For how exotic it looks, the Alfa Romeo 4C‘s $61,995 base price seems like a bargain compared to a $275,900 Ferrari 458. After the new car hype dies down a bit, savvy negotiators who skimp on options might be able to get one for less than $60,000. But the 4C is up against some stiff competition from around the world. Porsche and Chevrolet both offer competitive alternatives to Alfa’s new sports car, but which would you choose?
Alfa Romeo 4C
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The Alfa Romeo Spider will join the 4C (pictured) as part of the brand’s relaunch in North America.
Handout, Alfa Romeo
Canadian base price: $61,995
Horsepower: 237
Weight: 1,050 kg
Zero to 100 km/h: 4.5 seconds
Alfa’s sexy 4C marks a serious return of the brand to the North American market. The 4C is very likely the most affordable car ever made with a carbon fibre chassis, and its turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder is guaranteed to excite. Pitfalls include a spotty service network and an awkward rear-biased weight distribution. It’s also only available with an automatic transmission, so three pedal devotees will have to shop elsewhere.
In his review, David Booth compares the Cayman (below) with the 4C and says, “The Cayman, despite Porsche’s protestation to pur sang sportiness, is a veritable La-Z-Boy compared with the 4C. … A Cayman could, with some compromise and a set of snows, be a daily driver; the 4C is definitely a Sunday car. That said, the Porsche is not nearly as outwardly intoxicating, as overtly sporty or, even measured by the numbers Germans love to crunch, anywhere near as fast.”
Porsche Cayman
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The Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S twins might be a Porsche Cayman for someone who can’t afford a Porsche Cayman, but the Porsche Cayman is a Porsche Cayman for someone who can afford a Porsche Cayman.
Jodi Lai, Driving
Canadian base price: $59,900
Horsepower: 275
Weight: 1,310 kg
Zero to 100 km/h: 5.7 seconds
The Porsche Cayman is really the closest competitor to the 4C. The mid-engined Cayman has long been praised for its handling and is so practical that it has two trunks. The 2.7-litre flat six is arguably the best sounding of the bunch and it’s also the most subtle of the three for those who don’t want to stand out. It is possible to option the Cayman well into six-digit territory with Porsche’s crazy options, but you’ll have to forgo those options if you want to keep it under $60,000.
Chevrolet Corvette
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2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
Canadian base price: $54,845
Horsepower: 455
Weight: 1,495 kg
Zero to 100 km/h: 3.8 seconds
The Corvette is the cheapest, most powerful and fastest (to 100 km/h) car of the three. Completely redesigned for 2014, the Corvette “Stingray” is the most capable base Corvette to date. Offered with a six-speed automatic or a seven-speed manual, the 455-horsepower V8 can move the Corvette from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. The V8 is also surprisingly fuel-efficient and the large dimensions of the car give great storage space for a sports car. And yes, the seats are still bad.
In his review, Graeme Fletcher says, “The new aluminum chassis, wonderful dynamics and power combine to make [the Corvette] a true supercar by any measure. It is supremely fast, sharp to obey driver input, and is entirely manageable in an urban environment. That alone would be enough to make a very strong case for the new Stingray. However, it also blows the supercar crowd away price-wise.”
Are there any other sports cars in the $60,000 range that you love? Let us know in the comments below.
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