Alfa 4C, a Rant, and Thoughts - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

spdrun · #16 01-01-2015, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

Fine, if you are going to mail back your car when it needs warranty service, updates or recalls.

You can still have authorized repair shops without them parasitically controlling the distribution chain for new vehicles. This being said, it would be easy enough to distribute cars with diagnostic software and a full set of manuals rather than making them proprietary.

MTI · #17 01-01-2015, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdrun

You can still have authorized repair shops without them parasitically controlling the distribution chain for new vehicles. This being said, it would be easy enough to distribute cars with diagnostic software and a full set of manuals rather than making them proprietary.

Yeah, good luck with that. Even Mercedes-Benz' and other premium brand car networks of dealerships leave many areas in the west and south virtually out of practical reach of customers and your idea would seemingly reduce those outlets. And for what result, so that one can customize or delete features?

spdrun · #18 01-01-2015, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

Yeah, good luck with that. Even Mercedes-Benz' and other premium brand car networks of dealerships leave many areas in the west and south virtually out of practical reach of customers and your idea would seemingly reduce those outlets. And for what result, so that one can customize or delete features?

Yep -- so one could buy more cars that aren't utter rubbish in the US. Seeing the parasitic owners and ex-employees of dealerships on the dole line would be a nice side perk.

As far as parts of the west and south, that's what one gets for living in hayseed areas. Reduced services. Enjoy it or move. Or if the stealership system is abolished and PRIVATE shops would be allowed to become authorized repair outlets, then maybe the amount of services would actually increase.

spdrun · #19 01-01-2015, 11:05 AM

Oh wow! It comes with manual steering as a sports car damn well should have! Hairdressers needn't apply...

Huzzah! The U.S.-Spec Alfa Romeo Will Have Manual Steering

No power-sapping hydraulics or dead-arse cumpooterized electric steering racks. Makes up for the mandatory flappy-paddle transmission.

Skippy · #20 01-01-2015, 05:05 PM

You didn't watch the videos from the OP, did you?

Skippy · #21 01-01-2015, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

Consider the Scion FR-S or Subie BRZ.

The old plan was to keep the 300D until I accumulated old 911 money. An old 911 won't depreciate as long as it's maintained. The GT86 option was considered in the event that I get a longer commute. I was also toying with the idea of a new(ish) BMW 320i. Now that this Alfa is out, I anticipate it depreciating faster than an American car, so I can probably pick one up in four or five years at similar prices to what used GT86s will be trading at. OTOH, I could keep on driving the old slow diesel and get the GSXR for happy fun stuff.

neumann · #22 01-03-2015, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

Alfa Romeo is coming back to the U.S. with the 4C. In short: Me want:

. There's a "but" coming, however first I'll post a few links about what makes me like this car:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnuNv77rB0Q

Note the Euro version has the radio, AC, and adjustable passenger seats as optional extras. Quoted weight of 925 kg

with 240 bhp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI-E8qjfqQ0

But:

The U.S.-Spec Alfa Romeo 4C Is 342 Pounds Heavier

342 pounds

Rant:

Why is it so difficult to get a minimalist enthusiast driver's car in this country? Yes, it's possible to get an Ariel Atom or a Caterham (Lotus) 7 as a kit car. Yes you can build your own by stripping something that was built with a bunch of extraneous parts, or you can spend A LOT of money for something like a GT3 RS. Why isn't there an affordable car made without all the things that don't make the car stop, change direction, or go?

Thought:

Or is it? I already own a vehicle that has roughly the same raw performance numbers (aside from top speed) of that Alfa, and I paid the princely sum of $1500 for it when it had a hair under ten thousand miles on it. BTW, it averages about 50 mpg. Aircon? No. Airbags? No. Radio? No. Crash protection of any kind? No. Curb weight? About 440 lbs. What is this wonderfully minimalist inexpensive high performance rig? A 2007 Kawaski Ninja 650R. If I wanted to go even lighter and faster, Suzuki offers the GSXR 750 for an MSRP of $12,299. For this price you get about 145 bhp and a curb weight of around 410 lbs. Even if you figure in the weight of a geared up rider (call it 175 lbs), you get a power to weight ratio of about 495 bhp/ton. This is shockingly close to what you get in a Pagani Huayra for a lot less money. Bikes are clearly the way to go fast for cheap. But what if I want to haul more than a backpack full of groceries? What happens when it snows? There should be some middle ground.

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