Despite shortcomings, Alfa 4C is fun

2016 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider:

Spinning a web of fines and court costs.

Price: $74,295 as tested. The base price is $63,900, and the test vehicle added $2,200 for the Spider Track Package, which put a lot of lightweight carbon fiber in spots; more options discussed throughout.

Marketer's pitch: "Exhilaration exposed."

Conventional wisdom: Car and Driver says "the 4C practically anticipates road challenges, but the seats are tight, there's almost no luggage room, and it's so low it's tough to get out of. ..."

Reality: "Well, hello, Officer."

"73 in a 55 zone": My days testing premium sedans and exotic sports cars have finally caught up with me. Nabbed on Route 202 by The Man.

After handing him my license and explaining who I was (without saying indignantly "Do you know who I am?" or I'd certainly be writing this from the cell), the trooper broke out in a big smile, told me my speed, and said I'd showed "some restraint, considering the car." He let me off with a warning.

Race ready: Really, though, what else is the 4C Spider good for? This tiny two-seater faux convertible is missing most of the elements of a modern car, but it's still one of the funnest little machines you can buy.

Up to speed: The 237-horsepower 1.75-liter engine rockets the 2,487-pound Spider. Hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, according to Car and Driver. Hit 100 in 11.1.

On the curves: There's almost no need to slow down for twists and turns, except that it's really fun to floor the accelerator coming out of them. (That, and the faces certain passengers make when you don't.)

In the driveway: Forget any power assist to the steering. Parking this little car is misery, unless you remember to ease the car a little forward (or reverse) as you turn.

Spider's-eye view: The tiny rear window and large B pillars make looking backward and changing lanes challenging. No backup camera came on the test model, though a beepy radar failed to make things easier.

Shifty: Four buttons sit in a diamond pattern in the console. A 1 button is for forward, an R button for reverse, an N button for neutral, and an A/M button to switch between automatic and manual shifting.

Shifting is done via paddle levers. The car comes with Dynamic, Natural, and All-Weather modes. In all but the last, downshifting was especially abrupt.

On the road: Expect to become well-acquainted with all the fissures and cracks in the road surface. The tires tend to wander into grooves, and tall seams that in other cars are annoying become teeth rattling in the Spider.

Then again, I could lay rubber from the rear wheels shifting into fourth gear (and spin the 18- and 19-inch five-hole wheels, $2,500). That's a hyperactive little car.

Driver's Seat: Though the seat is low slung and recline is the only adjustment offered, comfort is exceptional (racing leather/microfiber seats $500).

Friends and stuff: One friend. One carry-on behind each seat, as long as neither of you is very tall.

Behind the engine, there's room for a picnic basket and the stowaway removable soft top. Really, that's all.

"Argh! Blasted top!" It takes some practice to remove the soft top.

Play some tunes: Or don't. The Alpine stereo certainly looks as if it's from the 1980s. And while it offered my USB and CD as a choice, I never did find the appropriate slots in the vehicle during the scant three days I had it.

The sound quality was terrible, despite the $1,800 Preferred Customer Package featuring premium speakers (plus cruise control, parking assist, and alarm), and the antenna had only about 25 miles of range for AM.

But that's OK, because the exhaust creates a delightfully buzzy cacophony (sport-tuned dual exhaust, $500) on short trips, but quickly it becomes a maddening drone on the highway. But, oh, when that turbocharger whines.

Fuel economy: I averaged 24 miles per gallon in three days of truly ticket-worthy driving. This Spider drinks only premium.

Where it's built: Modena, Italy.

In the end: For this kind of money, I've had much more refined fun in the Corvette, and for a bit more cash there's the Jaguar F Type, which is the epitome of refinement, style, and racing.

The Alfa is a toy for a certain breed of buyer who's decided s/he wants it no matter what I write.

ssturgis@phillynews.com 215-854-2558