Hello

[anx10us]

Hi

Just thought I'd introduce myself, I'm based in Banbury Oxfordshire and have been a reasonably serious petrol head for a number of years, I've had various fast road cars leading up to a 360bhp 3 series. I love trackdays, have been to many Jonathon Palmer Corporate Days but have never contemplated owning a true trackday car. I'm now in the position where I can put a desposit down probably on a 240, although the 300 is tempting ;-)

I knew I had to have an Atom after the TopGear review, having recently been to Germany to drive the Ring I came across a green Atom 300 (I think), I followed this Atom best I could on a lap, after this I knew it was time to put my money where my mouth is.

I've paid to join the AAOC and am hoping that someone might be able to give me access to the Member Forum ? I have a number of questions around pricelists, insurance, options, finance etc.

Finally I have a favour to ask, is there an Atom owner anywhere near Oxfordshire that would be prepared to bring their car over to take me for a spin ? We have a great local pub (i'll get the beer in)....

Thanks

Simon

[John Lloyd]

Posting this late, have you been to the pub already?

Can you put you location either in your avatar or signature, thanks.

Someone will be along tomorrow or is that later today? to offer you a ride.

[RichardR]

Hi Simon

I've got a Atom '3' 300 and would be delighted to offer a ride. I'm based just outside Stratford about 15-20mins from Banbury. Free most sunny days & eves.

Cheers

Rich

[anx10us]

[quote="John Lloyd"]
Posting this late, have you been to the pub already?

Can you put you location either in your avatar or signature, thanks.

Someone will be along tomorrow or is that later today? to offer you a ride.
[/quote]

Location fixed in signature and profile, offer of ride above ;-) i've paid for the AAOC membership, who can give me access to the Member Forum ?

[quote="RichardR"]

Hi Simon

I've got a Atom '3' 300 and would be delighted to offer a ride. I'm based just outside Stratford about 15-20mins from Banbury. Free most sunny days & eves.

Cheers

Rich

[/quote]

Rich

I'd love to take you up on the kind offer, any chance you are around this Friday 19th ?

Simon

[wasp]

Hi Simon

Welcome to the forum!

Richard is a great person to go out with and I'm sure you'll love it. To appreciate it fully though, you really need to experience the Atom on a track. If you can get yourself along to a track day where there are a few Atom owners present i am sure you will get a memorable experience!

Cheers,

Stuart

[Rob McPherson]

Not too far away, in Didcot. Only a 245 at the moment though, but might be useful if you wanted to see the difference in power.

Possibly free on Friday evening to meet up with the two of you, or if not, free on Saturday

[RichardR]

[quote="anx10us"]

Rich

I'd love to take you up on the kind offer, any chance you are around this Friday 19th ?

Simon
[/quote]

Yes - I can be around pm or eve to suit barring rain (which may be on the cards).

I don't really know Banbury that well. I'll be coming in on the A422 from Stratford (Tesco/Mcdonalds, M40 etc).

Rich

[anx10us]

[quote="RichardR"]

Yes - I can be around pm or eve to suit barring rain (which may be on the cards).

I don't really know Banbury that well. I'll be coming in on the A422 from Stratford (Tesco/Mcdonalds, M40 etc).

Rich
[/quote]

I'll pm you an address / googlemap, its pretty easy from Tesco ;-) about 5 minutes, are you available late afternoon ? I'd love for my 2 young boys to see the car .... Obviously if it rains we should probably re-arrange ... (rain looks likely Friday)

[anx10us]

[quote="Rob McPherson"]
Not too far away, in Didcot. Only a 245 at the moment though, but might be useful if you wanted to see the difference in power.

Possibly free on Friday evening to meet up with the two of you, or if not, free on Saturday
[/quote]]

Just checking with Richard what time he's available, I will take you up on your offer.

Out of interest why did you go for a 245 and not a 300 S/C ?

I'm currently in 2 minds, get the 245 and then I can upgrade later ? or go 300 straight away ?

Simon

[RichardR]

Hi Simon

Received your PM - 4pm will be good. Hopefully will be dry, if not I'm free Sat.

Re. 245vs300 -  if you do a search there are quite a few long threads discussing the benefits/cons. What you may not know though is that it costs exactly the same to buy a 245 and get it supercharged to a 300 (£5k) at a later date as it does to buy a 300 to start with - apart from the supercharger the cars are identical. My last 2 cars have been 245s that I've had supercharged - it's great having them a few months and then 'upgrading'.

Cheers

Rich

[Rob McPherson]

What he said 

Cost not being an issue, it would be a 300 every time for me.

[anx10us]

re : 245 / 300 would it not affect the resale price, i.e. a 245 to S/C would be worth less than a 300 ?

or does a 245 with SC suddenly become a true 300 ?

2 questions left :

Is there anywhere I can get the price list from right now ? I will ring the factory after this weekend.

Finally and this may be something I'm slightly naive about, but is everyone buying their cars for cash ? I don't see any threads about finance etc Is it something thats difficult to get on a specialist car like an Atom ? or do people choose not to discuss such things ? (if you dont ask you dont get ;-))

My guess is a PCP type purchase would be awesome as the GFV would be very high, as the depreciation is fairly low, ending in low monthly payments, but I would be surprised that there are any finance houses, brokers prepared to take the risk on a low volume car like the Atom.

[Rob McPherson]

Hi,
    A 300 is a 245 with a supercharger. When they change a 245 to a 300 after you've had it a few months, its no different to them doing it as it comes "off the production line", so to speak. The two routes to achieving it are indistinguishable and result in exactly the same car.

Best to ring the factory tomorrow / Saturday for the price list. They can email you one straight away.

Wouldn't like to advise you one way or the other on the finance. I think most people generally scrimp and save until they can buy in cash, although i'm guessing a few have taken out a loan  .

[anx10us]

[quote="Rob McPherson"]
Hi,
    A 300 is a 245 with a supercharger. When they change a 245 to a 300 after you've had it a few months, its no different to them doing it as it comes "off the production line", so to speak. The two routes to achieving it are indistinguishable and result in exactly the same car.

Best to ring the factory tomorrow / Saturday for the price list. They can email you one straight away.

Wouldn't like to advise you one way or the other on the finance. I think most people generally scrimp and save until they can buy in cash, although i'm guessing a few have taken out a loan  .
[/quote]

Ok, thats good to know and a really good upgrade path, I assume pretty much anything can be added later at the factory, LSD, bigger brakes, towing eye etc ?

I suppose I have up to 2 years to save, so better start with this months wage slip ;-) although if anyone reads this and wants to pm about any decent finance they have found then please feel free.

I think I have the bug now, I watched the Clarkson Video last night (again)

Simon

[Bruce Fielding]

[quote="anx10us"]
I assume pretty much anything can be added later at the factory,

LSD,

bigger brakes,

towing eye etc ?
[/quote]

Not really - part of the engine and expensive to add later, but possible, I suppose

Yes 

No - integral to the chassis so needs to be specced up front.