Ariel Atom - Opinions needed

[Phantom]

I gotta get something I can wear a HANS and a decent helmet in- The Atom is on my short list- I've read it can be a hand-full on the track- Has anyone in here tracked both, and can give me a comparison?

Is this a good deal?

Replica/Kit Makes : Atom:eBay Motors (item 250522634804 end time Nov-09-09 15:00:51 PST)

[rnr]

I'd suggest looking at Seven replicas. They can be just as fast as an Atom and there are bunch of used ones available in this economy.

[Avi]

This is a good deal at the buy it now price. Pretty much all options you could get. The Carbon fiber tub alone was a 5500 upgrade not to mention the other cf parts. It has the 300 hp engine and the individual seats. Its a good deal to me and the Atom is an amazing car. Registering it is not easy or possible in certain states. PM me if you have any more questions.

I bought an Atom a few months ago and absolutely love it!

[Certified Lotus]

I test drove an Atom for three laps at my track last month (after going for 8 hot laps with a very experienced driver).......that car is amazing! Made my Lotus Exige S seem very very slow and unresponsive. It is not a vehicle for the inexperienced driver.......you will get into a lot of trouble. But in the right hands......man does it perform.

[DPM]

Not very reliable with track use. Lots of stuff breaks from suspension components, to headers and wheel bearings. Most know of it but won't admit it. Ive seen way too many of them at the track side garages in parts or worse yet, wrecked. Way too much oversteer.

They don't seem to be selling many anymore, now you know why.

There are a lot better track cars for the money.

[ads_green]

I hated the atom - sure it's damn quick as in bugatti quick but it just can't deal with power. The wheelbase is so short that even in a straight line the back is fishtailing everywhere. Anything other than a driving god will find the car lurching from understeer to oversteer and not actually going that fast. The non supercharged Honda atom2 is actually a better car.

The caterham is similar a lot more controllable

Look on drivers republic for a comparison on track of the caterham r500, atom 300 and lotus 211. Just remember the lotus is outclassed in power to weight by both cars.

[ads_green]

Found the vids - didn't realise DR had folded.

Part 1:

YouTube - DRIVERS REPUBLIC - Track Test - Part 1

part 2:

YouTube - DRIVERS REPUBLIC - Track Test - Part 2

Part 3:

YouTube - DRIVERS REPUBLIC - Track Test - Part 3

[mopho]

Originally Posted by ads_green

I hated the atom - sure it's damn quick as in bugatti quick but it just can't deal with power. The wheelbase is so short that even in a straight line the back is fishtailing everywhere. Anything other than a driving god will find the car lurching from understeer to oversteer and not actually going that fast. The non supercharged Honda atom2 is actually a better car.

The caterham is similar a lot more controllable

Look on drivers republic for a comparison on track of the caterham r500, atom 300 and lotus 211. Just remember the lotus is outclassed in power to weight by both cars.

And remember that the 211 has much better aerodynamics for downforce, traction control and ABS.
Also note that they all said that in terms of fun/entertainment, they would pick the Atom or Seven, and isn't fun what track days are about?

I know a few people with Atoms (and Caterhams) and never heard any of them complain about such things, they all love the cars

[ads_green]

Depends what you want really... I just wouldn't pick the Atom over the other two (I picked the 211). Bad handling doesn't make a fun car it makes for a scary car thats an awful lot of hard work to drive and after alls said and done you're actually going slower.

In the UK many track day companies are noise restricted and too much sliding will get you black flagged and in the Atom you've not got much choice about sliding.

As for trackdays, yes I want to have fun but I'm also wanting to learn more about going faster and improve that area. I can slide about all day and whilst fun in the caterham with the Atom its just frustrating as most of it is unintensional.

I did also look at the caterham but I preffered the handling of the 211. Not better not worse just more suited to what I like. I do like Caterham cars and agree they are great fun and they are the only car I've been reliably able to get consistent 4 wheel drifts and certainly wouldn't berate or criticise anybody choosing any variant.

The only thing the Atom and 211 have over the caterham is that they always look special. Caterhams have been around for decades now largely unchanged on the the outside and whilst looking seriously cool they do suffer from what I like to call the 911 effect.

I do like having the adjustable TC and ABS - it encourages you push that bit more and gives you a good stern slap accross the face if you go to far. The caterham does encouage in a different way as the car being front engined is a bit more stable so will start to drift more. The Atom doesn't give this kind of feedback and you can easily find yourself facing the wrong way wondering what the hell happened. And don't get me started on the Atom brakess - for such a light car runnng Yoko'48's with th direct feel of non servo brakes it should be a rewarding dream to stop. I couldn't get it to stop reliably and I was used to running non servo brakes from my old S2 190.
Here's a snapshot from a German Car Test (Autocar think) that compares the Atom 2 (non SC), XBow (RIP) and 211
http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/atta...picture-18.png
Do the math and:
Atom takes 28.2 feet more than the 2-Eleven

From 124 MPH, They only did warm from this speed
Atom takes 145.6 feet more than the 2-Eleven

Everybody still bangs on that in dry conditions in a straightline a non-abs car can out brake one with ABS.

