Originally Posted by woofersus

Update: Drove an ATS-V today. It was out of my price range but a pretty aggressive deal as it was a 2018 with less than 2k miles on the clock priced at 46k. Also, when I told the manager it was out of my price range and I was probably looking for more like a 2016 that had seen some miles and that I wasn't super into the color (an orangish red with a lot of metal fleck in the paint) he suggested he had "bought the car pretty right" and might be able to "make me a fan of red." I'm guessing that means that they could get real close to the $40k mark I said was my upper bound. Still probably too far out of the sweet spot, but it tells me a bit about what the auction prices are on these things and how much mark-up there is in the prices I'm seeing on them. I also know that car has been on the lot for over a month, so when he used the term "smokin' deal" he probably meant it.

Anyhow, I'm not the sort to fall in love with a car and make up my mind on the spot, especially when it's above my preferred price point, but I definitely liked the car. I've sat in a 2016 before, and the 2018 models had an update to the much-maligned CUE system. It's an improvement. I'd still much prefer some buttons and *****, but I came away from the experience feeling like I could live with it just fine. Ink has been spilled about the mishmash of interior materials, and it's true but it didn't bother me. There were enough high quality materials that the overall impression is pretty decent. It's not quite as ergonomically just right as the 440 I drove, but it was ok, and the star of the show in this car is something else anyway. It had the optional Recaro seats which were surprisingly comfortable (did I mention I'm a fairly big person?) and it was easy to get into a good position for driving, with the relatively thick, small steering wheel feeling nice in the hands.

The exhaust on start-up was wholly uninspiring but not offensive. I don't know if aftermarket exhaust would improve it significantly, but I do know my G sounds a lot better since I replaced the exhaust, cats, filters, and intake tubes. I came to understand what some reviewers were talking about when they complained about the engine. It pulls hard with no lag, but it never tells you all that much, and mostly makes a buzzy sound as you get higher in the tach. And there's no feeling of building as you rev higher. It's kind of a constant wall of torque. Just not a lot of character. There were some small humps and bumps in the power band, but I'm not sure if maybe the traction control was kicking in. But it sure is fast - 60mph comes in a blink and speeds I was surprised the salesman riding with me approved of came pretty soon after that. I felt at all times like I was driving a fast car, unlike the 440ix without the M suspension and steering bits. I could see cruising at triple digits like it was nothing, with the effortless power and the incredibly effective magnetic suspension. Super smooth even in sport mode, but with no body roll or sway ever. And the steering was magnificent. The chassis and handling is the star of the show, and the GM engineers deserve some serious kudos. In touring mode it feels like they just put some play in the steering right on center. Maybe a little less touchy, but not confidence inspiring. In Sport mode it was perfect. Precise, fast, communicative, and just the right weight, for me anyway. Race mode was real twitchy and would take some practice, so I noped back to sport mode after a few seconds. Took a little loop on a back road and it was a joy to take through the turns. I will say it didn't quite give the same impression of mechanical connectedness as my G, but I'm so familiar with the latter that it's probably less the machine and more the mind. And the distant nature of what was happening under the hood probably contributed as well.

I'm still skeptical that an ATS-V will fall into my price range, but I REALLY enjoyed driving it despite its well-chronicled shortcomings.

Originally Posted by Jsolo

We're at a bit of crossroads here. Dad passed away a few months ago leaving behind a 2015 honda accord exl (~16K miles). My '12 G (37S 6MT) has about 36K miles on it. Only one driver in the household. It makes little sense to have 2 cars - insurance, registration, maintenance, etc. We're tossing the idea of selling (trading?) in both to get something else. Adding a bit of cash to the pot is a possibility too.

Question is what. I want something with the handling and power of the G. Although I'm a car person, I'm open to a crossover of some sort, even something with an automatic trans .

Originally Posted by Rochester

If you haven't thought about it already, it's been discussed here for sure, but... you would really love a low-mileage Chevy SS. All kinds of interior room, a massive trunk, every luxury feature imaginable, crazy good handling for a 2-ton boat, a proper 6MT and a stupidly strong power train. In a car that calls zero attention to itself. Seriously, total stealth fighter.

And then you get Australian bragging rights, which mean nothing but is still pretty cool.

Originally Posted by Jsolo

^^Fun? That's a matter of perspective. It would be more fun if there were actual vehicles that I was interested in.

Originally Posted by Rochester

That sure doesn't read like an endorsement. It reads like a long list of compromises.