me and read on- the new Fiat Spider. It's not really a Fiat. It's the new Miata which I think most would agree is a great drivers car but with Italian designed coach work. Current one is ok, BUT next year they're bringing out an Abarth. With that's right, you guessed it, the 4C engine in it.
That car will be insane. I have nothing against the Miata or fiat. I actually sat and fit in the new Miata. If they offer a manual drivetrain it will be close to perfect.
It's on my garage plan for the not too distant future. M235 is going in for the new RS3 sedan. Will either take dad's current Allroad and get him the new one or get the XC60 when the all new one comes out (supposed to be awesome). Abarth Spider would round things out quite nicely.
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      02-27-2016, 03:17 PM   #18
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IMHO, the M2 is a way better car for the following reasons:
- 6 cylinders vs 4 cylinders (not to mention M2 performance >>> Alfa 4C)
- 4 seats vs 2 seats
- M2 comes fully loaded (vs Alfa requires many options to be added)
- M2 price

Not to mention that Alfa finition is really cheap:
- wheel gap is awful
- interior/radio looks out of Radio Shack

I was really disappointed by Alfa to present a poor quality car in North America for their return (does 4C stands for 4cheap?!?)

I would only go for the Alfa if I was looking for an affordable Italian sports car (ie could not afford Ferrari, Lambos or Maserati) or for the sound the car would make.
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      02-27-2016, 05:16 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Benzima
IMHO, the M2 is a way better car for the following reasons:
- 6 cylinders vs 4 cylinders (not to mention M2 performance >>> Alfa 4C)
- 4 seats vs 2 seats
- M2 comes fully loaded (vs Alfa requires many options to be added)
- M2 price

Not to mention that Alfa finition is really cheap:
- wheel gap is awful
- interior/radio looks out of Radio Shack

I was really disappointed by Alfa to present a poor quality car in North America for their return (does 4C stands for 4cheap?!?)

I would only go for the Alfa if I was looking for an affordable Italian sports car (ie could not afford Ferrari, Lambos or Maserati) or for the sound the car would make.
Have you driven one? I was very impressed.
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      02-27-2016, 05:46 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
Have you driven one? I was very impressed.
Not impressed at all... It's a nice poor-man Italian sounding machine !
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      02-27-2016, 05:50 PM   #21
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And to add, I would go for a Cayman over the 4C, which is more a direct comparison.
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      02-27-2016, 06:00 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Benzima View Post
IMHO, the M2 is a way better car for the following reasons:
- 6 cylinders vs 4 cylinders (not to mention M2 performance >>> Alfa 4C)
- 4 seats vs 2 seats
- M2 comes fully loaded (vs Alfa requires many options to be added)
- M2 price

Not to mention that Alfa finition is really cheap:
- wheel gap is awful
- interior/radio looks out of Radio Shack

I was really disappointed by Alfa to present a poor quality car in North America for their return (does 4C stands for 4cheap?!?)

I would only go for the Alfa if I was looking for an affordable Italian sports car (ie could not afford Ferrari, Lambos or Maserati) or for the sound the car would make.
Plenty of cars out there allow you to spend all your money to attain luxury. What we need more of are cars which are for drivers. You don't even talk about driving dynamics in a car that was kind of purpose built for that very reason. This is why I always laugh at people who say BMW has lost their way. It's bullshit. People have lost their way. BMW is just changing with that tide.
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