4C has arrived

Maser Sod

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My 4C has arrived.

I can't get my hands on it for a few days as it needs registering, taxing, etc. but at least I have seen it at the dealership and now know it exists, which I was beginning to doubt after an 8 month wait!
 

conaero

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Whoop, whoop!!!!! at last!!!!

Congrats....I await your thoughts????

I must admin I saw a mat white one in Modena at the Panini museum and I didn't like it, it looked cheap and plastically but I think this was the stupid paint job.

Rosso looks lovely.
 

conaero

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Shame about the concept wing mirrors, I really liked them but it was obvious they would never make production.

You not brining it to the Xmas doo?...you usually pop alone. Are you still with the same lady? (who's name escapes me)
 

Maser Sod

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Yeah, still with Brenda. (I didn't like the Brera so got myself a Brenda instead, arf arf.)

I will do my best to pop along to the Xmas do - it's Reading, isn't it?
 

conaero

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Yeah, still with Brenda. (I didn't like the Brera so got myself a Brenda instead, arf arf.)

I will do my best to pop along to the Xmas do - it's Reading, isn't it?

Sorry, yes, Brenda, I remember now, thats been a while now mate....bending down on one knee at any point :)

Yes, the Alfa Brenda....that should explain my hesitance with the 4C, a classic Alfa own goal.

Yes, The Crowne Plaza Reading on Saturday 6th December, then we are off for dinner. I have a pair of spaces as Nikos has backed out, do you want them, £41 a head inc 1 drink, 3 courses all at a casino a few hundred meters away.
 

Maser Sod

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Sorry, yes, Brenda, I remember now, thats been a while now mate....bending down on one knee at any point :)

Yes, the Alfa Brenda....that should explain my hesitance with the 4C, a classic Alfa own goal.

Yes, The Crowne Plaza Reading on Saturday 6th December, then we are off for dinner. I have a pair of spaces as Nikos has backed out, do you want them, £41 a head inc 1 drink, 3 courses all at a casino a few hundred meters away.

I can't commit, as I may be in Canada with work around that time. But I will see if I can pop in and say hello at some point if I am not abroad.
 

conaero

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I can't commit, as I may be in Canada with work around that time. But I will see if I can pop in and say hello at some point if I am not abroad.

OK I look forward to it, shame it will probably be dark so we won't be able to admire your new toy.
 

Maser Sod

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Picked up the 4C today. Interesting first drive.

Apparently, you can't engage Dynamic mode until after 500 miles (daft factory setting), so I've had to use Normal mode which is ok but a bit sluggish on gear-changes.

The ride is fine, I was worried about it but I've just checked and all my fillings remain intact. I find the gear changes a bit shunty at low speeds, which is particularly annoying on roundabouts, and there is a whole bunch of lag with the turbo that I guess I will learn to manage with experience and intelligent gear selection.

The 4C is a blast, though. It reminds me of a 355 (I've not driven one, but I have been a passenger). This is in terms of noise (somewhat), driving position, and the feel of how the car delivers its power. And with a smidgen of Maserati 3200GT turbo warp speed thrown in for good measure!

The car doesn't feel like it weighs 900kg, rather it is very poised and assured in a big 'supercar' way. I guess the wide wheelbase is part of that.

I'll provide a better report when I have done a few more miles in it. And can access Dynamic mode!

BTW, the first warranty claim is already in - the door alignment is off!!! WTF? Ah yes, it's made in Italy.
 

conaero

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BTW, the first warranty claim is already in - the door alignment is off!!! WTF? Ah yes, it's made in Italy.

Feck sake, will they every learn, sounds like a blast though Pat and look forward to hearing and seeing more mate.
 

Maser Sod

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Feck sake, will they every learn, sounds like a blast though Pat and look forward to hearing and seeing more mate.

Yeah, I'm not sure what quality control means in Italy! At least the thing doesn't leak water, which was my principal worry when I saw the door and boot constructions.

Yesterday, after 140 miles the 4c finally allowed me to engage Dynamic Mode, and it's a much better affair! Everything is that bit quicker and more responsive, as you would expect. Happily, the drive-by-wire isn't too sensitive even in that mode, so crawling around in traffic isn't the chore it could be.

One thing I'm having to remind myself of is that the car has a twin clutch and so I don't need to ease off the loud pedal when I change gear. Hard to get used to, actually.

One annoying thing is that the car is reluctant to let you change from 2nd to 3rd in low rev's. It's a feature rather than a fault, but I don't really get the benefit and, allied with the paddles being stuck to the steering wheel, it makes going around roundabouts a bit of a PITA if I am honest.

The stereo is cr&p, no surprise, but it doesn't matter too much I suppose when the engine is barely 12 inches away from your head. On that note, the car doesn't sound particularly nice from within the cabin, but it does from outside. They've done a good job with the exhaust. I may yet buy the slightly louder sports exhaust, I think it's 400 quid which isn't too bad.

I learned yesterday that there is a company who will remap the 4c to 300 brake for around 350 quid, but I doubt I will do that in the short term as the car is plenty quick enough as it is. But it would be nice to get it to sub-four second 0-60 performance.

The car is the widest I've owned, and will just about squeeze into my garage, but only with the wing mirrors in (which is another PITA, as they have to be pushed in manually but are necessary for judging how close to the garage sides you are!).

There's a fair chance, Matt, that I can get down to the Xmas do, but I think it would only be to pop in for a quick coke. I will let you know nearer the time.

I'll upload a couple more pics for those interested...
 

Maser Sod

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I'm loving the big teledials - I wanted them on my GTV, I can't believe it has taken me nearly ten years to get a set!







 

Maser Sod

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Just had a crisis!! :) Not jealous at all.... not :)

Avenue next month?

Hmm, I'm not a morning person - especially on the weekend.

I'm more likely to go along to one of the IAMC evening events, probably the next get-together at the St Julian Inn in Caerleon or the one after that in Hinton.
 

conaero

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Thanks Pat for the honest update.

I am surprised that a Modena factory built car comes with such horrendous gaping as all Maseratis from that factory have been bob on. I suppose the downside of composite panels is variation, hopefully they won't have to start replacing panels and painting.

Get the 300 bhp done, you can never have too much power!