ducfrog

Hi All, looking for some input from those that may have had both. I currently have a 2016 GTS, stock, it's a wonderful car. I am wondering if it is worth it to upgrade to a 2018 GTR from the GTS. This would be a street car only, for the few times a year I go to the track I rent a track car. I have never driven a GTR, but understand the numerous differences between the two cars.

I suppose I am just concerned that there may not be that much of a difference between the two cars, in regular on the road driving where this car would live, to warrant the large increase in price for the GTR. Thanks in advance!

UCIMBZ

I am sure there are some that would disagree with me but the dollar/fun ratio (where fun is constant) for the application that you are referring to (and mine) is much better with the GTS.

57 GTR

I have a 1,400 mile 185K MSRP GT-R like new.....

Y.Haider

U raised the price? Lol

57 GTR

No, I meant to say 185K MSRP.......But I have seen some priced higher,lol

superswiss

I drove the GTS and GTR back to back on the track at the AMG Driving Academy. The GTR is made for the track. It was the easiest and most confidence inspiring of the AMG models to drive fast around the track. It simply sticks and goes. It's designed and engineered for fast lap times, which generally doesn't work so well out on the roads. The GTS on the other hand is lively. It went sideways on me around the first corner. It wants to play and would be harder to get fast lap times out of it, but you can easily slide it around corners. The GTR looks the part, but for the road, the GTS will be more fun. Cars like the GTR must be taken to the track to get most out of it.

thebishman

To be honest almost all ‘Sports’ type vehicles need to be taken to a road course to get “the most out of them’, and the GTR is no exception obviously. However, apart from not wanting to drive a GTR in the winter, it is an easy car to drive on the street; just buy appropriate tyres for your geographic area and/or drop the recommended psi of the tyres to around 29 psi instead of 31 psi. The OEM SC2s can easily be driven on for 3 seasons as long as you are cognisant of ambient temps and the amount of standing water you’re driving in.

I am in no way denigrating the GTS, as I found them to be a really fun and fast car at the Academy at both LS and COTA, but even if you’re never going to ‘track’ the car, a GTR does work as a DD versus the GTS.

Bish

superswiss

I guess I have a bit of a different take on this. Most production "Sport" type cars today are actually grand tourers. The AMG GT obviously even went as far as making it the name of the model. A GT is something that Europeans are more familiar with than Americans. A GT by definition provides enough comfort and practicality to travel long distances and drive for hours, while still offering sports car like performance and handling when desired. The higher up you move in the AMG GT range the farther away you really get from this. IMO, the GT lacks as a GT to begin with. Ironically with GT in its name it's the least grand tourer of all AMGs. It lacks comfort, practicality and usability as a GT. It lacks a properly shaped trunk that can actually fit a couple of suitcases for a longer trip. It lacks rear seats for overflow cargo storage and the occasional passenger, and it lacks comfort due to the 2 seat arrangement which for taller people limits seat adjustability due to the lack of room behind the seats. For example even at 5'11" I have to compromise my seating position in the GT vs. my C63S coupe with the AMG performance seats. The GT seats also lack the seat cushion extension and ventilation which further reduces comfort for daily and long distance driving. The GTR gives up even more of the GT aspects in favor of adding track prowess, so that poses the question why would one want that if not actually taking it to the track. The GTR can be driven daily if one really wants to, but there are better AMGs for that.

57 GTR

Q.) The GTR gives up even more of the GT aspects in favor of adding track prowess, so that poses the question why would want that if not actually taking it to the track.

A.) Because it's just fawkin cool!!

superswiss

That gets old after the honeymoon phase, at least for me.

57 GTR

Thats fair, as long as you don't feel that way about your wife(if your married) LOL

superswiss

Haha...well like cars, some women are enjoyable for a day, others for longer....

MalibuScott

To us dumb Americans GT means "fast."

57 GTR

By us, you mean Californians, correct?

reignz

When I drive my GTR it feels more of an “event” I love every second of it. Don’t think you’ll ever regret getting such a timeless beast.

Y.Haider

Get the GTR.. for collectibility aspect of it as well

I have not driven a GT or a GTS i went straight for the GTR so I don’t know how those feel but i doubt they come close to a GTR anyways

Orcbolg

Go drive a GTR... Nothing that anyone here says is going to be as valuable as experiencing it yourself, that's what I did. I drove one for a day, after having owned my tuned GTS for 2 years, and my take away was that the GTR was merely a VERY expensive cosmetic upgrade, if not SERIOUSLY tracking the car.

dlefty

Owner of both here…..

If the financial difference is not a stress to your lifestyle, no reason to not get the GTR.
That statement pertains to BOTH street and track driving / use.

That is not an indictment of the GTS, it’s wonderful….and if that is what fits in the budget, a buyer will be plenty happy.

ducfrog

Thanks for the input everyone. I will test drive a GTR to see firsthand, however I suspect I will not find that there is a difference worth $80K+ from the GTS.