Car looks great in silver! Glad you like the noise involvement!

The Green Bay carrying the GTS I could take is getting close to port in San Diego - my guess just a day or 2 out!

 

Very nice!!!!!

 

As promised/threatened here is a long, detailed compilation of my impressions, both good and bad.

Ok, after about 800 miles including a Cincinnati - Chicago trip through the back roads, I feel I can offer a somewhat informed opinion on the GTS. I'll cover a lot of detail things, but one thing I won't voice an opinion on is the full-out performance (steering, brakes, engine, handling), since I'm taking it very easy, under 4,500 RPM, no more than 1/2 throttle and under 100 mph. (Maybe violated these rules just a couple times...). Overall the thing that impresses me most about the car is how well it handles. I haven't even really pushed it yet, but taking a 25 mph exit at 60 mph with absolutely no drama is just ridiculous. Here are my thoughts, in no particular order.


Get the PDCC!! It transforms the car. The first time my wife was in the car she noticed right away - 'the car isn't leaning', and I was driving very reasonably up an on ramp. In Chicago I was intentionally running over some of the worst street surfaces, and the car just glides over them. The cornering (I hit .9g without even a squeak from the tires) is physics-defying. I can't wait to start pushing the car.

Sound. The combination of exhaust/engine sound and the aggressive PDK setting in Sports Plus that rev matches from 4,500 rpm on downshifts is absolutely a gas! Surprised the heck out of me the first time I hit the brakes for a stop sign Brrrraaaap…..Brrrraaaap! Definitely somewhat anti-social. There is a big, big difference as soon as you hit the sport exhaust. The sound is just as good with the windows up, and the videos don’t do it justice. Fantastic – one of the best parts of the car.

Interior. Hands-down one of the best looking interiors I’ve ever seen in a car. Black IMO is definitely the way to go. The combination of the full leather, the high-gloss black, the aluminum, the stitching, the alcantara, and the embroidered (subtle black) GTS emblems in the headrests all work together.

Exterior. First time I parked the car in public, two Dads and families were walking around the car ‘do you mind if we take some pictures’. It’s rare when I get out of the car that somebody doesn’t compliment me on it. Really a stunning car.

Seats. The Alcantara 18-way Sport Seats are some of the most supportive and best looking I’ve seen. Very firm, and much more support and adjustment than my E60 Comfort Seats. The alcantara grips unbelievably well – you really stay planted in the corners. Very comfortable in a 6-hr drive to Chicago.

Steering wheel. THIS is how a sports-wheel should look. Aluminum, leather and just the paddles thank you – no extra buttons. The grip and feel is terrific. I prefer the leather way over the alcantara. I was concerned about changing radio stations with the stalk, but no problem at all – it works well.

The extra ‘multifunction’ gage. Fantastic! What a great idea – I’m still getting the hang of using it, and the rest of the PCM interface.

The tach – not a big fan of the color – would prefer it in a higher contrast black/white.

The PCM/multimedia interface. It’s a bit unfair, since I haven’t had remotely enough time to learn this, but I would give it a ‘C’ overall. Touchscreen is much more difficult to navigate than a wheel controller on the console. I imagine this system will do pretty much whatever I need, but the ergonomics are not great. Audi and BMW definitely have it over Porsche here.

Rear visibility. Worst of any car I’ve ever driven. You MUST get the backup camera. I’m not sure how people operate safely without it. I don’t find the lateral visibility through the side-mirrors that bad.

Noise/Ride. This car is just unbelievably quiet at speed when it’s in ‘comfort’ mode. The ride is so much better than my M5 it’s not even comparable. I don’t know of any car that has this combination of handling/sound in sport mode, and luxury in comfort. Incredible.

Spoiler. I love the spoiler up. I’m normally not a fan of this kind of thing, but the car just looks great with it up, and it’s going up at speed anyways. Ridiculous that you have to hold the spoiler button down the entire time it retracts. I mean, who needs to have the spoiler 11/16th’s down???

