Here's a photo of mine together with some of my other cars. I bought my AMG GT S because I think it's beautiful, it's relatively uncommon compared to Porsches, and at the price I bought it used, it's better value than any comparably priced Porsche. Its performance is comparable to a 991.1 Turbo, 991.2 GTS, or 992 S, but it's cheaper to buy used than those, has a nicer interior than any of the P-cars, is more unique, and feels more exciting to drive than any modern Porsche other than a GT3 or GT2 (or their super/hyper cars). It also has the practicality of an approach angle better than any modern Porsche sports car because of its short front overhang, making it less stressful to drive in cities.

With that said, I respect Porsche and like most their cars. The Boxster/Cayman and 911 both feel smaller and it's easier to keep track of their corners in say Autocross. They're also lighter, and the 911 has the advantage of rear weight bias for better traction, plus the option of AWD. Porsche cars (without lighweight bucket seats) feel more "normal" and are easier to get in and out of than the AMG GT. I wanted a car that's exciting to drive, and the AMG GT S at used pricing was more exciting to me than any comparably priced new or used Porsche. However, if I could only have one car to use all year round, I would choose a 991.1 Turbo - a bit more expensive used than an AMG GT S, and not as raw or exciting feeling, but the AWD makes it more winter capable (and easier to put the power down), and the soft and wide Porsche Sport Seats Plus are more comfortable and easier to get in and out of than the AMG GT's seats. A 911 Turbo would probably be a bit more reliable than an AMG GT S too.

 

2014 911 Turbo S Cabriolet to 2016 AMG GTS Edition One. I like the GTS better in nearly every category. It is more fun to drive, and it "feels" faster. The Porsche was unbeatable 0-60 due to the AWD but it felt "soul-less" to me. Too mechanical. Too predictable and boring. Stunning fast, but kind of boring. The AMG GTS feels like a modern-day muscle car with great instincts, and a really high fun factor. And way better "bang for the buck" as my Porsche cost double. If I got another Porsche it would be likely the GT3 RS, or maybe the GT2 RS ... I hear the GT3 RS is a heck of a great car.

Zero regrets here ... I absolutely love this GTS. But you can't go wrong ... both are very nice rides.

 

I owned a 2009 Boxster which had more reliability issues than my C63 507 Edition and my AMG GTC. I disagree that Porsche is more reliable. Another example is YouTube’s Nick Murray who has had 2 911s repurchased under the lemon law. Reliability is subjective - I don’t think there’s a clear winner. Mercedes builds a lot of the 4L V8 engines, and they are quite proven. Porsche is owned by VW, remember!

I think the Dynamic Plus package is a must - that’s how you get the dynamic engine and transmission mounts. They are a key part of the car’s engineering. The ride is more comfortable than my W204 C63 507 Edition. The GTR has a harsher ride than the other models.

 

I'm also in the Philadelphia area and active in the pcar communicty (10+ years of PCA club racing, DE instructor, etc)... after 11 Pcars, I finally jumped ship and bought my first MB this time last year. I was looking at a variety of porsches that were available at that time including 991 turbos, boxster spyders, 991 Carrera S cab, or 918 boxster GTS. I was fully set on staying in my pcar comfort zone; however, on a whim, i went to the MB dealer in Cherry Hill as they had both a base version GT roadster and a GTC roadster. So i had the rare opportunity to drive both back-to-back. I fell in love with the GTC... just an unbelievable car and unlike any available pcar in so many ways. The GCT felt lke a completely different car from the base version though... suspension, power delivery, rear wheel steering made a huge difference. Can't comment on the GTS, as I did not test drive one.

