I'd appreciate any advice you guys can provide. I'm in the process of selling my 993tt and want to consolidate to one functional, yet fun to drive vehicle. While my heart says go back to another 911 (I've had 993s, 997s and a 991), my wallet and lifestyle say a Macan is a strong compromise. I have 3 dogs, 1 daughter, and a wife that all enjoy an active lifestyle (biking, running, golf, etc.). I currently have an '08 Range Rover that is great from a functional perspective but not fun at all to drive. I also need something that will not be obnoxious when I visit clients.


I test drove the Macan S and was impressed. If it came in a manual, I likely would have ordered one on the spot. I hate paying the depreciation of a new vehicle but there are not a lot of used ones out there (configured like I would want) and the ones that are close don't come with much of a discount from original MSRP.


What do you guys think? Does the Macan check all the boxes or will I be bored in 6 months? Are there alternatives that you'd recommend?


Thanks in advance.

 

I pre-ordered loaded Macan S last year.
It arrived in May 2014 . ( I even tracked the progress of the ship from Europe - kinda fun! )
I have kept my 996 and thought I'd alternate between them and put a few less miles on the 996.
I absolutely love the Macan S, and just brought it in for its first oil change . ( at 10k miles )
It is a joy on long drives ( drove 960 niles in one day a month ago )
Very quiet, but plenty of power.
An absolutely incredible gearbox, with the only shifters I have ever liked on an auto - those nice paddle shifters.
This has the best PDK on any vehicle: Chris Harris states its even better than a Ferrari box, and this guy has driven every car out there.
I have the Pano roof ( love it ) leather, PCM, Bose plus a bunch of options, partly because I want to keep it forever.
The only MUST option is PASM , I think.
Its great to switch between Sport , Sport Plus or comfort ride.
On that long highway drive, the latter mode lets you glide for hours.
Yet still amazing road feel.

You will not regret getting on of these!

 

Thanks Volkers! I appreciate the feedback. I love the combination of looks, performance and utility. I meet with the dealer on Monday regarding an open build slot they have. I've got between now and then to determine if this is the best route to go.

 

That reminds me:
I had a Cayenne as a loaner while the Macan S was in for the service, and I took the opportunity to really road test it for the day.
There is no comparison between the two. The Macan S is so much more fun to drive.
I would get a BMW X5 for a full size SUV ( despite being a huge Porsche fan )
The Cayenne has some catching up to do - it just feels big and bulky.
I drove a Cayenne Turbo at the Porsche Sport Diving Experience course at the Barber track - an amazing vehicle, but its to also not for me. Expensive, thirsty and too big to feel sporty.

It's the Macan S for me…..plus a 911 or Cayman GTS

 

I expect letting go of that 993TT is as hard as it was for me to let go of my 06 C2S cab that I really loved. I had just reached the point about a year ago that I wanted to have one car that would do more things for me, instead of the 911 and a beater RAV4 for bad weather and errands. I have never been a SUV fan, as most of the ones I ever drove felt like behemoths and had no fun factor whatsoever. With the Macan arriving at US car shows late last year, it appeared that it might be a SUV I could like. Unlike many who ordered theirs without actually seeing it up close, or driving it, I had to wait until I had done both in order to be sure it was what I wanted. After seeing them and driving one right after their arrival at the dealers in May, I immediately put my name on an open unfilled order for an S at my local dealer (where I had established a good relationship with the head Porsche salesman). I took delivery on Sept 8, and tonight it turned 10,000 miles, which is more miles than I've ever put on a car in such a short time. I did put 3500 miles on in October when I drove from the Pacific Northwest down to LA via SLC.
While it doesn't provide the same level of exhilaration as the 997, it is a very satisfying car to drive, as one might expect from a Porsche. But past Cayennes that I drove as loaners weren't at all satisfying for me.

Despite numerous reports of issues with the early released cars, mine arrived with none of them, and has performed flawlessly for me other than my key not working last weekend. Turned out the key developed a problem, and I had to use my second key until the first one is either fixed or replaced when I take car in next week for its 10k servicing.

