would you still choose the tsx over an ats 2.0T ? im debating if i should give my tsx to parents and get myself an ats. they need a new car

the ats is an amazing car, gives great power. however i've never driven it or any cadillac for that matter, so not sure about their build and quality. i'd test drive it and see if you like it, and chances are, i think you will like it from the power and rwd!

Wait for the new Benz CLA.

i was considering the benz. but i really really hate the current C class. the material and the interior is not something i could compare to the tsx interior. way better. and the CLA is gonna b lower than the C class from what i heard. so i doubt it will be any better interior wise.

If you do, get the auto because the manual is beyond atrocious, and the CUE is pretty terrible and frustrating too. Other than that, if you like the design and everything else, go with your gut.

ATS is a great car, but much more expensive....!!

can you be more specific about the CUE and the tranny thing? do u have first hand experience? ive seen vids about the CUE being not that good. but i would love to get a different persons opinion on it so if you have used it and u can point out flaws u noticed, that would b great.

In the TSX v. ATS, it really comes down to Acura reliability, value, and ergonomics v. the ATS's RWD performance edge, and, arguably, additional luxury.

If I were buying now, I'd probably go with the ATS, despite the flaws reported in reviews: coarse engine; poor shifter; CUE; small trunk. Basically, I crave RWD dynamics, and I'd like more power and better steering, which the ATS apparently has. I'd probably wait to compare with the upcoming Lexus IS though, because it might provide a similar drive with Toyota reliability, and without the nonsense of CUE. I'd hate to drive an automatic, but might do so if the rest of the car rocks my world.

This is a big issue not well represented here. A comparably equipped Cadillac costs $10K-$15K more.

i only plan on leasing. right now im paying 335/month for my SE. i think the ATS should b close to tht. hopefully anyway.

wow not even the same category to me i drove the ats with all the bells and whistles and it was amazing performance and ride comfort all of it.

2.0T ATS is like $45k isnt it??... I like the ATS a lot but it think at 45k there might be better options


hmmm nevermind the 2.0L premium is $45k the 2.0T is around $35k

test drove the ATS. you guys will be happy to hear that as far as driving dynamics go, the tsx wins in my book....its very hard to explain, but the steering in the ATS was way too cushy. it felt like it was not responsive and had some play in it. the suspension was very smooth, even in sport mode. it had a bit more power (2.0T) the interior was AMAZING quality. but the trim level that i would prefer to get is prty much 45k. thats alot. id only do it if i transfer my lease probably

At that rate, just grab a maxed out 1 series or a basic 3 series.

Or any number of other cars. The Corvette is the only American car I would even consider paying much more than $30K for. But I realize that when renting (as opposed to buying), the price doesn't really matter. This is of course why dealers/manufacturers have so embraced leasing; it's all about the payment, and no one seems to care (or often even know) what the price of the car is. That's fine for some, but I gave up leasing years ago (sounds good up front, but the numbers never seemed to work for me by the time I was done), and since I only buy my cars now, the thought of paying anywhere near $45K for a small Cadillac does little for me but draw a chuckle.

^

can't really compare a TSX that tops out at about $34K vs one that tops out at $45K+. I was cross-shopping Passat/Outback/Crosstour/Maxima/Regal turbo before choosing the TSX. All those would've been around the same coin as the TSX. But I have driven the ATS and liked it. But not enough to spend over $37K on one either.

all very valid points of course. the price isnt really as big of an issue as you guys say since im leasing it. its basically just a higher monthly payment. not significantly higher (unless i include insurance and everything which is obviously gonna cost more). after going to a few dealers and test driving the ATS, i managed to talk the price down to 450/month out the door. this is for an ats thats at 38k. plus they would take my tsx with negative equaty of 4k. thats a pretty good price i guess but its not for the car i want. this ATS is missing the key feature that im most interested in and thats the fog lights/vertical DRL combo. believe it or not thats a deal breaker for me lol. and of course, 450/month + insurance thats higher than mine is gonna b too much. not worth it in the end. the way i drive, really not gonna matter if its fwd or rwd. i dont think ive pushed the tsx far enough to understeer yet.

but here is a mini review for the ATS: steering is much lighter than the tsx but still accurate and responsive. doesnt give you a sense of control though. tsx steering kind of pushes back and feels sporty. this one feels way too mushy. acceleration is great at high rpm, nothing special at low (i drove the turbo model). everything is comfortable about the car other than that. the instrument cluster/ speedometer is hideous. probably worst looking cluster ive seen lately. all in all i really want it mainly because of the cadillac name. but its not worth paying an extra 125 per month plus the insurarance difference just to get a cadillac with no HID, no fog lights, no heated seats,no paddle shifters.

ATS

Some people have said they are not sure about GM Quality. lol
That's what I thought before My TSX, all cars have issues. They are all about the same these days, the days of the 70's, 80's and 90's with far better Asian build quality is long gone.

Good god this is dated. Not what I'd want on my 45K car...

Wow, that cluster is right out of an 80's Camaro (except for the XM maybe). Dashboards have always been a weak spot for GM (actually, interiors period), and I see that hasn't changed.

every review of the ATS says it handles outstanding....better than 3 series.

the overall dash looks fine to me....gauges not so hot but....I'd take it.

check out the customizable XTS cluster....

ive read and seen all those reviews. it does handle great. i might have phrased it wrong i guess but my beef is with the mushy steering. its way too soft compared to the tsx. i was probably not used to it but it felt like the softness of the steering was not sporty at all. way to mushy. didnt feel like it was even attached to the wheels. idk about others but i kind of like a little bit more of a stiffer steering. a more responsive feel.

Is it, the ATS, reliable like Japanese counterparts?

I wouldn't try the first model year, but after that it should be fine, even if it probably won't reach Honda/Toyota levels. It's probably less of a reliability risk than many of its European competitors.

45K... You could get a basic BMW 5 series or the newer E-Class. Maybe even get a New RLX. BMW and Mercedes usually discount like 5K when buying a 50k car.

Use this to calculate payments if you finance: http://www.cars.com/go/advice/financ...alse&mode=full

i wouldn't consider a car that is being discontinued let alone the last year of it's body style.

with that being said and as it was mentioned several times before you'll obviously get more for your money with the tsx (feature wise) but at this point in the game you're better off looking at an altima or accord... or if you don't mind older body styles picking up a G37 right around the time they release the Q50 replacement.

37 - 45 k for this caddy whoa 2.0t at that you can pick up a audi a4 2.0t, a used audi s4 , s5 with the v8 and a numerous amount of bmws etc for the price the tsx is the better car performance for factory the ats may appeal more but with the amount of money saved on the purchase the tsx can be a whole new animal

There are some great cars in the last year of the body style that people have regretted trading in on a newer body style of the same car.

Like others have pointed out, TSX = better reliability, ergonomics, bang for buck.

been great on this forum guys. i went with the ATS. black on red leather. 2.0t with manual. so far so GREAT. traded in the acura tsx with with a 27k payoff left on it. put 2k down and my payments are at 480 per month. i THINK it was a good deal but ill let you guys decide if i got ripped off or not. i hope not. my tsx had 15k miles on it and 2+ years left on a 3 year lease. so it had some negative equity which hurt the deal a little bit.