Mercedes AMG GTS - The Good and Bad of Modern Cars 

Instructor: "We're going to start out in comfort mode, and then I'm going to switch it to Sport Plus about halfway through..." Mark: "ok" Instructor: "You really feel how that power keeps coming as you feed it throttle, that's 'cause the torque curve is pretty flat from about 3500 to almost, uh, about 6000 RPM." Mark: "ok" Instructor: "You know, a car like this should really excite me, but it just _doesn't_." Mark: "ok" Instructor: "Oh you don't want to hear something like that, let's just stick to the car." Mark: "ok" Instructor: "..." Mark: "..." Instructor: "It's just that my wife Anna, she's been changing over the years! I don't think it's really her fault, we all have our reasons for growing unhappy. I just..." Mark: "ok" Instructor: "You're right, I really shouldn't beat myself up over it. I've got to be supportive and try to talk to her. The thought of it all is just so intimidating. What if she ends up saying something I don't want to hear? What if it's ME that has made her unhappy?" Mark: "ok" Instructor: "That's true, I should really man up and stop being so trivial. I love her with all my heart, and even if it's something that leads to divorce, then at least I can do what's right to ensure her happiness. _Nobody_ deserves to be unhappy; infinitely more so for Anna. God, when I first saw her it was as if she turned all the lights on in my heart. Where once was lonely darkness I found her smile a sudden piercing light! From then on every day with her was filled with an explosive spark in my soul, returning passion and happiness I haven't felt in all of my adult years! Anna is truly the reason for which I live... And if having to set her free means that smile can yet again brighten this cruel world, then I will live the rest of my days in tribute; not with my head bowed for love lost, but held high for such great love shared!" Mark: "ok" Instructor: _sniffing back tears_ "Alright, now here I'm going to switch you from that comfort mode to Sport Plus." Mark: "ok" This excerpt from my upcoming novella, "Mark Take The Wheel", is just a fun joke. It's me being a silly billy. I understand he's concentrating on taking in a powerful car.

And this is why i love my lotus. As far as it's concerned, menus are for restaurants. The most complicated procedure in that car is turning off your headlights.

i was thinking about the exact same thing earlier today. i just want a car like was offered back in the day. i just want a good engine, transmission, suspension, chassis, and breaks, attach it to a steering wheel and a good bucket seat. cut out the rest. i dont need heated and cooled seats, radar cruise control, touch screens, 20 speakers, 50 way adjustable seats, sunroof, bluetooth, a million driving modes, etc. I just want a down to basics, fun car. Turn the key and drive. And this is coming from a guy in his mid 20s. I dont care for the tech. I want the basics. Tech is ruining good cars.

amen. the first time I heard that a sports car had a "sport mode", I immediately thought, isn't buying a freaking sports car your sport mode? what else do we need? and I agree that all this bullshit is to make them more accessible to average (poor) drivers with cash, but why in the world does a 500+ horsepower car need to be accessible to bad drivers? these high performance cars SHOULD scare squids from buying them, there's something aspirational to have a car that is not easy to drive. I know that mantra doesn't make for car sales, since most people with lots of money never bothered to learn to drive well, but as these crazy performance cars keep going more high tech just to make the increasingly high numbers game progress, I can't help but feel like driver's cars "peaked" around 10yrs ago. when there was a traction/stability control button that had two settings, on and off. cars were still plenty fast and powerful. modern design and engineering made them better than anything prior, but were still analog and required skill and respect.

You should get into a Caterham. There's got to be a distributor somewhere in the states.

i am a sucker for a clean AMG ever since the CLK 55s...

While I can understand the complex software shenanigans going on with most modern cars, the AMG GTS is 'simple' than most. I've had the pleasure of driving it around town and track, it is absolutely amazing and the driving modes are not that hard to figure out. Took me 2 minutes to set it how I want it and that's it. There are 8 driving mode buttons (shaped like a V) and one of them is to make the exhaust loud or quiet, which isn't all that complex. Of course you can't compare it to a bare bones approach like an MX5 or GT86, but that's why this is a super car. I suggest spending more time with it, because IMO, it is one of the best drivers' cars that Benz has made, and it puts a lot of other 'drivers' cars' to shame. My only grips with this car was the lack of a manual transmission. Then again, I would probably prefer my snowblower with a stick shift option ;)

Arigato Domo, Mr. Roboto, Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto, The problem's plain to see: Too much technology Machines to save our lives. Machines dehumanize. Score: 9.9

I love how the guy kept talking about the engine's power and the exhaust sound and the suspension and you kept commending the brakes. Poetical.

