Help me buy an Atom

[I want an atom]

I am in full-blown mid-life crisis mode. I have done a fair amount of karting, a handful of DEs, and a few racing schools. I am selling my present car to make room for something over the top. An Atom seems like the hot ticket. Help me buy one.

My goals-
Get stupidly fast and capable track machine (Atom seems good for that)
Have track machine be durable and reliable so I can spend my limited free time on the track instead of in my garage (I haven't read anything bad on this front so far concerning Atoms)
Come in sub $70k if at all possible.

I live in South Florida. Great for going to the track year round. Bad for all other driving- public roads are useless. If I was to get a street legal Atom it means driving it to the track which would be convenient, but that being said a trailer for a non-legal Atom would be ok too as idling around town with one probably isn't the best. I see that the Atom SRAs can be had for less than some of the other variants, so that might be good. How do I race one of those- is there a series I can enter? What classes can other Ariel Atoms run in? Teach a man- I'm eager.

There is a somewhat local shop (https://www.twowheelsworld.com/) about 45 minutes from my house that is an official ariel dealer. Maybe I will try to swing up there on Saturday to see them in person. But all they have in stock are new ones for $100k or so, which would be great except for the $100k part. I worry if I go that I will end up buying one anyways. I'm feeling very irresponsible.

If anyone has suggestions, advice, or just wants to mock me for getting old, lets do it. Help me!

[cvjoint]

My SRA is allowed to run with all HPDE organizers in N. Cal. except two which require fenders. Even that's not a big deal ~$2k from TMI. It is an ideal HPDE car, bulletproof and most rewarding to drive. I've gotten back into fully prepped 2,500lb cars that now feel sluggish by comparison.

As for actual wheel to wheel series I believe the Atom is not classed very well, it would be tough winning. I believe we have unusually high drag coefficient which makes us a bit slow for our power/weight ratio. Plus, no one bothers to figure out our points since there are so few Atoms and we fall in unlimited classes without having umm... unlimited go fast. A lot of these classes have giant/heavy cars which would make for a serious ouch in a fender bender.

[sector: 4]

I am in full-blown mid-life crisis mode. I have done a fair amount of karting, a handful of DEs, and a few racing schools. I am selling my present car to make room for something over the top. An Atom seems like the hot ticket. Help me buy one.

I'm sure Eddie Hill will be with you shortly.

[I want an atom]

I'm sure Eddie Hill will be with you shortly.

I saw that guy had one in the classifieds. Is it any good? He didn't have a definite price either, but 79k is over what I'm supposed to be doing.

[I want an atom]

My SRA is allowed to run with all HPDE organizers in N. Cal. except two which require fenders. Even that's not a big deal ~$2k from TMI. It is an ideal HPDE car, bulletproof and most rewarding to drive. I've gotten back into fully prepped 2,500lb cars that now feel sluggish by comparison.

As for actual wheel to wheel series I believe the Atom is not classed very well, it would be tough winning. I believe we have unusually high drag coefficient which makes us a bit slow for our power/weight ratio. Plus, no one bothers to figure out our points since there are so few Atoms and we fall in unlimited classes without having umm... unlimited go fast. A lot of these classes have giant/heavy cars which would make for a serious ouch in a fender bender.

Good point on crashing into a Corvette.

[cvjoint]

Good point on crashing into a Corvette.

I thought about building a halo for the Atom at some point. A big danger is head-on collision with a tall car. Say you spin out and the car following doesn't have time/grip to avoid you. The frame is mild steel, should be straightforward to build a halo.

https://d2d0b2rxqzh1q5.cloudfront.ne...79ff0259d1.jpg

[sector: 4]

That wouldn't be ugly at all, lol. I think if you're concerned about safety, the Atom probably isn't the car for you. It's only safe compared to a motorcycle.

[sector: 4]

If it's Eddie's I'm sure it's a really nice, well sorted car. The pricing may be a bit optimistic.

You know there are 3 Atoms on eBay right now. I actually found mine on Craigslist!

[I want an atom]

If it's Eddie's I'm sure it's a really nice, well sorted car. The pricing may be a bit optimistic.

You know there are 3 Atoms on eBay right now. I actually found mine on Craigslist!

Indeed. On ebay there are 3. The Brand New Atom 3 looks nice, but its new so I assume its a bit pricier than what I could manage used...

The 3S Turbo sounds delightful if not for the price tag.

The Atom 2 on there might be ok, but isn't $50k steep for an Atom 2 with 11k+ miles?

As for the car for sale here (Eddie's car as I've come to hear it be known), on the plus side he might be including a lot of spares/wheels which would help with the track use. On the other hand, that means its been enjoyed and I don't know how I feel about that. Seems like a safer option would be a low mileage one from someone who bought one and didn't use it much. I'm clearly all over the place and need to do more research to get comfortable. It would also be ideal to actually drive one somehow. Basically, if I drive one and its awesome then I'm likely doing it. But until then I can be more rational.

Also just came across this one, but the description is lacking:

https://www.ferraritampabay.com/2013...onda-c-186.htm

[doublebogey]

Where in South Florida? I live in Cape Coral. I have a 2013 registered and insured with 2100 street miles. It is exact to an Atom 3. Honda K20 Z3. Titled and registered as a kit. I've had a blast with it, but it may be time to try something else. I can send pics. Offers being entertained. my e-mail steve_nancy86@hotmail.com