[not2old4toys]

Under 10k miles 2017 4C coupe. 2 prior owners. Carfax shows no issues reported. Last owner reportedly did the chassis procedure but in stages...first in October the front and the rear in February. Does this sound right? Airline tickets are at bargain pricing so I plan to inspect personally. I am hoping current or former owners can shed some light on what problem areas, if any, I need to pay attention. I am pleased with all the reports and positive reviews on this model. I had hoped that Alfa (FCA) would import some of the worldwide cars to the USA, but sadly I believe this is not going to happen.
Any personal help or comments from owners will be appreciated. If the comes to be I would like to drive it home, over 1100 miles.
Thanks in advance

 

[LooseChange]

I would suggest you post on 4C-Forums. Majority of the owners live on that site and you'll get more assistance. Depending on location there might be someone that knows the car or is willing to take a look at it for you.

I can't tell you what to look for, I bought mine with 30ish miles on it and a year later have 12.5k miles from just weekend drives. I had a gasket go that let oil leak to outside of engine however I haven't heard of this being a common issue. Beyond that, I have had 0 issues except that trips take longer than expected due to talking to folks that ask about it.

 

[not2old4toys]

Update...I have purchased the 4C. Now it gets interesting.
Lots of communication with selling dealer. They are closed until April 13, but may be longer after today's announcement of extended "stay home" directive.
Original plan to drive/ fly has been changed to shipment by transport at a date to be determined. Still thinking about drive and trailer home. Concerns there are lodging and meals as many businesses are closed.
This is worse than waiting to open a Christmas gift as a kid.
Cheers, Jon

 

[spider4me]

Update...I have purchased the 4C. Now it gets interesting.
Lots of communication with selling dealer. They are closed until April 13, but may be longer after today's announcement of extended "stay home" directive.
Original plan to drive/ fly has been changed to shipment by transport at a date to be determined. Still thinking about drive and trailer home. Concerns there are lodging and meals as many businesses are closed.
This is worse than waiting to open a Christmas gift as a kid.
Cheers, Jon

Hey Jon, Congratulations! Depending on where the 4C is located I may have a good transport option for you. Give a call if you have my phone or I can call you with info.
Thanks neil

 

[lgbalfa]

Great news!

Please post photos when you can.

 

[not2old4toys]

4C finally arrived. We were able to put a few miles on it last evening.
A few quick observations:
Engine/exhaust tone not as loud as I expected
Wind noise louder than expected
Ez access...not so good on exit...think pelican landing....more practice needed.
Fun as my Spider but a shade quicker
Rubber necks, tailgaters, slow passers. Need to get used to it.
8 days shipping...driver made many stops.

 

[PocketAce]

Fun as my Spider but a shade quicker

Curious on what was done to your Spider, and on a more detailed comparison to your 4C.

I am fascinated by those little mid-engine wonders, can't stop looking at them or reading about them. But the wife will require an even alfa-to-alfa swap (really a sacrifice), so the Spider to 4C exchange can't only be emotional.

 

[not2old4toys]

Spider is mildly ( street) modified. Nowhere close to th 4C. Steering and suspension feel similar.
Currently the 4C is priced at nearly half of msrp. A bargain! If in the 60's we had been able to buy a TZ or SZ for half price we would have all jumped on it. I liken this to a similar situation. A limited low production model with race like capabilities. Now that the coupe is discontinued that just adds to the comparison.
Buy now....beg for forgiveness.

 

[LooseChange]

Looks great, congrats! If you haven't already, you should check out 4c-forums, that is where majority of the owners area at. Tons of great information and very welcoming group.

In regard to the sound, looks like you have akra exhaust, when you switch to dynamic it should get louder (not insane but noticeable). This will also change shift points keeping you in a lower gear longer, still keeping traction control, just not as heavy handed as other modes.

Wind noise, I haven't been in a coupe, my spider isn't bad on wind noise unless top is off. If you haven't already, order gummi pflege and apply to all rubber seals, may need multiple coats. I use this on all my cars, works great to keep seals in good shape and helps abate some of the wind noise due to a better seal.

Including a few shots of mine. Not really a bad angle on these little cars.

