Should I swap my Elise?
Discussion
I'm after some advice from you lovely owners club chaps...
I have a lovely Elise Mk2 that I've had for three years from new. It's been a great little car with no problems and I still love it. Trouble is, I've fallen for the Atom. I have a plan to sell the Elise, buy a bog spec 160 VTec and get some sort of donkey (Clio or similar) for the winter months. Trouble is, I have an old chum who had a mark 1 Atom, and his advice was to buy one only if I was to do lot's track days, as it's no good for road use. His rationale was that unless you absolutely know that it will stay sunny, you can't use it. My track days out are extremely infrequent; about one a year if I'm lucky. He reckons on that basis an Atom's only good for 20 odd days a year...thus making it an expensive toy.
Is he right? - How many of you guys drive it on the road? - Do you need to get 'leathered up' like a biker? Ther bottom line is thatr I could easily talk myself into buying one, but if I end up driving the little shitty (Clio type) car for 95% of the year I'll be fed up.
Your thoughts please gentlemen
Thanks
Mike
I have a lovely Elise Mk2 that I've had for three years from new. It's been a great little car with no problems and I still love it. Trouble is, I've fallen for the Atom. I have a plan to sell the Elise, buy a bog spec 160 VTec and get some sort of donkey (Clio or similar) for the winter months. Trouble is, I have an old chum who had a mark 1 Atom, and his advice was to buy one only if I was to do lot's track days, as it's no good for road use. His rationale was that unless you absolutely know that it will stay sunny, you can't use it. My track days out are extremely infrequent; about one a year if I'm lucky. He reckons on that basis an Atom's only good for 20 odd days a year...thus making it an expensive toy.
Is he right? - How many of you guys drive it on the road? - Do you need to get 'leathered up' like a biker? Ther bottom line is thatr I could easily talk myself into buying one, but if I end up driving the little shitty (Clio type) car for 95% of the year I'll be fed up.
Your thoughts please gentlemen
Thanks
Mike
Hi Mike
I'd be inclined to agree with your mate, although I do live in the suburbs so-to-speak, so I don't have access to good quality 'open' roads within a mile or two of home, which might make a difference. I've got the bog standard 160 and had my first trackday last week. After driving on the track, I found the ride on public roads quite uncomfortable, something that I hadn't really found too bad prior to driving on the track. I'm personally now going to generally stick to trackdays and continental driving.
Funnily, I don't find the weather to be a problem unless its a particularly rainy day, but the cold has never been a problem, although on a long trip it might become an issue.
In my opinion its not possible to really enjoy any performance car in the UK because of the gridlock & speedcamera issues so trackdays are the only option along with making frequent forays onto the continent.
In my opinion, if you're not able to get onto the track once a month (as a minimum - and likewise for trips to the continent) and if your 'local use' is on poor quality or congested roads, you should probably give the Atom a miss.
I'd be inclined to agree with your mate, although I do live in the suburbs so-to-speak, so I don't have access to good quality 'open' roads within a mile or two of home, which might make a difference. I've got the bog standard 160 and had my first trackday last week. After driving on the track, I found the ride on public roads quite uncomfortable, something that I hadn't really found too bad prior to driving on the track. I'm personally now going to generally stick to trackdays and continental driving.
Funnily, I don't find the weather to be a problem unless its a particularly rainy day, but the cold has never been a problem, although on a long trip it might become an issue.
In my opinion its not possible to really enjoy any performance car in the UK because of the gridlock & speedcamera issues so trackdays are the only option along with making frequent forays onto the continent.
In my opinion, if you're not able to get onto the track once a month (as a minimum - and likewise for trips to the continent) and if your 'local use' is on poor quality or congested roads, you should probably give the Atom a miss.
I had an S1 Elise ( you know, the proper one 
) that was used as my daily driver for a year.
Had a break from cars for a year and got the Atom as I missed just driving for the fun of it.
Road driving is OK, but after doing a few track days then it can become a chore if you dont have access to some good country roads, and can do it often.
You can push the Elise much harder on the road as you have better visibility ( a helmet really is needed at all times in the Atom ) and you know the car much better as its in use every day and is designed primarily as a road car.
