$118,000 for an Alfa 4C Launch Edition?

"Driving Sports TV" (drivingsports) 02/20/2015 at 19:24 • Filed to: alfa romeo, car buying

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Those that saw our review of the Alfa Romeo 4C ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ) know that we think it's a pretty cool little sports car. Even though it's not the fastest thing out there, the 4C effectively gives you the feel of a supercar, for about half the price. Or, at least it should be about half the price.

After seeing several 4C's in person, we are convinced that the one to own is a Launch Edition. In red. It's the right color, and it has the all the right features: track-tuned suspension, sport seats, unique wheels (dark metallic wheels look hot, unlike the wheels on our pre-release press car which were light silver), bi-xenon projectors, super-sticky Pirelli P-Zeros and a racing exhaust.

It appears that some dealers think this is the one to own as well.

Due to availability, or perhaps wishful thinking, cost of the Launch Editions has been... rather high. Some asking as much as $118,00 for the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (that's not a typo, and not extraordinary. A web search will pull up several available at prices north of $100,000.) If you don't mind getting a Launch Edition that's slightly used, with less than 1500 miles on the clock, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for only $77,992. Now we're talking.

What do you think? Is this a future collectible worthy of crazy pricing? Or is a flash in the pan that will be soon pass over for whatever new comes out next year. We hear that Elio car is totally going to happen in 2016. (That's sarcasm, if you couldn't tell.)

Yes, it's true that we do a lot of work with the folks at AutoNation. One of their guys knows we're fans of the 4C and pointed out how whacked pricing is on these. It's true. It's a good car, but not $110,000+ good.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Driving Sports TV 02/20/2015 at 19:42

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I mean... lets look at what else you can get for similar cost (we'll go with $78k and use the rest on hookers and blow)

$79k

$89k (ok so a little less blow and a few of the hookers may be a little uggo)

$63k (lots of hookers!)

$42k - Even the angry fish demon which trounces with 4C in every way costs nearly a half of the regular and a 3rd of the Launch Edition.

Sure the 4C has it's own redeeming qualities. All of the aboves you'll likely see dozens of in your lifetime. The 4c? Maybe a couple (if not going to shows.) But you have to ask yourself if rarity guarantees value..

PS9 > Driving Sports TV 02/20/2015 at 19:48

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Nope. Sorry, but you can get an R8 for that. I love the 4C, but no need to pick the wannabe supercar when the real deal can be had for the same money.

CRider > Driving Sports TV 02/20/2015 at 19:53

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Or you can get a Z06, AND a Fiesta ST, AND a NA Miata AND a bunch of go fast parts for them.

Saracen > Driving Sports TV 02/20/2015 at 19:58

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If someone is stupid enough to pay that much, it's on them. Prices will quickly settle back to msrp levels.

If I was in the market for a sports car in that $60k-$70k price range, sure I'd check it out. but $120k would be me trying to pick between an R8, Vantage GT and a 997.2 GT3 RS.

Steve in Manhattan > Driving Sports TV 02/20/2015 at 19:59

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What's the sticker - in the 70s? No - these are greedy assholes, and anyone who pays north of 90 grand will lose money. Darwin, people.

Driving Sports TV > PS9 02/20/2015 at 20:15

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That was my first thought as well. However, I just did a search online for R8s and didn't see anything less than $140,000. That includes both CPO and new.

PS9 > Driving Sports TV 02/20/2015 at 20:22

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Here's a CPO for $99k

DipodomysDeserti > Driving Sports TV 02/21/2015 at 00:25

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I wouldn't buy one based purely on the fact that you're going to have lowest common denominator Mopar techs servicing it. Seriously, every stereotype you can think of for Dodge enthusiasts exists in the Mopar service bays. Taking my Abarth to the dealer is infuriating, and my dealer is also an Alpha dealer.