I agree with Volkers' comments above. I don't have pano roof or air suspension, but do have PASM, PTV+, leather package, 18 way seats (wonderful!), 19" wheels. Rhodium silver with agate gray interior. While the handling isn't a sporty and immediate as the 997, I do appreciate the lack of road noise and the better visibility from sitting higher. The PDK is amazing. And of course, I now have a vehicle that allows me to carry more than 1 passenger, and to carry home lumber etc. from Home Depot. For me it is the perfect size, as my family is grown and there is usually just 2 of us for most occasions. It took a while to adjust to the larger exterior size, as the car feels big from the inside.
If I had the money, I would have a Macan S and a Carrera for the best of both worlds. Maybe one day, but for now, the Macan is serving me even better than I expected, and I spend little time pining over the loss of the Carrera.....until I see one! Luckily, there aren't a lot on the road in my area, so out of sight out of mind.
Good luck in making your decision.

 

Thanks Ken. I had a discussion with my wife last night on what direction to go in (she's very supportive regarding my car addiction) and my current internal debate is between a BMW 235M and the Macan S. The Macan provides so much more functionality than the BMW. I can drive them both to clients. The Macan will be better in NY winters. The BMW has a 6speed and I'm assuming will raise the "fun factor" significantly. I can't put the dogs, or much of anything in the BMW. I'm guessing the depreciation of the Macan will be greater than the BMW (not a lot of 235M's out there), but maybe not by much. The Macan I spec'd is $6-10k more than the BMW.
I just want to avoid buyer's remorse regardless of the decision I make.


Thanks for the input.
-Jim

 

Apologies for the thread hi-jack but Hi Ken. Glad to see that you are so happy with your Macan S. I hope you're doing well.


We're starting to think in earnest about replacing my wife's Audi A6 wagon now but since nobody is really bringing wagons into the US anymore we're considering a Macan Turbo. I honestly never thought I'd buy another SUV but given the limited choices we have, my desire to keep something that is fun to drive, and my love of Porsche... it might happen.


Happy, safe miles.

 

Hi Jim.


I'm a hard core stick shift guy so I am totally on the same page with you with the allure of the proper, three pedal manual gearbox. But as a husband, father, dog owner, and active surfer, I also share your need/desire for more space and functionality. Hell, I sold my 911S not long after my son was born and replaced it with an E90 M3 sedan because it was a stick and fun to drive, but I could actually get a car seat in the back. I'm saying all that so you know that my perspective is somewhat similar to yours.


The M235i is a very nice little car. But... it's pretty small and there's an M2 coming. I wouldn't be happy with one. The Macan S and Macan Turbo are hellaciously fun to drive, you can actually fit your family in it when you're out and about and while it won't have the proper stick shift you're looking for.. the PDK is about as good as it gets.


My wife is a native NYer so I've spent quite a bit of time in the city... granted, I'm in S. California so the very thought of snow and salt on my car freaks me out but... if it were me the AWD, ground clearance, superior utility and sight lines of the Macan would win me over.


Good luck with your search.

 

Thanks Christian. Nice to hear from you. I think you'd like the Macan Turbo a lot. I presume you've tried one. If the S4 Avant had been available in the US, it would have likely been my first choice. Good luck in your decision making.

 

Thanks Christian...I truly appreciate your thoughts given you've been in the same situation. As an aside, I'd rather be making this decision as a resident of Dana Point instead of Rochester, NY.


So, assuming I go with the Macan, what does everyone think of sapphire blue vs. agate grey? My 911's have been silver, grey and black. I'm thinking I want to be a bit bolder but wonder if the blue is a bit feminine. Don't laugh! Thoughts?

 

I considered the Agate color, but after seeing it decided it didn't show enough contrast with the black trim and grille. While they all look good, I think the lighter colors work better, at least for me. I don't think the sapphire blue is considered a feminine color. There are some gorgeous white ones out there, which look especially good with the sport design package. Pick whatever looks good to you. I went with Rhodium silver with agate interior.

 

Agree on the White, but I'm biased .

OP, here is White with SD for your reference, just received last night directly from the port. Second picture after quick wash.

Happy spec'ing...

 

Gorgeous!

 

I had a 993tt . I have a Macan Turbo and had a cayenne V6.

The Macan Turbo is hands down the most fun to drive practical vehicle I have ever owned . It has some serious Porsche performance DNA . I do suggest that you spec both a Macan S and a Turbo and you'll see that many options on the turbo are standard and the cost gap can narrow immensely . A performance oriented Macan S wil not cost too much less than a modest Turbo. The extar Hp , Torque, styling , audio , and resale make the Turbo the car to get IMO (especially coming from a 911 ) .
As for options I agree on the pano roof and the only option I forgot was 3 zone which I recommend.