I Have A Cadillac ATS-V Coupe For A Week, Whatcha Wanna Know?

"Andrew T. Maness" (theroadlessdriven) 01/08/2016 at 15:00 • Filed to: Cadillac ATS-V, Andrew Maness, The Road Less Driven, Questions, Car Reviews

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Today is a good day, not only because it is Friday, but because I have in my possession, for the next 7 days, a 2016 Cadillac ATS-V coupe with a 6spd manual transmission.

The exterior looks beautiful covered in Cadillacs pearly Crystal White Tricoat , and the interior is something other than black for a change. Light Platinum they call it, and it’s somewhere between white, and grey, and it works, oh boy does it work.

This thing also has the Recaro Performance Seats, Luxury Package, and the all important Performance Data Recorder, which I will be taking full advantage of on some of my favorite canyon roads.

I’ve driven both the ATS-V sedan, and coupe at Willow Springs a few times, but only got half an hour on the street with one of them. I’ll be upfront about the fact that I’m a huge fan of this car on the track, and it’s going to take a glaring issue with its street manners for my overall opinion of it to be anything less than excellent.

However, you never know, maybe it’s dull to drive around in traffic, or not such a great place to hangout for an extended period of time. I doubt it, but anythings possible I suppose.

So, what do you guys want to know about it? I’ll dive into the spirit of the car in the story following my time with it, but are there details you’re curious about? Little things that I might overlook? Leave your questions in the comments, and I’ll do my best to answer them directly.

Oh, keep an eye on my Instagram for lots of pretty pictures of the car, as I found out yesterday, it photographs really, really well.

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Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Andrew T. Maness 01/08/2016 at 15:06

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What would make you buy it over ze Germans? Or, conversely, what would stop you buying it over ze Germans?

Jonathan Harper > Andrew T. Maness 01/08/2016 at 15:07

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Yes it does!

McMike > Andrew T. Maness 01/08/2016 at 15:07

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How much could the officer have written the ticket for?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Andrew T. Maness 01/08/2016 at 15:08

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Have you had any of the cooling issues Matt Farah was discussing during his One Take with it?

gmctavish needs more space > Andrew T. Maness 01/08/2016 at 15:15

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Mmm I saw one of those at the last auto show and I was very impressed. How are you liking the seats? Does the clutch have any feel?

Definitely one of the cars I want to buy a kind of beat example of in 10 years or something when I can afford it

yamahog > Andrew T. Maness 01/08/2016 at 15:24

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I would like to know whereabouts you will be parking it and where you usually keep your keys.

nermal > Andrew T. Maness 01/08/2016 at 15:44

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Assuming you could afford it, is it reasonable for a daily driver?

Voice of C. Montgomery Burns > Andrew T. Maness 01/08/2016 at 16:16

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Take it to the track and have it go against a F30 M3/M4 and let us know.

AM3R shamefully returns > Andrew T. Maness 01/08/2016 at 17:17

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ATS-V or M4?

Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop > Andrew T. Maness 01/08/2016 at 17:20

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Can I have it?

Andrew T. Maness > Jonathan Harper 01/08/2016 at 18:23

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that’s a fuckin heater!

Andrew T. Maness > gmctavish needs more space 01/08/2016 at 18:27

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The seats are excellent, can adjust both back, and thigh bolsters to “bear hug”, which is great when driving hard. More importantly the thigh bolsters are nice and high, unlike that of my M235i or even the M4. Low, soft, thigh bolsters in “sport” seats piss me off.

Clutch does has nice feel, it’s not as grabby as say, that of a WRX, but it’s not vague like so many other modern clutches either. Uptake is easy, I actually think it’d be relatively simple for a novice manual driver to operate.

Andrew T. Maness > McMike 01/08/2016 at 18:27

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Hope you din’t jinx me.

Andrew T. Maness > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/08/2016 at 18:27

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I’ll get back to you on this at the end of next week.

