guynamedsean

Now that everyone is having such trouble getting a GTR allocation and even those trying to get a GTS allocation are getting the run around, it seems that MB is starting to control the supply to bring it more in line with the demand.

Do you guys think that the regular models like the GTS will begin to hold value better now?

austintipton

If Mercedes is denying allocations, it isn't to protect used cars, it is to protect new cars. If anything, I'd say it is an indication depreciation will continue to be a heavy hitter on the GT.

The good news is that the GT is a bargain. A base GT with a tune will blow away a 911S and be more luxurious. A quick look on Autotrader shows lots of 2016 911S's for under 100k, no 2016 GTS under 100k. Depreciation looks like it is doing just great to me.

wizee

The AMG GTS has depreciated at a horrendous rate in Canada. I picked up my 2.5 year old 2017 with a $173k CAD MSRP and 20k kilometres (12k miles) for only $100k CAD. It has 1.5 years left on the original warranty, and it’s a nice spec. That’s 20% per year depreciation, right up there with S63 sedan or Aston Martin depreciation.

Not only that, but many less desirably specced cars (white or grey exterior with black interior mainly) are listed for $90k CAD ($68k USD). There are 5 or 6 for sale around that price point just in my area. That’s over 20% depreciation.

If this rate continues, in another 3 years we’ll be seeing AMG GTS listed for under $50k CAD ($38k USD). I find that hard to imagine, but that’s the current rate of depreciation, in Canada at least.

Why are they depreciating so quickly? Will they keep depreciating like this? Why are so many used AMG GTS for sale? Why would anybody buy a new AMG GTC when you can get a slightly used GTS for half the price?

Southpaw07

I think they're close to the bottom for a 2016 that is fresh off warranty and here's my rationale:
When prices get to a point that the car becomes a value:price bargain, people will start to buy them up. When prices drop to a point where they sell faster, then inventory becomes a factor. When demand exceeds supply is when prices stabilize. The GTS is still a heck of a car and when you can get one for $60k, that will be heavily considered.

Of course this is just my $.02.

Wolfman

I don't see any particular issues with the AMG GT depreciation in the US. MY2016 model are 2015 builds and are in the 4th year cycle. A proper low mileage example is high $70k to low $80k. That is still above 50% and a good rate IMO for any AMG and many MB models. There is always a more dramatic price drop of a fresh purchase (largest drop seems still in the first year) or well optioned cars (options add desirability but virtually zero value on a used car)

wizee

Agreed, I can’t see people not buying them when they become performance bargains (ie. cheaper than a comparably performing Corvette). They’re already close to that price:performance point, their production numbers are comparable to the 911 Turbo (mass produced but not super high volume like the S class), good looking and desirable, and don’t have the reliability and complexity issues old old S/CL/SL AMG cars.

They’re faster (from a roll) than a C8 Corvette, better handling based on early C8 reviews, prettier, will be much rarer, and not much more expensive used than a well specced new C8 (Z51, LT3). Everyone is going on about what a bargain the C8 is, but a used AMG GTS is just as much of a bargain. I can’t imagine them halving in price any time soon. They’re already 30-40% cheaper than a comparably performing 911 (991.1 Turbo or 991.2 GTS), and less common/more special feeling.

Southpaw07

Keep in mind too that the GTS was also $30k-40k cheaper than the turbo S brand new to begin with. The window sticker on my 2011 997 turbo was $173k and my GTS Edition 1 was $145k five years newer.
With that said, I like my GTS much better.

SimMB

I've been watching the market on GT's for a while, GTC's are dipping below £100k already, though I have seen a few move pretty quickly. A friend of mine works for Jaguar and they offered a 2018 GTR on trade in for 95k, was very nice spec too, track pack, carbon packs, everything except driver assistance, saw it up for £115k I think it was, not sure what it sold at. First GT I've seen mid 50's last week, bit high on mileage, but still a fair drop. Wonder when we'll see GTR's below 100k... I think the new facelift will put a fair bit of downward pressure on prices.

Surge

Depreciation will stabilize once production ends. Good examples will increase in value after that.
BTW, where do you get that a GTS listed for $173K CAD when new?! You must be adding sales tax, which you cannot do. The GTS list price was $150K in 2017.

Surge

By facelift you must mean the all new model coming in 2021. That will be a hybrid electric, and I think they will charge a lot more money; perhaps closer to SLS pricing. The platform will be shared with the SL, which will probably be priced at the current SL/GT level.
So, no, that will not reduce values for the current GTs. On the contrary, values will increase after bottoming out in the next year or two.

wizee

Adding $23k CAD in options is not hard

wizee

If the next model gets more expensive, that should curtail depreciation. A bit like how Rolex watches depreciate slowly because new ones keep getting more expensive.

The MY 2020 facelift has a digital dash, front camera, and bigger infotainment screen, which are improvements, and rectangular LCD screen buttons in the centre console that look a bit chintzy to me and a downgrade from the round buttons and knobs of the 2016-2019 models. They also have new headlights, but the don’t really look any better or worse to me. Performance is unchanged. I expect some slight extra depreciation from this mid run facelift, but not a big change, since the changes are minor, and the focus of this car is performance and styling, not infotainment.

