Kimbers come better equipped from the factory and offer a wider range of packages. You can't get a Colt that's not special ordered that will match a Kimber in features. I would say that Colt has better small parts but the guns themselves are too edgy from the factory and could use a good dehorn. Kimber does a pretty good job on breaking the edges, especially on the ones where they do a melt job like the CDP line.
Colt offers a limited lifetime warranty, Kimber offers a limited 1 year warranty.
Kimber mandates a 500rd break in period, and some guns may or may not need it. Colt has a better reputation in guns running right out of the box, except where 3" guns are concerned those can be a toss up if they are going to work right or not. A lot of Colt Defenders need extractor tuning even at the time of purchase...I have no reasonable explanation why.
Factory mags from both leave a lot to be desired, I really just don't understand why higher end 1911 makers still ship guns with sub-par magazines.
Kimber uses one version of a firing pin safety, Colt uses another. I prefer the Colt design.
The Gold Cup is what it is. It's a bulls eye shooters gun that will keep value. It's not really a carry gun, although many have carried one, but it would not be my choice for a carry 1911.
The Colt will keep value better than a Kimber provided it is well maintained and kept original, if you find you don't like "X" about your Gold Cup, leave it alone and buy something else.
Is one really better than the other? It really depends on what models we're talking about. There are some Colt models I wouldn't purchase and there are lots of Kimbers I wouldn't purchase.
Currently I don't own any Colt 1911s, but I've had a couple. I currently own one Kimber and have had four total. My next 1911 probably will be a
Colt as they are finally putting out something I'm really interested in other than the Special Combat line. Right now Kimber isn't offering anything that wow's me. The SIS line looked interesting, but it's been discontinued. The Warrior has been of interest, but for the cost I'd rather have a TRP from Springfield. The new Super Carry line might be OK but it looks like Kimber is using a different style bobtail than everyone else so a majority of grips may not fit....
TBC.