Steering. Yes, it is a bit ‘disconnected’ at slow speeds. But it tightens up as the speed increases and feels terrific. More to report on this when I can really flog the car.

Size. Yes, this is a big car. It feels biggest in the drive-through at McDonalds. It gets smaller as the road opens up and the speed and cornering forces build. Just maneuvering around a parking lot, or at low speeds though, it feels huge.

Retractable luggage cover. Cheap and I’m replacing it with the solid lid.

Wind noise. VERY quiet with the windows up at 100 mph. I don’t notice any of the high-frequency sound that some here have noted. Maybe that’s because my hearing isn’t great at those frequencies – mixed blessing.

Bose Stereo. The bass can get a bit boomy, but WAY better than the Bose on my M5, so I’m happy. Actually I think it’s pretty darn good listening to the XM/Sirius, and to classical through my iphone. Again – not the best hearing, so I’m not that particular.

Tires. I got the Pirellis, not the Michelins. I was disappointed at first, but if they aren't doing the job, I can't tell. I'm sure I'll have more input when I start really pushing the car.

I'll take some nicer pics with the digital camera in a few days.

 

Congrats on a beutiful car!!! Nice that you are liking it and your comments are very good and only differ with my experience conserning pse, so its obviously louder than the rest of the model range. Do you have servotronic?

 

Thanks - no servotronic. One other item on the 'wind noise'

For some reason, with the driver's window open, there is a resonance in the car so that you have to crack another window or the moonroof. I think this may be due to the flexible luggage cover, and will hopefully be solved when I get the solid one. Anyone else have this problem?

 

Do a search on this, on my mobile so cant, there was a thread on this...

 

Nice write up! I am at 1700 miles now with my PGTS. The exhaust is sounding even sweeter as the miles get put on.

 

Yes - the exhaust sound with the throttle blips is really intense! I'm liking it more and more. Can't wait until I can actually put some rev's into it!

 

Excellent write up. Congratulations ... sounds like you are enjoying the break-in period as much as possible. Looking forward to a complete report once you can really push it.

Interesting about the "disconnected" feeling of the steering at low speeds ... have read the reports regarding Servotronic, but even without it you've had the same impression.

Looking forward to future reports ... and pics of course!

 

Congrats on the gorgeous car and thanks for the great review! Are you aware of the sound symposer in the car as well as the exhaust sound outside?

Got some great news on my build yesterday. Was supposed to be an April build but the car is in production now PRDBDY, so could get it a month early!!

 

The engine/exhaust sound in sports plus is the best I've heard of anything short of an exotic. This is with no more than 1/2 throttle. I haven't even gotten to the point where the auxiliary air intakes open up. I'll give a full report when I can really push the car.

 

Well the Green Bay unloaded on 4/1 in San Diego - went to Long Beach first to drop other cargo. Yesterday dealer called and said all the Cayannes on that boat came in, but none of the Panameras. So looks like nothing until next week. To make matters worse I will be gone next week, so even if the GTS comes in I will not see it until 4/16 .

 

Well my car got to port in San Diego on 4/1, but did not arrive at the dealer until 4/16 - I was out of town so no harm on my end.

Here are photos of the car. I drove it yesterday and looked at it all cleaned up today. I drove it again today and then a Turbo. I have decided to pass on this GTS and get the Turbo they ordered for me coming in 3 weeks from now.

The car looks outstanding and I love the interior, it is so hard to pass on this car. But I lilke the Turbo power better than the interior and noise of the GTS.

This GTS is available at Newport Porsche - Call Allison Tozer at 949-673-0900 if you have interest.

Here are some photos.

 

You will note on the window sticker the add of the steering column and dash in leather - that is all stitched in red and looks very cool. This will be a great car for someone!

 

Sorry. I am on my mobile and the search button isn't working.

What were your specs?

J