Anyway, after searching around and recognizing how these cars fall off a cliff in terms of value when they drive off the lot (vs the premiums people were paying for used porsche GT cars at the time), i couldn't believe how much more car you got dollar-for-dollor buying a low-mileage used AMG vs a porsche GT car or a new non-GT car. Eventuallyk, this time last year, I found a '18 GTC roadster in California with only 2K miles on it (less than 1 year old at that time), with the options and color I wanted. Was able to pick it up for $40K under MSRP and added 24 months of additional CPO (meaning that i have unlimited mileage worry free driving until 5/25).

I still love pcars... wonderful, reliable vehicles. But the GTC is an absolute beast... freaking wicked car. everything about it feels more refined, more special, and more exciting than any pcar i've ever owned (and i've owned 11.. and still own two). Is it as good of a track car as a GT3... no. Is it practical... hell no. is it as reliable as a pcar... definitely not (mine has been in the shop 3 times since I bought it for an intermittent turbo leak that took them months to figure out). But, it is an absolute joy to drive on the street. Comfortable when you want it to be.... wicked and raw when you turn the knobs. in fact, i just elected to sell my '69T hotrod as i found myself always grabbing the keys to the GTC (or the Ducati) whenever the wheather was nice. Give it a go. You won't regret it. I ended up choosing the dealer in Ft Washington for my service (despite Devon being much closer). Really impressed so far with level of service there (equivalent to what I get at POTML)... and they will pick up and drop off the car at my home if i'm busy (as does POTML)

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Yup - a used AMG GT (any variant) is more fun than any comparably priced new or used Porsche. That’s the one sentence summary of why I bought my AMG GT S.

 

@Ninjabones - great perspective! I agree. I test drove a 991.2 911 and came away underwhelmed. Especially with the PDK it felt too “sterile” - not as refined as I wanted it when I wanted comfort, and not as raw as I wanted when I wanted the opposite of comfort.
The GT looks like an exotic supercar by comparison, and I believe it will age well. You can tell AMG put a great deal of effort into this chassis, and it’s the first Mercedes that is a match for the 911.

This, coupled with the crazy deals to be had on brand new in-stock GTs, like massive discounts off of MSRP, made it a no brainer.

As far as reliabilty - I’ve owned 6 Mercedes since 2003, 2 of them have been AMGs (C63 W204 507 Edition, and the GTC). I’ve had ZERO issues with all. There are some minor rattles with the GTC though, but really minor, and they are being sorted out. I owned a Porsche Boxster (2009), which I loved, but it had way more issues than any of my Mercedes did.
I think reliability is about the same. For Porsche, you have Nick Murray who has had 2 911s written off due to unfixable issues (991.1 and 991.2). And you have GT3 engines dying, even the 991.2, which supposedly fixed the engine issues of the .1 gen.

Anyway, enjoy your GTC!

 

Anyone driven the 7 speed Pcars yet?

 

I am meeting OP today to show him my car. After 61 MB's I know the people at all the local dealers. One of the managers at Devon I have known for over 25 years. There are only a couple techs at each dealer that are certified to work on these cars (they had mine for a month fixing the entry and drive). I would take my car to Devon, but that is my choice (they take very good care of me) I still have 3 Porsche's (all very modified one a one of kind 911), and I have had at least one Porsche for over 45 years. They are different cars, the AMG is more like a German muscle car. I learned to drive a very long time ago on a three on a tree, long before nannies became a part of a car. I use them on my SUV's and sedans but on my sports cars I cannot stand them so they are turned off (they have been removed in one of my 911's) when I drive. One of the things I like about the GTS is that it is very easy to slide it around (my winter 911 991C4S on the other hand is a lot harder to get to break loose). I think the AMG is more like a Ferrari California (I owned a modified Calf T and the AMG for about 8 months), than a 911 Similar power, similar layout and both somewhat misunderstood by the market. The PDK can be programmed to shift more aggressively (mine is), if you want. I have driven 7 speed Porsche's (and corvettes), I do not see the need, I rarely even use 6th gear. I dont think the GTS is more comfortable than a modern 911, but that can be attributed to many things body type, how the cars are spec'd, and familiarity etc.