Advice please?

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Discussion

notts

Original Poster:

11 posts

242 months

Saturday 3rd July 2004
quotequote all
Hello
I've driven the ariel at a track day and reallly enjoyed it! I'm thinking about buying one for a few reasons, 1, to advertise my business and use it for publicity, 2 to learn how to drive on a track correctly, and 3 to use to blow the cobwebs out at weekends and maybe everyday transport (back to point 1!)
Can anyone suggest the best spec (definatly best brakes) for a 220bhp atom 2, and does anyone have the wings fitted for road use? Also I've seen various prices quoted on here, even up to £34K! Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Bruce Fielding

2,244 posts

287 months

Saturday 3rd July 2004
quotequote all
1 To advertise my business and use it for publicity,

That's why I bought mine originally. Do bear in mind that there aren't huge opportunities for signage on the car - we used the nose for our logo and the cowl for an 'icon' plus the 'skirt' for a web address. With the 'racing' perspex sides, you have more opportunities for advertising. Having said that, giving clients the opportunity to ride in a track car like the Atom was a big bonus! Plus, I now get to drive it with no signage - just for me!


2 To learn how to drive on a track correctly

It's very good for that. However, the best way to learn is with instruction, and for that, a closed cockpit might be better, unless you go for the Autocom helmet-to-helmet option (as Mark has on his). You'll certainly get to know all about tyres and suspension setup, and about late braking!

3a To use to blow the cobwebs out at weekends

Definitely blows them away!

3b maybe everyday transport

Brave man!

Can anyone suggest the best spec (definitely best brakes) for a 220bhp atom 2,

Depends if you want bells and whistles or just a serious track car? I would suggest that you went for the suspension upgrade and possibly the brake upgrade, but with my 165 Mk.1 I'm still running the same (standard) brakes after 4000 track miles - it's so light that not much is really needed. I've been talking to Tom about a new one and he suggested that as the new car should be capable of going into corners faster, the brakes might need to be better. I think as weith all these things, just get the best you can afford from the outset rather than thinking about retrofitting later.

and does anyone have the wings fitted for road use?

I think all the wings are road useable - you need to get Mark or the Badgers to anser this one...


Also I've seen various prices quoted on here, even up to £34K! Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

That looks like the price for the racer. The 160 should be about £19k otr and the 220 around £25k. Add another few for the supercharger if you want toi go that route

notts

Original Poster:

11 posts

242 months

Sunday 4th July 2004
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thanks!

badge70

93 posts

247 months

Sunday 4th July 2004
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Hi ya,

Our Atom came to about £32k in total, not exactly sure how!!!!!!

We did opt for lots of bits, Alcon Brakes, Diffrent shocks, uprated rod ends, S/S fittings, haven't yet gone for the supercharger (I think there's still alot of development to do on it before its worth buying, lots of US spec civics/accords running 300bhp even with the slightly higher compression!!!)

I've sat next to a race car driver in our Atom and I would have needed 500bhp to have even got near him and that would be hopefully catching him up on the straights!

I'm sure you'll keep hearing it, but more and more are saying that the 160's the better all round package and seeing Bruce round the track in his mk1 165 proves that it's won't be slow!

Anyway, all the Atoms from the 120's up are a great deal of fun and all would kill most road sports cars out on the track. Whatever you get will be a a real laugh.