Anyone come from an Atom to Exige?

[CM96]

Hi Guys,

Thinking of switching up later in the year and changing from Exige 420 to an Atom 4, preferably with a sequential box. Originally put a deposit down on the Atom a few years back so need to decide whether to stick or twist. 

Went out in an Atom 4 with a sequential box recently and was blown away by it, so light and insanely fast. Admittedly the sensation of speed is a lot higher when you can see the track and have the flies hitting your helmet. Also had a passenger ride last year in Spa in an Atom 4, only car my neck has ever ached from after!

My current use of the car is pretty much just for TD's throughout the year. Don't get much enjoyment from it on the road, crap roads locally etc etc. So not worried about having to trailer the Atom.

Have heard a lot from Atom owners, seems the majority originally came from a Lotus of some description at one point. Interested to hear if anyone has gone the other way round, or if anyone owns both and has an opinion. Specifically with an Atom 4 would be great. 

Cheers. 

[MrP_]

Now ex Atom owner with long lotus history including V6's, and semi regularly am out in various Exiges and their derivatives. I'd say you can't really compare them. Your 410 is in a real sweet spot of raw vs practical, you can happily track it, then go away for a weekend with the wife in it, you can get caught in the rain etc - so if you don't want to do all of that stuff and its just for track, then you are maybe answering the comment that the Atom isn't really a car, its a toy on wheels - and thats not meant negatively. 

An Atom is fairly unique in just how exposed you are to the world, and nothing like an Exige in that sense - outside of the biblical performance its (and I struggle to give it a better term), mindful driving - everything  is on another level, and you are linked to all of that - you smell things you have never noticed, you're assaulted by everything flies to the face, stones flying up you, you can tell how rich the car in front it running. No other car can you see all 4 wheels whilst driving, the performance is on another level, the build quality outstanding, factory support wonderful.

The 4 is a wonderful machine, wonderful handling as well as speed. There is little out there it can't beat on the road and most track days, Mono is about all that springs to mind. 

The engineering on it is just brilliant, you can pick out details for hours. The K20C is lovely, but a big turbo experience, it chuffs away with a ton of torque - very different from a 'yota lump with a supercharger. I found it just a joy to drive, but I got sick of the attention from it.

Its one of the most pure driving experiences you can imagine, and not much else can hold a candle to it - I've sort of been switched off sports cars as they are just all a bit muted compared to a AA4 at full pelt (or any speed).

Best thing is if you do have a build slot, you can spec what you want, buy it, run for a summer and sell having it cost you pretty much nothing.

Shout if you want to know more, its a bonkers brilliant thing - but if I was to go again I'd go Nomad, and if you like to not be noticed its not for you (buying petrol became a nightmare, and I switched to jerry cans at home)

Pic for attention

 

[HXT]

Great info here.

I’ve just sold the 410 and having also had a Caterham I’m thinking about getting an Atom or Nomad.

I’ve not phoned the factory yet but I’m guessing the waiting list will be in years rather than weeks.

Used prices seem to be all over the place in what is a limited market so maybe time to do a bit of homework…..