Ariel 300 for sale anywhere?

[dealmaker]

Guys,

Looking to buy a, preferably lightly used!, 300 - which I will modify and use part track, part road. (30/70)

Where's the best place to start looking? or will I be forced to purchase a new one??

Thanks!

[datasafe]

Hi dealmaker

Firstly, make your way to the new Ariel forum here www.atomclub.com/

I'm guessing you've looked on the Ariel site www.arielmotor.co.uk

They're pretty difficult to come by as is any Atom.

Good luck

John
Atom 245

[Bruce Fielding]

dealmaker said:

Guys, Looking to buy a, preferably lightly used!, 300 - which I will modify and use part track, part road. (30/70) Where's the best place to start looking? or will I be forced to purchase a new one?? Thanks!

Couple of points...

The 300 isn't really a road car - it's a track car you can use on the road. It's quite a handful. Unless you have a racing background, you'll have trouble using one as a road car and they're a pain to fix - not always expensive, but always a long wait!

They're as rare as hen's teeth. The likelihood of your buying a used one is almost zero, so a new one is your only option. I think the waiting list is now over 6 months.

Finally, how were you thinking of modifying it?

[atom120]

I've not come across any 300s for sale second-hand - nor any 245s for that matter.

What sort of money are you looking to spend? I've got a 300 - its not for sale, but everything has its price

[dealmaker]

Bruce Fielding said:

dealmaker said: Guys, Looking to buy a, preferably lightly used!, 300 - which I will modify and use part track, part road. (30/70) Where's the best place to start looking? or will I be forced to purchase a new one?? Thanks! Couple of points... The 300 isn't really a road car - it's a track car you can use on the road. It's quite a handful. Unless you have a racing background, you'll have trouble using one as a road car and they're a pain to fix - not always expensive, but always a long wait! They're as rare as hen's teeth. The likelihood of your buying a used one is almost zero, so a new one is your only option. I think the waiting list is now over 6 months. Finally, how were you thinking of modifying it?

Errr.....I used to race Karts (100cc Nationals and Long Circuit) and still ride race bikes - so I'm used to stratospheric power:weight ratios, if that counts? I've also own/tracked a few quite quick cars over the years (see profile), so feel I can handle it!

Looks like new is the only option then! Probably better in any case, as I can spec. exactly as I want it.

On the mods front I've heard some anecdotal reports that the cars arent making as much power as they could?.... and that with the right intercooler, fueling and boost set up, more power is available!

[Bruce Fielding]

Just looked at the profile...

OK... so you've owned some seriously quick cars and probably won't be off into a field the first chance you get! But the advice wasn't just for you... Anyone who 'thinks' they can drive a quick car will be seriously challenged on a track by an Atom. And on the road the higher powered variants really do take a certain level of skill to keep under control. The amount of repair work undergone at the factory is testament to this.

As for power mods, I don't think you've yet owned anything that handles quite like an Atom (apart from the kart) so I'd wait and see. By the time yours arrives, if you join us at trackdays, you'll have been able to experience (at least as a passenger) standard cars as well as a tweaked 300 and a special.

The advice is as always, 'If you want to go faster, first take race lessons'. It's cheaper in the long run and transferable to every vehicle you own.

[dealmaker]

Bruce Fielding said:

Just looked at the profile... OK... so you've owned some seriously quick cars and probably won't be off into a field the first chance you get! But the advice wasn't just for you... Anyone who 'thinks' they can drive a quick car will be seriously challenged on a track by an Atom. And on the road the higher powered variants really do take a certain level of skill to keep under control. The amount of repair work undergone at the factory is testament to this. As for power mods, I don't think you've yet owned anything that handles quite like an Atom (apart from the kart) so I'd wait and see. By the time yours arrives, if you join us at trackdays, you'll have been able to experience (at least as a passenger) standard cars as well as a tweaked 300 and a special. The advice is as always, 'If you want to go faster, first take race lessons'. It's cheaper in the long run and transferable to every vehicle you own.

Bruce,

I've had quite a few cars that aren't in the profile (inc Superlight R, Radical etc) and have driven quite a few single seaters including a few hyper-power Pilbeams. With due respect, I think the Atom will be good, but not "all that" - sometimes you can read too much into a car's performance, especially when you are used to more pedestrian vehicles - I've driven a 300 and whilst it was quick it wasn't "oh my god" fast, in comparison to some things I've driven/owned/raced.

Thanks for the advice.

[datasafe]

I didn't think Bruce's original reply suggested you were unable to drive such a fast car, he just commented/questioned that 'Unless you have a racing background ..... '

quote
It's quite a handful. Unless you have a racing background, you'll have trouble using one as a road car and they're a pain to fix - not always expensive, but always a long wait!
UnQuote

Personally, not having driven such a quick car as the Atom (Impreza my quickest) my first outing was quite a culture shock!

I took delivery of my 245 on 5th November and I'm still very much in 'learning mode' but I absolutely love it.

John

[atom120]

dealmaker said:

I've had quite a few cars that aren't in the profile (inc Superlight R, Radical etc) and have driven quite a few single seaters including a few hyper-power Pilbeams. With due respect, I think the Atom will be good, but not "all that" - sometimes you can read too much into a car's performance, especially when you are used to more pedestrian vehicles - I've driven a 300 and whilst it was quick it wasn't "oh my god" fast, in comparison to some things I've driven/owned/raced.

On track, the Atom won't be the quickest you've driven by the sound of it - its more the road that's the issue. If you've ever driven a kart on the road, you'll know how much faster it feels than it does on a track - the feeling you get in an Atom is similar. Its brilliant. It really is.

[Bruce Fielding]

dealmaker said:

I've had quite a few cars that aren't in the profile (inc Superlight R, Radical etc) and have driven quite a few single seaters including a few hyper-power Pilbeams. With due respect, I think the Atom will be good, but not "all that" - sometimes you can read too much into a car's performance, especially when you are used to more pedestrian vehicles - I've driven a 300 and whilst it was quick it wasn't "oh my god" fast, in comparison to some things I've driven/owned/raced. Thanks for the advice.

OK. So you're a racer? That's not in your profile, so I didn't know. But how many of those quick cars have you been able to drive on the public road? The advice given is meant to be general. If you know what you're doing, great - however most Atom owners have never raced and many have never even been on a racetrack before. Please don't assume that everyone is as lucky as you - it can only lead to longer waiting lists while the factory spends time making repairs, not cars!

And you're welcome to completely ignore the advice!
(But I did hold an international race licence for two decades and I have owned Atoms since the factory started making them, so I might just be worth listening to - you never know...)