Great review. Without all the aids and performance settings, most of these vehicles would not be as safe as well as comfortable beyond occasional use. use “splippery” mode when I need the comfort of a Bentley GT, and twist to “Sport” settings to get spirited/lay the hammer. Part of getting familiar with the settings and appreciating precise engineered differences in each setting also has been part of the experience in modern motoring (if done right)

I recently drove a 2017 Porsche 911 with the new Sport Chrono Package that adds a selector nob to the steering wheel. Honestly, it's awesome, you can't get any more simple than turn the nob 1 click for Sport, 2 clicks for Sport+, 3 clicks for Individual. Like most things Porsche the knob feels great and the clicks are solid.

I've seen the M3's without the idrive wheel and no navi screen. Is this something you'd prefer?

Pure driving experience? Get a Honda S2000. Mine has almost 192,000 miles after 12 years and it's rock solid reliable!

There is a button by the gear selector that says "P" which is for park... I do agree.. Too many settings and modes in cars.. But I like the amg gtr's 9 stage traction control to fine turn for track work

I agree with you on the too many electronics issue. I don't need or want 10 settings for throttle, suspension or steering, just want one setting and let me be in control. Same goes with all the modern safety features, they say it is for safety but at the same time it promotes more distracted driving with the mentality that the safety features will save you, go ahead and take your eyes off the road. Sadly, it is all heading towards self driving cars so people can vape and text. On another note, love your production style, would be fun to meet and chat cars some day. cheers.

Hahahahaha dude I thought you were gonna be like stfu I'm driving. You're my favorite reviewer now dude. I'm buying a Mazda 6 touring manual because of your reviews. I'm not loaded so can't get one of these. I wanted to wait for mazdaspeed to come back but don't think that's ever going to happen.

Dunno 'bout you guys, but I like good cars and to me good cars means: cars that are good on tracks and on the streets, so I like all tech, all the help that nowaday's cars have, just because I can turn 'em off when I want. So if the drive mode saves fuel on my daily comute... so be it! I'll save fuel. If the car has track mode, so be it" I'll enable it on the weekends when I'm pushing miles on the track by me house... Bottom line is: I like tech, wether is to save fuel or to help my driving on the track. I hope it makes sense, I'm little high right now. Cheers. And, as always, good job. I like your work, keep it up!

we have a hellcat video incoming soon?

Great car.

This reminds me of playing GTA, where I could just hop into a car and make a quick getaway from the cops/gangsters/whoever else is on my tail. I think in the next GTA our character will have to spend an extra minute configuring the car before going anywhere, making them useless for getaways.

Maybe somebody could do a hot rod business in just gutting modern cars of all electronic foof. What I wouldn't do for modern materials, engineering, quality, reliability yet in a totally simple raw package. Probably illegal.

T-shirts... I want all of them!

I think BMW solved it in one of their M5 versions, where you just press the giant M button and it immediately applies all the settings into go fast mode. I think that was the M5 with the V10. Does that button not exist anymore?

Agreed. pure driving just isn't as available as It used to be in modern cars. It all begins with the lack of manual transmissions in many performance cars

That's why you buy an MX-5 for *pure* driving joy

My dream car

Let's hope the new Alpine 110 is another pure car like the Alfa 4c or the Miata.

@savagegeese i notice you don't have any proper mercedes review, you could do the e class the most recent one. thanks edit: we have a c class at home sport trim i think no adaptive suspension and the ride sucks ass, might i add steering feel and foot controls,(massive front brakes tho) Finally an unresponsive turbo engine.. shocker. can't imagine how the a class would be (said to be the most stiff merc tht gets regular dampers). so maybe do either a e or s class

Your comment really says it all.