Andrew T. Maness > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 01/08/2016 at 18:30

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Right of the bat, uniqueness, a four door ATS-V with the badges removed is a sleeper to 90% of the public, whereas an M3 will always attract attention, of then the wrong kind. As for the coupe, I think it’s a meaner, prettier car than the M4.

However, I just got some more seat time in an M4 drop top this past Sunday, and if there’s one thing that would steer me to that car, it would be the exhaust note. The ATS-V is great at WOT, but the M4 is great all the time. Then again, some of that is fake...

Andrew T. Maness > yamahog 01/08/2016 at 18:31

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Here & there.

Andrew T. Maness > AM3R shamefully returns 01/08/2016 at 18:31

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ATS-V, and I say as a BMW fan/owner.

Andrew T. Maness > Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop 01/08/2016 at 18:32

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sure, cash only though.

Andrew T. Maness > nermal 01/08/2016 at 18:32

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I think so, and at the end of the week, I’ll know for sure given what I plan to do with it.

gmctavish needs more space > Andrew T. Maness 01/08/2016 at 19:59

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All of that sounds excellent. I really have no modern manual transmission experience, the only somewhat new manuals I’ve driven were an E36 328is and a 2005 Ford Ranger. They both felt super vague, but somehow easy to do properly. Also, a 464hp sport sedan being good for a novice is awesome

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Andrew T. Maness 01/08/2016 at 20:47

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I have to say I agree. I'd rather have the Cadillac. It's interesting to hear someone else's reasons though.

AM3R shamefully returns > Andrew T. Maness 01/09/2016 at 00:30

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Now I'm super curious to try one out!

Andrew T. Maness > AM3R shamefully returns 01/09/2016 at 11:38

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You absolutely should, I spent a little more time on some tight roads with it yesterday, and then in heavy traffic coming home, excelled in both environments.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Andrew T. Maness 01/12/2016 at 14:56

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Nice! I assume you’ve driven an E9x M3 at some point. This or that, and why? Dynamically, based on reviews, the ATS-V seems to have it over the new M3/4.

Andrew T. Maness > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/13/2016 at 02:07

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E92 M3 manual, only a few times, all of which were on the street, but that was enough for me to be able to say ATS-V. I just feel more confident in the Caddy, both in terms of handling, and the power to just go like hell at a moments notice.

That being said, E90 M3 with zero options till reigns supreme in my heart as the track/daily gold standard.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Andrew T. Maness 01/13/2016 at 09:12

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Yeah, it sounds like the chassis is incredible, and low-end torque is addictive. I need to get a drive in one.

I’m still loving my manual E90 (w all the options) - it really is a pleasure to drive every day, and I’m always amazed at how capable it is on back roads or at the track. Hoping to keep mine for a long, long time.

Andrew T. Maness > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/13/2016 at 12:15

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Funny you say that about low-end torque or, L.E.T. as I’ve been calling it. I have an article I’ve been working on for a few weeks all about our increasing dependency L.E.T. and how it will shape the next generation of auto enthusiasts’ idea of what a sports car is. Really looking forward to sharing that one soon, just running it through the proofreading process as few more times before posting.

Anyway, yes, keep your E90 for a long, long time, I hope to own one in the not so distant future. I love my M235i, but “coupe life” won’t last forever. Just have to find that 2010 M3 with no sunroof, no nav and cloth seats!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Andrew T. Maness 01/13/2016 at 12:44

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Look forward to reading it. It is an interesting topic. The new GT350 Voodoo is being universally praised, but it suffers from the same lack of L-ET that the E9x, the S2000 and many high-strung sports cars before them. What makes these cars so fantastic on back roads and at the track is seen as a liability in traffic or off the line. Despite this, there will always be enthusiasts that prefer these high-revving screamers to the grunt of a high-displacement V8 or a turbocharged engine. Maybe the trickle-down of hybrid powertrains is the next big thing for us enthusiasts. Immediate torque from the electric engine off the line, paired with a screaming V8 at the top end. I’d be okay with that - ha!

Good luck on your hunt for that slicktop stripper - there aren’t many of them, but they’re out there!

Coming from the M235i, what are your thoughts on the M2?