Wanted to share my thoughts, as it seems not many cars have been delivered. As a disclaimer - I am not the owner, it is my Father's car - but we tend to share, and I have put on the bulk of the miles thus far.

We went to test drive and ended up driving home the showroom car - a LOADED P4S in Carbon Grey Metallic over Luxor Beige full leather with 18 way sport adaptive seats. 20" RS Spyder Design wheels, Sport Plus, air suspension, Sport Exhaust, etc...

I own a 997 Carrera S, and from the reviews was not expecting the two cars to share much in the way of driving dynamics. Expecting this going in allowed me to truly enjoy the experience... as if you are looking for the raw / visceral experience of a Carrera, it is not to be found. Jumping to the end - I LOVE IT. The Sport Plus & Sport Exhaust options (to me) are must tick boxes on the order form. When I turned the exhaust "off", the car immediately lost charachter (the sound at start up alone is worth the cost). The Sport Plus mode and air suspension give the car a fantastic dual personality - much needed with the PDK gearbox.

Steering feels light as compared to the 997, in the spirit of a MB S-Class. Speed is subjective, but I never wanted for more. The car feels quick enough to be fun - but if you are looking for all out 'Bahn storming... spring for the Turbo. As for styling, let's face it... it is a love it or hate it design. After despising it in pictures for months, I found the Panamera to have tremendous road presence... and with that, I think it's quirky nature makes it beautiful. The big hatch got a tremendous ammount of comments, thumbs-up's, camera phones, etc... even here in car jaded Newport Beach (err.. New-Porsche Beach).

I hope that those of you waiting enjoy yours when it arrives.

 

Thanks for your "real-world" review. I totally agree with the comment about the Panamera's road presence. I got a thumbs-up from a young guy in a Supra Twin Turbo only 2 minutes into my test drive. Still don't know if it's a car for me, but it's certainly a contender.

"New-Porsche Beach"...love that! I was born there, but somehow ended up in Chicago (but with a new Porsche). I saw an S class sedan in Newport years ago with a license plate that read "NB CHEVY." Definitely a car-jaded town!

 

I totally agree with you I have the same exact car like yours , a launch car same colour and specs,waiting to break it in , I miss my 07 997 tt but this a different car

 

pugman, moved here from NY 5 years ago, still love to wake up and drive up the coast...

gelkad - enjoy!

Happy to answer any questions people may have about the car

 

In pictures, I didn't see anything I liked about this car.

However, saw two of them at SEMA last week and now, I really really like the car. The lines flow in person much better than in print. Definitely a looker.

 

Is air a must

 

Nice review! I bought my PanTurbo in New Porsche Beach....

 

I've had them both and your 4S vs PTT is correct - The 4S was a great car and I was a far safer driver in the 4S than my current PTT. The PTT makes you take a few chances in traffic.

Congrats

 

Same here! Got mine PTT in Newport Beach too and drove 350miles back North on the same day. Driving 70miles max on HW5 all the way is priceless.....

 

I totally agree!! I have the panam 4S with all the toys! got rid of my 997 turbo cab for it and love the pan am, no regrets! I can take my kids with me which allows me to use the car soooo much more than just having a weekend toy. Plus the panamera really has a split personality, you can turn off the sport plus and exhaust and it's a lux cruiser. then when it's just you driving you turn on the exhaust and sport plus and slide it through some turns!!! I ripped mine through some hard corners and it was wicked!!! the 4S is plenty of power and doesnt sound like a vaccum cleaner the way a turbo does.

 

Don't know if I can pull the trigger on a Panamera for fear of missing my C4S cab.
Also, any comments about a Panamera 4 vs. 4S? will the 4 feel sluggish if your used to a C4S.

 

The 6cyl feels like a 6cyl - no real guts but a nice car. The 4S has pretty good grunt and was fantastic until I drove the PTT as a loaner. They each are significantly different from the other.

 

First, I think if u buy a panam, the 4s is the minimum I would recommend, and make sure you get sport chrono and sport exhaust. Second: as to missing your C4s cab, you might want to keep it AND get the panam. I sold my 997 turbo cab for the panam and now I'm surfing for a nice used C4s cab or turbo again. I guess we all think alike!! If u sell the cab let me know the details.