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[Closed] Supercar Bangernomics - Ariel Atom?

namastebuzz · 2021-03-28T18:19:46Z

So, I'd always wanted an Ariel Atom. Ever since one rearranged Jeremy Clarkson's face on TG. Never thought I'd have one though. I don't usually have that sort of spare cash lying about and, besides, performance cars are pricey to run. Anyway, a friend pointed me to collectingcars.com as he was bidding on a car there. Whilst browsing I saw an Atom4 with 700 miles on it that sold for £54k. The ad included the build sheet - which was £44k. Interesting. Then I looked at other Atoms that had sold and noticed they didn't have a lot of depreciation. At all. Next I started delving into Atom forums and asking questions. They really don't lose value. Even better, they're about as complicated as a Honda Civic mechanically. Clutches are £220 (not that you ever need one) and tyres are £100. The insurance was about the same as our Ford Galaxy. A service from the factory is £500. So it's not like running a Lamborghini. I started to figure that if you get over the, admittedly slightly difficult, hurdle of having £40k to play with, you could probably buy and run one for a couple of years without losing a lot of money. Fortunately, we'd been left a chunk of money which we'd earmarked for a house but that purchase is 3-4 years away - giving me a window of opportunity. Unfortunately this ruled out a new Atom4 as there's a 28 month wait so the thought of having to sell it shortly after arrival was a no go. Used it was. SO, I went looking. I learned that provenance is king in the used Atom world. THe factory know about every car out there and can tell you all about it. Good ones sell right away - often without being advertised. Luckily I mentioned on the FB page I was looking for one and three people came to me with decent cars. Ended up with a 2015 3.5 SC that had been built as a demo car for the factory then sold to a customer who was waiting for a 4. Great list of upgrades: Alcon Brakes, Bilstein Shocks, LSD, Extra Wheels, Stainless Bolts, Side Panels, Handbrake (many don't have them) etc etc. THe seller agreed to have the factory MOT and service it and rectify anything as part of the deal. A 1200 mile round trip from Aberdeenshire with a trailer later - I was an Atom owner! Call it bangernomics mixed with Man Maths. I'll keep a tally of expenditure and by the time it's sold we'll see how right (or wrong) I was. However, no matter what it costs it won't be as much as we spent running our friggin' 54 plate XC70 for the last couple of years - that's for sure.

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namastebuzz

Posts: 2591

Free Member

Topic starter

The Mono is beautiful, but you can never scare a passenger/take someone along for the ride.

Very true.

Whilst I usually drive the Atom on my own it's great fun taking people out for a blast. It's a different experience demonstrating the car to someone else rather than trying out things for yourself.

Passengers always seem to insist on paying for lunch\coffee as well.

Posted : 01/04/2022 3:10 pm

mattyfez

Posts: 15555

Full Member

I was meaning like a Caterham, but not a Caterham. 🙂

Or something in a similar vein that can be done for under 10k

That doesn’t look shit!

Dax rush?
https://www.kitcar-trader.co.uk/dax-for-sale/2013-factory-built-dax-rush-ford-as-new-very-little-used

Ahh scratch that! Didn't see how old the advert was 🙂

There are (or were) quite a few Caterham /lotus 7 style kit cars about though.

Posted : 02/04/2022 4:55 pm

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