The PTT with powerkit will be hard to replace, but there are a few faults in it. The boot is not as usable as I thought it would be, it only comes with 4 seats and you really cant hide with this car, everyone sees this car a mile away. A little too flashy for my taste.

I really havent found anything like it, but now this new 580 bhp MB CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake S came out with AWD, I am suddenly interested:



What do you guys think? The press seems to like it also. It fixes the problems I have with the Panny: 5 seats, more power , less CO2 , cargo net and large boot, its not an exotic, but I think it looks really good... WHat surprised me also is that it is lower than the Panamera, but then again shorter and narrower also.

 

Is that a R350 or a CLS? If people are tough with the Panny, I can't wait to see what hey think about this concoction.

I guess that ill wait to see it in person, as I hated the panny until I saw it in front of me.

I don't blame you for jumping ship, your car has not been that reliable since you got the powerkit.

 

looks like a mini van on steroids. The choice is yours but switching from porsche to a different brand its really hard. Just two words , tomato vs caviar. good luck

 

I've been thinking also what I am getting next and I have 3 final choices. In no particular order. A new 2014 Panamera if he facelift is as good as conept car, a Rapide fully understanding that it is impractical but damn cool or a Ferrari 612 - this spring I will get one of those

 

You don't think that MB is flashy? ROFL

 

I've got a Ferrari 612, and a Maserati QP (as well as a PTT). If you have the chance test drive the 612, I think you'll love it. I'm considering the new QP although I'm not a big fan of its Audi rear. Rapide is terrible in the back, you may as well buy a two seater.

 

Is the MB flashy? Yes, but there is also a shooting brake 250 CDI, so people think its just another Mercedes. I thought about the E 63, but
its a facelift, so probably wouldnt like it.

A Ferrari, well I think the flashy factor is worse than in a P-car.

In this economic situation my car wont be easy to sell, so I probably will stick with it as it really is otherwise the best combo of sportiness and comfort.

 

I was planning on the new QP but the styling is pretty boring - a bit disappointing. Agreed the Rapid is essentially useless in the rear but I have two kids under 7 so it would work for them. I will track down a 612 and drive one - that seems like the first place choice so far.

 

Consider yourselves lucky in the US to afford multiple cars easily:

A Ferrari FF costs here: 828,490.99 USD
http://www.nettiauto.com/ferrari/ff/5049194

Panamera turbo s starts from (without options):
412,437.63 USD

A second hand 2009 Maserati QP is 132,088.06 USD
http://www.nettiauto.com/maserati/quattroporte/5236327

ANd the abovementioned CLS 63 AMG shooting brake starts at
272,181.45 USD (without options and not the new model with awd)

So your stables would be worth quite a lot of money where I live And yes, we have one of the highest income tax in the world: FOr a sallary of 12000e/month your tax percent is 48%!

 

 

The Gran turismo seems to win in this class, no Panny in this competition...

More stylish than a BMW,cooler than a Mercedes,more refined than an Aston Martin and sportier than a Bentley...’ EVO

 

I had a Gran Turismo while my QP was in for service, nice car but does feel cramped inside, don't forget also that this is an ageing platform likely to be replaced in the next couple of years (if resale value is a concern).

 

We went to see a Rapide at a local dealer and my son (six at the time) found the rear very claustrophobic, the seats are low, the rear of the front seat is very close, the transmission tunnel is large and high and the window line is high.

 

I'm like way not into Mercedes, but that is a seriously awesome car! I love "disguised station wagons"; used to have a SAAB 9000 Turbo, now a Panamera 4S. That Mercedes fits right in! Looks surprisingly nice too...from the front! But holy crap does that car look ugly from behind! I've heard many say that about the Panamera and I disagree...but that Mercedes? Yes, it's pretty grim from the rear. Having said that, you certainly don't see that while driving! I'd be more than happy to own one. Compared to my car it has more passenger room, bigger trunk, and more power.

On the downside it doesn't look as good inside or out, does not have a dual-clutch automated manual, no ski pass-through (which may be an option), and will never ever be even remotely as cool.

Still, nice job there Mercedes!

Btw, what's with all the power sliding in the video?

 

Ok, and now the RS7 is out...

http://jalopnik.com/2014-audi-rs7/