A COUPLE OF OPTIONS TO INJECT SOME FUN INTO WEEKEND DRIVES
Conrad is a New Zealand business owner. His children have flown the nest and Conrad and his wife regularly visit their bach for relaxing weekends away.
During one of their trips, as they sit in traffic in their large, nondescript sedan, Conrad realises he could be behind the wheel of the car of his dreams instead. He’s worked hard and has always made the right, sensible decisions. But now he has some spare money, Conrad thinks it’s time to splash out on a sports car. We’ve picked a couple of interesting cars that could fit the bill and also inject a bit of fun into the weekend drives to his bach.
If you’re in the market for a flashy four-wheeler, then they might just tick a few of your boxes, too.
The Italian job
First up, we’re going to have a look at the Alfa Romeo 4C, which is hand-built by the Maserati factory. Built with a nod to its racing heritage, the Alfa Romeo 4C will make weekend drives to the bach much more exciting.
Italian cars are all about style, looks and most importantly sound. The 4C has impeccable detailing, a very simplistic layout with minimalistic controls and it offers a real driving experience. Massive carbon fibre sills provide that low-down, sports car feeling and, while it’s not necessarily practical, it adds to the excitement.
The 4C has a youthful spirit and it’s quick — the small 1750c turbo charge engine reaches 100km/h in 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 258km/h.
It’s exhilarating to drive in performance mode but perhaps this is more suited for the track rather than New Zealand roads. That said, with its striking looks, bold design and limited numbers on New Zealand roads, the 4C is a real head-turner that pulls all the attention you’d expect from a Ferrari, but without the supercar price tag.
Sense and sensibility
The Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe is a typical German car that reflects the marque’s well-known clinical precision. It’s finely tuned with an alluring silhouette — you just can’t help but fall in love with the coupe and all the class that it comes with.
The interior has heaps of technology and the advanced Mercedes COMAND infotainment system makes it easy to stay in control. The inline turbo, four-cylinder engine is lively, producing 180kw at 5500rpm but it still makes for a comfortable ride. It also has intuitive transmission and Dynamic Select modes, so it’s great for all driving moods.
The price tag for this Mercedes is relatively conservative, and while the standard model is well equipped, there are a range of extras available if you wanted to add personal touches. Throw in too many extras and the bill will soon start to creep up though.
Unlike the Alfa Romeo, the C300 has good boot space, making it a more practical choice and its styling is much softer, giving it true elegance without shouting it from the rooftops.
Generally, sports cars are a great expression of freedom that can be perfect for the Kiwi lifestyle.
While they’re not necessarily the most practical of vehicles, they offer fun and excitement. They can be more expensive, but for those who are able to splash the cash, it’s an opportunity to drive your car with great pride.