Hi Guys (and Ladies of course)

I made the big mistake to test-drive a Panamera S when I had my Cayenne in for service and I am trying to justify to myself why I should get rid of either the Cayenne (2011 S) or 911 (2007 S Cab) and switch to a Panamera.

I do need the 5 seats of the Cayenne for the occasional kids-transport (say once a month) and to tow my boat; I love the 911 Cab (and I can't afford or justify to have all three

Thus, two questions for you:
- should I sell the 911 with a crying eye and replace the Cayenne when the kids leave the house in a year (to get a 991 S Cab)
- what Panamera to buy: 2012 Panamera S (say seem to be around $55-60k) or a 2013 Panamera GTS (about $65-$70k). From your esperience, is the GTS worth the extra money?


Also, any recommendations in terms of Year? Any downside to buying a 2011 (I had some warnings and recommendations that 2012 had some pretty substantial improvements).

Any help would be greatly appreciated

T

 

Having a '13 GTS, I'd say it is worth the extra money. The combination of features might only leave you yearning for a turbo, but even then you would lose some of what makes the GTS so great.

 

What are the specs for the Panamera S? I assume you want a sporty feel. With the Panamera S you'd want to make sure that its full speced and top of the line ie (full sport package, Air suspension, Ceramic breaks, etc) the S can have that sport edge if you have the right things installed. And personally I think it comes down to if you are planning on doing some aftermarket touches to it or not. I can tell you more depending on what you want/ the specs of the ones you picked.
This is just a point of view on the S, cant say much about the GTS as I never owned one only have driven them, im sure someone is going to point out their view on the GTS

 

This is actually a good point: I was surprised to find Panamera Turbo's not much above the price of a GTS, but not sure if I would want one: yes, the power incredible, but I was told that a) maintenance and risk for repairs is much more on a Turbo and b) that the Turbo has more power, but not the same 'light-footed' and eager approach of the GTS ....
Any thoughts? Have you driven both?

 

I don't think I will do any aftermarket stuff, I was tempted with my 911 and never did it, same with the Cayenne.

I don't have a specific Panamera S under consideration yet, the following is at the local Porsche dealer and very nicely optioned, but I don't like the color combo Silver with black (price also sounds fair - $58k with Certified Preowned):

1H - Platinum Silver Metallic
250 - 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) With Auto Start Stop Function
345 - Heated Steering Wheel
350 - Adaptive Air Suspension Including PASM
418 - 20" 911 Turbo II Wheels
446 - Wheel Center Set with Full-Color Porsche Crest
457 - Lane Change Assist (LCA) / Blind-Spot-Detection
541 - Seat Ventilation Front
576 - Four-Zone Climate Control
625 - Porsche Entry & Drive
640 - Sport Chrono Package Plus
823 - Anthracite Birch Interior Package
AB - Black
P61 - BOSEĀ® Audio Package
P80 - 14-way Power Seats with Memory Package

 

Jafetica888,

Interesting you are going exactly the same route (or thinking of) that I took. Went from a 911 to a Panamera S (e-Hybrid) and Also have a Cayenne. I do miss the 911Cab but only sometimes. Keeping the Cayenne for hauling stuff and people while the Panny is my daily driver and use it for long trips. It is very very comfortable.

 

Did the Panamera feel big and bulky after the 911 or is this something you forget after the first few days???

 

Oh you NEVER EVER forget the 911. I have driven and owned many cars and the 911 has been my favorite. The Panamera is no slouch either but it has a completely different feel. It is a lot more refined and "well behaved". With the 911 I always had this grin on my face. If I could without getting murdered by my wife, I would have kept the 911. The Panamera-S E-Hybrid on the other hand is a tech galore that I love. What other sports car gets a 1000 miles on one tank of gas (mixed driving, frequent charging) but also does a respectable 0-60 if and when you desire in sports mode.

You will love the Panamera but it is a different "mistress"

 

Since your not considering aftermarket stuff for the S (PSE doesn't do it for me) I'd say go for the GTS, its good as it is, personally I have a bad experience with Turbos (Porsches, Mercedes)