Anyone know someone with an Ariel Atom?? I'd like to find out more about them, and what an actual owner thinks of them. Also, anyone know of any for sale from a private party??
Check the forum www.exocars.net . There is a person there that has an RCR superlite roadster (very similar to an Atom) getting finished by the RCR shop and will be selling it in the $30k range. The for sale thread is here: http://www.exocars.net/showthread.php?t=3938 Also, Bolus or Gage on that site used to (or still does) own an Atom. They really liked it, but there were several QC problems (melting lights, ratlling, etc...). BT
Good info. And, good site for additional stuff!! Was that the type/model that you were looking at?? I think I want to stay with a genuine Ariel Atom.....parts, resale, proven track record (no pun intended!)
I'm officially putting my name on the list as the first volunteer to give feedback from the passenger seat. Keep that in the memory bank Fred.
I had an RCR superlite roadster on order two summers ago. The frame that I was going to get went to a guy in Texas. It is the first running, redistered SL-R in the US. Gage (Gabe Nobles) bought my motor / trans / tires that I had at the RCR shop and is using it in his build currently. The total cost of these is in the $25-30k range plus your labor to fab up things and do assembly / finishing. The Ariel products are more easily resold, but most everything I have seen for sale is in the $70k range or more. BT
There were two that used to come to Sebring from time to time when I was there racing with PBOC and they often seemed to have electrical issues; this was two years ago though so perhaps those things have been worked out.
I own a 300 hp AA3. It is the quickest car I have ever driven. It is alot of fun to drive. No roof, winshield or windows rtc. The only problem is I ordered mine Dec 21 2008 and I only got it 2 months ago. They are working on getting sources in the US as opposed to England. So it may not be a problem now. It does not drive as well as my F430 but it is sure quicker. They say 0-60 in 2.85 seconds and I beleive it. The top speed is only 154 MPH. If you make an opointment and go to Alton Va they will take you out for a drive. They are very nice people. They took me on the International raceway and a skid pad. They are mostly ex race car drivers snd it shows when they take you out. I am very happy with the car, no problems yet. The electrical issue were the cars mad in Oregon with a GM motor. To my knowlege the Honda motor are okay, mine has been Hemmings has a 245 hp for sale. The 0-60 quoted in the ad I do not think is right for the lower hp model. I would go for the 300 hp. Good luck Lee
Lew and I did their driving experience up at the old Moroso about 18 mos. ago. and it was only the 240 hp car and alll I can say it holy shi..................lots of fun more raw than the Elise as it has no protection from the elements whatsoever......probably not any more fun than Lotus but it looks more radical..........just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions...........
i OWN A lOTUS ELISE sPORT IN ADDITION TO THE AA3. tHE lOTUS HANDLES WITH MORE finesse. mINE IS THE SPORT WHICH IS PLATED INSIDE TO BE #8 OF 50 MADE FOR RACING. i THINK THAT IS ONLY MARKETING AND A DIFFERENT PAINT JOB. The AA3 has a stiff chasis feel. tHE lOTUS IS NOt EVEN CLOSE TO THE 300HP FOR ACCEL AND OPEN AIR FEELING. i DO NOT DRIVE CARS TO THE EDGE AND FRANKLY DO NOT KNOW HOW. I JUST KNOW HOW THEY DRIVE AS AN AMATeUR. both are great cars, Lrr
Can these vehicles be registered in the state of FL and driven on public roads? FL owners please chime in. RMX
I've seen 2 with Florida plates. When I visited Sector 111 last year I saw 8-10 with Cali plates on them. So they must be pretty easy to register.
Fred I have a very good friend / client that has had a few...... let me know if you want me to put you in touch with him.
Wondering if these are registered as kit cars - they do not have typical VINs. Not like this would make a good everyday car, but I would think it would have slightly better utility than a motorcycle. RMX
I'm sure they are registered as ASPT or Assembled from parts vehicles. According to DHSMV kit car titles only apply to rebodies, previously titled production cars, like when you put a new shell on a VW pan. For custom chassis with other engine brands ASPT is the normal titling. For things like the Factory Five cobras, they are titled as "Replica". I am hoping to have an ASPT Porsche before too many moons pass. BT
I have run with them on the race track - here are my impressions - blisteringly fast - in a straightline - timid in the corners and awful in the wet... I cant catch the little bastards in the straightaway with my GT3 but blow them away in the turns - attached are a few pictures I took - note the last picture is the car it most reminds me of.... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I have talked with a lot of people about the Atoms.... I originally had an interest in them as a track car that I could drive up to the track, enjoy, then drive home. I already have the Lotus Elise, and had been contemplating getting another Lotus or keeping my Lotus and buying an Atom as well. However, after gathering a lot of information, it seems that the Lotus is a better overall package. From what I understand, the Atom is crazy-fast, but not very well planted in the corners, difficult/twitchy and scary at higher speeds, less reliable, and the obvious lack of protection from the elements or track junk. That said, if an incredible deal on an Atom came up, I would still consider it.
you are 100% correct about the handling ability - or lack there of - I liken the car to riding at 100mph in a debris field - wouldnt make a good rally car....
Wire Wheel, out of Stuart I think, has one for around $45,000. Maybe someone here knows their website so you can get more accurate details. I can't find the flyer at the moment. KevFla Orlando
Wire Wheel brought the one in pictures I posted to the track for Targa66 - look at the orange one you can see the logo - might be the one for sale - nice guys and bigtime Lotus people!
The Atom is completely mental. What happened to the outfit in Oregon (I think) that was building them? Jack
The power to weight ratio of a 300 hp Atom is greater than an Elise. An Atom weighs ~ 1400 pounds. They are very sensitive to correct alignment \ setup so I'd put any high speed twitchiness down to an incorrect alignment. http://www.arielatom.com/ for more information.
You're thinking of Brammo who had been making Atoms under license. Brammo is now interested in electric motorbikes. TMI Autotech in VA is making the Ariel Atom under license from Ariel Motor Co. Ltd. Also look at www.atomclub.com if you're interested. There's a special event in early July at Laguna Seca. There will be 12-15 Atoms gathering for a couple of days track time.
Call Mark Swain at TMI AutoTech at VIR. The AA3 is MUCH better than the AA2 (Brammo) and the prices have been rolled back significantly this year.
That is me in the blue Atom, I think the car is best in tight turns, the biggest problem is the car does not have proper down force, in long straightways the aerodynamics are not good... ecspecially over 125 to 130mph, the wings help alot but there is considerable extra drag with the wings. I am having a turbo engine built for my atom that will make around 650hp. That should bring the top speeds on track to around 160+ in the straights. I have done track days and driven lap after lap with a scuderia and I was faster in the turns and brake zones while he would actually pull away down a long straightway by about 4 or 5 car lengths. I am in Vero Beach, Fl. if anyone ever wants a ride.