 

[RKBerta]

Bought my 2015 Launch Edition coupe new and it has been trouble free and bullet proof on track too. A couple of mods make these even better.
-A good alignment with front toe to 0 or a tiny amount in will work wonders if you have any tramming.
-Better tires than the stock PZero are big improvements. Those tires were speced back when the car was designed....tire engineering has moved rapidly ahead since. Michelin is great on the cars as are Continentals or Bridgestone R71s.
-Replace the rear lower triangle rubber bushings with uniballs makes a huge difference in "feel" on higher speed corners....especially as you get grippier tires.This should be the first mod you do after a good alignment.
-Some like using suspension spacers from ALFA Works or GMS to add a bit more caster or negative camber. I am not a big fan of those though unless you are doing LOTS of tracking.

There are other mods like ECU remaps, coilovers, etc. but not necessary. There is a decent aftermarket mods available for the car although not as large as for high volume sellers like Japanese cars or a couple German cars.

The 4C is ending its production run so now is the time to get one. Sadly this type of car in the US is going away. Lotus Exige and Elise aren't sold here and while the Renault A110 is sold in Europe....it looks like it is also going out of production due to economy influences of Covid 19.

I would suggest you go over to the much larger ALFA 4C Forum for latest info as it has many more members and very active.

 

[VabeneGTV]

You will love it! I have a Launch Edition since new, they are kind of old school basic,but they go like stink! Add an flashed ECU and it becomes a rocket. Pay attention to how you jack it up, very important, but most of all enjoy.

 

[not2old4toys]

I have already begun to enjoy this Alfa. The irony is that I bought it out of state and the Oregon DMV has been closed for over 2 months so I cannot get the visual VIN inspection. I have an expired temporary registration which I am currently using.
Truth is I have wanted a new Alfa since the company withdrew USA sales in 1995. I hoped when they returned we would be able to get something similar to the worldwide market in a Coupe, convertible, or sedan. They did even better with the Giulia's, Stelvio, and 4C.
I had the usual apprehension regarding the 4C, but as time went on I became more convinced into the purchase. Given my senior status I doubt I will be doing anything more than spirited driving, not to say that I won't take full advantage of the stock set up.
I was able to buy this from a BMW dealer who claimed they were not interested in the "exotic " market. Great for me as I got a more than fair deal.
Still learning this Coupe, very similar to the excited feeling when I purchased my Giulia 1600 Spider over 50 years ago.
Looking forward to many smiling miles
Cheers, Jon

 

[JoeCab]

The irony is that I bought it out of state and the Oregon DMV has been closed for over 2 months so I cannot get the visual VIN inspection. I have an expired temporary registration which I am currently using.

Can a local dealership or police station do the VIN inspection for you in Oregon? In Colorado they will both do them for $20, which is the same fee the DMV charges.

 

[not2old4toys]

No, the police agencies are only doing essential duties. They have proclaimed that they will not cite lapsed license infractions, unless of course, if you are driving at a high rate of speed.

 

[not2old4toys]

Finally after 4 months the license plates arrived and the 4C is registered in Oregon. I planned to drive to central Oregon from Portland yesterday but a tree fell on a power pole in the neighborhood. Causing a 15 hour electrical outage. Couldn't find the key for the garage man door so ended up with the F-250. Boring!! Oregon requires a front plate showing so I'm looking for a way to attach the plate without mugging up the front to badly. The rear plate pre-drilled holes are too large for the provided screws and bracket so I will look into whether what I have is correct for this Alfa. In any event I am looking forward to future miles. The twitchy ride at times is still disturbing so I will look at the aftermarket kits that provide the solution. As this is a safety hazard I am not sure why this was not a manditory recall.
Cheers, Jon

 

[VabeneGTV]

The dartiness can be corrected either by different from control arm mounting blocks and an alignment. Most arrive with a fair amount toe out. Some claim just an alignment may do the trick. Lots of stuff on this on 4Cforum.com. Before I installed the Alfaworks Race Blocks and alignment at speed, especially high speed the car just about switched lanes automatically. Now it is tamed.

 

[Duckdude]

Hey Jon - Congrats on your 4C! There aren't too many of us Oregonian 4C owners, I don't think. I live in Beaverton and I have only see two in the wild in Portland before (one black, one grey), plus a white one owned by a great guy who is member of 4C-Forums and who I autocross with on occasion. I'm guessing it's even more rare around where you are in Bend/Sisters! Only seen coupes here in Oregon and never seen another spider before (I have a 2018 white one). Great cars! Really fun and unique--like nothing else on the market today (or likely ever again).

By the way I have yet to be bothered by the police here without a front license plate. I think they tend to make exceptions to what they consider exotics maybe? Happy motoring & hope you are safe from all the fires here right now!!

 

[gzman]

I've had the opportunity to drive a 4C and found it to be exciting, sure footed and a stellar performer on highway or the twisty bits.