This is why I love my '67 Firebird: Fast, raw fun - and the only "computer" in it is the driver.

Wish he had a video for the C63 AMG!

What car do you recommend as a car for just the sake of driving?

Wow I never thought you actually know how to drive unlike some reviewers.

But isn't that the point of the twins, the minimal aid and being as much manual as a modern car could?

Top Gear/Jeremy Clarkson 1st used this bit about too many configuration options back in '05 or '06 regarding the BMW M5 and M6. If you owned a car like this, you'd get the settings dialed in to your liking and all the buttons figured out after a couple days. Hopping into one 'cold' at a track day, yah, you're gonna be confused at first. Hang in there, the autonomous car will be here soon enough and then you won't need to worry about actually driving or controlling the vehicle. Ironic in a way...right now we have more choices over a car's dynamics and mechanicals than ever before ... but it's all about to go very quickly to the other extreme (i.e., no control). My advice, enjoy having options while you can.

Why does this car make the ford "key in ignition sound"?

you have to consider that some of these nannies are there to prevent you from wrapping yourself around a tree. at the same time I appreciate my current car with cable throttle, abs hydraulic brakes and hydraulic steering

It looks good at least the prestige gap is so big

My friend, not every car will be as simple as a Mazda 2, there is a thing called technological advancement. Also enjoy the fun and sound while you can- because most cars will be electric before you know it. One more side note- It would be nice if you try not to sound like the glass is half empty all the time. It pains me to watch and all I hear is the problem is this or problem is that, it would be cool to hear what your opinion is to make a solution to fix it. If it wasn't for dsc or stability control 99% of us would've wrapped more cars around a pole at some point, and thats just one electronic aid we had in the last couple of decades. I'd also like to see you drive the hellcat flat out with no stability control- if you tell me you didn't lose traction once you are flat out lying. So remember it's also there to save your ass! Keep up the good vids-and maybe some updates on the m3 -did you have rod bearing failure?

You were going contra cheat code on that steering wheel....hilarious and sad that's where we are at. So damn good and so damn complicated. Get turbowski on that wheel with a hammer...

Nobel m600? But I bet you can't buy them in merica :P they should have 2 modes in these fast cars:pleb/celebrity mode that drives for you and you just point the direction you want to go, then normal mode for people who want to drive the car.

its a beautiful car, dont get me wrong... but the SLS just had some proper aggression to it and looked mean, this not so much, i think mercedes felt the same way because the amg GTR looks like a baby SLS now :)

Get an FR-S and put a compressor on it (sorry couldn't help it).

i just find the higher end cars are so customizable that it is "too much". I just want to get in the car and drive. The first part of the video was a tutorial. I just want to drive.

That moment when you need a phd in order to start the car.....Lol.... In all seriousness, i agree that theres too much tech in modern cars. Its understandable with these high powered cars to a degree. They have to be safe and accessible for the average joe. There needs to be a way to disable this stuff though. It seems that the Mercedes in this vid has sooooo many settings, that its overwhelming (atleast as a street vehicle)....id much rather have something raw that you'd have to learn how to drive rather than having all these aides and settings that manages details for you.

r1+r2+∆+l1 is how you engage unlimited turbo

6 years late, but not everyone is a great driver. The drive selector allows comfort, sport, sport plus, race, and individual with the simple turn of a button. If you want all nannies, off, it's quick and easy. I disagree with the conclusion that the AMG GT is included as having too many electronic nannies (the only one is not mentioned - the auto-brake feature which is actually an issue).

It won't matter, soon we'll all be getting in the back seat to go anywhere. Race tracks will just become amusement parks for self driving cars. We'll need to start a movement to save the amusement parks.

damn, now I have to buy another car!??!!?

wheres scot when you need him?

+ Savagegeese - As a driving instructor, I drive this car 9/10 on track every day. It is an absolute beast on Sport + mode. It pulls and never stops (650 NM torque). When you come to Las Vegas, visit us at www.speedvegas.com so you can drive the best track car on earth and instructor's favorite, the Porsche 911 GT3. On September 30/October 1st we have a track day at Spring Mountain Motorsports, 45 minutes from Las Vegas. I'll be there with my Fiat Abarth 500. Hopefully tuned, I'm waiting for Eurocompulsion to release flash for my 2014+ model. You have my contact info, Instagram: F1scorpion. Great video and review as usual. I agree 100% with you regarding modern cars. We constantly have to "fight" the sensors on track because they start beeping as soon as you push them hard.

