RE: PH Carpool: Ariel Atom
Discussion
Great write up.
If you view the Atom for what it really is - an alternative to a motorbike - then I think the lack of weather protection and luggage space is not a problem. At least you can't fall off it and if you do crash you are less likely to get maimed or killed, which is unfortunately the one big downside of bikes.
If you view the Atom for what it really is - an alternative to a motorbike - then I think the lack of weather protection and luggage space is not a problem. At least you can't fall off it and if you do crash you are less likely to get maimed or killed, which is unfortunately the one big downside of bikes.
Porsche997C4S said:
gib786 said:
Would love to see what the car feels like as passenger
Terrifying, trust me. Mark was kind enough to give me a passenger ride when I 1st looked at Atoms. After that I was hooked and bought one within a few months.
Had the car for 6 months and enjoyed many a hoon with Mark and the guys. You really don't appreciate how rapid these cars until you've been in one.
Also quite right re the attention. Only this weekend we were sat outside a local pub only to find people ignore the GT3 and 430 and head to the Atom. None of them were female though
Great write up Mark !
Dave
Had the car for 6 months and enjoyed many a hoon with Mark and the guys. You really don't appreciate how rapid these cars until you've been in one.
Also quite right re the attention. Only this weekend we were sat outside a local pub only to find people ignore the GT3 and 430 and head to the Atom. None of them were female though
Great write up Mark !
Dave
psymonr said:
How do they compare? I presume from the fact that you have both, the differences are notable?
ETA: I understand it might sound like a daft question, as I know there are many differences between the two, but I am interested to know what made you buy and keep both
They're same, but different! The ST was my company car and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so decided near the end of the lease to place the RS order and buy the ST to replace wifey's MX5. As there was a baby due, I figured running a pair of 3-door 5-pot Focii was the sensible thing to do.ETA: I understand it might sound like a daft question, as I know there are many differences between the two, but I am interested to know what made you buy and keep both
The ST runs about 265bhp'ish and is a hoot with it's quick spooling turbo. Initial throttle response is better than the RS's, but it does now struggle for grip in the first 3 gears unless it's pointing in a straight line.
The RS, however, with approx 360bhp is a different kettle of fish. Full power in 2nd gear is no problem, as the diff & RevoKnuckle work wonders. It grips and goes better than any 360bhp 2wd car has any right to and constantly surprises people. Toe-to-toe it's got EXACTLY the same pace as a 414bhp Audi RS4 (0-150 leptons proven, in private of course
) and even in the wet, it's staggered some 4wd followers with it's poise & pace. As a point-to-point / fast daily, it's staggering and a car I'll absolutely be looking to keep for as long as possible.Alfa Papa said:
I do believe that you are now my hero!!! Atom, RS, ST. Amazing. You mentioned going to Sainsbury's... have you seriously got much cash left for food 
Top performance all round.
Yes, the Atom has been to Sainsbury's, B&Q, McDonalds, Plumb Centre.... you name it! It's really funny watching people's reactions when you use it the same as a family wagon Top performance all round.
XB70 said:
I think this is the same car I went out in at Sporting Bears at Gaydon a while back.
Absolutely. Incredible.
If that was in the last 2 yrs, then yes, it would have been me.... hope you enjoyed Absolutely. Incredible.
justin220 said:
Awesome car, vie been close to biting the bullet and buying one a couple of times.
Realistically, how is driving one without a helmet?
It's the only way to drive one, IMO. With a good pair of shatter-proof sunglasses and the aeroscreens (I think you can see them in the pics), it's an exhilerating experience. Windy'ish, but the only way to fly. A helmet takes a lot away from the experience and is only used if the weather is pants 'cos above 20mph, rain really hurts Realistically, how is driving one without a helmet?
Mustang Baz said:
Keen as mustard to try a passenger drive out this summer to get an initial first sense of the experience.
Anytime you like matey sc00byd00byd00 said:
I personally preffered his 2.0L Golf G60.
I'm a VAG man at heart, but since hearing the 5pot engine of a few Focus's with decats and a de-resonated Milltek's, I could quite easily own a Focus RS like Mark........ (especially if it was a company car........ Ey Mark)
LOL! The G60 was great and I still miss it. However, even the ST would put some manners on it and the RS makes it look plain silly! I've got the Miltek on the RS and it pops & bangs all the time.... it's made a few pedestrians duck for cover I'm a VAG man at heart, but since hearing the 5pot engine of a few Focus's with decats and a de-resonated Milltek's, I could quite easily own a Focus RS like Mark........ (especially if it was a company car........ Ey Mark)
Excellent read and can vouch for how quick it is and how much fun it looks though keeping up is another matter!
As with the majority, I love this car and I am sure mark loves all the attention he gets, after all he is plastered over many a website in the atom. Always happy to pose for a photo...
Not sure I could live with the attention it draws though
Hoping to have my car built this year so I can join in on the runs again, until then take it easy and thank you for giving me something worthwhile reading today!
As with the majority, I love this car and I am sure mark loves all the attention he gets, after all he is plastered over many a website in the atom. Always happy to pose for a photo...
Not sure I could live with the attention it draws though
Hoping to have my car built this year so I can join in on the runs again, until then take it easy and thank you for giving me something worthwhile reading today!
justin220 said:
Awesome car, vie been close to biting the bullet and buying one a couple of times.
Realistically, how is driving one without a helmet?
I've only had mine 11 days, still getting used to it. I've just been using a paintball mask as I've got loads of them lying round the house.Realistically, how is driving one without a helmet?
The seat isn't too comfortable for my bony arse, the turning circle is so poor that supertankers laugh at it and you get wet when it rains.
It is also the most fun I've ever had with my clothes on. Absolutely awesome car.
Atoms and luggage are not so much of an insurmountable problem as people seem to think.
The 'boot' is usually full of 'car stuff' - spare tyre in a can, hi-viz, handwipes, earplugs, suncream, spare goggles, vizor cleaning stuff. So this means any luggage has to be in the car... Shorter people can find space behind the seats. Space for rolled-up one-piece waterproofs either side of the seat. If you have no passenger, the whole passenger footwell and seat are available!
Last year a group of us toured round Europe for 10 days. (Waterproof) luggage solutions varied - some had a huge waterproof holdall in the passenger footwell, with the passenger's legs sitting on top of it; I had a smaller (25 litre iirc) waterproof rucksack standing vertically at the bottom of the pax footwell, and another held up above the passenger's legs by rachet-straps! This doesn't impinge on passenger's knee space. I also have a tube drybag which sits between the passenger's legs, which has stuff like spare fleeces, necktubes, gloves etc. Helmet when not in use fastens to the outside of the frame.
It works, see!
Bod
The 'boot' is usually full of 'car stuff' - spare tyre in a can, hi-viz, handwipes, earplugs, suncream, spare goggles, vizor cleaning stuff. So this means any luggage has to be in the car... Shorter people can find space behind the seats. Space for rolled-up one-piece waterproofs either side of the seat. If you have no passenger, the whole passenger footwell and seat are available!
Last year a group of us toured round Europe for 10 days. (Waterproof) luggage solutions varied - some had a huge waterproof holdall in the passenger footwell, with the passenger's legs sitting on top of it; I had a smaller (25 litre iirc) waterproof rucksack standing vertically at the bottom of the pax footwell, and another held up above the passenger's legs by rachet-straps! This doesn't impinge on passenger's knee space. I also have a tube drybag which sits between the passenger's legs, which has stuff like spare fleeces, necktubes, gloves etc. Helmet when not in use fastens to the outside of the frame.
It works, see!
Bod
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff