Topic: Test Drive: 2016 Cadillac ATS Coupe

[Autos_Editor]

More gears. More efficient. More excellent.
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[Noto]

Compelling in isolation, but I still don't see how it's better than its competitors in any appreciable way.

I also find the engine options odd given the power/torque comparison.  The true issue isn't whether you enjoy driving it, but what's it like to live with?  With so little interior and cargo space, there are just more compelling rides out there for $55k+

[lebowski]

I have the same issue with the ATS coupe as I do with the BMW and Mercedes equivalents: styling-wise, it looks far too much like its sedan counterpart, with just an elongated front door. It doesn't scream "special"; it screams "afterthought". Considering people buy coupes chiefly for the style, this is problematic.

[SaskSpecV]

I quite like the ATS style, and by all accounts the drive is amazing.  But it'd be damn hard to imagine paying what GM is asking for them.

If dead-set on the awesome-handling alpha platform and powertrains, the equivalent Camaro is about 15 - 20K cheaper (of course, it's a much bigger yet no more practical vehicle, crappier interior, and has AWFUL visibility - but 15K can forgive a lot!)  Not to mention the 6.2L V8 and M/T across the board...

If dead-set on a "luxury" coupe, the Q60 / RC / German offerings may not handle as well, but all have some sort of advantage over the ATS (either price, luxury, practicality, "prestige", etc.)

We've beaten the dead horse of Caddy's pricing strategy already...but it's just not working, and the data proves it.  It's time to admit defeat on that front, and move to Infiniti-level pricing schemes (a half step below Lexus and the Germans) on their cars.  At least until Caddy can realise some market traction for the ATS and CTS. 
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/05/cadillac-tops-247wallst-coms-cars-americans-dont-want-to-buy-list/

[Jaeger]

People get all drippy over Caddy's super angular styling but I have never really warmed to it. Not unattractive at all just too predictably linear.  Still, nice to see Caddy turning out vehicles that not only don't suck but actually belong amongst their named competitors.  Pricing seems a bit ambitious across the board but I'm sure there are deals to be had.

[JohnnyMac]

If I wanted a luxury coupe with no back seat and the best handling I'm going for a BMW 2 series.  I know that this ATS is supposed to be matched up against the 4 series but I think it's closer in size to the 2 series.

I drove a manual 2.0T sedan a couple of years ago and didn't find it all that impressive.  I would think the interior would get old rather quick and I was shocked at how little back seat space there was once I got my seat set up for my 5"11 frame.

[OliverD]

People get all drippy over Caddy's super angular styling but I have never really warmed to it. Not unattractive at all just too predictably linear.

I'm with you 100%. On paper I like them but the styling just doesn't do it for me.

[ArticSteve]

This car is so DOA.  Buzzy turbo and the killer ... Stop/Start.  What a joke.  What in the world is going on with GM.   Just when they look they the have broken out of their bankruptcy era funk completely they come out with this stuff.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I'm not a huge fan of the Arts and Science 2.0 look, though the front ends look great, but the competitors from Mercedes and BMW just look overwrought. The droopy butts on the MBs remind me too much of the 1990s Altimas and Taurus'. Until the S/E class interior look trickles down, the iPad will continue to ruin MB interiors. 

I think Audi has itself sorted the best as far as interiors and exteriors.

Lexus' styling is just bad. The rest of the Asians are pretty derivative, and mostly continue the surface flame/lumpy look.

Given that, and the excellent handling, I wouldn't have an issue with the ATS at all.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

This car is so DOA.  Buzzy turbo and the killer ... Stop/Start.  What a joke.  What in the world is going on with GM.   Just when they look they the have broken out of their bankruptcy era funk completely they come out with this stuff.

Its sales split the difference between the CLA and BMW 2 series. Pretty well where it should be.

[rrocket]

This car is so DOA.  Buzzy turbo and the killer ... Stop/Start.  What a joke.  What in the world is going on with GM.   Just when they look they the have broken out of their bankruptcy era funk completely they come out with this stuff.

Its sales split the difference between the CLA and BMW 2 series. Pretty well where it should be.

Except Cadillac says it's a competitor to the 3/4 Series and not the 2/1 Series..  So yea...

[Sir Osis of Liver]

This car is so DOA.  Buzzy turbo and the killer ... Stop/Start.  What a joke.  What in the world is going on with GM.   Just when they look they the have broken out of their bankruptcy era funk completely they come out with this stuff.

Its sales split the difference between the CLA and BMW 2 series. Pretty well where it should be.

Except Cadillac says it's a competitor to the 3/4 Series and not the 2/1 Series..  So yea...

It's the entry Cadillac, until the new FWD entry car comes online. Its price straddles both lines. Size-wise it's closer to the smaller cars.