Its on the track that the Atom comes into its own though, the smiles per miles rating is off the scale
Get a run about for daily driving, or when the weather is really bad ( I've driving to and done track days in 70mph gusts with snow, ice and horizontal hail ) or when its raining heavilly and you need to get somewhere and still be presentable when you get there.
I would say you could drive the car each day to and from work if its not heavy rain, you dont need to carry things that arent waterproofed and you can leave it somewhere safe - on the days you cant, use the daily runaround.
Hope that made sense,
Peter.
) that was used as my daily driver for a year. Had a break from cars for a year and got the Atom as I missed just driving for the fun of it.
Road driving is OK, but after doing a few track days then it can become a chore if you dont have access to some good country roads, and can do it often.
You can push the Elise much harder on the road as you have better visibility ( a helmet really is needed at all times in the Atom ) and you know the car much better as its in use every day and is designed primarily as a road car.
Its on the track that the Atom comes into its own though, the smiles per miles rating is off the scale
Get a run about for daily driving, or when the weather is really bad ( I've driving to and done track days in 70mph gusts with snow, ice and horizontal hail ) or when its raining heavilly and you need to get somewhere and still be presentable when you get there.
I would say you could drive the car each day to and from work if its not heavy rain, you dont need to carry things that arent waterproofed and you can leave it somewhere safe - on the days you cant, use the daily runaround.
Hope that made sense,
Peter.
Thanks for that.
Track days on a regular basis would be a no-no, as I'm a family man with three young kids who I don't see enough of as it is. My chum reckons that if I'm really struck on getting a road racer then I should go for a Caterham, but they just don't 'do it' for me.
There are some decent roads nearish here though, and there is a more 'scenic' route to work I could take. The UK roads can be a chore in heavy traffic, but I have to say that I still have fun driving in the Elise most of the time.
Maybe I should leave it a year, see if I'm still smitten. By then my youngest will be at a more managable age and there may possibly be the odd VTec Atom up for sale by then...
Track days on a regular basis would be a no-no, as I'm a family man with three young kids who I don't see enough of as it is. My chum reckons that if I'm really struck on getting a road racer then I should go for a Caterham, but they just don't 'do it' for me.
There are some decent roads nearish here though, and there is a more 'scenic' route to work I could take. The UK roads can be a chore in heavy traffic, but I have to say that I still have fun driving in the Elise most of the time.
Maybe I should leave it a year, see if I'm still smitten. By then my youngest will be at a more managable age and there may possibly be the odd VTec Atom up for sale by then...
Mike, you could always ask really nicely and see if you could get together with Coot (as he lives in your neck of the woods) and give it a try from the passenger seat... Be warned, though. They are totally addictive. And no one has yet mentioned the 'poseability' of the Atom. If you enjoy driving it at city speeds, it's huge fun just to watch kids pointing and shouting, and grown up people's jaws drop....
I think you can use an Atom most days, but just make sure you get the most appropriate setup - err on the softer side for the suspension and geometry. For a couple of track days a year it's not worth going edgy. Having said that, one track day and you'll be hooked on those too. Most take place during the week when the kids are at school, anyway!
I think you can use an Atom most days, but just make sure you get the most appropriate setup - err on the softer side for the suspension and geometry. For a couple of track days a year it's not worth going edgy. Having said that, one track day and you'll be hooked on those too. Most take place during the week when the kids are at school, anyway!
Didnt see your location, Mike, let us know where abouts you are ( or have a look on www.nyloc.org if you arent already on there ) and i'll take you for a spin.
Cheers,
Pete.
Cheers,
Pete.
Didnt see your location, Mike, let us know where abouts you are ( or have a look on www.nyloc.org if you arent already on there ) and i'll take you for a spin.
Cheers,
Pete.
Cheers,
Pete.
Didnt see your location, Mike, let us know where abouts you are ( or have a look on www.nyloc.org if you arent already on there ) and i'll take you for a spin.
Cheers,
Pete.
Cheers,
Pete.
Didnt see your location, Mike, let us know where abouts you are ( or have a look on www.nyloc.org if you arent already on there ) and i'll take you for a spin.
Cheers,
Pete.
