Poll AMG GTS vs AUDI R8 - What to buy?

[AndreB]

Hey guys,

The car disease never goes away, lol

Spring is coming soon and I still haven't decided what car to buy.
Few months ago I was between AMG GT or S Coupe but I want a fun car, so the later is out.

The new contender is the 2016 AUDI R8 !

What I like about it:
+ better daily driver
+ more refined ride (based on reviews)
+ supercar performance

Minuses:
- can't fit the skis in it
- exterior looks a bit robotic

What do you guys think? If anyone here has driven both I'd love to hear your opinion.

Cheers!

 

[donkeykong]

N/A V10 all day.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

Why not the new BMW 8er. It will be much sportier than the S Coupe and more practical than the other two.

 

[sako97]

N/A V10 all day.

Despite that, I found the R8 to be a snoozefest on my test drive - they over-Audified the gen. 2 R8, now it lacks a sports car soul.

There are times I check the classifieds for the gen. 1 R8 5.2L Coupé with the gated 6-speed. A rarity, as it's by far the best Audi sports car to date.

 

[hovabongZA]

Hands down the R8.... because N/A V10 thrumps V8 !

 

[tristatez28lt1]

Difficult choice but I’d go for the AMG, it’s more engaging to drive and a bit more understated. The V10 is gorgeous though.

 

[Rolf]

It's a very difficult choice as both are fantastic sports cars. I personally don't like the 2nd gen R8 as much as the 1st gen it's lost the beautiful styling details that the older model had. The AMG GTS is a more emotional car in its looks and with the way it drives and will be my choice. The most amazing thing of the R8 that really makes the decision to choose been difficult is its amazing V10 engine. That engine is one of the world's best, awesome sound and ability to rev to nearly 9000rpm is motoring heaven

 

[Betty Swollocks]

There are times I check the classifieds for the gen. 1 R8 5.2L Coupé with the gated 6-speed. A rarity, as it's by far the best Audi sports car to date.

I may be biased, but I agree. I have the manual box 1st gen V10. Last year this article caught my eye...

Dan Trent: The Audi R8 V10 manual is a future investment supercar

"The first-generation R8 is, to my mind, a much nicer car than the current one."

"Being more involved, having to make deliberate choices about gear selection, revs and footwork make going (a little bit) slower a lot more fun. Especially when connected to a gloriously charismatic engine like the 5.2-litre V10."

 

[tristatez28lt1]

I'm fully in agreement with those statements. R8 gen I, gated manual, V8 or V10. Doesn't matter. I actually would get the V8 if I just cared for smiles per miles. I've driven both and even though the V8 isn't that quick, it is the most enjoyable.

 

[AndreB]

Great answers guys!

I like the 1st gen R8 but for a daily driver the manual gearbox might be a bit too much.

I lean towards the AMG, just I'm a bit intimidated by the long hood, haha.

The new R8 definitely is a better car than the AMG GT, more precise, more refined but looks a bit cold.

 

[martinbo]

A 911 GTS.

 

[donkeykong]

A 911 GTS.

.1 or .2?

 

[martinbo]

.1 or .2?

.2 - It's a revelation for a turbo'd non-GT Porsche. Stunning pace in an everyday-usable package. Flat six character hasn't been compromised by going the forced induction route - unlike the tail off in character we saw on the 4 cyl turbo'd Cayman.

 

[AndreB]

Can't take the 991 because is too expensive for it's age and the new one is coming up soon.

I want to keep the new car for a couple years, if I'll like living with a sports car.
My current car is A8 D4 which btw I'm selling it if someone is interested, link here

 

[Sunny]

Can't take the 991 because is too expensive for it's age and the new one is coming up soon.

It is a 911, the new one will look like the old one. They just keep tweaking it. And I bet in 2 years 911 will depreciate less than any AMG (excluding highly limited BS cars).

 

[sako97]

It is a 911, the new one will look like the old one. They just keep tweaking it. And I bet in 2 years 911 will depreciate less than any AMG (excluding highly limited BS cars).

For some, newer is better regardless of how incremental changes are.

The AMG GT R market is notably GT3-esque and the AMG GT residual in general is strong compared to other AMGs.

I’m still baffled that the SLS BS is commanding half a million. Exclusivity goes a long way nowadays.

 

[Sunny]

^To be honest, I have not followed the AMG GT market least bit. Just know the other non-limited AMGs take huge hits. For the GT, I guess the crucial test will be when the next version comes out. Again, just my guess, given the wild swings in MB design language and given that GT is an automatic only, turbo with almost no lineage I don't expect it to fair too well.

 

[AndreB]

Guys, how is the road noise in the GT?

Drove a VW GTI on 19' inch wheels this weekend and I was very annoyed by the tire roar on not so smooth road surfaces. I could not listen to radio music properly.

Does all sports cars have this issue?
@sako97 said R8 was a snoozefest on his test drive however I think that's better than a 'roarfest'.

Happy Easter to everyone!

 

[EKaru]

I cannot believe that most people would take The AMG GT S over the Normally aspirated V10 powered R8

 

[sako97]

Guys, how is the road noise in the GT?

Drove a VW GTI on 19' inch wheels this weekend and I was very annoyed by the tire roar on not so smooth road surfaces. I could not listen to radio music properly.

Does all sports cars have this issue?
@sako97 said R8 was a snoozefest on his test drive however I think that's better than a 'roarfest'.

Happy Easter to everyone!

Lots of road noise and stiffly sprung. The GT is purposely engineered to be raucous, since that's what owners are used to in this segment (especially the 991). Some say AMG has overdone the stiffness on their latest models. Even the 991 Turbo has considerable tire roar and general road noises.

I drove a 991 Turbo & 570GT back-to-back some time ago and the McLaren was acutally more supple in regular driving.

I cannot believe that most people would take The AMG GT S over the Normally aspirated V10 powered R8

Having driven both, the GT S has so much more character and is more engaging to drive. The saving grace for the R8 is the V10, but it otherwise feels very tepid. The V10 noise is also not nearly as visceral as the later Gallardos and Huracan. Of course, a Tubi or Akrapovič exhaust would rectify that.

In contrast, one of the best cars I've ever driven is the first gen R8 V10 manual.