Talk to me about Panameras!
Talk to me about Panameras!
Author
Discussion

NorthDave

Original Poster:

2,538 posts

261 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
Am I mad? Currently have a 2006 C4S which is good but ready for a change. Most of my driving is long journeys really (say an hour or two to visit customers or huge trips for holidays). The 911 is pretty uncomfortable after a while and also not hugely practical.

Looking around and Panameras seem good value for money, practical and still fun? The diesel on the PH fleet returned a great MPG too which is a bonus.

One of the places I'll be driving too is a ski resort so the Cayman looks a good alternative. Not sure I could live with one day to day though.

Any one got one and love it?

petop

2,381 posts

195 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
I had a Diesel Platinum Edition Panamera for a few days whilst my C4S was having repairs. Its not for me as i found it didnt handle as well or most likely i was trying to drive it like my C4S. But it was very comfortable and for a diesel very fast.
For what you need it for i would say compared to a 911 then go for it. It looked like a 2 seater settee was thrown in the back which amused me bit very accomplished to eat up miles.

unclepezza

791 posts

172 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
What is the benefit over a Panna'mra against a Cayenne?

Seems the Cayenne is cheaper entry point to a continent cruiser with 3 real seats and good luggage options.

No doubt though the Panna'mra is a very good package.

franki68

11,642 posts

250 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
fabulous cars ,but so offensive on the eyes.
If you dont need 4wd and want a fast saloon then the amg cars are where its at,they're not pretty either but by god are they fun and dripping in character.

Dave Sums

274 posts

163 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
Yesterday I bought the Panamera Turbo that JZM had listed.
Can't wait to get back to UK in couple weeks and tear up some tarmac:-)
Panamera and LR Discovery as daily drivers and 993 turbo and 930 turbo to make me smile when the sun is shining.

NorthDave

Original Poster:

2,538 posts

261 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
unclepezza said:
What is the benefit over a Panna'mra against a Cayenne?

Seems the Cayenne is cheaper entry point to a continent cruiser with 3 real seats and good luggage options.

No doubt though the Panna'mra is a very good package.
I suspect the Panamera would actually do less than the Cayenne. I agree the Panamera looks horrific but in a funny way I quite like that. I do have a bit of an issue with the Cayenne image (more so in the UK than when abroad).

Guess I need to go down to the dealer and have a look around.

Bennachie

1,091 posts

180 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
Big, Quick, fast, comfy, cosseting, capable, good road holding and handling, fantastic to drive and travel in.......







and has received a severe beating with the ugly stick, sadly.

Still if you are driving it and don't look in shop windows you wont have to look at it.

PGM

2,168 posts

278 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
Done 10k miles in mine now since May, 5k of which in Europe. I'm also going skiing with it in January.

Superb GT car, great for covering huge distances and good fun to drive. Just completed 2200 miles in a week all over the Alps with 15 other Porsches of various descriptions and kept them all honest.

I came from 996 then 997.2 S and it hasn't felt underpowered to me and I do like to put my foot down where the road is good for it!

anonymous-user

83 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
unclepezza said:
What is the benefit over a Panna'mra against a Cayenne?

Seems the Cayenne is cheaper entry point to a continent cruiser with 3 real seats and good luggage options.

No doubt though the Panna'mra is a very good package.
What's a Panna'mra?

Geneve

4,018 posts

248 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
It's recently been 'facelifted', so the latest version has no doubt refined the packaging and ironed out a few flaws. But it still isn't the design success it should have been. Think we have to wait until 2016 for the Gen 2 Panamera, which like the Gen 2 Cayenne, will be the car it should have been in the first place.

I had one on loan and was quite impressed, but it's an alternative to a big sporting Merc/Audi/BMW rather than a 997.

NorthDave

Original Poster:

2,538 posts

261 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
PGM said:
Done 10k miles in mine now since May, 5k of which in Europe. I'm also going skiing with it in January.

Superb GT car, great for covering huge distances and good fun to drive. Just completed 2200 miles in a week all over the Alps with 15 other Porsches of various descriptions and kept them all honest.