Cheers,
Pete.
Mike,
I got my Atom in January. I have never owned a motor bike or any other type of sports car.....just lusted after the Atom for about 5 years.
They are fantastic. In 8 weeks I have driven 700 miles. Including a track day. I was hoping to get a trip up to Scotland, but the snow last week defeated me.
The hardest thing for me has been getting used to the crash helmet. It is very restrictive on view, but an absolute must. Also I have bought more and more warmer and water proof clothing. If you can put up with 15 minutes (in the winter, roll on the summer) of putting on about 4 layers and a bit of struggle getting into the seat belt then this is the car for you. Make sure you get good gloves. At some point I am going to get heated ones, but need a "plug" fitted to the car.
My two girls 7 and 11 love the car have their own helmets and are always wanting to go in the car. Big fights for the passenger seat!!!
They both want to go on track days too.
Drove back from Bedford in 2 hours of rain, slowed down a bit, but thanks to the clothes was dry as a bone.
GO FOR IT.
I got my Atom in January. I have never owned a motor bike or any other type of sports car.....just lusted after the Atom for about 5 years.
They are fantastic. In 8 weeks I have driven 700 miles. Including a track day. I was hoping to get a trip up to Scotland, but the snow last week defeated me.
The hardest thing for me has been getting used to the crash helmet. It is very restrictive on view, but an absolute must. Also I have bought more and more warmer and water proof clothing. If you can put up with 15 minutes (in the winter, roll on the summer) of putting on about 4 layers and a bit of struggle getting into the seat belt then this is the car for you. Make sure you get good gloves. At some point I am going to get heated ones, but need a "plug" fitted to the car.
My two girls 7 and 11 love the car have their own helmets and are always wanting to go in the car. Big fights for the passenger seat!!!
They both want to go on track days too. Drove back from Bedford in 2 hours of rain, slowed down a bit, but thanks to the clothes was dry as a bone.
GO FOR IT.
I've done getting on for 2000 miles in mine in the last 2 months, at least half of which have been in the rain/snow. It gets used most days, and does occasional customer delivery runs for those urgent orders!!
Its the ultimate track-day car, and coupled with that, will always get you from A-B on normal roads - though it really does depend how presentable you need to be at the other end. Biggest thing is that realistically you have to wear a helmet at the very least, meaning you've got to have somewhere to put it at work, and could be inconvenient if visiting clients away from work. There's also no glove-box, and the boot barely fits a few sheets of unfolded A4 paper in it, so keeping any paperwork secure might be an issue.
The 20-days a year thing sounds a bit over the top ...you're kept surprisingly dry in the Atom, and could always go for the side panels which apparently keep you even drier. If you buy a motorbike wetsuit (which you can stuff down behind the seat when you don't need it), you can pop that over whatever else you're wearing, and you'll be dry underneath, providing you don't drive through any lakes!
Its the ultimate track-day car, and coupled with that, will always get you from A-B on normal roads - though it really does depend how presentable you need to be at the other end. Biggest thing is that realistically you have to wear a helmet at the very least, meaning you've got to have somewhere to put it at work, and could be inconvenient if visiting clients away from work. There's also no glove-box, and the boot barely fits a few sheets of unfolded A4 paper in it, so keeping any paperwork secure might be an issue.
The 20-days a year thing sounds a bit over the top ...you're kept surprisingly dry in the Atom, and could always go for the side panels which apparently keep you even drier. If you buy a motorbike wetsuit (which you can stuff down behind the seat when you don't need it), you can pop that over whatever else you're wearing, and you'll be dry underneath, providing you don't drive through any lakes!
Thankyou for your replies one and all.
Truth is I had more or less already decided to get an Atom - they're just too cool for school. My chum who had an Atom (& warned me off) took me off guard. Coot's gracious invitation to have a passenger spin is greatly appreciated - and unless I get an allergic reaction from that I'll be getting the cheque book out sharpish.
One thing has occurred to me though - are the waiting lists v. long? - I don't want to miss the summer.
Cheers!
Mike
Truth is I had more or less already decided to get an Atom - they're just too cool for school. My chum who had an Atom (& warned me off) took me off guard. Coot's gracious invitation to have a passenger spin is greatly appreciated - and unless I get an allergic reaction from that I'll be getting the cheque book out sharpish.
