The Colt was the standard high quality AR forever and arguably still is. The AR has exploded in popularity and lots of makers have sprung up. The DD, LWRC, LMT and so on are the boutique guns. They are the guns the cool kids use.
Get a Colt if you're happy with what has been the standard and you dont mind a very standard/stock setup.
Get a DD etc, if you want a mid length gas system, different profile barrel and all that jazz.
I wouldnt "settle" for a Colt due to cost if you really want more of a "gamer" setup. I'd save up for another year or whatever. Otherwise you'll lose money selling the Colt down the road or will have to put a bunch of money into upgrading it.
Now...a third option is...get the Colt you can afford now and you'll have a super high quality gun. THEN, down the road you can get whatever upper you want to put on it, including a DD fancy setup!



. I would not call DD or LWRC boutique brands, first one mainly is piston operated the other is DI second some want a bit more bang for their buck and want a quality rail system included etc off the bat. While I think that both the Colt and DD are more than solid and the OP would be happy with what ever one out of the 2 he decided to go with. 
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