I came from 996 then 997.2 S and it hasn't felt underpowered to me and I do like to put my foot down where the road is good for it!
Which model do you have mate? The diesel looks good but wonder if it is a step too far!

red997

1,304 posts

238 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
I know Paul (PGM) he doesn't hang around so if he says it's fast enough... smile

had a 4s Pana for 8 months now;
traded in a current shape KN for it;

they are totally different cars

KN has a bigger boot (volumetrically) - though a roof box sorts that problem out on the pana
and seats 3 in the rear
everything else is a downside on the KN there on..

Pana is like a sharp GT car - especially with Sport/plus & active suspension;
better fuel economy ( std Mway I get 35 -36 mpg; not shabby for a 4.8 v8)

handling is awesome - seriously !
and I say this coming from a GT3 CS, and a 997 Cup Car.

it is possibly the most complete car I have driven.
period.

PGM

2,168 posts

278 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
NorthDave said:
PGM said:
Done 10k miles in mine now since May, 5k of which in Europe. I'm also going skiing with it in January.

Superb GT car, great for covering huge distances and good fun to drive. Just completed 2200 miles in a week all over the Alps with 15 other Porsches of various descriptions and kept them all honest.

I came from 996 then 997.2 S and it hasn't felt underpowered to me and I do like to put my foot down where the road is good for it!
Which model do you have mate? The diesel looks good but wonder if it is a step too far!
I have the diesel, test drive it over a couple of days would be my recommendation, the combination of the torque and 8 speed gearbox makes the quoted performance figures feel conservative. The trip above averaged 36mpg driving at the maximum!

Thanks for your comment David biggrin

retreat

326 posts

248 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
I was lent one and was really impressed with the diesel, lots of torque, handled well and got the kids in. The boot was a bit small as seemed to be full of the Bose kit but I was properly impressed, and it had a carphone! A proper phone to be used in the car! I kid you not, it looked like a 90's carphone but wireless, obviously intended for the back seat exec.

All in all, great car but you wouldn't look back over your shoulder to admire it in the car park...

red_slr

20,701 posts

218 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
I know its not a Porsche but consider the RS6 (V10).
Prices are coming into the reasonable range now, and some really nice spec cars out there.
Performance wise, not far off the Pana Turbo.
More space, esp on the Avant.

The MY10/11 cars are the ones to look at with 3G MMI and slightly improved rear end.

red997

1,304 posts

238 months

Wednesday 9th October 2013
quotequote all
dont think you can really put a RS6 into the mix

Before I took the plunge for the Pana, I drove a few of the the Audis
the MOST characterless car I've ever driven.
didn't actually feel that fast either - which surprised me.
Interiors might as well have been out of an 8K Golf..
bags of boot space though
not for me - rather have an M5 Touring...
and then there is the Audi dealership experience... proper Arfur Daily !

David W.

1,950 posts

238 months

Wednesday 9th October 2013
quotequote all
I have a C4s and KN V8. Tried the Panamera diesel which is a great car, handling ride economy all brill and a fun drive too but would not swap KN for one, higher driving position do it for me and it is a great car for London traffic for that reason. If you don't need off road ability or towing ( I need both) try one and be prepared to be surprised.

MajorProblem

4,700 posts

193 months

Wednesday 9th October 2013
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Harry Metcalfe did a video review on the panam diesel. Looked good.

Osito

56 posts

173 months

Wednesday 9th October 2013
quotequote all
I have a 991 and was lent a Panamera while the 991 was with the dealer for a repair. Completely different driving experience. Personally, I didn't like it and would never move from a 911 to a (current) Panamera, but then I don't have any issues with the practicality problems of the 911.

The important question is not: how does a Panamera compare with a 911 (apart from practicality, it is a lesser car -try it, if you haven't already!). The important question is how does the car compare with its competitors - I'm not sure of the answer to that?

mhh

1,567 posts

271 months

Wednesday 9th October 2013
quotequote all
The Panamera to buy is the one they haven't made yet - the good looking one that'll be based on the show car at Paris (?) Till then, it's "nice car, shame about the face" for me.