pitt911

Hi
I like trying different cars , and drove ATS V on couple of occasions and loved the chassis and handling. Thinking of buying one , but a little hesitant of the brand and prefer German cars in general. My other choice is an RS3 . This will be a supplemental daily
any positive or negative feedback on ATS V from people that owned them ??? will be appreciated

tonymission

Sorry, no thoughts on the ATS V, but I have an order in for the RS3 to daily around town and I think it will be a lot more fun than any Cadillac with that 5cyl engine. I guess it depends on what you're going for obviously.

Quikag

I'm a big GM performance fan overall and have tracked an ATS-V at COTA. Chassis and handling are very good and superior to the RS3 for sure. The turbo 3.6 V6 leaves something to be desired though on the V. It makes good power on boost and should be fairly durable, but it just doesn't sound that good. The 8-speed auto isn't great either. The manual is fine if you want to go that route. Interior isn't very good, exterior looks okay, but nothing overly exciting.

If GM would fix the dash graphics and add a small block V8 with the new 10-speed, I'd be the first in line over at the Caddy dealer. As it sits now, I'm lukewarm to the ATS-V.

goin2drt

I own one as my DD. I love it. Great thrill for a DD. If you want flashy, it's not for you. This thing flys under the radar. It is very quick and driving it around town in sport mode is a blast.

NateOZ

I drove one for a few laps on the track at an event they ran - felt like it really was missing out on the V8. I would go take a test drive of a Guilia if I was shopping in this segment.

MM3.9GT3

I drove one at the track. It is surprisingly agile, and the power is very good, surprisingly good. However, the engine sounds lackluster, the interior is not cohesive (especially the materials, and colors), and the back seat is very small. If you want to buy one, look for a used one given the massive depreciation in the first couple of years.

drdonger

Drove an ATS-V at a Cadillac event and found it underwhelming. It is fast in a straight line, but did not have the fit and finish of German cars.

DC911S

Take the engine from the ZL1, pop that into the ATS-V with a manual six speed....and you get a winner. But it would get wadded by most people. At the DC car show I had a long discussion about it with a GM rep. It's the same alpha platform, but they just won't do it.

richardbf

The fit and finish are not there imo, but it goes like hell. I found it rewarding to drive though no Pcar obviously. Here in Michigan Vs and other GM products are rolling around everywhere since they practically give them away. I personally was between an F80 and ATSv and I chose to get a Macan GTS (don't ask) I have not driven a RS3. I have driven an S3 and if the RS3 is anything like the S3 it's all point and squirt. I didn't find it fun at all. I do love how it looks and the size though. I would suggest however the Golf R over the S3/RS3. Similar drivetrain to the S3 and a lot cheaper. Also a lot more useful. We have a mkVII GTI and it's a hoot. Plus you have the option of MT or DSG. If you don't mind driving a planet sized car you could take a look at the CTSv. I quite like the new one. Looks great and sounds awesome. And the fit and finish is a bit better but nothing close to the Germans.

tonymission

The 5 banger in the RS3 will make it nothing like the S3... have you heard that thing? Fixed/lowered suspension on my order too. Should be a pretty fun little go-cart at 500+ HP with an off-the-shelf APR tune.

pitt911

thanks for all the input
Already tried a golf R and loved it
agree that dash is underwhelming , I test drove the car on 2 occasions and felt that it has potential to be a nice daily , I felt handling with magnetic ride was good, power was good and MT transmission was good.
I have an RS3 on order but I agreed with dealer that i can walk away if i don't like it. Car is built to my specs ,
other options that I have not tried are M2, or C43

rosenbergendo

Tested ATS, Giulia Quad, M2, and C63 and chose M3 competition package. Stage 2 and suspension make it quite a ride. 550hp and 3588 pounds pretty much destroys anything in that range.

pitt911

already owned F80 M3 and agree it is a blast , but want to try something different
also had a c63
and currently drive E63 S

4porsh

What's nice about the ATS-V is you can get a coupe or sedan, auto or manual transmission. ATS-V is only a tenth slower than CTS-V. ATS-V 0-60 3.8 and 189mph top speed, turbos are very linear too.
Funny Randy P. video, if not much time you can skip to min 7.05

ipse dixit

I would also consider the new Golf R.

I would pass on the ATS-V.