I test drove both of them back to back on the same day. I went with the Alfa. I don't regret it even a little, I am in love

I have an alfa 4c, honestly, I love it. I would chose no other car at the same price point (maybe even a bit higher). However I completely understand what Chris means. The Cayman is one of the best cars to throw around the track and live with it in the city. The alfa cant keep up with the numbers. But this alfa is a work of art. The manual steering, quick acceleration, small size, exhaust..... I wouldn't trade it in for any other car. Only someone who relishes it's pros will understand. :)

Brain says PORSCHE .... Heart says 4C !

In Short: From Monday to Friday: the Cayman S Saturday and Sunday: the 4C

They dont compare, one is a brilliant piece of German engineering the other is the perfect representation of how machinery can have emotional value.

Hey Guys, ok, I've already decided to buy a 4C - in fact, I'm owning one since May this year and using it for more or less each day. Porsche surely builds perfect cars, great handling, you can equip it with so many options, it can be driven by more or less everybody. And that's already one of the differences for me - I like to have a special car, which isn't owned by 5000 other people. I also do not care about times on the race track - I'm going up and down pass by pass. And it's fun! However, I agree that the steering is extremely sensitive - that's something which I much improved by adjusting the toe-in and out. Additionally, Alfa offered an upgrade for the TCT which makes the load changes much more smooth - but on the other hand, a little bit of the raw character is gone with that. However, it always - as usual - just depends what you're looking for. A car, which is perfect for each situation and where you don't require emotions? Then, the Porsche is a good choice. Want something irrational? Then - go for the Alfa. And as usual - There is no accounting for taste :)

If i where a machine i probably get a Cayman, but because i have a heart i would without a doubt take the Alfa, just look at it, how can you ignore it? Its not just a machine, it will be your best friend, you will get mad with it some times but you will love him even more after that. Cuore Sportivo sempre.

Both great cars. I love how the Alfa looks apart from the 2-spoke steering wheel.

There are cars that tick boxes and then there are cars that stir the soul. The Cayman may produce better numbers but it just can’t compete with the feeling you get driving a 4C on mountain bends. I’ve seen little children literally crowd a 4C parked by the side of the road. They know nothing about cars but just by looking at it they know it’s something special. Meanwhile the Cayman sits quietly hoping someone will notice it.

I have a Cayman S and watching Chris slide it around the track is just magic, it looks so right 😁

Chris' analyses are spot on. He drives with a great deal of sensitivity and really gets suspensions -- front and rear. He can also drive his behind off. To this day, I haven't seen anyone drift with the precision he shows. He does it with speed, and places the rear wheel within a mm of the edges. Nor have I seen anyone drive to a literal edge of a car's performance while maintaing safety. The best around. The best around.

Fantastic review, no gimmicks just pure passion

In my country a Porsche cayman S costs 87.921€, while an Alfa Romeo 4C costs exactly 60.000€.The cayman goes from 0-100m/H in 5,1 s while the Alfa 4C goes in 4,5 s.The Cayman S has a much greater top speed though...The point is,he should have compared the basic Cayman(265 hp) not the S(320hp) with the Alfa 4C,afterall the Cayman S is "only" 27.921€ more expensive

I remember back when they were first compared, I would have taken the Alfa over the Porsche, but with time passing, in retrospect, I would have to choose the Alfa over the Porsche.

I own a 4C spider. It gets attention and is a very raw vehicle. You feel everything. The road, the brakes, and the steering are very sensitive. To me, it feels like a very nice-looking go-cart, and I love it.

Firstly, I still don't understand why the 4C needs to be compared to the Cayman. If the 4C is more similar to an Elise, then why not drag that one out of the garage? Secondly, Porsche has been making sports cars for more than 70 years, and nothing else. So the fact that it has one of the best allround sports cars of the moment is hardly surprising. According to some it's also one of the most reliable. Jolly great! What I read in all of that is predictability. It looks the way you expect (in my opinion it's as unattractive as any other Porsche), it drives/handles the way you expect, it sounds the way you expect... Thirdly, what makes Alfas likeable to me, is the fact that they have been all over the car spectrum in their 105 years of existance. They may not produce the absolute best cars in their class, but they know how to excite (both driver and onlooker). Owning one may drive you up the wall from time to time, but the joy they bring is priceless and so very worth it. Lastly, I wish everyone a very happy 2015, and hope we all get to drive the cars we like! :)

Remember, every review he’s ever written idolises German machinery, especially Porches and BMWs...made his mind up at 12 and is never going to change 😟

The Alfa is beautiful but for the money I would want the multi cylinder howl and NA response of the Cayman.

alfa 4c forever.......!!!!

Alfa, the work of art.

Comical that he thinks comparing the Cayman S to the 4C means anything. The Cayman S starts at $65K the 4C at $53K. Should be comparing a base cayman which starts at $54K. The base cayman has 275HP and 214 Torque.

With gold wheels Alfa 4C is a little sex bomb.

Chris, you deserve soo many more subsricbers!

Chris, so good to have you back in a place where your supporters can once again enjoy you videos without the 'Drive ±' utter bollocks. Just continue to do things your way, we dig it your style more than pretty much every motor journo there is on camera.

