On paper, the Alfa Romeo 4C and 4C Spider should be a hit: A mid-engined, two-seater sports car that weighs less than 2500 pounds and good for 237 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque from a turbocharged, four-cylinder engine. Sure, there wasn’t a manual option, though the 4C was outfitted with a six-speed dual-clutch unit.
So why didn’t we see that many on the road? It may have something to do with its starting price of over $60,000. For a rough comparison, the current Mazda Miata (that is most definitely not mid-engined) starts at a hair over $26,000 and can give you a pretty similar experience, albeit with a little less power: 181 horsepower and 151 lb.-ft. of torque. However, the Mazda does offer a real six-speed manual.
We’ll let you decide if, but the point of the matter is that Alfa Romeo is stopping production of the 4C, but not without a proper Italian final edition.
Called the 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo, the limited edition pays homage to the 33 Stradale, the road-going version of the Tipo 33 race car. Unlike the 33, however, the 4C is not powered by a V8, instead opting for the turbocharged inline-four.
What does make the Tributo unique is an exclusive shade of Villa d’Este red tri-coat paint, light gold-finsh wheels, and a black and brown interior. As well, Alfa Romeo explains that the carbon tub on which the 4C is based on receives a red colored finished since normal carbon fiber is apparently too mainstream.
The most heart-racing news, however, may be the price. Reported to be sold through select dealerships, the 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo will carry a sticker price of $79,995. For that price, you could get into a Giulia Quadrifoglio, which starts at $74,500.
So, if you had the choice between spending $80,000 on a limited-edition 4C or at least two brand-new Miatas, what color would you get your Miatas in?
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Comments
I've driven both a 4C and owned an ND1 Miata. They're only comparable if you also cross shop Lotus Elises and NC Miatas 
.
I think there's only even been a very limited market for cars like the Elise or the 4C in the US, especially as they are mostly considered toys over here - in the UK, one tended to see a lot of Elises in daily use, even as commuters.
I still hope to get my mitts on a 4C at some point. They have some known issues, but companies - mostly in the UK - have developed fixes that seem to get those cars pretty close to what you'd expect them to be.
They make the most ridiculous raspberry noise with the bypass valve. It's gotta be intentional.
I think the 4C wants to be an Elise, but it misses out by being remarkably heavy - heavier than an steel tub ND Miata with a power hard top, explain that - and not being as pure as the Lotus. Instead, it's trying to be sexy but doesn't quite have the proportions.
I'm sure they'll be worth more than the Miata in the future, but I'll pocket the extra $50k now.
Today I learned that Italian for "adieu" is adioo.
Putting those 2 cars side by side in the first picture really does not do the new car any favors. As for not seeing them here, price and size. You can buy a bigger (read: better), full-sized (read: seats a full-sized american) muscle car (read: ecoboost mustang) for a fair bit less while not feeling like your neighbor is gonna back over your "toy car" with his lifted 250. It's a snarky answer but the market for a $60k+ 2-seater is pretty limited in the US and when you take the relative low availiability of Alfa's in the US into account it's not going to lead to success.
As to the final question, I would take the Alfa over a pair o' miatas even if they wussed out on the V8 part of the tribute.
They didn't even make enough change to the out going "special version"? Good riddance.
they could've at least TRIED to make it more special!
I mean, we're not doing them right now, but $80k would get you a brand new ND Miata with an LS3 swap. About 100 lbs more than the Alfa but better noises, better serviceability and massively increased levels of power and torque.
What exactly does the Alfa bring to the table? "Heritage"? It could be argued that Mazda has a much better record of making 2-seat convertibles over the last three decades than Alfa does. Racing? Another point for the Mazda and strongly so. Sexy styling? That's a debatable thing against the ND, the Alfa is more of a caricature of the truly gorgous 8C. Exclusivity? Well, yes.
Error404 said:
Putting those 2 cars side by side in the first picture really does not do the new car any favors. As for not seeing them here, price and size. You can buy a bigger (read: better), full-sized (read: seats a full-sized american) muscle car (read: ecoboost mustang) for a fair bit less while not feeling like your neighbor is gonna back over your "toy car" with his lifted 250. It's a snarky answer but the market for a $60k+ 2-seater is pretty limited in the US and when you take the relative low availiability of Alfa's in the US into account it's not going to lead to success.
As to the final question, I would take the Alfa over a pair o' miatas even if they wussed out on the V8 part of the tribute.
$60+k 2-seater gets you a midengined V8 Corvette
Tadope
New Reader
12/17/20 11:20 a.m.
If people werent buying these then people are just dumb.
bobzilla said:
Error404 said:
Putting those 2 cars side by side in the first picture really does not do the new car any favors. As for not seeing them here, price and size. You can buy a bigger (read: better), full-sized (read: seats a full-sized american) muscle car (read: ecoboost mustang) for a fair bit less while not feeling like your neighbor is gonna back over your "toy car" with his lifted 250. It's a snarky answer but the market for a $60k+ 2-seater is pretty limited in the US and when you take the relative low availiability of Alfa's in the US into account it's not going to lead to success.
As to the final question, I would take the Alfa over a pair o' miatas even if they wussed out on the V8 part of the tribute.
$60+k 2-seater gets you a midengined V8 Corvette
I'd rather have the Alfa...
In reply to 93EXCivic :
Agreed. I am decidedly not enamored with the C8 so while I think the "tribute" is a little blasè, I would also take it over a C8 for the money
Snrub
Dork
12/17/20 12:21 p.m.
There's something about them I really like, but I haven't had the opportunity to drive one. I'd kind of hoped they'd have depreciated a lot more by now. 4-5 year old cars only seem to have depreciated 15-25%.
NDs seem to have strange depreciation too. I test drove a 2016 1.5 years ago and it's still at the lot, at the same price, about 20% off new.
I don't think they're going to invest a lot of money in a special edition. They couldn't cover the costs.
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