Findlay Fiat adds Alfa Romeo in the Valley Auto Mall

Findlay Automotive Group has welcomed a new product line at its Findlay Fiat dealership with the introduction of Alfa Romeo 4C at the store located in the Valley Automall at 210 N. Gibson Road.

With a limited supply available monthly, the Alfa Romeo already has stirred a high level of excitement as evidenced by the fact that the first model was purchased by a Temecula, Calif., business owner.

Shinoo Mapleton, president and CEO of Sector 111, purchased his 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C, explaining that the Findlay dealership offered a price much lower than other Alfa Romeo locations.

“Everyone wants an over-sticker price on the car,” explained Mapleton, whose company specializes in after-market products.

Needless to say, Mapleton knows his product lines, and he made sure of that when he tested the Alfa Romeo 4C at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in Pahrump.

“It’s a great car,” said Mapleton. “I have owned one before. It’s a very rare car with a very low volume (of production). In fact, I told the Findlay guys that I’d buy every one of the model that I could get.

“They could have sold mine for much more, and they gave it to me for the sticker price. It’s the best of its type in the country. It’s performs very well and looks very sexy.”

In his review at sector111.blogspot.com, Mapleton reviewed the car after testing it in Pahrump.

“It is a fun car that offers real performance for a broad range of drivers,” he wrote, adding that the car got him 27.5 miles to the gallon. “These cars are designed to work in all kinds of weather conditions, so naturally some weaknesses are found on the track. Overall it is a fun car, and I think that Alfa has hit a home run. In a nutshell: good handling, good brakes and excellent acceleration.

“I ran the car in Dynamic Mode for two sessions and then switched to Race Mode for the remainder of the testing —though I did forget on one session. I wish it could be left on permanently! Even a beginner will be able to drive this car well as it has approachable performance and electronic aids that will step in. When I turned on Race Mode, traction control was disabled. The car remained very benign at the limit and easy to control. I have experience driving Atoms, Monos and our new Drakan Spyder, so this car was a sweetheart in comparison.”

The Alfa Romeo 4C is powered by a new, direct injection 237-horsepower, 1750-turbocharged I4 engine made entirely of aluminum. It runs 0-60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds.

Longtime Las Vegas resident and automobile aficionado Tony Scodwell is quick to agree.

“The Alfa is a very exotic automobile,” said the 70-year-old Scodwell, who certainly knows about the car since he has owned 28 of them ranging from a 1960 Giulletta Spider to a 1991 Spider Veloce. “I have purchased and restored several of them over the years.”

Scodwell said the latest model is not only finely designed but also very quick.

“It’s as high-tech as it can be in the auto industry,” Scodwell said. “It’s assembled by the Maserati workforce and has an all-new design. It’s extremely lightweight and goes like a banshee.”

Equally as impressive is the handling capabilities of the Alfa, Scodwell said.

“The car handles beautifully,” Scodwell added. “In fact, it’s more of a race car than it is a street car, and I can guarantee you it’s a car that enthusiasts are going to want to try.

“In addition, the Alfa is drop-dead gorgeous.”

Alfa Romeo awarded the vehicle to 86 dealerships in the United States and Canada.

The Italian-made Alfa Romeo has the sports car package. The 100-year-old company that produces the vehicle has a big following, especially in Southern Nevada.

“Selling the Alfa Romeo through the Fiat dealerships is a very smart move,” Scodwell added.

Findlay Fiat is led by General Manager John Saksa, who also serves in the same capacity at Findlay Cadillac. For more information, call 702-982-4888 or visit www.findlayfiat.com.