Track day car Dilemma

[Ej74]

Now that the little one's older planning on the purchase of another track car

I have posted before for advice and end up with a Lotus 2-11 - which I loved

So back to the same old question ended up with the following 2 on my list:

1. Lotus V6 Cup - new car so the depreciation is hard to swallow working in finance
2. Ariel Atom - probably 3.1 NA 245

Primary purpose track work

Any opinions this PH's after all....

[MOTK]

If you're planning on driving to tracks rather than taking it on a trailer I'd take the lotus. Call me a pussy but a 5 hour journey back from anglesey in the pouring rain would not have been much fun in an atom/caterham(eta without a roof)etc.
If it was being trailered I'd take the atom every time.

Edited by MOTK on Wednesday 9th November 18:50

[Steve H]

A top-end Caterham would probably be more fun than both the above (first world problems!).

[Toilet Duck]

I've owned a supercharged Atom for the last four years, so could be "biased" but here's my 2p worth.

Given your shortlist, I personally think the Atom will be "better" if you are looking for no-compromise outright fun. I don't really think there is anything like them, they are just so visceral to drive, the novelty of mine has never worn off and I doubt I will ever replace it.

However, the lack of a roof etc compared to the Exige makes it a lot less "civilised" so it's no fun driving in the pissing rain etc, I trailer mine to most track days. Lack of roof means it's compromised in that respect (much like your 2-11 so you know what I'm getting at) .

I don't know if the Exige has any driver aids (the 2-11 has ABS and adjustable traction control I believe?), but the Atom has nothing so that may or may not be a factor to consider. The Atom won't flatter the driver; you have to work the car to get the best out of it but in doing so its very rewarding when you get to grips with it. They are very sensitive to geometry set up; mine wasn't set up right when I first got it and it felt terrible.

If you are chasing outright lap times then I would pick something else, but for pure fun I think it's very hard to beat the Atom, they are unique and they get under your skin.

Either way, I'd be happy with either of the two cars you've listed, a nice "problem" to have to pick one

OP, looking at your profile pic of your 2-11, I think I may have met you at bedford once and given you a passenger ride? If so that may steer you towards the Exige

[upsidedownmark]

My impressions from having driven the atom (on track) and paxed a 2-11.. two very different experiences:

The 2-11 was a very planted 'racecar' feel. I.e. very fast, but drive it accurately and neatly. Not something that moves around a lot, or you drive sideways all the time (I loved it)

The atom was much more mobile - softer, and always moving, always sliding. Up to a point quite easy to do so (beyond that point it was pretty quick to bite).
Loved that too, but I think it would depend what you want from it.

[Ej74]

Toilet we have met, you were with Niels that day ? I would go for a NA poss 3.1 spec then SC later

Do you have an open or closed trailer ?

Does anyone know if you can tow with a new generation M5 circa 2013 ? Or a Lexus Gs 450h ? My S6 is not tow rated.

We all know the pitfalls of open top cars...the atom is cheaper and will hold value vs. Masses of depreciation on the Exige and having to hold on to it for at least 4 years...

Not a big fan of the Caterham for my own reasons

[Toilet Duck]

Ej74 said:

Toilet we have met, you were with Niels that day ? I would go for a NA poss 3.1 spec then SC later

Do you have an open or closed trailer ?

Does anyone know if you can tow with a new generation M5 circa 2013 ? Or a Lexus Gs 450h ? My S6 is not tow rated.

We all know the pitfalls of open top cars...the atom is cheaper and will hold value vs. Masses of depreciation on the Exige and having to hold on to it for at least 4 years...

Not a big fan of the Caterham for my own reasons

Yes, that's right! Niels now has an S2 Elise with a Honda K20 conversion, probably the best of both worlds and something I would seriously consider if I wanted more "practicality" at some point in my life.

My trailer is open.

If you decide to supercharge later on, the cost from the factory is the same as if that option was ticked on the build sheet i.e. it doesn't cost anymore to have it fitted retrospectively.

Mine is an Atom 3 with the factory 3.5 steering upgrade (couple of hundred quid and worth every penny) and the factory 310 ECU upgrade (mainly improves throttle response). So if you get an earlier model you can easily get these updates, the rest of the 3.5 additions are mainly "cosmetic" e.g. different front/rear lights, and digital dash. The chassis is very slightly different with added bracing, but whether that's detectable from the driving seat is doubtful at best.

You mention depreciation which is another massive plus point for the Atom. If you got one in a suitable spec/price and found you didn't like it, you could probably get out of it again without loosing much (or any) money at all.

upsidedownmark makes a very valid comment. I've not driven a 2-11 but I've driven a Radical on track and that feels like a "proper" race car, the Atom in comparison feels very much like a "road" car, the difference is night and day. Not sure how a V6 Exige Cup "feels" in comparison, but I guess it all depends what you are looking for. I have a mate who owns both an Atom and a Radical (which he races). When he does track days, he always tends to use the Atom as he says its more "fun" even though the radical puts in far quicker lap times. Take from that what you will

Good luck with whatever you end up going for!

[Ej74]

Deal done on a Atom NA with 3.5 ecu and rack upgrade

Also picking up a Brian James race shuttle 2.

Any tips on trailer driving a complete novice

[Oilchange]

Don't forget the reduced speed limits, leave more room for braking especially in the wet and use your mirrors in the corners.

If it fishtails (I found) easing off the throttle it tends to settle down.

It's more exhausting!

[Toilet Duck]

Ej74 said:

Deal done on a Atom NA with 3.5 ecu and rack upgrade

Also picking up a Brian James race shuttle 2.

Make sure the atom will fit; they are surprisingly wide. I've got a Brian James trailer but had to get a specific one (can't remember which) as a lot of them were too narrow. I have about 3cm clearance each side

edit to add, you probably know this but put the atom on the trailer backwards (reverse on) so that the weight of the engine etc doesn't "unbalance" it

Edited by Toilet Duck on Saturday 12th November 11:59

Edited by Toilet Duck on Saturday 12th November 11:59

[Ej74]

The Internet tells me Width 1.798 m (5 ft 11 in)

Trailer Bed is 4.3 m x 1.95 m plus he fits a Morgan Speedster on to it

Should fit

[Toilet Duck]

Ej74 said:

The Internet tells me Width 1.798 m (5 ft 11 in)

Trailer Bed is 4.3 m x 1.95 m plus he fits a Morgan Speedster on to it

Should fit

The atom is significantly wider than the Morgan if wikipedia is to be believed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_Plus_8

I'm sure the atom will fit though

[Frimley111R]

Ej74 said:

Masses of depreciation on the Exige and having to hold on to it for at least 4 years...

TBH after the initial drop they hold their value very well indeed. I'd be looking at a nearly new one and dodging that initial drop.

[Ej74]

There's not many used Cups available at any point in time hence buying new
Lets see how I get on with the Atom as I don't think I'll be losing money any money

Plan is to flip back to Lotus in the future no doubt unless something more interesting comes along....