My First Drive of 2013 Cadillac ATS

[curvedinfinity]

So I happened to see the first ATS on its way to my dealer still on the truck today. It was a blue one. I like the way it looks.

[caliatenza]

MINI sells 2000+ Countrymans every month at the same or higher price point as the Encore, and most of TCL thought they were ugly as well. I think with what we know at the moment, the Encore is being unfairly ragged on.

That said, let's shift back to the ATS. I'm glad to hear even an automatic, 2.5l model has a great driving experience!

yeah i thought the base motor was gonna suck lol. I think Cadillac dropped the ball on the pricing though...i wish they would have undercut the 3 series a lot more...

[caliatenza]

I don't think he was comparing the Accord to the ATS rather showing an example of what you can get for a lot less money. I've said it from the start, i think the ATS is really nice but it is overpriced IMO. The base 2.5 4 cylinder is about $34K, right now you could get a G37 for less than that. Also to get the 3.6 V6 decently optioned (not loaded) you're looking at $50K, That's M37, GS350, A6 territory.

you can also get a almost fully loaded C250 for a shade under 40. I really really like the ATS, but i just cant get my head around the pricing...the 2.0T model seems like it could get pricey really fast when loaded up with everything.

[DJMRDARK]

I saw one of these on the road this morning. I couldn't believe my eyes! Looks really good in the flesh. I had no idea they were out now.

[PlatinumGLS]

yeah i thought the base motor was gonna suck lol. I think Cadillac dropped the ball on the pricing though...i wish they would have undercut the 3 series a lot more...

If the ATS meets or even exceeds the BMW, why would it have to be priced considerably lower? Regardless, I bet they will lease very well and move a lot of units comparatively speaking for this segment.

[GTRaavv]

you can also get a almost fully loaded C250 for a shade under 40.

When I built a C250 it soared across the $40,000 mark quite quickly without ticking anything I would considered crazy. I really don't see the big fuss about the pricing. If Cadillac priced this lower then people would be up in arms saying that Cadillac cannot compete with the Germans at a similar price. I think the brand is far more concerned with getting back its luxury image for the future than picking up every value shopper it can, and pricing a competitive car at a competitive price rather than at a discount is exactly the way to go about achieving that goal. They can always give away rebates later if necessary.

[whitejeep1989]

If the ATS meets or even exceeds the BMW, why would it have to be priced considerably lower? Regardless, I bet they will lease very well and move a lot of units comparatively speaking for this segment.

The subject of "undercutting BMW pricing" comes up in every ATS thread. I think the Escalade, SRX, and some trim levels of the CTS and XTS show that Caddy can ask for prices on par with the Germans.

[baljet]

again, very little to zero cars in that segment look good.

[PlatinumGLS]

^^^^

You are helping support his statement...

[RacingManiac]

I don't think he was comparing the Accord to the ATS rather showing an example of what you can get for a lot less money. I've said it from the start, i think the ATS is really nice but it is overpriced IMO. The base 2.5 4 cylinder is about $34K, right now you could get a G37 for less than that. Also to get the 3.6 V6 decently optioned (not loaded) you're looking at $50K, That's M37, GS350, A6 territory.

And you can get the same kind of pricing issue with BMW 3 series, Audi A4, or Mercedes C class....whats the problem here?

If we are comparing purely on equipment per price basis, we would all be driving mid-size family cars, as none of these premium segment sport/sporty sedans are really that value priced. Even the G37, you can get similarly loaded Altima on equipment basis for less.....

[baljet]

^^^^

You are helping support his statement...

They both look much better than the Encore. The Encore is a disgrace.

[Turbio!]

They both look much better than the Encore. The Encore is a disgrace.

They are also both ten grand more.

[BLK9GEN]

They are also both ten grand more.

So what. The Sportage is even less and looks better than the Buick.

[Turbio!]

So what. The Sportage is even less and looks better than the Buick.

Not going to argue with that. But start the comparison where it starts.

[GTRaavv]

They both look much better than the Encore. The Encore is a disgrace.

His comment was that nothing in this segment looks good. And while those may look better than the Encore - hard to say unless you've seen one in person - neither of them is what I would considered good-looking in any sense of the word. One has the excitement factor of a 2 week old cat turd and the other looks like a Chinese caricature.

[DougLovesCars]

Encore is the best-looking vehicle in the segment. If they gave it to us with a manual transmission I'd replace my DD with it. So I guess at least ONE person likes it.

[whitejeep1989]

Encore is the best-looking vehicle in the segment. If they gave it to us with a manual transmission I'd replace my DD with it. So I guess at least ONE person likes it.

Looks good in white, and I usually don't like white cars.

[baljet]

His comment was that nothing in this segment looks good. And while those may look better than the Encore - hard to say unless you've seen one in person - neither of them is what I would considered good-looking in any sense of the word. One has the excitement factor of a 2 week old cat turd and the other looks like a Chinese caricature.

I think you will find many people for whom two week old cat turd is very exciting indeed.

[compy222]

Looks good in white, and I usually don't like white cars.

actually not half bad looking. pretty equal to the rest of its class.

[Turbio!]

I think you will find many people for whom two week old cat turd is very exciting indeed.

My dog is one of those people. "Oh look humanbeast, cat turd! Want to nom! Pleasepleasepleaseplease let me eat it"

[Nourdmrolnmt]

So what. The Sportage is even less and looks better than the Buick.

Those cars are also all an entire class size larger...