FRS!

And all that crap adds weight, which spoils the experience. My '05 Boxster S for example (2965lbs dry, 280 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, aftermarket exhaust and intake) is as fast as I will really ever want on the street. I timed 0-60 mph at 4.6 yesterday. Nowadays you'd need an additional 100-150 hp to counteract all that weight. Also, if you buy a sports car, why not just make it the fastest/stickiest/most comfortable etc. car you can make it? Why deliberately engineer it to not be as good as you want it to be for your intended purpose, and then put a button in it to make it better? I'm sure the automakers would give all sorts of reasons, citing varying road conditions, driver preferences, fuel qualities, and so on. Trouble is, it makes a series of very simple decisions very complicated. Want to take a nice drive in your sports car? We already know to avoid rough roads. Want the exhaust to be louder? Put on a louder exhaust. Want more power? Either be content with what you have or add power. See? Simple. Too much choice is too much.

They're not that complicated. If you can use Microsoft Word. you can drive one of these cars. Do you want a hand-crank starter?

for all it's negatives. . . it sure did look like a purdy car.

Getting rid of manual transmission pees me off too.

Yep, if some is GOOD--More is BETTER.

I've said it since 2005, 95% of the gizmos on these cars go unused. Couple that with the fact that the majority of the buyers of these cars are older and not particularly tech saavy, the tech becomes a total waste. Fuck it all!

Nah, I've got one. Comfort to Sport+ and back~ "Super Easy...Barely an inconvenience." But, really- two clockwise clicks on a knob that you don't even need to look down to find? It's the closest thing you'll get to driving a Transformer and that's too much?

To your point, if the Alfa 4c came with a manual, dream car

needa PHD to drive the car.

Of course, the reason for all this, is the proliferation of drivers with more money than skill (and self-awareness). Like someone said: gotta keep trust fund kids from wrapping their cars around trees. Cars like the Miata/FRS/BRZ would be great for teaching driving basics (particularly for RWD), but the low power numbers mean that people who have no business in a Hellcat/AMG/M/GT* will sniff indignantly at those 4-cyl cars, and buy their way into way too much car.

just look at what the fucking computer geeks have done to the new acura nsx...it's basically an autonomous robot on wheels! it does everything for you except cook you breakfast!

The Mercedes Navigation/stereo system is the most user-unfriendly in the industry. It's a huge distraction and safety hazard when driving.

I agree about all the electronic nonsense. So intrusive in every way - worse now in 2019.

drive Prius then

Most people who drive this car will stop off at Walgreens on the way to their country club.

+1.... There's too many driver nannies. ... My MY98 911 (993) C2S coupe sports LSD and ABS.... Old sckool,,, those were the days.

Yeah see thats why the toyota 86 is awesome. Minimal in so many ways, no bullshit just get in, shut up and drive.

I'd think the goose was just a grouchy old fart...if he wasn't right;) Too many screens and buttons and driver assistance. Just give me an old G-Body and I'm good.

FIRST

With modern technology cars are going faster and almost anyone can get in them and safely drive them to their limits. Why would any new high end sports car be any better with old slower technology? Let's take out the tech and maybe the car would turn into a wild, no fun, cannot get the power down, spin in circles death machine. Like the Dodge Viper....turn off the tech and boom your 100k plus car is toast. Lets not forget who can afford and who is buying these cars.....the only track time they will ever see is......never.

I don't like the sound of this car lol

How is a car company going to have a press day and only let people run the cars part way!!???WTF. That extra power and speed is what the cars are all about, without pushing them to the limit you really can't judge a car. Yeah they might crash well shit happens, I doubt Mercedes is going to go bankrupt if someone totals a C63 S.

Wha wha wha! Fun police attacking again.

You are driving like an 80 years old hahaha