Alfa Romeo 4C to End After 2020

GameboyRMH wrote:

Matt B wrote:

wearymicrobe wrote:

petegossett wrote: So what you guys are saying is the 4c will become the BiTurbo of the 21st Century?

I doubt they will survive even that long. I have been told stories of pulling the whole rear suspension to tighten up the chassis bolts as a yearly or biannual service.

Nobody in Italy has heard of Loctite?

More seriously, I've always wondered if these kinds of problems happen with cars where major chassis sections are only bolted together (the Veyron is the only other production car like this I can think of). You'd think they'd *at least* use blue loctite and a second locking nut on these things...

Bolts in holes that sound like they are blind holding the car together doesn't sound like the greatest idea.

I know its an apples to potatoes comparison, but I always hated replacing broken and bent bolts holding certain forklift chassis together. I was relived when that certain manufacturer switched from threaded blind holes to smooth holes drilled all the way through, an extra long bolt and an external lock nut. Some of the bolts needed to be replaced every 2000 hrs, on some of the heavier machines you could count on every one being bent or broken. $50 worth of fasteners and 2 days of labor wasn't unusual. The new style frames could be done in an hour.

Can you imagine what PITA it will be trying to extract broken or bent titanium bolts from CF? If the bolts are actually coming loose, damage is being done.

codrus wrote: That and the ridiculous markups on them when they were new.

So bad dealer experience plus markup for tiny engine from a brand with known reliability issues in a price range of a CPO Caymen with warranty.

I can't imagine why these things aren't flying off the showroom floors.

In reply to Flight Service: They also have no power steering, and a harsher ride than the CPO Cayman

So, usually carmakers don't announce a model's demise 4 years in advance. I'm guessing they've simply acknowledged that the platform will not be refreshed. Or perhaps they've got enough stock that at current sales rates, it'll last until 2020...

Keith Tanner wrote: So, usually carmakers don't announce a model's demise 4 years in advance. I'm guessing they've simply acknowledged that the platform will not be refreshed. Or perhaps they've got enough stock that at current sales rates, it'll last until 2020...

Either that or just like the Turbo Mazdaspeed NC Miata that was coming in 18 months through the whole of the NC's life, it's simply not true.

http://www.autoblog.com/2016/07/20/alfa-romeo-4c-reported-to-die-by-2020-report/

Keith Tanner wrote: So, usually carmakers don't announce a model's demise 4 years in advance. I'm guessing they've simply acknowledged that the platform will not be refreshed. Or perhaps they've got enough stock that at current sales rates, it'll last until 2020...

I suspect they haven't acknowledged anything publicly (the article Adrian linked has them denying any announcement), and this is a report based upon things like contracts placed for future supplies of parts.

Maybe this is a leak to get people to scarf up 4Cs

I like the 4C, I think it is pretty and I love the sound, but from everything I have read, even on this board, an elise is faster on the track and the Cayman/Boxster is better on the road.

It is harsh and has shoddy build quality and reliability.

So while it is an amazing vehicle for the senses it is better to treat it as a piece of performance art than a performance car.

And I am OK with that, I am just not going to plop down that kind of money for an uncomfortable fashion statement.

It's too expensive for the people who want it and people paying that much money want a Cayman or something.

If it were closer to $40k and had a regular manual transmission, I'd be a lot more interested.

Also, it would be much cooler if (like the Elise) it came in more exciting/shocking colors. I've seen a few around here. The black ones just look like a blob: hides all the lines. Red looks nice but, come on...everybody is sick of red Alfas. What about orange, Kermit green, baby blue, or something?

No manual transmission on a 4cyl turns people off. Shoulda done a v6 with itbs a manual and 350+hp, they'd sell the E36 M3 outa that formula.

All this Alfa talk had me go look at them again. When I can get a used one sub 40k, with the sports exhaust, I think I will jump.

kanaric wrote: It's too expensive for the people who want it and people paying that much money want a Cayman or something.