I had an Alfa Giulietta with the 4C engine in. I now have a Cayman with the 2.9. I daily the Cayman but get to a few track days a year in it. It's brilliant.

Bru that floyd mayweather statement was bold as fk do u hear what u are saying? Chris.

in a sunnier country i'll have the 4C any day

Just went back and looked at this after buying a 2020 4c spider. It’s Angelina Jolie to the Cayman as Jennifer Anniston, or pick your pair. The 4c is essentially and thankfully unchanged as production winds down. Rear suspension fix is changing rear rubber bushes to solid joints. Solid aftermarket to make these cars wild if that’s your thing. Don’t know who will make a car like this again between regulation and small market, at least at a price that they can be bought new (for just a couple months) or used (prices stabilizing around $45-$50. Review still holds, the buyer for this is looking for something specific that is not a Cayman or Corvette, or a used 911.

The Porsche is the better car in pretty much every objective way, and I'm 90% sure I'd go with the Alfa. Had they offered a manual transmission, you can make that 100%

PDK vs Alfa's flappy padel is probably the best way to compare the 2 anyway. I love both. It would be interesting to re-do this comparison with the new 4 cylinder turbo engined Cayman 718.

First of all, congratulations on the new channel! We would love to see how the 4C stacks up to the Elise S, given that the 4C is trying so hard to be like an Elise. Any chance of doing such a comparison? Cheers

A completely honest and reliable comparison. Somewhere around 3 minutes in Chris says the Cayman is the best sports car on the planet. Well, I'm done watching any more Cayman/Boxster versus videos then aren't I. This is what we have come to expect from you. Thank you ! Another brilliant review.

"sonorous" - having a deep, pleasant sound Cheers for that one, Chris!

As usual Alfa design outclass any car in the world.

I'd take the Cayman with a manual. How the Alpha Romeo 4C could not have power steering, but then put an automatic makes no sense. The Cayman is built well, fun to drive, handles superbly and is all around a better car. Except maybe if you prefer the 4C's styling. Otherwise I don't see why wouldn't go for the Cayman

These cars do nothing to change the stereotypes. German - solid, well built, efficient, fast but a little dull. Italian - great looking, good performance, exciting but technically not as good a car. For me the Porsche looks a bit boring. The Alfa is gets my vote. Now I just need to find some money...

Once again it comes down to what your heart would choose versus what your brain would... People say we shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but let's be honest... We all do.

Have a look at the rear left light cluster that is savagely bouncing at 2:53 This should be the "high quality" of the "best sportcar of the planet"?

The alfa looks better tho

Who bought the 4C now is happy for the incredible retail value. Not so much who bought the german one

Great that you've made your own channel!

I would love to see the Alfa compared to a Lotus. I feel that for the price, you should get a bit more than a turbo 4cyl. A 6 spd manual would also make it much more appealing, and save some weight and money that could be used to spruce up the interior.

check out that driver's side taillight at around 2:54

The Alfa Romeo is 10 times more beautiful than the dull Cayman.

Despite IMS fears, I "chose" a pre-electric steering Cayman S. Great car! LOVE IT! (I'm an Alfa fan as well. Had 3 Alfa's. YOu dont have to pick a side ;) )

six years later and the Alfa is now worth 40k as a baseline, very little depreciation now. In the future I can see it is as an appreciating car. Can't say the same for the Porsche.

Chris,your the reason why I own a Cayman and every time I watch this vid I always jump in and hoon about on country roads.

Wouldn't an alignment solve the 4C camber/crown issues? Sounds like the 4C is setup with front Toe set to 0 where as the Cayman might not be..

In my modest opinion these 2 cars belong to different world. Cayman S is a quite luxury car that you can use to enjoy the speed but also to spend a nice week end somewhere . Alfa 4C is more in Lotus field...it is a special toy , quite spartan inside, amazing and different outside, fast, thrilling...but not a daily car...

4C! :-) I have the Launch Edition nr. 165/500 and I Love the way it sounds, looks and drives :- Thanks for the review.

I'm sure when they either update or make a second gen of the 4C it will be spectacular.

All preference. 4C is Beautiful-truly Beautiful-so special-so exciting and strangely attainable

Nice to see an Alfa that won't rust...

I do not understand this mania of comparing Alfa 4c and Porsche Cayman They are 2 cars completely different Not to mention that a Cayman costs a lot more (Do not look at the official price, look at the final price of the dealer !!!) There is only one car with which the Alfa 4c can be compared and it is the Lotus Elise Have you ever thought of comparing Lotus Elise and Porsche Cayman? I think not !

Alfa Romeo : ❤ Cuore Sportivo. Arta, Passione, Emozioni, Speciale. Cosa vuoi di più della vita ? Un "Luhano" o una Alfa speciale ?

This comparison should b with the base Caymen!!

With that looks Porsche must be brilliant. In the other hand, those two are so different, never understood why people are comparing them.

