FR-S vs. ATS: Apples to Oranges - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

mazeroni · 09-29-2016, 11:28 AM

Has anyone driven or ridden in the ATS? What are your thoughts on the car as a stepping stone from the FR-S? How is the balance? 2.0T vs 3.6?

It is obviously heavier and won't be as tactile, still, I have heard good things about the ATS sans the infotainment system. I would look for a manual, but wouldn't rule out the auto. Also I love the way it looks both inside and out. That and you can slap a tune on the turbo for around 600$ and will see pretty nice gains.

Anyway, my new commute through Nashville (From Antioch, up Old Hickory, down 65, to Franklin) is a bit brutal. There are lots of hills and slow moving traffic. The 86 is a momentum car. Not a 'I have enough torque' to make that fast pass car from a dead stop. Also I now find the engine to be grating. If it didn't sound so terrible between 3-5K (where I spend all of my time now) my opinions might be different.

So, used ATS depreciate, a lot. Just looking on KBB you can find a 2013 2.0T with low mileage for around $20K. It is going to be a really nice weekend here so I figure that I'll go out looking this weekend.

The alternative might be a UEL header-back exhaust on the FR-S to fix one of my chief complaints.

Not sure, what are your opinions on going from an entry-level Japanese sports coupe to an American sedan with German aspirations?

FX86 · 09-29-2016, 01:09 PM

get this IS250 F

mazeroni · 09-29-2016, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FX86

get this IS250 F

But the 2.5 V6 sounds like an anchor. A very thirsty anchor. I have heard it is very smooth, but at 204 hp and a 8.3 second 0-60 time, I am not sold. The ATS 2.0T is supposed to be good for 5.7-6.5 0-60 run and a decent 100 mph trap speed. If I could find a IS350 in the low 20s, that would be a different story.

I do like the way the F-sport looks, plus the interior is super dope!

FX86 · 09-29-2016, 03:02 PM

I was going to suggest the 350 but they are definitely up their price wise

yip · 10-09-2016, 10:35 PM

I cross shopped a 2.0T ATS before buying a new 17 BRZ. After a bunch of research I skipped the ATS due to the piston issues. GM even had a recall for the issue but it seems to persist even into the current model year engines.

D_Thissen · 10-10-2016, 10:38 AM

My parents have the ATS4 (AWD) 3.6L coupe. Very nice car to drive.

DAEMANO · 10-10-2016, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FX86

get this IS250 F

I have one (a 2015 IS250 F-Sport) and this car is NOT fast or quick at all. It's a good looking highway cruiser. The 2016 200T model might feel quicker in a straight line, but that doesn't solve the ponderous handling. Once again, this is a heavy luxury GT-like car that looks like a sports sedan but is far from one. A 350 will be even faster, but I doubt the bigger engine resolves the slow-ish steering, body roll, and general weight of the car.

A 4cyl turbo ATS will feel lighter on its' feet, quicker and faster than this. I don't own one of those so I'd have to go from car mags.

FR-S/BRZ/86's are in a totally different ballpark as far as feel goes. These are not cross-shoppable with an IS.

09-29-2016, 11:28 AM	#1
mazeroni Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S Series 10 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,116 Thanks: 600 Thanked 1,017 Times in 512 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	FR-S vs. ATS: Apples to Oranges Has anyone driven or ridden in the ATS? What are your thoughts on the car as a stepping stone from the FR-S? How is the balance? 2.0T vs 3.6? It is obviously heavier and won't be as tactile, still, I have heard good things about the ATS sans the infotainment system. I would look for a manual, but wouldn't rule out the auto. Also I love the way it looks both inside and out. That and you can slap a tune on the turbo for around 600$ and will see pretty nice gains. Anyway, my new commute through Nashville (From Antioch, up Old Hickory, down 65, to Franklin) is a bit brutal. There are lots of hills and slow moving traffic. The 86 is a momentum car. Not a 'I have enough torque' to make that fast pass car from a dead stop. Also I now find the engine to be grating. If it didn't sound so terrible between 3-5K (where I spend all of my time now) my opinions might be different. So, used ATS depreciate, a lot. Just looking on KBB you can find a 2013 2.0T with low mileage for around $20K. It is going to be a really nice weekend here so I figure that I'll go out looking this weekend. The alternative might be a UEL header-back exhaust on the FR-S to fix one of my chief complaints. Not sure, what are your opinions on going from an entry-level Japanese sports coupe to an American sedan with German aspirations?

10-10-2016, 10:38 AM	#6
D_Thissen Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Drives: '13 Argento FR-S (Sold) Location: Ontario Posts: 2,126 Thanks: 3,209 Thanked 1,439 Times in 855 Posts Mentioned: 19 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	My parents have the ATS4 (AWD) 3.6L coupe. Very nice car to drive. __________________ My FR-S Build IG: dthissen

09-29-2016, 01:09 PM	#2
FX86 Banned Join Date: May 2016 Drives: on the wrongside of the road Location: rear floor mats Posts: 2,240 Thanks: 1,084 Thanked 2,087 Times in 1,015 Posts Mentioned: 14 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	get this IS250 F

09-29-2016, 03:02 PM	#4
FX86 Banned Join Date: May 2016 Drives: on the wrongside of the road Location: rear floor mats Posts: 2,240 Thanks: 1,084 Thanked 2,087 Times in 1,015 Posts Mentioned: 14 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	I was going to suggest the 350 but they are definitely up their price wise

10-09-2016, 10:35 PM	#5
yip Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Drives: 1997 Chevy S10 Location: SoCal Posts: 143 Thanks: 2 Thanked 30 Times in 25 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I cross shopped a 2.0T ATS before buying a new 17 BRZ. After a bunch of research I skipped the ATS due to the piston issues. GM even had a recall for the issue but it seems to persist even into the current model year engines.

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