I was recently at the AROC National Convention in Ogden, UT, where I gave a presentation about the evolution of Sports Car Market.
Getting there and back involved a 2,000-mile trip in our 35-year-old 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider S4 automatic. But that’s a story for later.
During my presentation, I explained that after my stroke I had to rethink my collection of seven Alfas. I could no longer operate a clutch, which meant that I could no longer drive some cars I loved. Hence the automatic S4.
Someone asked, “What about a Milano automatic? Or a 4C?”
The Milano was a non-starter. I don’t need a four-door sedan.
But the mention of the 4C got me thinking.
Our 2006 Lotus Elise is my all-time favorite sports car. It’s mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, weighs around 2,000 pounds and has 190 horsepower. There isn’t much between you and what the car is doing.
But it has a 6-speed manual and I can’t operate the clutch.
The Alfa 4C follows much the same formula: mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, light weight and very little in creature comforts. Most important, it has a dual-clutch 6-speed transmission so I could drive it.
A 4C coupe probably wouldn’t work for me, just as I could never easily get into the Elise with its hardtop installed. But a Spider is another matter.
Then there’s the money. Good Elises and 4C Spiders currently live in roughly the same $40k–$50k neighborhood.
So, today’s question: Does it make sense to sell my favorite sports car — one I can no longer drive — and replace it with this Alfa in pursuit of much of the same experience?
What do you think? I look forward to reading your opinions below.
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31 responses to “Keith’s Blog: To 4C or Not to 4C?”
If you can’t drive it, don’t keep it. Go for the Alfa.
Those are my thoughts as well.
Ditto…
One you can drive vs one you can’t drive….easy choice. And it’s an Alfa!
Seems like a layup, Keith, if you can’t drive it, no matter how much you love it, the 4C has the goods. I recently sold two of my forever motorcycles ( bad hip ), and while that wasn’t pleasant, they needed regular exercise.
I’m starting to come to grips with the fact that no matter how much I love a car, if I can’t drive it what’s the point?
Wisdom, for some of us comes later in life then we wish. I recently gave my son my 1970 Honda 450 (bought new- less then 10K miles). Downsizing can be painful little brother but we make best decisions after long plodding thoughts.
Glad the stroke hasnt curtailed your intelligence and humour.
Although light, the 4C is still 500 pounds heavier than the Elise, but since you can’t drive the Elise, that might be the lightest sports car that you can enjoy driving. There are some lighter cars with automatics, but they are not sports cars. The Alfa looks very cool and exotic as well.
As I read your short reflection I thought “what, exactly, is the problem here?” Yours is a self answering question.
I’ve played with Alfas for decades, off and on. It has not always been a satisfying romance.
I moved to Colombia nearly 5 years ago. In August just past my 77 S2 arrived. It’s a horror story.
But, necessary. Self-answering.
Why ask?
A 77 Alfa with Spica is the worst of the worst.
Yes! You can have much more fun actually driving a car than just fawning over one. Buy and enjoy; life is short.
Your Elise will do very well on BaT. Good year, good color, etc.
Beat of luck on the Alfa hunt!
But your daughter loves the Lotus…
.
That is a complicating factor. She also loves the Giulia Spider Veloce (which I also can’t drive). And at this stage in her very busy career, having a second or third “play car” is pretty unrealistic. But I am struggling with this.
Perhaps have Alex put some skin in the game by making monthly payments to you “on account”, going towards eventual full ownership of the Lotus.
Those small payments won’t help you get your next vehicle, but will show you in a concrete way just how much she loves/wants that amazing yellow car.
.
I’ll buy the Lotus!
Borrow a 4C for an afternoon. Drive a range of roads you regularly drive as well as favorite local sports car back roads. I’ve got 20 mins of 4C city driving. I say it’s amazing car, I loved it, but the impression was this is a track day car. I’ve never driven an Elise, but suspect they’re slightly more dual sport.
Take Bradley along switch drivers occasionally, discuss among yourselves and decide.
The Elise is more raw and uncomfortable than the 4C. I’ve drive both extensively.
The seats in the Elise I find very hard and thinly padded.
The padding was improved in 2006. I have always been comfortable in the Elise. But maybe because the fun factor in driving makes me pretend not to notice any discomfort.
Seems like the car you can drive is going to be better than the one you can’t…
Good to hear from you. Hope all is well. You drove the Lotus very well, it was fun to watch. I’ll let you know what I decide. Alex loves the Lotus but her life is very busy right now, with not much extra time for fun cars and road trips. The Elise is stored in a climate-controlled garage, on a battery tender, and is started and driven every month. So it’s in a good place.
If you can’t drive it, a photo of it would serve the same purpose. If it were appreciating dramatically (though that’s never been your reason to buy/sell anyway) you could half justify its hibernation.
Yet, you are also Mr. Alfa, and thus the 4c has earned its way into your future experiences. The forumlaic similarity to the Elise is clearly in line, excepting the carbon tub, a modern DC transmission, and – though this is subjective – I feel it looks better.
Its another experience, and you’re all about the experience which the Elise currently cannot provide. Go for it. Its a future I can easily “4c”. 🙂
Hi Keith, I’m happy to drive over with the 4C if you want to have a go in it.
The 8c also fits your needs and you can enter with the top up.
Malcolm
I seem to be repeating myself, get the Alfa top down, drive to a good restaurant and enjoy a good meal with some wine. Now what was the problem?
What color will your new to you 4C be? ;P I sense it’s coming mkeing this a rare Keith Martin “practical resoned” car purchase.
Just to stir the pot a little, how about a Ferrari Mondial with the Valeo semi-auto box?
I love Mondials. But I have never heard anything going about the autoboxes. And who would work on it?
I’s sell the Alfa S4 and the Elise and replace with the 4C – it fills both roles.
I’d
I have driven both, and I prefer the Lotus. However, I’m in a different situation, so I can understand your thinking. I would say that the thing I dislike about the 4C is the transmission. True, I’m generally a manual guy, but I can appreciate a great automatic, or even a great semi-automatic. The 4C is neither. That said, if I were in your situation, I would get the 4C.
It sounds like the elegant solution is to buy the 4C and sell nothing. Everyone happy!