I have driven the Panamera and rode in one with my wife as a driver. It is in my view the best sports sedan around. It's not a 911, obviously a very different car, but it is outstanding.

I doubt it's what the OP is after though. Does he want to use a premium sedan for daily chores? A C-class for daily chores is a sweet ride.

 

How about Cayenne S or GTS....Lots of space and pretty powerful too JMHO

 

It was actually utkinpol's suggestion and a good one.

I have not doubts it will be a superb ride. I just like to see one first in person to judge the looks. Most dealers around me will be showcasing them around the 17-18th of the month.

good luck

 

Sorry for this late response, but I'm wondering if you've driven the C63 AMG? Larry feels there's a connectivity issue, and I know that feeling from other MB's, and I'm curious if this applies to this model.

I also thought about the Jeep Wrangler suggestion, but I would fear getting hit and seriously hurt in one of those.

 

I love/enjoy driving cars with manual transmissions. That is why I haven't/and probably wouldn't ever go MB. Their AMG line does not even offer manual transmissions.

Of course I am biased (I own one), but I think the B7 RS4 is an amazing sports sedan as well as a fantastic DD. Of course, it ONLY comes in a manual.

The e90/e92 M3's are also great cars. I preferred the looks of the RS4 over the e90 M3...so I went with the Audi. If I had wanted a coupe, I would've went with the e92 M3, no doubt.

But back to the OP's concerns...having driven the M3s, I think they require a little more "effort" to drive versus the RS4 (especially with the manual transmission). Hence, I feel that RS4 is a better choice for a DD. But for a track car, the M3 is slightly better than the RS4 IMO.

 

Per earlier suggestions, I tested the Panamera. While it's clearly an impressive sedan, it's more car than I'm looking for as a daily driver. I just don't need, nor want, that much iron. I also tested an M3. I've owned two versions of that car in the past, and both were high on the fun factor scale. The 2009 I drove was also very enjoyable and the size felt right. The dct was a new experience for me and, like many on this board who have tried the pdk, I marvel at the technology. And, now like so many others, I ask myself whether the manual or the automatic would make more sense should I go the M3 route. There's something to be said for having one of each, even though I don't anticipate much bumper-to-bumper traffic. On the other hand, the driver involvement is quite different. I wonder whether I'd miss the throttle response of the 6 spd.

 

I like Audi's but I probably won't buy another. At 49K on my 06 A3 BOTH CV boots have separated on the AXLE next to the clamp.

The car is just out of Factory warranty and is a CPO car and they won’t cover it under warranty.

The 1-800 number is useless and the Audi Service Rep will not call me though I have requested it for a better explanation.

Probably won’t buy another Audi in my lifetime.

 

I've never quite understood the rave reviews Audi garners, and of course what I'm about to say is purely personal opinion. I've never driven the R cars, but the others have neither the driveability of BMW nor the fit and finish of Mercedes. Moreover, their reliability is questionable. However, they've managed to reinvent themselves successfully, I must admit, and on my last trip to Europe (Germany, Switzerland & France), I noticed more Audis on the roads than MB and BMW put together. Just not for me.

 

+1 on the '10 S4. It is a very comfy car and great value for your money.

How about a CPO'D E63? Or maybe a used M3 DCT.