I like how Chris sticks with his Porsche pronunciation no matter what. I've called it the same my whole life and never been tempted to add the "ah"

here's the thing: when you buy a car like this, are you buying it for anything other than emotional reasons? I mean, if you're being rational and sensible you buy a Kia Ceed surely? So, for me, right out the gate, the car gives me goosebumps seeing it on the drive every morning..what's the point? And for some reason..Porsche just...doesn't do that. It does so many things so well, but apart from the Porsche 917 - which is simply one of the prettiest cars ever made - Porsche just don't...move me the way an Alfa or a Maserati or or Ferrari,Lamborghini or an Aston would.

The headlights on the Alfa looks like one of those Monsters from Monsters Inc.

In all honesty, this is the video that encouraged me to buy my 981 Cayman GTS. Next stop, GT4

Current reports state the steering/handling issues have been solved !

What do you mean 'following the camber' and 'following the crown'?

Just imagine the 4C with the V6TT Giulia QV engine and trans and a bit better interior...

Coupe is beautiful, Spider almost as beautiful.

Than Alfa is just so nicer and more special than everyday Cayman. It's on a completely another level, not even comparable.

Too bad we don't have an Alfa 3.2 V6 with a dry sump in the 4C. Maybe some Penske or Ohlins dampers. The rear suspension needs better shocks. The Porsche uses struts all around. Its a matter of set up and damper quality. The front tram lining can be partly mitigated by a little more toe in and tyres larger side walls. Lightweight cars should not have super low section tires, it's not a good idea. My relevant cars have been 3 X-1/9's ( 2 track cars) S2K and i currently drive a Locost 7

You should do a Cayman/Boxster GTS review

They are both great cars.

Chris please please can you do a review on Audi RS7 VS Porsche Panamera turbo S, as one costs more £45,000 more than the other, this would be much appreciated.

2.53, why is the light shaking like that, anyone else noticed this or is it just me.

Porsche, however amazing, is still german. It is sensible and probably perfect. The Alfa is, well an Alfa! Italians live in the now! They value food, beautiful women, great wine. Its all about the emotions! I had a 147 . broke my heart many times, yet the love of my life. So emotional, so gorgeous.

2:55 the left headlight gonna fall off

All these drives in the wet are most depressing.

I’ll be looking to buy either or in the coming months. Coming from a cammed C5 Corvette I wonder how the lack of HP the Alfa makes will be redeem by the low weight. I do love the sound and ergonomics of the Cayman though

damned glad we've got you here again..might I say, in two recent videos you were wearing pink pants..pink..pants..

Cayman all the way... Could you shoot a video of the 2007 S with a manual gearbox? please! :)

Handling of a miata, it's italian, carbon fiber tub, better weight to power ratio? Is this what you can get used for 40,000?

I like the interior and the rear view of cayman, but overall i choose 4C.(In black) But i prefer the classic speedmeter for Alfa. That's my taste!

Wonder if they can stick the Quadrifoglio's TT V6 in the 4C engine bay.

Porsche and Alfa Romeo are the Apple of cars. They tell people yes their products are less, but it is magical and enhanced with pixie’s dust and unicorn’s piss, and then proceed to put a huge price tag on it. No offense, I don’t hate these companies nor do I love them, but lets be honest people, less is less.

I don't know why everyone/reviewers drives the 4C outside of Race mode. It should only be driven in Race mode.

Great review and matchup.."Yeshua / Jesus is the way "

I can see why you compare the cayman to Mayweather but surely it's got more charisma than Fairweather

Alfa Romeo all day long!!!it's like seen beautiful girl with nice smile,I don't think it's even point to compare, Alfa have a human soul!!! that what I call love!!!!!

Thanks, very informative 💕✅

I dont think is so hard to correct the minor faults on the Alfa. Change the steering will and fix the suspension and there you go! Its an epic car!! I think alfa should address these issues on a 2017 version. It will not be so costly.

2:52 you can literally see the tail light shaking in its socket.. would've thought Porsche screw their stuff down better than that

There’s a reason Porsche has more Motorsport wins than anyone else, there simply is no substitute

Alfa 4C

I was thinking about buying the Cayman I went for a test drive and the steering was absolutely dreadful

So I'm trying to decide what to take away from this. If you live on shitty back roads or plan on using that car specifically for track days go for the Porsche? I like the Cayman but I do have to admit what sells me on the 4c is the over all experience (Appearance, sound, setup, etc)

great video Alfa is amazing

Why not compare it with the 718 2.0 turbo?

hope Alfa Romeo doing A Big Back mid Engine V12 Hybrid God Locking super cars

Why buy a 4C over a Cayman?! Well, because it’s gorgeous sexy rare fun raw, weighs less than a ton, can be a targa… And also because a lot of us find the Cayman unattractive uninspiring and common… Great test and comments

I think the Cayman is objectively the better car, but I already have a good car to use daily. For those times I want to get out and drive something special up a canyon or a mountain road, I think I’d want it to be an event. That, and I like the looks of the 4C much more than the Cayman, especially in person. Alfa for me.

Does it always rain in the UK?

Just outside of Tilshead in Salisbury Plain

I almost expect more from the Alfa for the price in respect to handling and hardware. Needless to say it is gorgeous but 9 times out of 10 I'd take the Cayman S!