[rrocket]

This car is so DOA.  Buzzy turbo and the killer ... Stop/Start.  What a joke.  What in the world is going on with GM.   Just when they look they the have broken out of their bankruptcy era funk completely they come out with this stuff.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/05/cadillac-tops-247wallst-coms-cars-americans-dont-want-to-buy-list/

[Fobroader]

I just built an ATS the way I would get it, turbo, 6spd manual in red....a hair under $50k. What can anyone else give you for that price in the sporty coupe market?? Yeah, GT Mustang or SS Camaro, but they are not as nice. RWD, turbo, nice interior, I don't get why its not more popular.

[ArticSteve]

This car is so DOA.  Buzzy turbo and the killer ... Stop/Start.  What a joke.  What in the world is going on with GM.   Just when they look they the have broken out of their bankruptcy era funk completely they come out with this stuff.

Its sales split the difference between the CLA and BMW 2 series. Pretty well where it should be.

Sales        GM pushes them on to dealer lots where they sit for 6 months until GM blows them out at cost or lower.

You never see them on the road.

[rrocket]

This car is so DOA.  Buzzy turbo and the killer ... Stop/Start.  What a joke.  What in the world is going on with GM.   Just when they look they the have broken out of their bankruptcy era funk completely they come out with this stuff.

Its sales split the difference between the CLA and BMW 2 series. Pretty well where it should be.

Except Cadillac says it's a competitor to the 3/4 Series and not the 2/1 Series..  So yea...

It's the entry Cadillac, until the new FWD entry car comes online. Its price straddles both lines. Size-wise it's closer to the smaller cars.

I'm just telling you where GM says the car competes.  So yea...it's doing OK vs cars that aren't competitors.

So because the CT200 is Lexus entry level car, are you saying it's the true competitor to the ATS and not the IS line?  I'm just using your logic here.

[rrocket]

I just built an ATS the way I would get it, turbo, 6spd manual in red....a hair under $50k. What can anyone else give you for that price in the sporty coupe market?? Yeah, GT Mustang or SS Camaro, but they are not as nice. RWD, turbo, nice interior, I don't get why its not more popular.

Infiniti Q60 coupe comes to mind..with 50 more HP.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

This car is so DOA.  Buzzy turbo and the killer ... Stop/Start.  What a joke.  What in the world is going on with GM.   Just when they look they the have broken out of their bankruptcy era funk completely they come out with this stuff.

Its sales split the difference between the CLA and BMW 2 series. Pretty well where it should be.

Sales        GM pushes them on to dealer lots where they sit for 6 months until GM blows them out at cost or lower.

You never see them on the road.

"Never". My neighbour across the street has one. There are a couple more around the neighbourhood.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

This car is so DOA.  Buzzy turbo and the killer ... Stop/Start.  What a joke.  What in the world is going on with GM.   Just when they look they the have broken out of their bankruptcy era funk completely they come out with this stuff.

Its sales split the difference between the CLA and BMW 2 series. Pretty well where it should be.

Except Cadillac says it's a competitor to the 3/4 Series and not the 2/1 Series..  So yea...

It's the entry Cadillac, until the new FWD entry car comes online. Its price straddles both lines. Size-wise it's closer to the smaller cars.

I'm just telling you where GM says the car competes.  So yea...it's doing OK vs cars that aren't competitors.

So because the CT200 is Lexus entry level car, are you saying it's the true competitor to the ATS and not the IS line?  I'm just using your logic here.

You are definitely not using logic. Anyone's. This is just you and Steve being triggered by a GM tread.

The CT200h is a FWD hybrid with a nice interior. The others have a legitimate claim to being sporty.

[rrocket]

This car is so DOA.  Buzzy turbo and the killer ... Stop/Start.  What a joke.  What in the world is going on with GM.   Just when they look they the have broken out of their bankruptcy era funk completely they come out with this stuff.

Its sales split the difference between the CLA and BMW 2 series. Pretty well where it should be.

Except Cadillac says it's a competitor to the 3/4 Series and not the 2/1 Series..  So yea...

It's the entry Cadillac, until the new FWD entry car comes online. Its price straddles both lines. Size-wise it's closer to the smaller cars.

I'm just telling you where GM says the car competes.  So yea...it's doing OK vs cars that aren't competitors.

So because the CT200 is Lexus entry level car, are you saying it's the true competitor to the ATS and not the IS line?  I'm just using your logic here.

You are definitely not using logic. Anyone's. This is just you and Steve being triggered by a GM tread.

The CT200h is a FWD hybrid with a nice interior. The others have a legitimate claim to being sporty.

If you think the base FWD CLA is "sporty", you aren't using logic.  It's closer to an ES350 than a Cadillac ATS.

Anyways...GM says it's a 3/4 Series competitor.