Discussion
A lot of work travel has restricted time to drive the Atom, but it’s venturing out. Tonight, after picking up my daughter and playing around in the park we went to the local footy ground for some doughnuts. I was genuinely surprised how a 9 year old reacted, basically she was delighted. She has requested more tomorrow 
Looking at the rear tyres tonight I think it’s time to start looking at replacements. Still have a few miles left and they’ve resisted pretty well all things considered covering about 2500miles (guessing 3000 is a sensible limit) compared to the 888’s which gave up at 16-1700.
Rear grip appears down a little, maybe it’s just driven slighter harder these days, not sure? It has to go to the factory for a service but I’ll drop the oil this weekend anyway.
The mileage will be coming down as a new toy is gracing the garage and you can only do one thing at a time unfortunately.
Rear grip appears down a little, maybe it’s just driven slighter harder these days, not sure? It has to go to the factory for a service but I’ll drop the oil this weekend anyway.
The mileage will be coming down as a new toy is gracing the garage and you can only do one thing at a time unfortunately.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 15th June 18:12
swerni said:
I would have thought, being so light, they’d last ages.
Now I’ve discover bikes, I find myself using the cars less and less.
The Caterham was similar, the Atom has way more torque and just encourages you to dick about. Given the annual mileage is 3-4K it’s not a bother really, especially as it’s only £100-120 a corner.Now I’ve discover bikes, I find myself using the cars less and less.
I’m planning to ship the bike to Italy, where I work on and off. The Atom is just so much fun and you can take a passenger, wearing just shorts and T Shirts in summer. Nothing like them.
Ventured over to the Wings and Wheels today with a couple of others. Fantastic weather and a good drive across. After the bike it’s so low, but so epically brilliant not having to wear leathers! Find myself having a lot more confidence in it strangely, not that it was lacking but it just feels ultra secure (cue spinning madly through hedge).
Some new flush fasteners are arriving this week and then it’s service time, plus some tyres. Good craic today leaving when a young kid was having his picture taken, told him to get in the drivers seat, that’s another one converted, have to try and save as many as possible
Both him and his father were delighted. Picked daughter up, cruised around in the sunshine for a while then headed back.
Anyway. A good day.
Just found this thread. What a great story and a beautiful Atom you have. I was dismayed when I saw you were selling it and glad you've kept it after pressure from your family. Funnily enough my youngest daughter loved the Westfield I had a few years ago, but now she is 12, she is far too "sensible" to get in my Atom. My eldest daughter at nearly 16 finds it too embarrassing to even consider going in it! Make the most of their interest while you can...
I've had my supercharged Atom 3 for one month now and can't stop driving it - I have managed 800 miles so far. I've had lots of stares, and requests for photos at fuel stations, as well as people asking all about it. I also get a lot of knowing nods from bikers, and got a thumbs up when I managed to out accelerate one on a dual carriageway. Last week a local Audi R8 V10+ came up behind me revving his engine (which sounded rather nice) and so I had a quick blat from a standing start up a local hill, and he couldn't keep up. Not bad for a car made in Somerset.
I look forward to seeing more updates and hearing all about your 4 when it arrives. All the very best.
PS Where did you get those flush fasteners from? They look lovely.
I've had my supercharged Atom 3 for one month now and can't stop driving it - I have managed 800 miles so far. I've had lots of stares, and requests for photos at fuel stations, as well as people asking all about it. I also get a lot of knowing nods from bikers, and got a thumbs up when I managed to out accelerate one on a dual carriageway. Last week a local Audi R8 V10+ came up behind me revving his engine (which sounded rather nice) and so I had a quick blat from a standing start up a local hill, and he couldn't keep up. Not bad for a car made in Somerset.
I look forward to seeing more updates and hearing all about your 4 when it arrives. All the very best.
PS Where did you get those flush fasteners from? They look lovely.
Edited by Fastlane on Sunday 21st October 21:55
Thanks. It's a very 'happy' car. It's only aim in life is to make everyone smile. I don't know what will happen come sale time as I really, really am attached to it. The fasteners really clean the car up, I have them on the wheel and tub, plus any panel that isn't fitted with a quick release. I sourced them from here, but be sure to call them and ask what they actually have in stock as it took a long time to deliver. Personally I think they should be standard fitment on a car of this nature.
have you seen the YT video by Henry C on the new Atom 4 ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIiNNrmQXq4
I've got an Elise R and I'm having naughty thoughts about these - particularly after watching Henry's video on the 4. The Elise is amazingly good fun but if anything, it's too civilised!
The only thing turning me off an Atom is the need to wear a helmet...are they mandatory, really?
I tried Caterhams, but I couldn't get comfortable...so this is the obvious alternative. And they look awesome. A 3.5 245 is what I'm looking at.
The only thing turning me off an Atom is the need to wear a helmet...are they mandatory, really?
I tried Caterhams, but I couldn't get comfortable...so this is the obvious alternative. And they look awesome. A 3.5 245 is what I'm looking at.
yonex said:
Yes, placed my deposit already. The 3.5 will be up for sale at some point after this service. And, yes, absolutely. The massive benefit is that you don't need massive power outputs in somehting as light as this to really get it moving, the acceleration is very strong up to all speeds you'd consider sane on the road. Consumables are cheap, the tyres get chewed up but can last 2500 miles, at £300 for a set of rears it's not too bad.
Excellent - Maybe after i've done my v8 thing for a bit i'll get something similar, has to be a daily driver though so maybe something with a lid . Or just run a shed and one of these .yonex said:
Service all done, looks like the pick up will be Monday now. It was a fairly big one this time but not unexpected and still makes my last M3 bill look a bit ridiculous. What with the weather now it’s unlikely to see much more action, just the odd day here and there when the sun is out and there’s no salt about. A few mods to do now
Starting to miss it. Even when sat in the garage it makes me smile.
I don't blame you, much respect for these cars. I had a fun few miles chasing one across West Sussex on a 1000cc sports bike, I had to use ALL the revs to keep up!Starting to miss it. Even when sat in the garage it makes me smile.
What do you have planned for the winter?
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