This is only my opinion and I'm sure a better driver than I could get more out of the Atom and find it ultimately more rewarding but I've never found a SC Atom drver on track pushing more than 5/10's as there's not the level of confidence in the car that you need to have fun on a trackday.

Overall though you are best driving it - just make sure you put your sensible hat on and don't get hung up on the straight line speed. It feels like you are being launched off an aircraft carrier. Try to see past this and look at the overall package.

[Paul O]

The 200 BHP is more realistic for us non-driving God's than the 300 BHP machine. Both insane. Better power to weight ratio then a Veryron!

YouTube - Top Gear - Ariel Atom - BBC

[tvacc]

Originally Posted by ads_green

Depends what you want really... I just wouldn't pick the Atom over the other two (I picked the 211). Bad handling doesn't make a fun car it makes for a scary car thats an awful lot of hard work to drive and after alls said and done you're actually going slower.

In the UK many track day companies are noise restricted and too much sliding will get you black flagged and in the Atom you've not got much choice about sliding.

As for trackdays, yes I want to have fun but I'm also wanting to learn more about going faster and improve that area. I can slide about all day and whilst fun in the caterham with the Atom its just frustrating as most of it is unintensional.

I did also look at the caterham but I preffered the handling of the 211. Not better not worse just more suited to what I like. I do like Caterham cars and agree they are great fun and they are the only car I've been reliably able to get consistent 4 wheel drifts and certainly wouldn't berate or criticise anybody choosing any variant.

The only thing the Atom and 211 have over the caterham is that they always look special. Caterhams have been around for decades now largely unchanged on the the outside and whilst looking seriously cool they do suffer from what I like to call the 911 effect.

I do like having the adjustable TC and ABS - it encourages you push that bit more and gives you a good stern slap accross the face if you go to far. The caterham does encouage in a different way as the car being front engined is a bit more stable so will start to drift more. The Atom doesn't give this kind of feedback and you can easily find yourself facing the wrong way wondering what the hell happened. And don't get me started on the Atom brakess - for such a light car runnng Yoko'48's with th direct feel of non servo brakes it should be a rewarding dream to stop. I couldn't get it to stop reliably and I was used to running non servo brakes from my old S2 190.
Here's a snapshot from a German Car Test (Autocar think) that compares the Atom 2 (non SC), XBow (RIP) and 211
http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/atta...picture-18.png
Do the math and:
Atom takes 28.2 feet more than the 2-Eleven

From 124 MPH, They only did warm from this speed
Atom takes 145.6 feet more than the 2-Eleven

Everybody still bangs on that in dry conditions in a straightline a non-abs car can out brake one with ABS.

This is only my opinion and I'm sure a better driver than I could get more out of the Atom and find it ultimately more rewarding but I've never found a SC Atom drver on track pushing more than 5/10's as there's not the level of confidence in the car that you need to have fun on a trackday.

Overall though you are best driving it - just make sure you put your sensible hat on and don't get hung up on the straight line speed. It feels like you are being launched off an aircraft carrier. Try to see past this and look at the overall package.

I ALMOST agree with everything said above. I have a Caterham and used to track it. Dont anymore as I am just not into that anymore. If you want to drive it on the street I would go with a Caterham R 500 or CSR. If you want just a track car then i would go with the 211. Just my opinon. I dont think the Atom is sophisticated enough. Power to weight is not everything.

Edit...there is one thing I have to disagree with...Caterhams still look special to me and I dont think they suffer from the 911 syndrome.

[shinoo]

I have an Atom and have tracked it. Yes, it can be a handful but it delivers gobs of fun. It is a different car than a Lotus. I would not hesitate to buy one again as it never fails to make me smile each and every time I drive it. Yes, it can be scary and does take work to drive fast.

There appears to be a lot of negative comments here from folks who have NOT owned one. This is a Lotus forum afterall.... Though I agree the car is more on edge than a Lotus at the limit - in the hands of a capable driver, it can be a fast and fun machine. So experienced drivers only, please.

Here is a pic of my Atom with our latest wing kit. The Atom has the aero of pig. A very, very fast and fun pig.

[Darth G-F]

I lapped an Ariel Atom (not sure how much hp it had) in my Katana Elise with Reverie wings. The car was driven by a Porsche Club instructor. Car is fast in a straight line but I would kill it in braking and cornering. So I guess a 2-11 with better wings will be significantly faster.

