Caterham or Ariel Atom: I'd love to hear from owners

Hi all. Looking to buy a track car which could occasionally be used on the road with a budget of around £25-35k. I am mostly drawn to the R400 and Atom 2 from the early-mid 2000's as it seems to be the sweet spot of performance and price, with most cars having sub 10k mileage. Additionally, my classic car insurance would cover any specialist car over 10 years old, so that's very attractive as well.

I'd love to hear from owners, current and past, and hopefully people who have tried both types of car. I have experience with driving high performance classic cars as well as both front and rear engined ones, no traction control, ABS, etc., so am not entirely fresh, but am much more familiar with the Caterham concept than the Atom.

Thanks!

I would add the 211 to that list.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Middo

I would add the 211 to that list.

---

Agreed, the 2-11 is an astonishing car. I haven't driven one but have passengered around Spa in one and it was phenomenal - around 30 secs a lap faster than my well-sorted Elise (though to be fair the driver was also a fair bit better than me).

I'm unreasonably biased against Atoms since I did a multi trackday trip to Spain where there was an Atom and it was certainly fast as f*** but not once did the driver acknowledge someone moving over for him. On that basis alone I'd go Caterham.

Alternatively a big spec Elise/Exige would be in budget and make a superb track car and with more practicality than a Caterham or an Atom - I mean they even have a roof!

And as a bit of a wild card there are still a few brand new Zenos E10s around.

I have driven both at a number of track days including Johnathan Palmer and to be honest I much preferred the Atom.

The reason for me was simple. It was better car, better suspension,better brakes, etc which enabled me to go faster and suited my somewhat limited skill set. To drive a Caterham well requires more skills and a dry track to really get the most from it.

Plus the Atom I drove a sequential paddle gear box, rather than just a sticks I found in the Caterham.

However before dropping all than money I would suggest you drive both - great fun.

The Exige is a great car, but a bugger to get in and out when wearing a crash helmet.

KTM X-BOW?
One for sale at a Ferrari garage near me looks quite fun!

Try and get a Duratec R500. Not much faster out there and it will hold its value well. The Atom is a great car but make even a Caterham look impractical off the track.

Or, I do know where there's a cracking original Superlight R for sale with lots of great upgrades on it. They are increasing in value and now very sought after.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GOAT

KTM X-BOW?
One for sale at a Ferrari garage near me looks quite fun!

---

I like these, thought about buying one a few times, did you see how much?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by adrianw

I like these, thought about buying one a few times, did you see how much?

---

Nice article here: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/ktm/x-bow

Menno

I’ve had a couple of Atoms.
Fantastic for maybe 2 days a year and terrible on track without buggering around with aero.
For those 2 days however there’s nothing quite like it :)

I had a test drive in a supercharged atom. Didn't particularly gel with it, found it very prone to tramline especially above 60. Preferred the exige for road use. Haven't had the pleasure of a caterham yet but I'd imagine I would like it.

http://www.meridien.co.uk/pre-owned/...&pageId=271309

Thanks for the replies!

I've considered all of the suggestions made actually, as I've been researching the logistics of each. The KTM is just way out of the price range, with not much change from 50k for the earliest ones. The Zenos, especially the R, sounds amazing on paper, but with the company effectively existing only in name since going into administration in 2017, the parts supply would give me anxiety.

The 2 Eleven is fascinating, but I think I'd definitely choose an Exige, or even an Elise over it.

Really interesting to read the opinions about the Atom on track as it answers some questions I've had regarding the need for the aero they kept adding over the years. I definitely don't want a car which depends on downforce to get the most out of. I won't be breaking track records, I want to have fun and rely on mechanical grip and predictability, not outright speed.

Have you looked at VUHL? I had a serious think about buying one a couple of years ago

Mazda MX-5?

The Caterham is a lot more practical than an Atom, so that'd sway me straight away and furthermore I'd be taking it out a lot on the road in the summer months, whereas track days would only be a handful of days a year and I'd prefer taking a bike for those anyway.

R

As you have already been driving performance cars then I would say the suggestion for an R500 Duratec is well thought out. The R500 has a warp factor 2 in addition to the R400's warp factor 1. Both will handle sublimely. One thought to consider is resale value and the market. I sold my R400 duratec after 10 years and never lost a penny on the purchase or upgrades other than routine servicing etc.
When I decided to sell it, within a week of a decent advert being put onto pistonheads my pride and joy had gone. The R500D does not seem to sell as easily as the R400D although clearly it is a more capable 7 on track in the right hands, as it seems to sell at circa £10k more so there is a smaller market I would say.
A well priced R400D will sell all day long in comparison as they have probably 85%-90% of the R500 capability but are priced more competitively.
If money and resale is not an issue an R500D with sequential gearbox for lots of track days and some early morning blats would get my vote.
There is also the bonkers 620r at £55k but I think a Caterham stepping stone would be sensible before jumping into one of those.
I've never driven an Atom but know plenty who have driven both similarly powered and the general preference is for the Caterham.
With the weather we have had this weekend I am sorely missing my R400, it would have been my first weekends blasting of the year.
Good luck in your decision, have fun in trying as many out as possible.

Overall the opinion is definitely swinging towards the Caterham.

I haven't thought about the VUHL, but do remember reading about them in a magazine. I thought they were X-Bow prices? There don't seem to be any for sale used that I can see.

R400 definitely seems like the sweet spot for me at the moment.

Can’t comment on the track day side, but I’ve owned a Caterham 140 supersport as was (prob more like the 310 now). Built it with my brother and have loved owning it.

It got its first spin of the year today and is just a joy! Saw two others out and about and you do get people looking and smiling when you go by which is nice.

If I did it again, I’d get the duratec over the sigma engine - you get used to the power pretty fast. And can’t wait to live somewhere with a garage, it’s currently in a rented garage 20min away.

I’ve had it out in all weather, including monsoon rain and snow. It’s been fine.


Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

I drove an Aerial Atom for a few laps round a track. It was a present I received that cost about £50.
It was fun but the most uncomfortable, noisy, extreme thing I’ve ever driven. After the few laps I’d had enough and was glad to get out. I can’t imagine how awful it would be to drive on the road.
I’ve had a few other track day experiences driving Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Astons and the likes and always wished I had a few more laps. Not with the Atom!
I’d save yourself £35k and book a few laps as and when you feel the need.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Middo

I would add the 211 to that list.

---

I concur, here's my old one

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/299/3...71a3a6f5_c.jpgUntitled by Alex L, on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/444/3...f6309026_c.jpgUntitled by Alex L, on Flickr

I've never got on with Atoms and found their handling unpredictable and snappy, but perhaps it doesn't suit my driving style. I owned a Westfield about 15 years ago and at some point I intend to buy a Caterham 620r for track use.

Now that's lovely and could pull me away from a Caterham.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Culminator

Now that's lovely and could pull me away from a Caterham.

---

Problem is prices are moving in the wrong direction, I sold mine four years ago for £30k and they now appear to be circa £40k

Yep, everything I like goes up in value. Mainly shortly after I sell them....

Your budget would allow you to buy a mk4 race car & do a couple of seasons of actual racing in say MAX5?
Track days are fun but nothing compares to the buzz of racing.

https://www.max5racing.co.uk/