Vantage vs AMG gtR
Discussion
Just seen this nice looking AMG for sale, the same sort of money as the Vantage, worth a look or is it just the case no it's not an Aston?
https://www.top555.co.uk/stock/details/Mercedes-Be...
https://www.top555.co.uk/stock/details/Mercedes-Be...
I drove a pal’s GTR in France a few weeks ago. It is a fantastic bit of kit, cant fault it dynamically.
3 things stop me wanting to buy one:
1, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I dont think its a looker.
2, the bonnet is long, long, long. Not great in small spaces and it doesnt have surround view.
3, the front of the car is very flat (the grille, lights and windscreen). The windscreen has been cracked on every road trip that car has been on, and the front gets littered with stone chips, more so than anything else I have witnessed. I think the windscreen is an issue, it is too vertical.
Also there is a newer version out now so these ‘old’ cars will take a hammering.
3 things stop me wanting to buy one:
1, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I dont think its a looker.
2, the bonnet is long, long, long. Not great in small spaces and it doesnt have surround view.
3, the front of the car is very flat (the grille, lights and windscreen). The windscreen has been cracked on every road trip that car has been on, and the front gets littered with stone chips, more so than anything else I have witnessed. I think the windscreen is an issue, it is too vertical.
Also there is a newer version out now so these ‘old’ cars will take a hammering.
I recently attended the Coventry Motofest and they had an area set aside for 'Supercars' (I think it was the SDC).
Within the area, there were lots of great cars, including Lambo's, Mclarens, Ferrari, Porsche, Aston and Mercs.
There were a few of Astons (DB9 and Vantages) and a Merc AMG GT.
I would say most people were surrounding and viewing the cars, but generally walking past the Merc AMG GT (It may have been the dark exterior/interior colour).
It just doesn't have that presence like the other cars.
Don't get me wrong, I'd have one if someone gave me one, but it felt out of place.
Vantage every time for me, its just more of an occasion and has a lot of respect thrown its way.
Within the area, there were lots of great cars, including Lambo's, Mclarens, Ferrari, Porsche, Aston and Mercs.
There were a few of Astons (DB9 and Vantages) and a Merc AMG GT.
I would say most people were surrounding and viewing the cars, but generally walking past the Merc AMG GT (It may have been the dark exterior/interior colour).
It just doesn't have that presence like the other cars.
Don't get me wrong, I'd have one if someone gave me one, but it felt out of place.
Vantage every time for me, its just more of an occasion and has a lot of respect thrown its way.
I know people who’ve had the GTR and love them
But I do think it suffers a little bit from it’s badge. That’s not intended as disrespect for Mercedes, perfectly fine company. But everyone is used to seeing Mercedes everywhere. So even a supercar version feels a little less “exotic”.
The Audi R8 suffers I think in the same way (again a great car). But it’s an Audi. And also if you go to any Goodwood Breakfast meet there will be eleventy billion of them.
....And, this might be heretical, the Honda NSX (albeit of the three I would still buy the original one if I could).
I know, I know it’s badge snobbery. But actually when you own a supercar, how it makes you feel (including inherent prejudices) are important factors
But I do think it suffers a little bit from it’s badge. That’s not intended as disrespect for Mercedes, perfectly fine company. But everyone is used to seeing Mercedes everywhere. So even a supercar version feels a little less “exotic”.
The Audi R8 suffers I think in the same way (again a great car). But it’s an Audi. And also if you go to any Goodwood Breakfast meet there will be eleventy billion of them.
....And, this might be heretical, the Honda NSX (albeit of the three I would still buy the original one if I could).
I know, I know it’s badge snobbery. But actually when you own a supercar, how it makes you feel (including inherent prejudices) are important factors
In my opinion the GTC coupe that I tested was disappointing in terms of ride and interior quality. Interior was not much better than my wife's C-Class coupe to be honest. Paint had lots of orangepeel if you have an eye for detail at this price point. Seats (AMG sport) were not particularly comfortable. Steering felt a little numb off-centre in my opinion. Didn't appreciate the letterbox front windscreen. Exhaust noise wasn't overly inspiring either - sort of echoed in the empty rear hatch area. Overall having gone to the dealership to test drive (and ready to do a deal, cash, nil trade-in, v. excited etc) came away more disappointed than ever in my car purchasing history. Possibly due to my high expectations.
However, although the car didn't gel with me, I must say that powertrain and acceleration as expected are excellent.
However, although the car didn't gel with me, I must say that powertrain and acceleration as expected are excellent.
RobDown said:
I know, I know it’s badge snobbery. But actually when you own a supercar, how it makes you feel (including inherent prejudices) are important factors
I've made peace with my badge snobbery, I don't see why it's seen as such a bad thing.My wife has a Luis Vuitton handbag, it doesn't do anything a Sainsbury's carrier bad doesn't do, but nobody seems to feel the need to point that out. An iPhone doesn't do anything a Huawei can't do for half the price, but people are happy enough spending more on the brand they connect with.
I'm perfectly comfortable with the fact that my DB9 is less capable than an AMG GT, and I see no shame in the fact that the badge was a major draw. (which is odd, because in all other areas of life I avoid brands like the plague and always buy the best value option).
Personally I dont like the styling and I dont get on with Mercedes driver interface/electronics gizmos, I just dont find it intuitive at all. Im not a Merc fan, if its German I prefer a hot Audi.
I wouldn't be spending £130k on a newish Merc, I would sooner have lightly used V12V Roadster
I wouldn't be spending £130k on a newish Merc, I would sooner have lightly used V12V Roadster
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