I’m expecting the next generation (hybrid) to come in 2022 as a 2023 model.

Surge

Mercedes has said the new model is coming in MY2021. So this 2020 facelift is the last model year. Maybe that’s wrong, but that’s what’s been reported.

Personally, I think the 2020MY facelift will depreciate more because the interior is no longer bespoke to the GT, nor as special. The round console buttons are important- it’s what made the console look like a V8! And the new shifter is larger and no longer centered along the centerline of the dash. The digital dash is cool, but the analog dials suit the car better and will age better. 20+ years from now collectors will desire the “original, last of the true analog AMG GTs”. Every car will have a digital dash.

Surge

True! But the problem there is that’s then the same price as a GTC, which is a totally different car. So the availability of used GTCs is going to massively depreciate GTS prices.
But you already paid the depreciated amount for your GTS, so you’re golden.

When the new model costs $200K, as I believe it will (with the new SL which will share its platform and come in at $120-200), the prices of our GTs will not drop much below $100K.

SimMB

No, they've just updated the facelift with the digital dash and new transmission hump buttons.

Surge

I thought you meant the all new car coming in a year.
As stated above, I think the 2020 facelift is terrible, and it will be reflected in resale values being lower for 2020s than earlier cars.

The steering dial and buttons feel extremely cheap. Press one and you’ll see and feel the entire pod moving. They also don’t make much sense, since you have all the controls on the center console anyway. And the square buttons on the console kill the V8 look, which was the design intention.

Wolfman

I am with Surge on that one. While the info on the dash is better, there has been nothing in this incremental facelift that was worth waiting for. No brainer if the performance or any suspension/etc had been changed.

Like the new steering wheel minus the dials and the center console seems a step down. The new headlights are different but not better looking IMO.

CarPlay and new exhaust tips are the best improvements.
But again, this was a very incremental facelift after just 2 years. So minor they didn’t even bother making any fascia/bumper changes.

I can’t see it making a dent on resale values either way.

Surge

Also, front camera is good to have but it’s not the 360 Camera, which is a big miss.

I believe the dual exhaust tips on each side are fake, as there is still only 1 real exhaust pipe per side.

Wolfman

Correct on both. The front cam is something I might want to retrofit as that can simply plug into the Joye CarPlay unit. We are now on one bumper repair and one replacement
I do like the tips and they should be a quick and easy add-on. Takes the tips and likely a new diffuser...

Orcbolg

Agreed on the 360 cam, I don't know why all sports cars/super cars don't have them standard.

SimMB

I have a 2019 C63s and the digital dash is outstanding. The dials and shortcut buttons are not flimsy or cheap, but they work beautifully. I have individual programmed how I like it and a quick press of the dial button goes straight there, then 1 turn back to comfort. I can display the AMG vehicle dynamics alongside various combinations in the clocks, it really is very nice. I'm not a fan of the facelift due to the muffled engine note, but to say the digital dash is a step back is utter nonsense.

Sitting in any pre-facelift car feels outdated and old, that's the main problem I have with my GT budget.

SimMB

My biggest problem with the AMG GT is the engine. I mean it's a great engine but it isn't the most powerful in the range. By making a family wagon with more power than the range topping halo sports model is a massive own goal by Mercedes and I still can't quite fathom why they've done it. They could at least have given it the same power or 10hp more, then 20 more for the black.

You won't find the top 911 with less power than the panamera in the same model year. I think it really has hurt the GT range.

Surge

I love the digital dash too - we have it on the G Wagon and it’s very cool. For the AMG GT though, if you want to know which will be more classic and collectible in the future, it’s definitely the analog dials. 100% of cars will have digital dashes in a few years.

Surge

Remember it’s power/weight that counts. The GTC has a 12% Better power to weight with 550hp than the GT63S with 630hp!!
Oh and better weight distribution than a Cayman!

wizee

There are certainly faster cars, and it sounds odd on paper that a family station wagon gets more power out of a similar engine than their top track focused sports car.

However, the power to weight ratio is better than the E63S or S63, and the AMG GT is more responsive thanks to the smaller turbos. Also, more power and torque would be unusable below around 110 km/h (~70 mph) due to the rear wheel drive (and no 911-esque very rear heavy bias).

The next generation hybrid should have more power and also AWD to he able to use that power outside the Autobahns and high speed tracks.

For my own purposes (mostly street driving in Canada, and the occasional autocross or track day), I think the power level and torque of the AMG GTS is just right. I’m willing to trade a little torque and power for less wheel spin at street speeds, and less turbo lag. I find my CL63’s power unusable outside of highway passing because it just can’t put the torque down, and it’s too easy to exceed the grip of the rear wheels unintentionally.

One feature that would be nice is a wheel torque limit knob where you can limit torque in the first two gears to just below the limit of adhesion for the rear wheels in your current environment. It would improve street drivability of a high torque car and allow maximizing low speed acceleration, while still making the high power and torque available at higher speeds.