One thing has occurred to me though - are the waiting lists v. long? - I don't want to miss the summer.
Cheers!
Mike
We drive our Atom on the road and on the track, haven't had any problem with either.
Our's has the side panels and the bubbles which does allow you to do without the helmet, but I would still say you need to wear one if your going push on a bit.
I've driven it in Snow, rain (so hard it filled the footwell to over an inch), hail (very funny, it really hurts at 70mph), fog and on the really odd occasion SUN!
We have Yoko 48's on it and even they aren't too bad until you have standing water.
Buy the way, ours is up for sale!!!!!!
Go out and buy one and have loads of fun!
Our's has the side panels and the bubbles which does allow you to do without the helmet, but I would still say you need to wear one if your going push on a bit.
I've driven it in Snow, rain (so hard it filled the footwell to over an inch), hail (very funny, it really hurts at 70mph), fog and on the really odd occasion SUN!
We have Yoko 48's on it and even they aren't too bad until you have standing water.
Buy the way, ours is up for sale!!!!!!
Go out and buy one and have loads of fun!
Julian
I would give Kidneys/fluff/teeth etc. for your motor but I fear it is a nad out of reach at the mo: You see, I've told she-who-must-be-obeyed that the Atom's are £14kish (She believes me!). I can just about hide the other 6 grand or so via some creative accounting, but I doubt I would manage to hide another 6k on top. Bah...
I would give Kidneys/fluff/teeth etc. for your motor but I fear it is a nad out of reach at the mo: You see, I've told she-who-must-be-obeyed that the Atom's are £14kish (She believes me!). I can just about hide the other 6 grand or so via some creative accounting, but I doubt I would manage to hide another 6k on top. Bah...
I've come to the decision that I will stick with the Elise - at least for now. I know I'll probably regret it, but untill I can eek out some more time for track days/good run outs, I simply wouldn't be able to do it justice.
I took Barry's 140 for a spin this week. It's a really well kept machine. (Jonny, how quick can you get your cash?) - He's got it at a showroom in central Manchester, which meant the test drive was restricted to busy urban roads. This was bad and good in equal measure: Although I never got the chance to give it a good work out on twisty country roads, I know it would have been brilliant. It felt really well sorted. On the other hand, it gave me a good insight of what I could expect driving it to and from work...Let's face it, town driving is not Atom's forte.
Sorry to let you all down. I know you guys will think I'm a lightweight (which maybe I am), but at this point in time it's not for me. This is not to say I won't revisit Atomshire, I'll probably be hunting for one next year.
Bruce - is the Cadwell date in June for Atom's only? I'd still like to come down and give the Elise a run out, meet all you open wheel heroes...
Cheers
Mike
I took Barry's 140 for a spin this week. It's a really well kept machine. (Jonny, how quick can you get your cash?) - He's got it at a showroom in central Manchester, which meant the test drive was restricted to busy urban roads. This was bad and good in equal measure: Although I never got the chance to give it a good work out on twisty country roads, I know it would have been brilliant. It felt really well sorted. On the other hand, it gave me a good insight of what I could expect driving it to and from work...Let's face it, town driving is not Atom's forte.
Sorry to let you all down. I know you guys will think I'm a lightweight (which maybe I am), but at this point in time it's not for me. This is not to say I won't revisit Atomshire, I'll probably be hunting for one next year.
Bruce - is the Cadwell date in June for Atom's only? I'd still like to come down and give the Elise a run out, meet all you open wheel heroes...
Cheers
Mike
scorewriter said:Open wheel? We have mudguards! The Cadwell date is a standard trackday - although non-AAOC members will pay the full price. - hey, Mike, you could save the cost of your annual AAOC membership in one trackday (OK, plus the joining fee - so for £8.00 you could join us in spirit!) And we get discounts from Easytrack, the RAC and lots of other organisations, including brilliant insurance cover, too. Just a thought...
Bruce - is the Cadwell date in June for Atom's only? I'd still like to come down and give the Elise a run out, meet all you open wheel heroes...
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