I owned a Caterham Hayabusa (400hp/ton) this car was an absolute blast to drive. But in the end sold it because you can barely call this a car. Very loud, as in over 100db loud, not practical at all, a nightmare in the rain. This particular Caterham is much more of a track car than a street car. On a high speed track the aerodynamics will brake you around 120mph and the car becomes really light over 100mph.

However, the car drives like a dream. You can control oversteer like you are Ken Block, all the controls are direct and precise and the braking is amazing. You can drive it to the track another plus if you don't have a tow car and trailer.

Ultimately, the best track car probably is the 2-11. The most fun the Caterham and most insane/scary/unique the Atom.

[mopho]

Originally Posted by ads_green

The only thing the Atom and 211 have over the caterham is that they always look special. Caterhams have been around for decades now largely unchanged on the the outside and whilst looking seriously cool they do suffer from what I like to call the 911 effect.

That may be true in tiny England where everyone that has one lives close together, but here they are unusual.
I live in a place where Lamborghini's and Ferrari's are common and the Caterham practically stops traffic.
Also keep in mind, 211's aren't road legal here, so the cost of entry includes a truck and trailer

[Ravenbk]

are you looking for a track car only? or you need to drive it on roads?
If its for track cars only, there are much better choices, like WEST, or Stohr.

For road use... the Atom looks kinda silly IMO. but beauty is in the eye of the beholder! but there are much better choices for road / track use.

my 2c

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by Ravenbk

are you looking for a track car only? or you need to drive it on roads?
If its for track cars only, there are much better choices, like WEST, or Stohr.

For road use... the Atom looks kinda silly IMO. but beauty is in the eye of the beholder! but there are much better choices for road / track use.

my 2c

Yes, I failed to mention that I live relatively close to Barber Motosports and do not plan on getting a trailer any time soon- In fact, I drive to the track on A005's, and that works out great- However, I'd be pushing my luck in a 2-Eleven- Unfortunately, I don't live that close-

Everyone's comments confirm what I've read- I'm back to waiting on an Evora (for now)- I'll have to try one on for size when they arrive in Atlanta- All said, it'll be a sad sad day when I sell my beloved Elise, but I'm done tracking that car-

Thanks again guys...

Originally Posted by shinoo

I have an Atom and have tracked it. Yes, it can be a handful but it delivers gobs of fun. It is a different car than a Lotus. I would not hesitate to buy one again as it never fails to make me smile each and every time I drive it. Yes, it can be scary and does take work to drive fast.

There appears to be a lot of negative comments here from folks who have NOT owned one. This is a Lotus forum afterall.... Though I agree the car is more on edge than a Lotus at the limit - in the hands of a capable driver, it can be a fast and fun machine. So experienced drivers only, please.

Here is a pic of my Atom with our latest wing kit. The Atom has the aero of pig. A very, very fast and fun pig.

Gorgeous!!

[Ravenbk]

Shinoo... you are right.. dont knock it till you try it, i agree. What i was directing to is that the atom is more track car than road car...... looks like tons of fun. But for me, if i was going to track only, i would look at something like the WEST or Stohr. if more on the road.. then the lotus is my choice.

for both road and track...... at this stage, i would still take a lotus.. but maybe with some S111 bits

[Darth G-F]

I know guys that own Stohr, West and Radical. They are stupidly fast on any track. But they all have problems with 'em and spend lots of time fiddling/fixing and not really driving.

Something to consider if you are like me and barely check the tire pressure before getting on the track until you run out of fuel. These cars need lots of maintenance. I like a car I can beat/drive all week end and not turn a wrench. YMMV.

[ddurham]

Originally Posted by ads_green

I hated the atom - sure it's damn quick as in bugatti quick but it just can't deal with power. The wheelbase is so short that even in a straight line the back is fishtailing everywhere. Anything other than a driving god will find the car lurching from understeer to oversteer and not actually going that fast. The non supercharged Honda atom2 is actually a better car.

The caterham is similar a lot more controllable

Look on drivers republic for a comparison on track of the caterham r500, atom 300 and lotus 211. Just remember the lotus is outclassed in power to weight by both cars.

They're a lot better with an aero kit. Without it they can get scarey at speed.

[ads_green]

Originally Posted by ddurham

They're a lot better with an aero kit. Without it they can get scarey at speed.

I don't doubt it but I still had problems on the road at low speeds (sub 70) where aero doesn't help.
Ay car that relies on aero to solve handling problems can always bite you in the butt should the wind change. A 10mph change in wind direction can really change the characteristics of a aero sensitive car.

I think a 300bhp Atom will never ever be anything other than scary... and thats not always a bad thing