2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider: Perfect In It’s Imperfections
You don’t rationalize the Alfa Romeo 4C with your brain, you rationalize it with your heart. In a segment where perfection exists in the Porsche Cayman or Boxster, it’s hard to wonder why you’d pick anything else? But there is a reason to go with something else. The 4C, especially in Spider trim, tugs at those heart strings the way a German car never will, and even though it’s not a perfect car, you immediately fall in love with it.
Unlike the coupe, you have a targa-style top with the Spider. In my brief time with it, I had no reason to put the top on the vehicle, so I can’t comment on how easy it is, but it is just a piece of fabric with some metal braces to hold it in place. Later this year, a carbon fiber hardtop will be available.
Considering that the 4C is a fair weather car regardless of coupe or convertible, you might as well get the convertible. The Spider is easier to see out of, since you have a functional rear-window that has an unencumbered view of what’s behind you. The Spider is also easier to get in and out of, since there’s no roof to hit your head on.
I had a chance to recently drive along some ocean roads just outside of Kennebunkport, ME on a nice sunny day, and it was damn-near perfection. Everything you love about the 4C coupe is there in the Spider, including the awesome pops and crackles from the exhaust, the brap from the exhaust when you shift, the sounds of the wastegates. It’s an aural delight.
But you get to let the sun and the sky in, which makes it even better. Looking out over the ocean, with just a hint of your mid-engine in view as you turn your head heading north, you’d almost think you were driving an Italian exoctic through the French Rivera.
As long as the roads aren’t tourist-infested, you can get some good speed and the corners seem like they connect to each other magically. The non-assisted steering is nice and light when in motion, and a companion to the driver, not a compromise.
Without the roof, it feels more like a sports car you’d take on a weekend getaway instead of a little racer to take to the track, but that’s okay. This is a car you’ll want to get in and drive, and drive, and drive.
It’s not without its faults. The turning circle is the same as the Queen Mary, and a multi-point turn around is tough without power steering (an unfortunate event I had to experience). Also, while there is a new stereo from Alpine in the Spider, I’m sure it’s not really nice to listen to because of the constant presence of engine noise. But the engine is what you want to listen to, anyway.
The 4C is one of those cars that only gets better when you pop the roof off, and still looks just as sexy as the coupe. All you have to do is drive one, and you’ll immediately fall in love. I know I did.
What do you think? Let us know over in the forums!