Hi 4C Fans,
Something I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts on is driving an Alfa 4C fast. I am talking about quiet back roads with lots of corners and plenty of bumps which we seek out on a weekend, not perfectly smooth race tracks.
Please don't confuse my criticism of driving the 4C fast to owning it generally.
It's a beautiful unique car, one that gives so much pleasure when driving whether it be slowly, in a spirited way and even when it's sitting in the garage. Let's put that aside for a bit and focus on what it's like to drive fast though, as that is one of the biggest challenges I am facing and it makes me wonder if others share this issue.
A bit of background first. At 40 years of age, I'm about 20 - 24 years removed from when I was a reckless youngster. Unfortunate (or fortunate) enough to grow up with cheap underpowered cars, my friends and I really did learn the drive the door handles off anything we could get our hands on being rural kids. These were the days where speed cameras were very rare and there were plenty of quiet roads.
When I look back at what we did with so little it kinda blows me away, but growing up, gaining responsibilities, having kids etc changes your outlook, as does the acquisition of modern cars.
My current thinking is too many years in modern refined cars (latest daily is a tuned Golf R mk 7.5) really makes the Alfa feel hard to drive. While modern AWD cars (and likely plenty of FWD and RWD cars too) have great grip, are very predictable and remove you from the driving experience, they are undoubtedly extremely easy to drive fast.
The worse a road gets to a point, the better these cars get, unless they've been lowered too much and are super stiff which is where the 4C comes in. Give a 20 year old version of me a 4C and it would be amazing, now, it just feels so different to what I am used to, borderline dangerous often when I really get the speed up.
Basically, I can't think of any road I would drive on where I am faster in my 4C than my Golf R which is a little depressing given what I feel its potential is.
It's a combination of the lack of front end stability, the very firm suspension, the manual steering and everything which makes it unique. I know we don't buy these only to drive fast, but it makes me wonder if something like a Cayman is the natural answer to the question I am seeking. What car provides the modern elements of great control with the benefits of feeling like a true sports car?
FWIW, my 4C has Alfworks intermediate blocks, lowered springs, rear uniballs and runs MPS 4S tyres, 255 rears with 215 fronts (on 9.5 and 8 inch rims).
Keen to get everyone's perspective. Maybe a few track days would help?
At least that would provide a safe way to really know its limits. I am making sure I get out in it at least once a week, driving in race mode as much as possible (without drivers aids).
If this is about getting used to the car, nothing will beat repetition and familiarity that should come with it.
Anyway, who suffers from this bogeyman and how did you deal with it?
Something I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts on is driving an Alfa 4C fast. I am talking about quiet back roads with lots of corners and plenty of bumps which we seek out on a weekend, not perfectly smooth race tracks.
Please don't confuse my criticism of driving the 4C fast to owning it generally.
It's a beautiful unique car, one that gives so much pleasure when driving whether it be slowly, in a spirited way and even when it's sitting in the garage. Let's put that aside for a bit and focus on what it's like to drive fast though, as that is one of the biggest challenges I am facing and it makes me wonder if others share this issue.
A bit of background first. At 40 years of age, I'm about 20 - 24 years removed from when I was a reckless youngster. Unfortunate (or fortunate) enough to grow up with cheap underpowered cars, my friends and I really did learn the drive the door handles off anything we could get our hands on being rural kids. These were the days where speed cameras were very rare and there were plenty of quiet roads.
When I look back at what we did with so little it kinda blows me away, but growing up, gaining responsibilities, having kids etc changes your outlook, as does the acquisition of modern cars.
My current thinking is too many years in modern refined cars (latest daily is a tuned Golf R mk 7.5) really makes the Alfa feel hard to drive. While modern AWD cars (and likely plenty of FWD and RWD cars too) have great grip, are very predictable and remove you from the driving experience, they are undoubtedly extremely easy to drive fast.
The worse a road gets to a point, the better these cars get, unless they've been lowered too much and are super stiff which is where the 4C comes in. Give a 20 year old version of me a 4C and it would be amazing, now, it just feels so different to what I am used to, borderline dangerous often when I really get the speed up.
Basically, I can't think of any road I would drive on where I am faster in my 4C than my Golf R which is a little depressing given what I feel its potential is.
It's a combination of the lack of front end stability, the very firm suspension, the manual steering and everything which makes it unique. I know we don't buy these only to drive fast, but it makes me wonder if something like a Cayman is the natural answer to the question I am seeking. What car provides the modern elements of great control with the benefits of feeling like a true sports car?
FWIW, my 4C has Alfworks intermediate blocks, lowered springs, rear uniballs and runs MPS 4S tyres, 255 rears with 215 fronts (on 9.5 and 8 inch rims).
Keen to get everyone's perspective. Maybe a few track days would help?
At least that would provide a safe way to really know its limits. I am making sure I get out in it at least once a week, driving in race mode as much as possible (without drivers aids).
If this is about getting used to the car, nothing will beat repetition and familiarity that should come with it.
Anyway, who suffers from this bogeyman and how did you deal with it?