Discussion
EVYEVO said:
Id like any views on the 220 & 300. I am coming from an R500 and am contemplating the CSR260.
Hi James
So, from EVO 7 to R500 to Atom supercharged - you obviously like the less is more thang, and accompanied by oodles of power. I think you would probably enjoy the 300 although the 220 is still superior to the CSR, I think. You're used to the p2w of the Caterham so the 300 won't come as a big shock (although an extra 100bhp p2w will make a nice surprise).
Having said that the 260 offers less power than you're used to. Why would you switch to that - for inboard suspension? A windscreen? With the Atom you get a car with honed setup, whereas the CSR is all a bit new, with a new Cosworth Ford engine (as opposed to a tried and tested Honda). 'Monza' will tell you of the strength differential between Caterhams and Atoms build, and 'Coxm' has driven everything and is replacing his 220 Atom with a supercharged one. And the CSR is more expensive, too.
In fact, apart from the heater, I can't think of a good reason why you'd prefer one over an Atom!
I have a feeling the test drive will probably tell you more than any contribution here can possibly describe. Enjoy - we know you will!
Bruce,
Not really woried about the duratec cosworth, it is pretty bullet proof.
Im just a little put off with Caterham, especially C/Midlands - W*nkers! and don't fancy another R&D situation with the CSR260.
What is the support like from the Ariel factory when things go wrong??
How did you know I'd has a 7, have we met?, the weight consideration is directly in proportion to my increasing bodyweight.
If the beer continues to take its toll I will be looking for a 800bhp tricylce, with nitrous.
Cheers James
Not really woried about the duratec cosworth, it is pretty bullet proof.
Im just a little put off with Caterham, especially C/Midlands - W*nkers! and don't fancy another R&D situation with the CSR260.
What is the support like from the Ariel factory when things go wrong??
How did you know I'd has a 7, have we met?, the weight consideration is directly in proportion to my increasing bodyweight.
If the beer continues to take its toll I will be looking for a 800bhp tricylce, with nitrous.
Cheers James
Don't kid yourself. Its a Caterham. It will break down. Its not just the engine, its all the bits hung off it.
Bigger issue though, given none of us fancy a crash at all, which would you rather have one in? I personally don't feel safe in a Caterham with or without a cage. I do in an Atom. The drivers in the two big crashes I know of in Atoms walked away - I know a lot of Caterham drivers who limp: too many.
I think an R500 and the 220 or particularly the 245 are much of a muchness in performance terms - at least when the R500 is working. The CSR260 is a bit of an unknown quantity, "developed" mostly for racing. My money would be firmly on a Atom 300 as between the two, and probably on a 245 as well. BUT, if you are really concerned about lap times, go racing. Personally - I find the Atom more fun to drive. Its a bit more challenging to get the most out of, since its mid engined, but more satisfying when you can.
Both are ridiculously fast; neither is hugely practical (in reality there is little in it); reliability massively in Atom's favour (especially compared with highly tuned Crates); safety hugely in the Atom's favour; styling up to you; driving probably personal issue.
Back up is fantastic, if you need it. They are in Somerset, so not ideal for NW England, but always available on the phone or mobile.
I faced the same decision as you. I bought an Atom.
MC
>> Edited by coxm on Tuesday 12th April 22:09
Bigger issue though, given none of us fancy a crash at all, which would you rather have one in? I personally don't feel safe in a Caterham with or without a cage. I do in an Atom. The drivers in the two big crashes I know of in Atoms walked away - I know a lot of Caterham drivers who limp: too many.
I think an R500 and the 220 or particularly the 245 are much of a muchness in performance terms - at least when the R500 is working. The CSR260 is a bit of an unknown quantity, "developed" mostly for racing. My money would be firmly on a Atom 300 as between the two, and probably on a 245 as well. BUT, if you are really concerned about lap times, go racing. Personally - I find the Atom more fun to drive. Its a bit more challenging to get the most out of, since its mid engined, but more satisfying when you can.
Both are ridiculously fast; neither is hugely practical (in reality there is little in it); reliability massively in Atom's favour (especially compared with highly tuned Crates); safety hugely in the Atom's favour; styling up to you; driving probably personal issue.
Back up is fantastic, if you need it. They are in Somerset, so not ideal for NW England, but always available on the phone or mobile.
I faced the same decision as you. I bought an Atom.
MC
>> Edited by coxm on Tuesday 12th April 22:09
Hi
I'm interested in the safety debate. On looking at the owners club website (very nice!), I notice that most drivers' heads appear rather close (in height) to the top of the roll hoop. I was always told to try & get my head a good three inches below an imaginary line between the top of the roll bar/hoop & the top of the engine block - that's why I got a tall FIA bar for my Caterham.
I know both types of car are pretty unlikely to roll, but it's a possibility and it looks like you'd squash your head in an Atom.
Granted, the rest of the impact protection on an Atom looks better than the Caterham, although with both cars you'd probably bounce off more than plough through.
Anyone rolled an Atom?
Cheers
Alan
I'm interested in the safety debate. On looking at the owners club website (very nice!), I notice that most drivers' heads appear rather close (in height) to the top of the roll hoop. I was always told to try & get my head a good three inches below an imaginary line between the top of the roll bar/hoop & the top of the engine block - that's why I got a tall FIA bar for my Caterham.
I know both types of car are pretty unlikely to roll, but it's a possibility and it looks like you'd squash your head in an Atom.
Granted, the rest of the impact protection on an Atom looks better than the Caterham, although with both cars you'd probably bounce off more than plough through.
Anyone rolled an Atom?
Cheers
Alan
No volunteers or victims yet.
The hoop that goes over the airbox is not a proper roll bar. The FIA-approved roll bar is higher and wider than that. For example, we have ordered our new one with all the mounts in it, so one can be bolted on. Jon has inevitably taken it one (or more) stage(s) further with the yellow peril.
The dynamic safety of both is fantastic, they are so light and grippy compared with normal cars, that your ability to avoid an accident is much greater.
Rolling is a pretty remote chance on either an Atom or a Crate. Side / front impact is how people get hurt in Crates: there is no space at all around you, so you hit something and you end up as the crumple zone between the engine and the barrier. Never mind about where your right elbow is. Safety thinking has come a long way since the 50s . . .
MC
The hoop that goes over the airbox is not a proper roll bar. The FIA-approved roll bar is higher and wider than that. For example, we have ordered our new one with all the mounts in it, so one can be bolted on. Jon has inevitably taken it one (or more) stage(s) further with the yellow peril.
The dynamic safety of both is fantastic, they are so light and grippy compared with normal cars, that your ability to avoid an accident is much greater.
Rolling is a pretty remote chance on either an Atom or a Crate. Side / front impact is how people get hurt in Crates: there is no space at all around you, so you hit something and you end up as the crumple zone between the engine and the barrier. Never mind about where your right elbow is. Safety thinking has come a long way since the 50s . . .
MC
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