I Learned a Lot From Top Gear Last Night...

"NeedForSwede" (needforswede) 02/18/2014 at 20:08 • Filed to: Alfa

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I really did. Like how the Alfa Romeo 4C is the best and prettiest car in the world and I want one more than a thousand chocolates deep-fried in ambrosia nectar. It is just the greatest thing in the world.

puddler > NeedForSwede 02/18/2014 at 20:10

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if i won the lottery i'd get one for each of my wives.

Brian Silvestro > NeedForSwede 02/18/2014 at 20:12

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I also want one quite badly. I don't know how anyone could buy a Cayman knowing that thing exists. So what if it's faster? This is an Alfa.

. . > NeedForSwede 02/18/2014 at 20:13

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Why does it have the eyes of a spider though?

Sian > puddler 02/18/2014 at 20:14

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Sounds like a pretty good trade.

CPT Speedbump > puddler 02/18/2014 at 20:14

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If I owned one, I'd sell it and buy a Exige, because manual transmission.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 20:14

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They want a car with 3 pedals?

Brian Silvestro > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 02/18/2014 at 20:15

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Nope doesn't matter Alfa.

MtrRider > CPT Speedbump 02/18/2014 at 20:17

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The Exige will also be more reliable and have better resale value.

puddler > CPT Speedbump 02/18/2014 at 20:18

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yea, i was excited about this car coming out, and how it seemed alfa was gonna start sending cars this way again, but then they didn't put enough pedals in it. maybe i'll come across a shell of one in the future and i can basterdize it with a proper drivetrain.

feather-throttle-not-hair > NeedForSwede 02/18/2014 at 20:25

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Didn't watch top gear last night but I have pretty big problems with the 4c. It seems totally confused about its mission to my eyes. Is it going for maximum fun over outright speed? It's modest power, lack of power steering, and skinnyish tires would seem to indicate an emphasis on feel over outright speed. But then it doesn't offer a manual transmission and has a 4cly turbo rather than a more predictable NA unit, which seems to point towards wanting to maximize performance. It just seems like it would basically be a slightly less engaging Exige. Does it do anything better than the various small loti of the world?

Other than look fantastic I mean. Absolutely amazing design, that 4c.

Kailand09 > NeedForSwede 02/18/2014 at 20:25

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I love the car, but with the cash I would definitely buy something else, personally.

CPT Speedbump > puddler 02/18/2014 at 20:27

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Exactly how I was, I saw it, heard about it's carbon fiberness, and dreamed of it....then I heard of its lack of a third pedal.. and I thought Italian cars were meant to have soul..now that's 3 Italian car company's that have killed off one major piece of a car that adds to that soul... :/

TFen > . . 02/18/2014 at 20:31

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Eye of the Tiger was already copyrighted.

PRBot II > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 20:34

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Yeah, but three pedals though.

Brian Silvestro > PRBot II 02/18/2014 at 20:35

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But Alfa dude. ALFA.

NeedForSwede > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 20:35

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I honestly don't care. It's a sub-ton (if only just) Alfa sports car that's prettier than about anything else on the market. It would be nice to have a stick but it's a small price.

Brian Silvestro > NeedForSwede 02/18/2014 at 20:38

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EXACTLY. It's so damn beautiful. Like, I love it. Dat ass is just perfect.

PRBot II > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 20:39

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I know, I have a lot of inner conflict with this. I'm not even sure how to feel. Up is down, black is white... Alfa with two pedals :(

Brian Silvestro > PRBot II 02/18/2014 at 20:40

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But.....look at it... It's so beautiful..

PRBot II > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 20:45

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It's gorgeous! But not from every angle though.

Brian Silvestro > PRBot II 02/18/2014 at 20:49

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I've come to accept cars that have DCTs if they don't come with a manual option. I can't just completely dismiss a car anymore just because there's no manual. There's just too many beautiful cars for that to be okay nowadays.

PRBot II > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 20:52

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Agreed. I can't argue against that. Besides, the 4C is out of my price range, so I can't possibly justify nitpicking over the lack of a manual transmission.

But if it had a manual, I'd have lifetime fap fuel.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 20:52

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Traitor.

avens > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 20:55

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All comparisons I have watched, and I do blindly trust youtube, state the Cayman and the Exige are considerably better cars and that the Alfa should be very much fined tuned until being something to be considered.

Plus even Top Gear implies it is not only impractical but unusable - no boot (none at all) and way too wide for what you expect.

Might as well buy a track day only car, which for the price will destroy the Alfa in every way. That or buy the already much better and proven version, very similar looking and the same concept, with better interior and a better badge (because lets face it this is the main argument towards the 4C), the even contender for car of the year competing against others 10 times above its price range, the Cayman. Or if you don't like that and want everything the 4C stands for plus more hardcore, go Lotus.

Brian Silvestro > PRBot II 02/18/2014 at 20:57

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It's also way out of my price range as well. We can't even justify judging it. We're not worthy. But if it had a manual I don't think I'd be able to hold myself together mentally without owning it.

Brian Silvestro > avens 02/18/2014 at 20:58

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I've watched those videos as well. I'd still buy the Alfa. There's something about it.

puddler > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 21:00

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sports car without a clutch =

safest picture i could find & since your senses have been comprimised, thats a chick with a stick.

Brian Silvestro > puddler 02/18/2014 at 21:01

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I'm laughing because of the means you went through to get this picture.

PRBot II > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 21:02

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But it's fun to dream.

avens > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 21:03

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For special factor's sake nothing beats Lotus, specially not a Fiat subsidiary.

Though it does have a great ass.

puddler > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 21:03

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there is no cost too great for proper education.