[caliatenza]

When I built a C250 it soared across the $40,000 mark quite quickly without ticking anything I would considered crazy. I really don't see the big fuss about the pricing. If Cadillac priced this lower then people would be up in arms saying that Cadillac cannot compete with the Germans at a similar price. I think the brand is far more concerned with getting back its luxury image for the future than picking up every value shopper it can, and pricing a competitive car at a competitive price rather than at a discount is exactly the way to go about achieving that goal. They can always give away rebates later if necessary.

my Dad got his C250 for under 40k and it was pretty loaded up...i should know, i did the negotiating . I remember GM saying that the ATS was going to undercut the competitors by a significant amount. Though i did look at the prices of the cars at various dealerships and you can get a pretty well equipped V6 ATS for about the same price of a loaded 328i, so maybe my argument isnt so strong lol

[rynodyno312]

Though i did look at the prices of the cars at various dealerships and you can get a pretty well equipped V6 ATS for about the same price of a loaded 328i, so maybe my argument isnt so strong lol

BMW kills you with options (most German cars seem to be like this, w/ Porsche being the worst). Sure, a 328i starts at $34k or whatever, but by the time you add some basic options it's at $40k, and it's pretty easy to get to $50k with just a few more options.

I have a feeling than when you compare similarly-equipped cars, the Caddy will be less expensive. Maybe not by a huge amount, but I think it will undercut the Germans. Plus, even if the sticker says the car is $45k, it's a domestic so I will assume it will be marked down with incentives.

[Numbersix]

yeah i thought the base motor was gonna suck lol. I think Cadillac dropped the ball on the pricing though...i wish they would have undercut the 3 series a lot more...

But why should they?

If it can stand toe to toe with the 3 series, why should they offer it at Hyundai money?

Oh, and by the way: As stated above, it's a lot cheaper than a comparable 3 series. In the other ATS thread I demonstrated what a 335i and ATS 3.6 cost when similarly optioned. The 3 series is considerably more.

[NoXenons]

But why should they?

If it can stand toe to toe with the 3 series, why should they offer it at Hyundai money?

Brand image.

[rynodyno312]

In the other ATS thread I demonstrated what a 335i and ATS 3.6 cost when similarly optioned. The 3 series is considerably more.

I compared a fully loaded G37 and a 335i and the price difference is insane. Having owned a 335i and driven several G37s, the massive price difference (when new) is just not worth it. My 335i was $42k brand new, and the only options it had were Sport Package and paddle shifters for the steptronic. The G37 I test drove a few months ago had what seemed like every option (all the Sport package cars are fully loaded) and it was $42k. A similarly optioned 335i would have been $50k.

CPO prices are a different thing, but comparing new cars its not even close.

[Turbio!]

Brand image.

The nonsensical and biased opinions of internet dorks aside, Cadillac doesn't have a brand image so bad that it needs to sell only on value.

[compy222]

Plus, even if the sticker says the car is $45k, it's a domestic so I will assume it will be marked down with incentives.

Caddy isn't as generous as the other GM makes...remember, they're turning a pretty good profit.

The nonsensical and biased opinions of internet dorks aside, Cadillac doesn't have a brand image so bad that it needs to sell only on value.

again, they're actually selling well and people really like the look of them...as much as TCL hates to admit it, a good looking car often has a lot better brand perception. Caddy has gone a long ways in bringing their brand image up to some pretty high+mighty nameplates.

10 years ago, if you said Caddy and 3-series in the same sentence, you'd have been burned at the stake.

[caliatenza]

when do the 2.0T models hit the lots?

[caliatenza]

I compared a fully loaded G37 and a 335i and the price difference is insane. Having owned a 335i and driven several G37s, the massive price difference (when new) is just not worth it. My 335i was $42k brand new, and the only options it had were Sport Package and paddle shifters for the steptronic. The G37 I test drove a few months ago had what seemed like every option (all the Sport package cars are fully loaded) and it was $42k. A similarly optioned 335i would have been $50k.

CPO prices are a different thing, but comparing new cars its not even close.

Honestly i would be very happy with a G37...its a great value for the price.

[Nourdmrolnmt]

Brand image.

I'll find more; if you find me some and refute my post.

[deftonesfan867]

Brand image.

Is your brain dysfunctional?

[NoXenons]

Any of these cars would be great to own at the end of the day its just down to personal choice.

Normally when I ask an Audi owner why they chose their car they point to the so called tacky Fairy Lights at the front of the car.

When I ask an Mercedes owner they say the finance deal was so much cheaper.

BMW owners have usually tested all 3 and say they wanted a car that was involving and a real drivers car.

As an owner of many cars I feel I have the best brand of car you can get and when I see an Audi or Merc know I have the best car.

Audi Merc and Cadillac drivers in my opinion cannot really say this and must wish they too owned a BMW every time they see one.

[KICKINGTI]

Any of these cars would be great to own at the end of the day its just down to personal choice.

Normally when I ask an Audi owner why they chose their car they point to the so called tacky Fairy Lights at the front of the car.

When I ask an Mercedes owner they say the finance deal was so much cheaper.

BMW owners have usually tested all 3 and say they wanted a car that was involving and a real drivers car.

Really?

Usually what I hear is this:

I bought an Audi because its an Audi.

I bought a Mercedes because its a Mercedes.

I bought a BMW because its a BMW. ........

[NoXenons]

Exactly. Cadillac is not even in the picture.