You guys crack me up...

Hey, I'm sure the turbo is awesome...but let's not act like the 4S is a pile of crap!

In fact, I owned a turbo car once...a 1992 SAAB 9000 Turbo. I loved it! Broke down a lot though, including the turbo system. Finally blew the head gasket in 2003, I freaked out and bought a 2004 Maxima (6sp manual). GREAT car, and super reliable...until earlier this year, when it started making a clicking sound...I thought maybe the cooling system fan was hitting something. I had it looked at, turns out the car had NO OIL! As in NONE. It had previously never eaten a drop, and I always used synthetic. I figured after the last oil change they had forgotten to put oil in! So armed with new synthetic oil I was happy to find that the car seemed OK, drove fine...but makes you wonder about hidden damage. Well, a few months later it starts clicking again...but sounded different. Guess what...no oil. My mechanic recommends a new car...

So my wife and I take a mini-vacation to Seattle (we live in East Wenatchee) to car shop. Since all of the cars I was interested in involve a 2-6 month wait to order and actually get, we took her Audi Q7 over. Like I'm sure many of you do, I'm always planning my "next car". This time around I had in mind the BMW 550ix (it snows here), Audi A7, and of course the Porsche Panamera (either 4S, Turbo, or Turbo S). If BMW had not quit making the ix with a manual transmission, I would have bought that. But they did, so it was last on my list. I really thought I'd get the Audi A7; it's beautiful, 4 wheel drive, hatch, not crazy expensive like the Porsche. So I went to test drive that first; the salesperson was busy, so we went two blocks to the Porsche dealer to look at the Panemera. Not only did I LOVE it, but it was my dream car...and they actually had one on the lot that had all of my must-have options!

4S
Basalt Black
20 inch Spyder wheels
Burmester stereo
Black leather interior and dash
Birch Anthracite...looks kind of like stone, amazing...
thermal/noise reducing/break resistant glass
Sport Chrono Plus
Sport Exhaust
folding rear seats with ski pass-through
Heated steering wheel
Interior lighting package
Bi-Xenon Headlights
ParkAssist with camera
Adaptive Cruise Control
4 Zone Climate Control with heated seats

This was a 2010 model (240 miles) with a $130k sticker, they were willing to sell it to me for $110k and extend the warranty from 4 years to 5.5 years.

SOLD!!!

So while we were waiting for the paperwork, my wife and I went down to the Audi dealer to drive the A7. It's a really nice car, but definitely not in the same league as the Panamera. They also had a SWEET S5 on the lot; it was so AWESOME to drive that I nearly threw reason to the wind and bought it! V8 manual, crazy fun to drive. BUT...two doors, no hatch, small trunk, crappy interior.

Back to this thread...sure, I sometimes wonder about the turbo models...I'm sure they rock.

But my ultimate dream car, the Turbo S, would have cost nearly double what my 4S cost. And my 4S RULES! I lova lova love it! It's not only the nicest car I have ever owned, it's the nicest car I have ever driven!

And you know something? $110k is a LOT of money! Even if you can afford it, paying nearly double that for a car that just can't be all that much better is impossible to justify...unless you are REALLY REALLY rich!

Plus, the turbo is heavier, less reliable, dicier in the snow, and gets worse gas mileage and range.

Don't get me wrong...in a way I'm envious of you turbo owners out there. All I'm saying is that it is FAR from essential, the 4S is a wicked awesome car without it and has some advantages of it's own!

(Oh, sold my Maxima in Wenatchee on consignment for blue-book...)

 

Easy tiger - we were just answering the OP's original question - should he trade a 4S for a PTT because he misses the power. The simple answer is that if finances allow make the move. I had a 125k sticker 4S and wished for a PTT from the day I drove it off the lot. I was fortunate and had the opportunity to exit my car into a PTT.

They're all great cars - but the power is intoxicating from the 6cyl ---> 8cyl----> PTT each one is exponentially more fun than the prior.

 

Hahaha!

Well put...

 

My first turbo car was also a turbo SAAB from 1989. Awsome machine.

I hope you are not suggesting the Panamera 4S is the REASONABLE purchase. If someone looks from another forum, they will be amused. Rarely has anyone called a 4 seater, with 400bhp and a small boot to be the sensible mans choice. If you would have bought the 550xi, that would have been the reasonable choice in comparison as atleast here it is almost half the price, but then again all 530D owners would have laughed at calling 550i a rasonable choice.

We all make desicions based on our circumstances and no one than another Panamera owner can quite get are choices. We were all merely answering a question and telling our views on the matter. Never will I call my buying a PTT reasonable, but I see it more reasonable than a motor bike for example. I bought a used PTT for the price of a new 4S, and then powerkited it so I get the PTTS speed. Its all about choices. I would have wanted a new car, but made a compromise.

Also remember, the cars REAL PRICE is the amount you pay for it subtracted by what you get for it when you sell it. It is hard to tell which one holds the resale price better, the P4S or PTT.

Your P4S is an awsome machine, but to the OP I suggest the PTT as he is clearly thining about it. That is of course if he can and wants to.

 

Well put to you too sir...

right on!

 

Hey guys, here's my update from when I started this post. I finally went to the dealer today and drove the Panam Turbo. I was hesitating cuz I figured I would want it (good thing i didnt like the color, platinum over brown). Well it's certainly 100% bad to the bone, the brutal acceleration is very intoxicating similar to 911 turbo. I also noticed the suspension seems tighter and feels like it handles better than the 4s but somehow rides better in sport plus mode, go figure. It's a tough, tough decision. It's super fast but still a big car. I think if u only want one car, the panam turbo is the way to go. For now, I'm thinking I really want another convertible so I would rather add a C4S cab or another turbo cab to the stable instead of go from the panam 4s to the turbo. Ofcourse that could all go out the window if I come down with panam turbo fever at any moment, as car guys you all know how that works!!

 

Wade,

I totally understand your situation. I ordered a GTS to replace my 06' M5 as my daily driver and plan to keep my 09 Turbo Cab. But I really keep thinking about going for the Turbo, but after I am done clicking the boxes I am at $170k, then I think well why not just get Turbo S, and trade 09 Turbo. Can't seem to make a decision.

If the 13 M5 was out now I would have one and keep the Turbo Cab. Not sure the GTS will be fast enough. Will see when it comes in. If not then will get Turbo or wait for M5.

The good news is I like to get exactly what I want, so I always order my cars. That keeps me from buying that car that is not exactly what I want on a whim! Learned to do this 10 years ago and it slowed the pace of change of cars quite a bit!

Good luck with your decision - you have a great car and if you want flexibility get another. If you want just one I agree, order a Turbo just the way you want it!

 

Trying to find reason's not to buy the Turbo S myself. Pathetic. I feel the need, the need for speed!