Brian Silvestro > PRBot II 02/18/2014 at 21:04

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Relevant

Brian Silvestro > avens 02/18/2014 at 21:05

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Dat ass is mesmerizing.

Lotus's look cool, are cheaper, and are more practical. But I'd still take the Alfa.

Brian Silvestro > puddler 02/18/2014 at 21:07

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You're a true American HERO.

PRBot II > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 21:07

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Love it! Mr. Regular is the man!

Brian Silvestro > PRBot II 02/18/2014 at 21:08

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You're right. He is the man.

puddler > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 21:15

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i might get budlight to make a real men of genius about me, but it's been a while since i've done anything heroic.

whooly shit. they did...

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 21:16

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True but this car should not only have a stick, it should have a crazy confusing pattern 7 speed stick. Because Italian or something.

I want it to have a dog leg pattern, except with 2 more gears on the right hand side.

Poorly done illustration below:

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari 02/18/2014 at 21:18

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So like every Ferrari with 6 and 7 stuck on the end? Makes sense. If it had a stick would you buy it? I want one so bad and might actually be a future owner.

NeedForSwede > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 21:36

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First of all, DAMN this thread has blown up since I last checked. Second of all, in a strange, some would say non-jalop manner, I think this car is better without a proper manual. It's my own opinion, unencumbered by evidence or rationale, but I think that a PDK fits the personality of a tiny, light, insectoid sports car. But that's my opinion.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 21:48

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I just checked and the modern Italians with a gated shifter do not have a dog leg pattern with 6th gear added to it. Reverse is not on top of 1st. The old 5 speed gated shifters were setup that way.

I think this is a car I would consider if it had a stick. For some reason the smaller a sports car is the more I think it needs a stick. I don't have any rational justification for that. It's just how I feel.

red014 > NeedForSwede 02/18/2014 at 21:50

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I really WANT to like the 4C, but to me it will always be the more attainable, slightly uglier little sister to the real beauty that is the 8C.

Brian Silvestro > NeedForSwede 02/18/2014 at 22:02

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*high five*

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari 02/18/2014 at 22:03

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Man, I just keep thinking how perfect it would be with a stick. Damn.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 22:26

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Someone needs to invent the magic car that has paddles, a clutch pedal, and a stick.

Sure it's more stuff to break. But then automakers only have to design, build, test and deploy one transmission.

Buyer doesn't like using the clutch pedal? No prob, use auto mode or shift with the paddles.

Buyer wants to row their own? No prob use the stick.

I know what I'm saying makes no sense because engineering issues and lunacy. But i a perfect would it would be possible and solve everyone's problems. And you could switch back and forth at any time by hitting a button.

MadMonkey572 > red014 02/18/2014 at 22:30

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Personally, I find it much more attractive than the 8C.

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari 02/18/2014 at 22:31

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That would be heaven. Hopefully it'll happen one day.

Do you agree with this?!: http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/1525625508

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 22:34

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very nice list!!

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari 02/18/2014 at 22:36

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Yes! Are you going to make your own list? I'd love to see it.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 22:44

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maybe later. i spent so much time on oppo during the day that i'm still working, so i'm just writing quick replies :)

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari 02/18/2014 at 22:46

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Work's not important! Just quit so you can be near cars more.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 22:50

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LOL

But working pays for the car addiction!

You'll get a laugh out of this - I have set retirement plans around cars. If it wasn't for the car addiction I would have a chance of selling my company in 10 years and never having to work again. But I'm planning on working for 30 more years because if I sold the company and had to live off that money for the rest of my life I'd have to be much more conservative about how much I spend on cars.

I will work till I'm 80 if I have to in order to build up the dream garage and set aside enough money for future maintenance and insurance premiums. Only then can I let my foot off the gas and retire.

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari 02/18/2014 at 22:54

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You sir are a genius!!!!

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 22:55

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and have mental problems...

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari 02/18/2014 at 22:59

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I consider you on the same mental page as me. I have it sorted out a different way in that I haven't thought about retirement yet. Like this:

If I can afford a $20k car, then I'd get (fill in best car I can buy)

$30K car (best car I can buy)

$40k car (best car I can buy)

so on and so on

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 23:03

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haha

it's maddening isn't it?

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari 02/18/2014 at 23:04

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I think about it all day all hours of the day. It's preoccupying. Like a real problem.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 23:11

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i hear ya

we need to eventually marry women that will keep us under control

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari 02/18/2014 at 23:13

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I'm banking on finding one in college that'll put up with my acute stage 5 addiction (very little luck so far) but I got 4 years to go so I'm hopeful.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 23:24

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good luck!

it might happen!

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari 02/18/2014 at 23:25

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Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 23:27

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classic

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari 02/18/2014 at 23:28

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I'm going to bed, it's 11:28 here. Goodnight!

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro 02/18/2014 at 23:35

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night!

good job not staying up past midnight on oppo like i probably will..

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > feather-throttle-not-hair 02/19/2014 at 07:40

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I think it's meant to be super-light and efficient. Using lack of weight to give all the performance of a Cayman, but with a 1.7l 4-cylinder and corresponding economy and emissions.

It's also meant to be a technological showcase and halo car for Alfa. Something to be a bit different and remind people that Alfa is still there, and can still capable of some impressive cutting edge technology.

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari 02/19/2014 at 07:51

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It's ok I wake up really early, partly to check oppo.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > . . 02/19/2014 at 09:36

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Supposedly because they're a couple of kilos lighter, but I agree they're a bit polarising.

Personally I don't have an issue with them. The thing that annoys me is the bulky wing mirrors that jut out of the doors. If I caould change anything about the way this car looks, it would be to replae those with the conventional mirrors from the concept version.