bzliteyear

Hi guys,

After reading so much about Panamera and it being the #1 seller for Porsche, I decided to go check it out and test drive it. Since I was limited in time, I decided to try out the lowest price V6 first. Given my disappointment in Cayenne S's test drive, I went in thinking there's no way I'd like it.

Conclusion: major upside surprise.

Driving Experience:
Wow - unlike Cayenne, Panamera actually DROVE like a Porsche, and I forgot how enjoyable it was to really FEEL the car as one. The V6 acceleration was adequate, and at higher speed/RPM very sufficient for most drivers. I can only imagine how nice an extra 100 hp would be. The brakes were solid as expected from Porsche. The chassis was firm and even w/ the 20" wheels, it felt solid and comfortable. The 7-speed transmission shifted well, and the S and Sport Plus setting allows for easy change of driving style - whether higher RPM (fun) or just comfort driving. (note: this V6 is new engine, and 2 cylinders are sliced off the Porsche V8, so it's not the VW V6 that's in the Cayenne and Tourag).

One gadget: the auto shut-off of engine at red light to save gas? I'm not sure that's a good thing. Yes, it may save a little on gas...but even the brochure says it will cost most to maintain the wearable parts.

Exterior/Interior:
The Panamera looks great from the front angles, but from the side and the rear...I think that has to be an acquired taste. The interior didn't look that great from pix and looks small, but once you sit in it, it's actually feels great as it's cozy...like it was designed to fit you like a glove. The quality of the $80k V6 interior was just okay - probably similar to E-class or stripped S-class, but certainly not the MB Designo or S600/AMG nice. The back seat was very small - larger than CLS, and probably similar to BMW 7-Series's short wheel base.

Final thought:
I'm not a new car buyer at that price range, but with MRSP $110k for nice Panamera S w/ V8 - who wants to do over/under for auction price in 3 yrs? Will it be closer to 60% of sticker, 50% or 40% like many of the 2007 S-550's that I'm seeing. I'll start with $45k in late 2013.

PL

Corsa9000

Your assessment of the Panamera is consistent with every review I have read, it is magnificent car to drive but the exterior looks are liked by a minority.

Reminds me of a friend who bought a brand new BMW 7 series (Bangle era car with the rear hump) a few years ago. When I asked him what he thinks of the rear end look, he said I just look away and pretend it is not there.

Dr Chill

At first I hated it from the pics. After looking at it for a year, I now love it in every way. So much so that I'm trading a <1 yr old SL550 for a 2011 V6 being built 10/4. It drives amazingly, the seats are uber comfortable and supportive (even in back), and the interior is gorgeous, even without full leather. Yes, the V8 may be more appealing, but for $15,000 less, the 300hp V6 will do.

Another bnenefit, very few on the road.

carsnob

Since my other car is a 911 C4S cab, I questioned whether or not to leave my S600 for a Panamera. Can't do it. The S class has loads of room and feels spacious in front and back. It handles as good as any car out there and for a huge car, it steers more easily than any other. The Panamera, while roomy for each passenger still has a cramped feel to it. ...would make a nice 3rd car though...can't afford that!

nyc123

yes I have a pan turbo and had an s63 and agree the cabin is more cockpit like the car has plenty of room for 4 just does not feel as roomy. day to day much more fun that the s class long highway drives with 2 kids in the back at time I miss the more open feel.

maw1124

My view, I'll get a 911 if I want a Porsche, and keep to the S-Class for sedans. Different car companies do different things well -- and only the best matters. Hence, Audi for luxo-utility wagons (Allroad), BMW for sport convertibles (M3), Porsche for sports cars (911), and Mercedes for flagship sedans (S AMG). Why complicate life?

groupB

^ this is exactly why I have a Routan and not a Touareg.

Corsa9000

Isn't Routan a Chrysler Minivan, rebadged as a VW with many on the road?

transferred

That's only because it's new...with V6 models available they'll be on every corner in the big cities within a year...

Corsa9000

If you are a fan of Top Gear show, they tested the Aston-Martin Rapide, Maserati Quattroporte and Porsche Panamera Turbo on their last show. The hosts went way overboard on the ugliness of the Panamera but Jeremy Clarkson's quote stood out in the extreme:

"The Panamera is more hideous than genital warts"

transferred

Not saying I disagree, but fact is that Clarkson is nowadays more interested in shock value than actually reviewing cars...whole show has gone to ***** imo

Corsa9000

Still better than anything else on TV but I know what you mean. There are so many pure test drives and power slides you can do before losing your audience.

BTW, how do they get away with ridiculing some cars and still get test cars from the manufacturer? If any US magazine said what they said about the Panamera, they will be politely cut off for a long time.

jbondox

I'd love to have the Panamera, drove a few, turbo, v8, and v6... the last one i drove had that stupid engine shut off which I didn't know about... I ended up putting in park, removing key, and restarting... all when I got the green arrow to make the left turn... I was so laughed at then i called the Porsche Tech... and was laughed at some more Now that it has passed, you guys can laugh.. as I do think it is funny today... I get the dumbarse award.

