Porsche Panamera S

[davidd]

After a bit more research over night I think it is going to tick the boxes. I'm now left trying to understand the options!

I suspect I'll end up with a 2011 car, is there an easy way to find out what comes as standard? ie

Bluetooth audio
parking help (sensors or camera)
sat nav
privacy glass
decent audio
leather
suspension, what is standard on an s or a 4s?

I'm really looking forward to the test drive tomorrow but I'm now pretty sure that this is not the specific panamera I might end up with.

What about diesel? Anyone here running one?

Thanks

D

Edited by davidd on Thursday 31st July 09:07

[PGM]

Mine is the diesel, I'd highly recommend it, had 997.2 S before it and don't complain about the performance or wish it had more particularly but get around 40mpg generally, have had as low as 20 and as much as 55mpg.

[MGJohn]

drmark said:

Not the prettiest thing in the world, but striking. And amazing to drive. A modern 928.
911 for the occasional blast, Panamera for covering distance.
Given the choice twixt a 991 or a Panamera GTS I would now take the latter (and I have had 10 911s).

Edited to add: but I have just turned 50 #middleage so perhaps my taste is altering accordingly. Nothing looks sillier than an older bloke trying too hard in a flash sports car

Nailed it drmark! 10 911s and now liking the Panamera ... goes to show some 911 enthusiasts know more stuff...

By the way. Depends on individual "older bloke". I turned fifty over two decades ago and still like to drive sporty cars. Have several. Age is more a state of mind. Some folks are already middle aged in their teens.

[DT398]

I have a loaner diesel at the moment and it's a fantastic car. Not really slow at all and super refined on the motorway. I just filled it up and it announced that the remaining range was 756 miles! Impressive.

[IREvans]

davidd said:

Afternoon,

I'm currently driving a Nissan GTR which I love but the finance is due in Oct so I need to get rid of it or buy refinance.

My main issue with the GTR is the back seats, although they are bigger than a 911 they are not really big enough for my growing children.

So I've been looking at alternatives.

I like the idea of a Panamera, I've had a chat with the Cambridge Porsche people and the money works. I'm testing driving an S on Friday and just wondered what people's opinion of them is.

I appreciate that most people think they are deeply ugly and I can completely appreciate that so let's take that as a given!

So apart from the looks, what do people think? anyone got one?

Cheers

D

I liked the Panamera, but never really loved it. Cayenne S V8 Diesel though is a great car to live with. Fast, comfortable, spacious, and I prefer it to the Panamera....sorry to throw in a curved ball...!

[drmark]

MGJohn said:

Nailed it drmark! 10 911s and now liking the Panamera ... goes to show some 911 enthusiasts know more stuff...

By the way. Depends on individual "older bloke". I turned fifty over two decades ago and still like to drive sporty cars. Have several. Age is more a state of mind. Some folks are already middle aged in their teens.

Nothing wrong with older bloke in 911 - just as long as he is not wearing full harness and switching on his sports exhaust down the local high st.

[AndrewIC]

davidd said:

After a bit more research over night I think it is going to tick the boxes. I'm now left trying to understand the options!

I suspect I'll end up with a 2011 car, is there an easy way to find out what comes as standard? ie

Bluetooth audio
parking help (sensors or camera)
sat nav
privacy glass
decent audio
leather
suspension, what is standard on an s or a 4s?

I'm really looking forward to the test drive tomorrow but I'm now pretty sure that this is not the specific panamera I might end up with.

What about diesel? Anyone here running one?

Thanks

D

Edited by davidd on Thursday 31st July 09:07

To answer your questions from the top.

You should get bluetooth audio. ParkAssist is standard, camera an extra. PCM (nav) is standard. Privacy is an option. Audio is an upgrade on everything bar GTS? and Turbo, which get BOSE as standard. You get leather seats free, but leather everywhere, dash door tops, etc, is an option. Suspension is just normal springs on S and 4S, but there are options to have PSM and air suspension, the latter is pretty rare as it was an expensive option.

Diesel IMO is a very very good car, it surprises a lot of people who would normally disregard a diesel. The new engine is supposed to be even better, you may also get a v.good deal on a new one from stock if you wait until September and drive a hard deal, Porsche often have finance deals running on the Panamera because it doesn't sell in massive amounts in the UK. Obviously you need to consider that the Diesel is not available in 4wd, but if you stick some winter tyres on it you can get around in snow.

Best thing to do is drive a few cars and see what ticks the boxes.

[Mr Ping]

When I first saw the Panamera I thought it was horrific but recently keep spotting them around and thinking they actually look really quite nice. Maybe I was expecting too much when they first came out or perhaps the ones I am seeing now are facelift models, who knows?

Having said that I am also starting to think that 944's look brilliant and that Brussell sprouts are pretty tasty.

[davidd]

I took the 4s out this morning. It is a huge imposing beast, but a great drive. Clearly a world apart from the GTR but that is not a bad thing.

I'm not pretty sure that my next car will be a Panamera, and this one has most of the options I want so it is up to them to sort a deal...

We shall see..

Thanks for all the help so far.

D

[red997]

I love em !

Had a 4S, now have a Turbo
(Traded the 4S in at OPC Cambs for the Turbo 2 months ago)

I thought the 4S was fast...the turbo is wide grin inducing !

I too have had my fair share of Pork - Boxsters, 911s, GT3, Cayenne etc...

this car does it all;

Since getting the turbo, I'm amazed how many people approach me in car parks etc stating what a gorgeous car it is ...

I did look at a 991 - too sterile I'm afraid for a 911.. Cayman fits the bill better.

Difference is the whole family can enjoy being pushed hard into their seats in this one.

I would say, go for a car with air suspension if poss - the ride is significantly better IMHO (4s had PASM & springs, Turbo has Air / PASM)

[davidd]

red997 said:

I love em !

Had a 4S, now have a Turbo
(Traded the 4S in at OPC Cambs for the Turbo 2 months ago)

I thought the 4S was fast...the turbo is wide grin inducing !

I too have had my fair share of Pork - Boxsters, 911s, GT3, Cayenne etc...

this car does it all;

Since getting the turbo, I'm amazed how many people approach me in car parks etc stating what a gorgeous car it is ...

I did look at a 991 - too sterile I'm afraid for a 911.. Cayman fits the bill better.

Difference is the whole family can enjoy being pushed hard into their seats in this one.

I would say, go for a car with air suspension if poss - the ride is significantly better IMHO (4s had PASM & springs, Turbo has Air / PASM)

hmm, the more I read, the more I am tempted to wait and get a turbo..