A4 vs earlier models. Newbie questions.

[rich77]

Not driven any Atom's yet, but I read that the Atom 4 is a big improvement in handling on the earlier cars. "The Atom now does corners" etc etc.

What is this improvement down to? Stiffer chassis/frame, better geometry, combination of lots of things?

Are these improvments really that obvious during 'normal' road driving or only apparent on the track, on the edge?

Are there ways to get a Mk3 modified to achieve similar handling improvements?

I know the Atom 4 has a turbo motor which is another big change of course!

I'd love to hear what people who have owned both Atom 3 and 4's think.

Cheers!

[markwetherall]

I have owned both. If your budget stretches far enough buy a 4. Massive jump forward. Main reasons for big improvements are:- Different setup on suspension with anti dive points, larger wheels, thicker frame therefore much stiffer, large jump in torque due to turbo engine. The 4 is a lot more comfortable due to much better seats. It is just a much better car all round. The Atom 4 is easily the much better car.

[rich77]

I have owned both. If your budget stretches far enough buy a 4. Massive jump forward. Main reasons for big improvements are:- Different setup on suspension with anti dive points, larger wheels, thicker frame therefore much stiffer, large jump in torque due to turbo engine. The 4 is a lot more comfortable due to much better seats. It is just a much better car all round. The Atom 4 is easily the much better car.

Thanks Mark.

It's interesting that it hasn't reduced residual prices on Mk3 cars much?

I am leaning towards going for a new one, but I may have to get a used car in the meantime!

[markwetherall]

Speak to Ben at the factory. See what the lead time is currently for a new one, some pretty well priced 2nd hand ones but also some over priced ones. Be careful and also don't go by current price list. Prices have just gone up this year so make sure you reflect this in what you buy. You wont be disappointed with the Atom. Great car. Happy hunting

[rich77]

Speak to Ben at the factory. See what the lead time is currently for a new one, some pretty well priced 2nd hand ones but also some over priced ones. Be careful and also don't go by current price list. Prices have just gone up this year so make sure you reflect this in what you buy. You wont be disappointed with the Atom. Great car. Happy hunting

Yes, I've contacted Ben and I have the latest price list. Lead time is 28 months.

[AlanP]

I'm not alone in having a very unpopular view that the supercharged cars are ever so slightly more exciting than the turbocharged ones
Plus the brakes work and they don't have problems with the cooling.
When I say ever so slightly I do, of course, mean a cock sight more exciting. And I've driven both. I'd be impressed if anybody came in here saying the car they DON'T own is the better.
A

[speedmachine]

I have a 4 and have had a sc 2 and a sc 3.5.
To be honest if i had have the chance to put the sequential in that last one I would have never bought a 4. The 3.5 is such thrilling device and feels so sharp.
Downsides compared to the 4 are the comfort, allthough you shouldnt buy any atom for comfort, the pre 4 cars are pretty harsh. The setup on the 4 make it a more compliant car, you can go fast in more places (bad roads) and more easily.
You can pinpoint all the “upgrades” the 4 has compared to the 3.5 as bad things as well, you loose some of the involvement.
For me, being 40 now and have a sore back, I truly LOVE the 4. Less back pain and it makes me feel like such a good driver. I am MUCH faster on track as well.

Ideally I would have both, I might just buy my old car back to accompany my 4.

You cant go wrong, but the 4 is the better car if you either dont like self destruction or want to be the fastest with limited skills.

Last thing to say is that in terms if build quality, the 4 is a giant leap forward. For instance the hubs are a wonderful billet machined, shiny hollow part on the 4 and a black (i think mg part) lump on the 3.5. Lightyears different in a lot of places. So quality wise I can safely say, without [mention]AlanP[/mention] with the coolest car in the world saying differently, the 4 is the best car.

[speedmachine]

Here you see the difference in hubs, thats what I mean

Guess which is the 4 and which is not

[AlanP]

I will admit, and I thought when I first saw them, the hubs are sexy!

[fb.george]

Rich, if you only ever drive a 3, you will love it. There isn’t a bad Atom. They are just different.
I have an 11 year old 3, from new, now with 64000 miles on the clock. Loved them all, but admit the sunnier miles are better than the rain. But as speedmachine says, you don’t buy such a car for comfort.
I don’t have the talent to be the fastest on a track day, but am always top quartile just by dint of the car itself. I enjoy track days for me, so am happy having fun and the car gives you plenty of that.
And I don’t recognise the comment about “the Atom now does corners”. Mine seems telepathic on the road.
I have no doubt at all the 4 is the much better car and a leap forward as everyone has said. It should be. That’s evolution. But I have resisted upgrading simply because I am so happy with my 3.
If you want the best, the 4 it should be. But I would say not because the earlier cars are deficient. Cheers

[fb.george]

Ps I have always stayed NA as it’s fast enough and you cannot beat the “roar” of the intake bellowing by your head

[atomiser]

I'm not alone in having a very unpopular view that the supercharged cars are ever so slightly more exciting than the turbocharged ones
Plus the brakes work and they don't have problems with the cooling.
When I say ever so slightly I do, of course, mean a cock sight more exciting. And I've driven both. I'd be impressed if anybody came in here saying the car they DON'T own is the better.
A

Whole heartedly agree!

As much as the 3.5 is behind the 4 in terms of development etc, the challenge of driving a 3.5, the brilliant manual gearbox and that screaming k20 engine more than makes up for it.

The 3.5 cup resolves most of the understeer problems, but the frequent times I'm behind a 4 on track, the rear 255s and torque means 4s start walking away mid corner - but with a little less drama/noise :-).

The 3 braking is similar if you have alcons all round and the latest two part discs that the factory sells - I can well believe 100-0 in 43m.

BTW the 3.5 cup was a dramatic upgrade from a 2 - even with super sticky tyres the atom 2 understeer/oversteer was frustrating on track. The alcon fronts to all round was also night and day, which was surprising since I originally though that was BS.

[GraemeW]

I'm only 500 miles into my new 4. Had a 3.5 before for 5 years, which I loved. I miss many aspects of the 3.5, but the 4 is better in all areas for me except;

1) comfort. Unlike those above, I find the 4 seats less comfortable, and not bigger inside when seated, than the 3.5. Everyone's body shape is different I suppose. Im 6' 3" or 1,95m.
2) engine vibration through chassis at idle is much more than the 3.5. Not a big issue, and fine on the move.
3) Brakes are nothing like the Alcons on 3.5. They're ok and there are fixes for their "softness"

Where the 4 really excels is the ride, especially on the onlins. The handling and stability are first rate. The 3.5 was as well, but less so, and on some poor UK roads, it was horrible with bump steer etc. Ive test driven the 4 on some of the roads I previously avoided in the 3.5 and its fantastic there too.

It depends on your budget and what you want to do with the car. Find a good 3.5 and you will have 80% of the fun of the 4 at approx 50% of the price imho.

[yogiatom2]

New Atom at last. Would love to see pictures of your new Atom.

[atomiser]

Agree on seats, but resolved by having tillett B4 and a five point IMHO (6ft7). Though I still get a beating from mistress ariel, at least I'm comfortable in the process :-)