New Atom Owner

**SteveTheMechanic** · December 26, 2015, 08:45 PM

My Name is Steve Metcalf, I am a former American Honda Factory trained Honda & Acura Automobile Master Technician, January 2016 will be my 37th year playing with cars everyday. I have an auto repair shop in Fort Worth named Dealer Alternative. I Just purchased my first Atom, 2012 SN# AA30159 with 827 miles. The owner took delivery from Eddie Hills Fun Cycles on October 15, 2012. Unfortunatly his health went down hill soon thereafter and he passed away in December of 2013.

I found an ad on Craigslist, called the widows friend that had listed it for her, arranged a time to go see the car, turns out the owner had just built a very nice climate controlled garage/workshop and the Atom does not have a scratch on it, not even underneath. It had not been started in about 2 years. I checked all of the fluids then I went & picked up some fresh gas, grabbed my jumper cables, and the car started right up without any issues. The previous owner had added some marine fuel stabilizer to the tank. That was Tuesday January 22, 2015
We made the deal & the owners friend offered to deliver tha car to Fort Worth, Texas at no charge, they arrived at my shop at 10:30 am on Wednesday the 28th, we met at the bank, exchanged some paper & now she is mine.
During my initial inspection I found 2 things wrong, the passenger front outer tie rod nut was loose and of course the Odyssey battery was dead. I had picked up a battery on Tuesday afternoon and I performed a 4 wheel alignment today. The total toe was 1/2" toed out on the front, I haven't found the alignment specifications yet, although I went ahead & set it to 1/16" in.
The point of this story is I have always wanted an Atom and I finally found the right one for me, I am really looking foreword to getting to know the car & learning how to properly drive it.
Happy New Year to All.
　
　

**SteveTheMechanic** · December 26, 2015, 09:07 PM

I am curious why there is no option in this forum for a 2.4 Honda engine

**MadMaxAtom** · December 27, 2015, 05:27 AM

Lucky you! Welcome.! I'd say when Steve set up the forum years ago,there was no 2.4L Honda option in an Atom at the time...you could always ask him to add one to the forum. I run my Atoms with 1/16" toe in (in front,zero in rear) for stability reasons at 100+mph,and I would check all the nuts/bolts just to be sure that you catch anything amiss. Post up some pictures!

**SteveTheMechanic** · December 27, 2015, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by MadMaxAtom

Lucky you! Welcome.! I'd say when Steve set up the forum years ago,there was no 2.4L Honda option in an Atom at the time...you could always ask him to add one to the forum. I run my Atoms with 1/16" toe in (in front,zero in rear) for stability reasons at 100+mph,and I would check all the nuts/bolts just to be sure that you catch anything amiss. Post up some pictures!

I figured 1/16" was a good front toe number, I weigh just under 200 pounds and I noticed the camber changes about 0.4 degrees with me sitting in the car, so I had a friend who weighs about the same as me sit in the car while I did the alignment.

**jesse@tmi** · December 28, 2015, 07:33 AM

Welcome Steve, we have talked a few times and I'm glad you were able to get the car! You can email me if you have any technical questions: jkenealy@tmiautotech.com.

**Napalm** · December 28, 2015, 09:59 PM

Welcome, Steve!

I know which Atom you're referring to, my buddy was trying to lowball it. I saw the last asking price and thought it was low but my friend is even more frugal.

You got a steal!

I'm on the Dallas side of the metroplex (live in Sachse, but work in Dallas) so I'm glad to see another local member. I have an '06 supercharged Ecotec.

**FourFather** · December 29, 2015, 06:32 AM

Hi, Steve,

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on getting the Atom that we discussed. As you know, we sold that one new to the original owner, and he and I spent some time together running our Atoms at Eagles Canyon Raceway. I really liked him and his work and business ethic, and he really enjoyed his track time. So sad about his untimely passing. We shared some stories about East Texas, since I was born and raised and went through high school in Longview, Texas, not too far from where he lived.

I have the records on that car, and since I've been street driving and track racing these Atom for nine years now, I may well be able to answer any questions you might have about the Atoms, and will be glad to do so.

Congratulations again, and enjoy getting Atomized!

Eddie FourFather Hill