Porsche loves to both glue in coolant pipes and use plastic coolant pipes. Both are bad and fail, which sucks. I'm not a fan of the way the 1st gen Panemera's look, but like the wagon version. Maybe someday I'll get one...
Porsche loves to both glue in coolant pipes and use plastic coolant pipes. Both are bad and fail, which sucks. I'm not a fan of the way the 1st gen Panemera's look, but like the wagon version. Maybe someday I'll get one...
The statement about the looks being an acquired taste is spot on. To me, they are ugly AF, and the first gen ones, just like the early Cayennes, are often seen running around on 3 chrome 26s, one stock wheel, limo tint, and painted some hideous bright color.
Only for my own sake, I got to drvive 3 different models across 2 dealerships and states. My take is the following-
General model thoughts- Ergonomics were good, but there are so many buttons, haha. Felt very much like a 911 behind the steering wheel. Rear legroom and headroom was surprisingly good for my 5'11". Either way, it wasn't too difficult to navigate. Didn't love the paddle "buttons", but that's a panamera problem that I'll just have to accept and live with. Handling is sneaky good, with ample brakes for a 4500lb sledgehammer. There is a noticeable difference in dampening between the Turbo/S and Non-S models, and I actually think the Non-s supension might be a better long term commuter package than the sporty setup. Sightlines out of the back are poor-to-terrible. Side view cameras were probably made for this car specifically. Overall does not at all drive like a heavyweight in any trim. A La Carte optioning was all over the map, because Porsche. The base model 4 was the highest trimmed, so like someone mentioned, finding the specific options in the model I want will be a trial of patience and distance... I'm okay with all of these though. Such an underrated part of Porsche IMHO is how quiet they are in the cabin when humming allong at angry speeds. It just gives a feel of being effortless and nonchalant. I LOVE that.
2011 4S, 85k miles. First off, the interior and exterior were both trashed, so I had no intentions of buying it the second I saw it in person, but did drive it anyway. If my initial descent into Panamera Fever (tm) was a deep internet dive, driving was like finally launching off the cliff... Not knowing if I''d live or die, but not caring either way. I did not know it was possible for a car to accelerate this smoothly and quickly. Just effortless speed, directly dependent on the curling of your toes on the fun pedal. And the sound. Sweet mother of mercy... Subdued but present. Like a mama bear- mostly composed until you try and snatch a cub or some crap. Body roll was minimal and composed, as I would expect of any porsche. Overall, I got out of this car wishing it was just simply in better cosmetic shape. It also had 8 owners, which is a huge red flag for me personally. So I passed.
2013 4, 78k miles. MUCH nicer condition, white with black rims and blackout trim made for a sweet stormtrooper look that I LOVED. I will say though, I should have driven this one first, because driving it after the 4S (and it's heavenly sounds) made it just feel... less. Still a wonderfully engaging driver, and PROBABLY the smart choice... but I left wanting the sort-of crazy , but super hot and super-complicated girl in the corner picking fights with the bouncer. Just being real.
2010 Turbo (4), 110k miles. Overall aesthetic condition was somewhere in between the other two. Same wonderful v8 sounds, but now with a whine and a whistle and a 'Holy Berk I'm definitely getting Arrested and thrown in jail' feeling. I actually felt dirty driving this thing. 4500lb and full on oversteer from a FAST roll upon command. This is probably the best GT car I've ever driven, on or off-track... and I've been fortunate to drive some doozies as an Instructor. Compliant, way more point and shoot than I expected for a heavy pig, and just plain flat out rocked. It was a little harsher than the other two models though, noticeably. It could be wheels though, as this model had some DONKS. Overall, I passed on this one too, but only because the dealer was definitely buy-here, pay here, didn't have any documentation, and was pretty aggressive on the sell.
Verdict- I am a little bit terrified of the Turbo and associated engine maintenance... and I don't think the performance drop-off (There definitely is one) is that steep compared to the 4S, so I think that's what I'm going to be looking for- The nicest specced 4S I can find for the money. And hopefully maintenance records, haha. If a turbo does come along for a swan though, I'll probably do something dumb and impulsive and buy that though. I'm just foretelling my own self.
TL;DR: Panameras are a hoot. If you are considering buying one, I wouldn't recommend driving it, because now it's all I can think about.
As it relates to 911s: I've always heard that the turbo models are hand built, and seem to be more reliable. No idea if that translates to the Panamera
akylekoz said:GTS
The GTS trimmed cars are always the Porsche Goldilocks!
Again no panamera specific knowledge. But if they're like other porsches of the time you can probably retrofit a newer wheel with real shift paddles fairly easily. Also the suspension differences are likely their own options rather than paired with the vehicle trim. Wheel/tire sizes likely ramp up with trim level but also have some options within each trim level. So you should have some latitude in getting whatever wheel/suspension package you want on whatever trim you want...you just have to figure out what those options are and then find a car with them.
Necro-bumping this thread... after a couple months of looking and research, I finally pulled the trigger on an '11 Turbo. I found it through an enthusiast friend, two owner and dealer maintained with records. It's wrapped but I kinda dig it... hopefully picking it up next weekend from Connecticut. Ironically, this will be the third car I've bought from this little state. I'm a little scared, but I got a PPI and have researched it extensively, here's hoping I don't get burned.
That's totally bad a$$ looking. Congratulations!
Green with bronze wheels is a killer combo. Congrats!
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