ariel atom or caterham levante?

[wwgkd]

Has to be the Atom.

first ... more than 8 people can own one
second ... it's not just a Lotus 7 with improvements and materials
third ... not even the GOOD Lotus 7-esque suspension layout
fourth ... you don't HAVE to learn how to drive the Atom
finally ... any Honda mechanic can work on the engine and plenty of perfromance tuners.... You can NEVER go too fast

Atom roolz

erm, only the Engine mechainc one falls away, the rest still hold true

WHat and have monaroCountry point out how they are actually faster than the GT-R ? no thanks

How many more people could in fact own the 500? I don't think it's going to match F430 numbers or anything. For that matter, some people are saying Caterham is building 8 total, and some are saying 8 per year. Little help?

Yes, it's not a Lotus 7, but is that really a good thing?

I was under the impression that RS had an influence on the suspension design of both the Levante and 500 models, but I could be wiffing there.

If you can't drive a 500hp caterham, you can't drive a 500hp atom. They're not magic.

And I'm surprised how many people took off on the 'ring joke. It WAS a joke, really.

[Roentgen]

Atom.

[Matra et Alpine]

How many more people could in fact own the 500?

More than the 8 RS were contracted to build.

some people are saying Caterham is building 8 total, and some are saying 8 per year. Little help?

Caterham ? It's RS who are building the Levante usign some Caterham supplied parts.
I've not seen anything that has indicated that RS have a further contract for more cars. Woudl be interested if you have any references though

Yes, it's not a Lotus 7, but is that really a good thing?

ORIGINAL rear Lotus 7 layout is not very good compared to modern IRS setups. The Lotus body geomotry also puts limits on what the suspension designer can fit. So, it's NOT the "best" ... but IS a helluva lot of fun

If you can't drive a 500hp caterham, you can't drive a 500hp atom. They're not magic.

Sorry, shodul ahve written more explanation .... Owners MUST attend driving course before they can take their Levante away. Ariel dont' REQUIRE the same - or didn't ... wonder if the lawyers have got them scared too and making the same demands

[W.R.]

I wouldn't have either- far too expensive.
I'd get a Dax Rush, put one of those mitsubishi evo engines in it (old style evo), stick a turbocharger the size of a bear on it, then have as much fun as I would with the levante/ atom 500 for half the price.
...providing my licence and reflexes held out.

[wwgkd]

More than the 8 RS were contracted to build.

Caterham ? It's RS who are building the Levante usign some Caterham supplied parts.
I've not seen anything that has indicated that RS have a further contract for more cars. Woudl be interested if you have any references though

ORIGINAL rear Lotus 7 layout is not very good compared to modern IRS setups. The Lotus body geomotry also puts limits on what the suspension designer can fit. So, it's NOT the "best" ... but IS a helluva lot of fun

Sorry, shodul ahve written more explanation .... Owners MUST attend driving course before they can take their Levante away. Ariel dont' REQUIRE the same - or didn't ... wonder if the lawyers have got them scared too and making the same demands

True, I got sloppy naming, it is RS. The first articles I read about the Levante said 8 per year, then later on I started hearing more people saying 8 total. It was just on random car sites though, so nothing difinitive.

True, but the original was very old. I guess I was just confused by your post originally and didn't understand what you were saying. Yes, it's not the best design, but the handling is still very very good. Having been in both (obviously not the 500hp versions) I'd say they're pretty equal.

I didn't realize it was a required attendance. I'd want to anyways, I mean it's free coaching on your new baby, something that many people pay for.

On kind of a side note, I haven't heard of a lot of people racing Atoms (such as SCCA,) yet Caterhams are all over the place. Have I missed out on something?

[clutch-monkey]

well how long have caterhams been around compared to the atom?

[f6fhellcat13]

Since the late 40s/early 50s

[W.R.]

The caterham/lotus has been around since 1957, first built by lotus, and now it's been built by caterham for the past 30 odd years.

[LeonOfTheDead]

The caterham/lotus has been around since 1957, first built by lotus, and now it's been built by caterham for the past 30 odd years.

Caterham, Westfield...there are more 7-like makers than tuners...no, just kidding, but there are a lot. usually, Caterham is still the best.

[Matra et Alpine]

On kind of a side note, I haven't heard of a lot of people racing Atoms (such as SCCA,) yet Caterhams are all over the place. Have I missed out on something?

I suggest 3 things .
First, the 7esques have raced for 40 years and so there is a lot of "history" around AND they are very easy to start at the lower price end and build a Caterham/Westfield beater that goes on to show even Porsche and Ferrari a clean pair of heels on some circuits
Second, Lotus, Caterham, Westfield, Sylva, MK, LoCost adn many others have all run one-make race series over the decades. Many of them still provide support and sponsor race series and cars.
Third, An Atom would have difficulty passing scrutineering with an on-the-ball organiser. Too many spaces where small objects can get throguh and impact the driver. Even a 10 gueage sheet steel will reduce injury

[wwgkd]

I suggest 3 things .
First, the 7esques have raced for 40 years and so there is a lot of "history" around AND they are very easy to start at the lower price end and build a Caterham/Westfield beater that goes on to show even Porsche and Ferrari a clean pair of heels on some circuits
Second, Lotus, Caterham, Westfield, Sylva, MK, LoCost adn many others have all run one-make race series over the decades. Many of them still provide support and sponsor race series and cars.
Third, An Atom would have difficulty passing scrutineering with an on-the-ball organiser. Too many spaces where small objects can get throguh and impact the driver. Even a 10 gueage sheet steel will reduce injury

Ahhh, right. Hadn't thought of that last one.

[Tall_G]

Levante. The ultimate retro mobile.

[Ferrer]

Levante. The ultimate retro mobile.

Nah, too modern. That's the ultimate retro mobile:

[wwgkd]

Levante. The ultimate retro mobile.

That's why I like it. My favorite retrorod.

Nah, too modern. That's the ultimate retro mobile:

I'm not sure it counts as retro when it is actually the same car, just being made today. I like it a lot and would like to have one, but there haven't been a ton of changes to it, and I never have understood the power output of the 4.6 liter they're using. Why so little power on that expensive of a car?

[Ferrer]

I'm not sure it counts as retro when it is actually the same car, just being made today. I like it a lot and would like to have one, but there haven't been a ton of changes to it, and I never have understood the power output of the 4.6 liter they're using. Why so little power on that expensive of a car?

That's why it's the ultimate retro mobile, it's the real deal.

And the Rover V8 is gone, it's now been replaced by a Ford V6 engine with about 220bhp. And actually it isn't that expensive.