This is about it. I'd love to have one to tour around on weekends and drive to track days but it's too expensive for a toy and if it's going to be unreliable, not so much fun.

I wonder how much broken one's will go for?

I see Ferraris and Lamborghinis on the road all the time. R8's and 918's less often. Even a Light Sky Blue Bentley convertible pulling out of some country club. I've seen exactly two 4C's and they were both in dealer showrooms so I think that says a lot about how well they sell.

I think theyre berking stunning in person.

nervousdog wrote: I see Ferraris and Lamborghinis on the road all the time. R8's and 918's less often. Even a Light Sky Blue Bentley convertible pulling out of some country club. I've seen exactly two 4C's and they were both in dealer showrooms so I think that says a lot about how well they sell.

Yup! I've seen several McLarens on the road here in Tulsa but never a 4C...

JG Pasterjak wrote: The 4C is the cokehead pornstar girlfriend of the car world. There's going to be unparalleled excitement and thrills, but also a lot of unexplainable downtime and likely a violent ending that leaves you broke and insane.

I was on the way to the bottom of the thread to post exactly this^

That said, I constantly hear on this board: If I only knew what future classic collectable to buy?"

This be it. Not since the release of the Ferrari Dino has there been such a piece of beautiful needy automotive crap foisted on the public. Guaranteed to make it a hit in 30 years.

How long does carbon fiber last?

Something else that suggests it may stay around longer. Aren't Ferrari supposed be launching a new V6 Dino based off of the 4C Chassis in a couple of years time?

nervousdog wrote: I see Ferraris and Lamborghinis on the road all the time. R8's and 918's less often. Even a Light Sky Blue Bentley convertible pulling out of some country club. I've seen exactly two 4C's and they were both in dealer showrooms so I think that says a lot about how well they sell.

guy at work had one, drove it for 6 months and now it is gone. I haven't asked why yet.

Adrian_Thompson wrote: Something else that suggests it may stay around longer. Aren't Ferrari supposed be launching a new V6 Dino based off of the 4C Chassis in a couple of years time?

that maybe why they would kill off the 4c, and turn it over for the dino.

This thread made me look at CPO Caymans/Boxsters............

NOHOME wrote: How long does carbon fiber last?

Forever. It's likely to be an environmental problem in the future.

GameboyRMH wrote:

NOHOME wrote: How long does carbon fiber last?

Forever. It's likely to be an environmental problem in the future.

No. Using pyrolysis you can break down and separate the fibers and resin. Then use the fibers in a mold or press like what they do on the parts used in the i3 with new resin.

wearymicrobe wrote:

GameboyRMH wrote:

NOHOME wrote: How long does carbon fiber last?

Forever. It's likely to be an environmental problem in the future.

No. Using pyrolysis you can break down and separate the fibers and resin. Then use the fibers in a mold or press like what they do on the parts used in the i3 with new resin.

Correct, but the question is whether the CF will be recycled like this or simply tossed into a landfill, slowly burying the planet in airplane parts and supercar body panels

I'm sure most of the plastic in the pacific garbage patch is recyclable too...

GameboyRMH wrote:

wearymicrobe wrote:

GameboyRMH wrote:

NOHOME wrote: How long does carbon fiber last?

Forever. It's likely to be an environmental problem in the future.

No. Using pyrolysis you can break down and separate the fibers and resin. Then use the fibers in a mold or press like what they do on the parts used in the i3 with new resin.

Correct, but the question is whether the CF will be recycled like this or simply tossed into a landfill, slowly burying the planet in airplane parts and supercar body panels I'm sure most of the plastic in the pacific garbage patch is recyclable too...

The reason I ask is because there was a local aircraft manufacturer that made composite small aircraft. (Diamond Aircraft). I was reading somewhere that the air-frames had a total lifespan. This was not not a Cesna that could be torn down and rebuilt from the frame up but rather a scrap the thing after a certain time.

Similarly, a Ferrari GTO can be rebuilt any number of times by a wino with a hammer. Doubt that a 40 year old C4 will be rebuildable in any way shape or form.