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?

get this IS250 F

http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-global/dims...ick-spin-1.jpg

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!

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

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.

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

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.