Fit and finish, I think the Panamera is one of the best put together vehicles I have driven interior wise... I seen something new every time I get inside one, from stitching to how panels align.

Yes the body takes some getting used to, like they mentioned with the BMW7 previously, AC Schnitzer kit fixed that, but what fixes the Panamera is new rims and a solid color like black.

transferred

Agreed. The Brit magazines and shows seem to tell it like it is rather than what the advertisers tell them to say....it's the best part of Top Gear that remains...I think the manufacturers wouldn't dare cut them off as the Brits would NEVER stop mentioning it so it would be way worse than simply getting a bad review....good form I say

slk320

I drove the V8 and the Turbo and posted my impressions a while ago, but I will repeat a couple of things that to me makes Panamera a no go.

Granted all these points are mainly based on the fact that an S600 is a fully optioned car and does not come with a 500 page catalgue of options down to the contrast stitching on the seatbelts

Things you have on the S600 that you dont have on Pan:

1. Soft touch doors
2. Massage seats
3. Rear massage/ventilated seats
4. Active seats
5. Night vision (although I heard they are trying to integrate it into the 2012 model)
6. Central locking fromt he trunk
7. Full leather everywhere (on the turbo you can get this as an option for like 10k)

Here is the real plus for me - in my S600 all you have to do to go fast is press the gas pedal. On the Pan you have to engage DPK (or whatever the trans called), put it into sport, press the sport eaxhuast button, reset chrono and then it goes fast.... seems like a bit too much work - the Mercedes is certainly more user friendly. Finally - I love my big nav screen - and hate the Porsche solution to it.

Just my thoughts

transferred

Your post makes sense but the above is one of these things that gets blown WAY out of proportion to NON-owners....same with SMG cars, magazines will say "oh you need to allow for ten minutes to set everything up" but this is never true...setting can be plumbed into one button so it takes no longer than hitting a starter button and you're off and away...

slk320

I know that its true for BMW - but do you know if this is also true for P-cars? I wasnt told that - but if it is true - I take this comment back. And besides, that wasnt the major deal breaker anyway. I still think that for 150k - the S600 gives you more for your money...but the Panamera is also an excellent alternative.

transferred

I do not, I've haven't driven one as I've got no plans to own one. I'm just figuring that car reviewers have gone into their usual hyperbole at the thought of a few settings. I know the pdk in the 997s couldn't be easier. If I'm wrong with the Panam, I'll take my post back instead...

BTW, I couldn't agree more that the S600 offers more for the money- both more power and more comfort...the Panam wins in handling but neither are going to be a GT3 and overall the S600 is, to me, a far more desirable car...

-Rob

rondocap

The S600 is an amazing car - powerful, comfortable, and advanced - but the Porsche Panamera Turbo is in another league performance wise. I'd chose an S600 over the V6 or less powerful versions, but the Turbo is pretty impressive for a large vehicle.

transferred

Not arguing but curious how you find this so? Surely the same could be said about the M5 or W212 E63? They offer the same pace, handling and space as the Panamera. Taking luxury into account the W221 has it. It trails only when handling is taken into the equation, hence why not bring in the E63 or M5?

rondocap

I think the S600, S55, S63, S65, etc - all have a very distinct role as comfortable luxury cars with a lot of power, but their weight does keep their performance down in a few senses. The PDK transmission and 4 wheel drive in the Panamera Turbo, I'd say are also pluses for it - great traction and very fast gear changes that help its performance.

Power wise, the Panamera is much faster. Quarter mile times are in the 11's stock, (11.7 or so) - and while I don't subscribe to paper specs for arguments, in the real world that's a much bigger push in the back and adrenaline than a stock E63 or M5, and of course an S600. (all which have mid 12 quarter mile times) The turbo also had a really fast Nurburgring time, when they did it, it was the fastest production sedan to go around the track. (Much faster than an M5 or E63, it was closer to 2 door sports cars like an F430, etc)

Now, it is not completely fair to compare the Panamera to those 3 you mentioned. The M5 and E63 both will have new engines coming out in the next few years, which will put them closer to the level of the Turbo - and the S600 has more of a luxury emphasis rather than a sporting character. (Even though it's very fast for such a big car.)

In fact most magazines are comparing the Turbo to the Maserati Quattroporte, and Aston Martin Rapide, but even those do not measure up to the Turbo's performance.

Now, sometimes in the real world there are other factors that can influence your decision - that's why there are people buying all different types of these cars and not just the Turbo based on the performance. Price, for one, as it is pretty expensive right now - it also does not have the comfort or room of an S class, or perhaps even E class AMG - and it has some controversial looks.

Corsa9000

Take a look at this 2010 Panamera S, for sale at a local high-end Dealer. Now, take see the Carfax history, 6 recalls in less than a year:

http://www.eurocaroc.com/web/1208/ve...che-Panamera-S

RRnelcheeze

its ugly, the rear end looks like they fired the designers. IMHO Porsche should stick to the 911.

Corsa9000

Porsche needs cars in other segments and will not survive with just the 911 with its infinite variants. It appears they really wanted to stay with the family DNA and came up with this, sad result of in-breeding.