No flames please, but really, what do S-class owners think of the Panamera?

I don't own an S-class so I am in no position to give an opinion, but perhaps some owners could tell me if the Panamera is a consideration as replacement for your S-class?

I drove it...


its pretty nice, fast and a very personal vehicle...

but what does the forum think?

 

I would buy it, if I did'nt have to look at it.

 

This looks like a car designed by a government committee. 1/4 Sport, 1/4 Sedan, 1/4 Wagon, 1/4 SUV which adds up to a big disappointment in each category.

Even the name has that ring to it--Panamera?? Panarama? Panamerica? Panama? Panoramic? Bananarama?

Big pass on this one for me.

 

That's just too ugly.

 

I drove both the turbo and the S on a track at a Porsche event a couple of weeks ago. They are amazing cars from a handling perspective. The interiors are very nice. But I could never get over the rear end. I'd rather have an S550 and a 911.

 

i will never understand why they tie themselves to the 911 "look". they had a blank sheet of paper w/ a new 4 door sedan to be built but they were too afraid to be gutsy. interior does look nice. i will admit that.

 

My son worked all angles to get me to pull the trigger on one (both of us big Porsche fans) but I don't like the look either. The interior is sublime butt the rest... Not so much.

 

I wouldn't choose it for the limited seats (only 4). Otherwise, I think it is too aggressive to other road users..

 

Hideous

 

S-Class has nothing to worry about. Porsche is known for 911, period.

 

IMO, PanamTT is a rather mockable engineering failure from a 65 driver's standpoint (and also previously owned numerous new 997TT, 996TTS, 997S, 599 used as daily commuter cars)

PanamTT is ~$180K (properly equipped) vs $200K for S65 or $150K for S600

Many/?most drivers in major US mkts like SiliconValley or BevHills or Greenwich use car as a daily commuter car w/occasional wkend twisties driving, so track perf is irrelevant (and most $200K commuter cars are never used for drives w/kids and luggage btwn SF and LA, etc as that crowd tends to fly anywhere more than 100 mis from their home...and has perf cars at their wkend house)

Has glaring turbo lag and inadequate tq for fast urban fwys (vs 600/65)
PDK box (like MCT, DCT, etc) is buggy and has unproven reliability w/obvious slow-speed jerkiness
Dubious perf of PCCB in wet driving
Dangerous ergonomics of PDK buttons in fast twisties driving (accidental application of buttons at wrong moment)
Lack of interesting, elegantly intimidating exhaust note (at any speed) unlike 600/65
Dubious chassis stability vs bumpy/camber change stretches of mtn twisties (65 is far more confidence inspiring); weak ride comfort on bumpy urban rds/fwys
Hatchback design is inherently dubious from a safety standpoint if rear-ended
Lack of advanced active/passive safety tech....DistPlus/BrakeAssistPlus, AutoBrakeDrying, TeleAid, etc
P's, despite their archaic tech, tend to be buggy w/many minor (and major) mechanical/electrical glitches/downtime/systems failures at speed.....RMS, PDK, etc etc
Latest S/CL, despite being highest-tech cars on planet, seem (anecdotally) awfully reliable and glitch-free since launch in '06....so MY10 are likely even more glitch-free and robust w/proven motors/gearboxes/computer networks/safety systems

 

Yeah, exactly my thoughts...

 

Do they still make music?

I remember my college days - had a crush on one of them chicks!

 

If you have to ask...
It's as ugly as Aztec. Or Pinto.

 

The Turbo is just an amazing drive,with nothing really competing against it (4 door sedans).
I just can't get over the looks of that thing ,only factor stopping me from getting one.

 

really? I don't think it gets to that level... because looks aside the Panamera carries a high level of performance and luxury... it handles better than the competition, I bet that a comparable car be it 7 series, S-class and even a Bentley Flying Spur would have a hard time chasing the Panamera at the track...

http://porschepuebla.homestead.com/news68.html


but I guess you are one of the ones who wouldn't trade in their S-class for a Pana... and I don't blame you the S-class is one notch above in looks, size and features...

 

You would have to keep it's window sticker and make up a resume & stick it on as well to let people know why you would part with 100K+ on something so hard on the eyes.

 

If you could get past the looks, It could be a valid consideration if the turbo was priced at about $80-90k base. I'm sure thats were the used market will be on this in 12mos.

 

Not to get too personal, but since you posted the pictures and are asking us for our opinions...

Same as you would post the pics of some girl you are thinking to date.
Take it with the smile


So what I'm trying to say, looks are the major factor.
Who cares if she can cook, dress and ...you know...if you can't show her to your friends at the party?
You get the picture

 

even a Bentley Flying Spur would have a hard time chasing the Panamera at the track...


of course it would the driver would have to be drunk if he would need to have a sexual urge to chase after a Panamera.....going with the sexual analogy and all.

Moving on:


I know Porsche markets the Panamera as a 4 door sedan. Would it be unfair to call it a crossover? From a styling standpoint, it is a sedan, wagon, hatch combo isn't it. Honestly, if you showed it to someone with a very basic understanding/interest in cars, they would say it was a wagon.

It would be interesting to see if the panamera would make an apperance down the road wearing some Audi clothes. This might bode well as Audi dosent seem to make every model look like 1 iconic model (911)

 

To keep on thread (not really), let's just say that they're probably not in the market for the PananaramAmerica or even a used 1997 S-class...

Apparently they are still active...They must need to make a mortgage payment to be forced into this pathetic ABBA band karaoke nonsense. Nice webpage, but the new tunes are really bland, formulaic disco trash, not even making the low bar set by their earlier successes in the 80s.

http://www.bananarama.co.uk/

 

On 2nd thoughts the Panamera is plain bufugly.

As someone else said, it looks like a bad attempt at a cross betw. a sedan, coup and SUV.

 

I will say it is an awesome vehicle, and an awesome alternative to MB or BMW. I have seen the vehicle in person, have drove both versions, did a little bit of work on both models, and it is truly a very well put together vehicle. I would love to have one, though I am a family of 5.

The Panamera's interior is way nicer than the S class. in fact, with the new "I am a Cadillac fake wood grain center console of the new S class" the Panamera looks more appealing

just drive the Panamera with the rear spoiler up all the time... the back will look better, scrape the Porsche and Panamera logos off the back also... way nicer

 

Another advantage of the Pana over the S is that the configuration is "a la carte" so basically you add or delete at will...

Beige interior with Aluminum looks the part...

another thing is seating position is very "tight" (not narrow but sporty) and the S feels like a boat on that sense...

but outisde looks are a major downside and the S looks the part specially in AMG form...

I would like to test side to side to see wich gearbox works best, I give the upper hand to Merc... but can't really tell...

 

I wonder what is going to be said when the Fisker Karma hits the road??? I would do the Panamera over the S