Finally bought an Atom!

**Bravo25** · December 19, 2017, 03:51 PM

Been on this forum for years but finally bought a new Atom and wanted to change my username as I really didn't post before!

**2/3rdsCobra** · December 20, 2017, 10:52 AM

Congrats on your purchase. Pics of your new toy/DD or it didn't happen, lol.

**06Arielatom** · December 20, 2017, 09:58 PM

Pics, pics, pics

**Atommatt** · December 21, 2017, 05:35 AM

**Bravo25** · December 26, 2017, 10:25 AM

I've already put about 300 miles on her in the last two weeks. Went for a Christmas eve drive up to the local mountains and it was just amazing weather out, blue sky's and most of the time I was in a T-Shirt, even at 7800 feet. I've been wanting an Atom for more than a decade now, so its a bucket list item fulfilled. I'm easing into the capabilities as I'm somewhat new to street performance, but I thought the Atom would be a little scary to drive but its not at all. Its tons of fun too!! I'm sure I'm telling everyone on this forum things they know already.

I did decide to put an Atom 3 windshield on her though. I don't mind the wind too much but I think it will make the experience better and my wife will probably be more inclined to go on some longer trips too. TMI is like 2 months out with them though!!

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**sector: 4** · December 28, 2017, 12:11 AM

Oh, you bought the "old man's" car. Nice. Now's your chance to paint those gaudy yellow fenders black.

If I ever need to refinish mine, I was thinking of painting them matte black or doing some sort of satin finish carbon wrap.

**Bravo25** · December 28, 2017, 07:07 AM

Yeah, pretty clean car, low miles, for being 10 years old. I actually like the yellow fenders! lol. I was considering re-painting them when I was fixing the adhesive of the supports...but only because the ones in the rear are pretty chipped up by rocks.

**06Arielatom** · December 28, 2017, 08:15 AM

Congrats on the purchase. The windshield definitely aids in the wind and adds to the look of the car. I would ask TMI if they could make a carbon fiber version of the windshield.

**sector: 4** · December 28, 2017, 08:40 AM

The yellow is perfect as long as you like it! The silver suspension arms are pretty unusual too. Looks like a great car.

Did you check the oil dipstick tube to see if it's cracked where it mounts to the alternator? There's a good chance that it is. It can leak oil from there. You should wiggle it and feel for the edge of a crack and inspect it visually. If you take the alternator bolt out you can pull the dipstick tube right out of the pan. I have instructions to fix that permanently on here too.

If you hear a high-pitched squeaking when the engine is running, you may have a dried-out slipping serpentine belt. Mine overheated due to slippage and disintegrated soon after I bought it. You can rotate the tensioner with a 3/8" ratchet to get the belt off.