Ariel Atom and Caterfields
Discussion
I have just joined the kit car so nothing relatively nothing, but others may commehts on what I though was an interesting car here:
http://www.holeshot-racing.co.uk/index.php/for-sal...
I underdtand it is a well known and respected vehicle, and is fully sorted. I have no idea on engine longevity expectations though
http://www.holeshot-racing.co.uk/index.php/for-sal...
I underdtand it is a well known and respected vehicle, and is fully sorted. I have no idea on engine longevity expectations though
Get a good spec Caterham. Use it, enjoy it, tinker if you must... and you will get almost all of your money back at the end.
Job done.
Actually there is a very FAST Westy track only hillclimb/sprint spec car for sale on the Westy BB if you dont want a road going toy. Looks amazing value at 15k when you see the spec.
But I'd spend the money on a nice spec Caterham. Or if you want to get more use of the toy, a nice Lotus Exige/Elise. They are 75% as fun as a Caterfield and 200 times more practical and usable in my experience. (I still have both)
Job done.
Actually there is a very FAST Westy track only hillclimb/sprint spec car for sale on the Westy BB if you dont want a road going toy. Looks amazing value at 15k when you see the spec.
But I'd spend the money on a nice spec Caterham. Or if you want to get more use of the toy, a nice Lotus Exige/Elise. They are 75% as fun as a Caterfield and 200 times more practical and usable in my experience. (I still have both)
Edited by Porkie on Friday 22 June 14:33
jason61c said:
cactuswood said:
How about the Dax Raptor up for sale on Piston heads . Lots of power/noise & looks good.
Whats a dax raptor?ajprice said:
Dax Rush V8 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3832447.htm
I see!A tad overpriced though and more show than anything else, I think the OP wanted something a bit more go and shine not show and shine.
As a former Atom owner I can say that owning an Atom (only a Mk1 K series engined one)is something I am very glad I have done and an experience I want to repeat. The whole Atom ownership experience is fantastic. I used mine all the time including two drives in snow. A trip over the Cotswolds on a snowy day hardly able to see with the crap thrown up off the road on the visor of my helmet is a memory to treasure (you need good motorbiking gear for this).
In my view 300hp is too much for an Atom unless you intend to use it on track and have the driving skills to make the most of it. Judging by the number of low mileage 300 Atoms for sale a number of people scare themselves and then sell. I scared myself several times with only 120hp.
Atoms do need looking after though. They are made of race parts (mostly) and things like bearings and track rod ends in the suspension are consumables and rear tyres do not last long on hard driven examples. Factory servicing is advisable and quite expensive. I think the annual service used to be about 2k when I was an owner. There is a very good forum at atomclub.com where you will be welcomed as a potential owner and up to date advice from current owners will happily be dispensed.
In my view 300hp is too much for an Atom unless you intend to use it on track and have the driving skills to make the most of it. Judging by the number of low mileage 300 Atoms for sale a number of people scare themselves and then sell. I scared myself several times with only 120hp.
Atoms do need looking after though. They are made of race parts (mostly) and things like bearings and track rod ends in the suspension are consumables and rear tyres do not last long on hard driven examples. Factory servicing is advisable and quite expensive. I think the annual service used to be about 2k when I was an owner. There is a very good forum at atomclub.com where you will be welcomed as a potential owner and up to date advice from current owners will happily be dispensed.
Sorry for the late reply guys; had a busy few days.
In terms of developments, nothing yet. I get married on 4th Aug and go to Mexico for a fortnight on the 7th. I will pursue a decision and purchase upon my return.
Thoughts at the moment are Atom, Caterham or high spec Westy. I like the look of some of the Atom-styled cars but I just think I'd end up wanting the real deal if I went that route.
Will keep you posted
David
In terms of developments, nothing yet. I get married on 4th Aug and go to Mexico for a fortnight on the 7th. I will pursue a decision and purchase upon my return.
Thoughts at the moment are Atom, Caterham or high spec Westy. I like the look of some of the Atom-styled cars but I just think I'd end up wanting the real deal if I went that route.
Will keep you posted
David
Having finished it and run my busa indy for a year, I've really enjoyed it. I can recommend the busa engine - 80 miles of 6am really fast road use uses only about 15 litres of fuel. The bike engine is a matter of taste and once the practice pays off becomes immensely satisfying to use. The busa is also very easy to service, you can get to everything on it very easily. Not withstanding a dry sump upgrade(the big disadvantage of picking a busa engine) my service costs this year were £80 on oil, brake fluid, and some new clutch master cylinder seals.
I wished i'd gone for a mevabusa after taking a look at one at goodwood. Building one yourself from a rolling chassis won't be that difficult as they take the standard bike loom and you can get to everything so easily - you can also save a lot over their prices by sourcing your own wheels/seats/diff/custom exhaust e.t.c.
At 400kg they are 100kg lighter than my Indy, so one would be utterly mad even with a gen 1 busa engine. I just can't see how an atom would be £20k better, especially with so much higher servicing costs. I am amazed to read an atom owner driving one in the snow(!) utter respect, but let's face it, they are a fair weather car - you'll get puddle splashes all over you through the naked chassis from the front wheels. Love the look of them though!
The radical / xtr route is also one i wished i'd looked at more closely - esp for track driving. The agony of choice, good luck!!
Edited by BusaMK on Friday 27th July 23:27
Edited by BusaMK on Friday 27th July 23:31
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