Hello all, I finally decided to come out of the shadows and ask some questions. So I am looking for a nice first job retirement gift ( military retired), I have decided it is definitely going to be one of the three mentioned in the title but the decision is so hard! I do enjoy building up a car for more power and looks, so this is what's initially stopping me from going with a tesla (2013-14 P85+) but the tech is amazing, I like the front end of the S7 but the back end is not appealing to me, and the Porsche...it's a Porsche (GTS or Turbo 11-13). I have test drove the GTS, such a thrilling ride, like the exhaust but wasn't too pleased with the drone from down shifting. I haven't drove a S7, but a S6, pretty much the same thing from what I hear and thought the seats left a lot to be desired. I've never either one of the brands and this the second board I am posting this question on and I do understand that there will be a little bias but if you guys have ever owned two or even three of these models and can offer some feedback that would be great.

 

I've driven all 3 and picked the PTT...

I driven the RS7 and still picked the porsche. The interior of the audi and tesla are very plain. The panny is an amazing car and have no regrets at all.

The RS7 drove like a tank and the Tesla is too quiet for me lol

 

That's exactly my thoughts! Beside the huge screen in the Tesla, I thought it was nice but didn't really wow me. Maybe if they pump some fake exhaust noise in like a Mustang but the instant power was great. Never drove a S7 (or RS7 for that matter) just a S6 and A7, pretty nice and descent power but I don't know if I would get rid of my CTSV for it. I think my mind may be made up, when I sat in the Panny, I just had this feeling of greatness and it didn't help that I saw one yesterday and pretty much drooled over it. I appreciate the comment, I would love to have anyone else experiences/ comments on the choices.

 

S7/RS7 is good but agree with the tank and seat comments. Tesla interior feels cheap compared to the Porsche and I dont like having to worry about finding a supercharging station on long drives/road trips. Pana drive, fit and finish, quality is terrific and tough to beat.

 

Agreed.

The Tesla's interior has poor fit and finish and cheap materials. While it works as a commuter car good luck if you venture into the boonies finding a charger. And that killer acceleration slows down a lot over 60-70 mph

Audis all under steer too much.

And no big sedan handles like a Panamera. Every day The body control and nimbleness of my Panny GTS shock me. Interior is just beautiful. And the car is amazing in noise, vibration and harshness. Oh and the driving position is perfect.

 

Yeah, from what I read it tends to fizzles out. It is beating all these cars in the quarter but if the races were to go a little further every one of these cars would be back on top. The interior is now supposedly as good if not better than a S class (never been in one). But I have obsessing over the panamera a lot lately and the looks have grown on me. Now the issue is doing upgrades to it, they are not cheap at all.

 

I do love the interior of the GTS, the Alcantra and "GTS" embroidered into the seats really pop but i think if it is going to be a panamera, it will be a turbo, so much potential for mods but i will never snub my nose at a GTS!

 

I just sat inside of a 2016 tesla... no where near a S class. The best interior I've ever sat in has to be the panny. Even the back seats are really comfortable.

This is identical to what I have...

 

Yeah, I was only going off some article I read (on the Tesla forum of course). In you opinion, which interior is better, the GTS or Turbo? I love the cool seats option and I think that is a must for me, sadly the Tesla only has heated. I like my comfort but I do like stepping on the pedal every so often.

 

GTS or Turbo - there is no "better" option. They both have stellar interiors. I REALLY love the GTS but for me it's turbo.... gotta have that torque!

 

Have never driven a Tesla, but have always heard it has an amazing smooth ride and handles great due to the batteries being under the body. The interior seems cheap and boring and I to would have range anxiety.

The Panny's will have the best driving dynamic of any sedan. Is that what you want? When it comes to sedans, we either want luxury, power, handling, technology, safety, looks and etc. The GTS will not mod very well vs the PTT it just handles a little better and sounds better. The PTT will have so much more power and can be tuned and exhausted to become the machine you want.

I own a the S6. Please clarify what seats you sat in and what the problem was. I have the sport seats and they feel and look amazing. I put an AWE exhaust and GIAC tune on mine. For a luxury/sport sedan it has all the tech and more, drives great, and costs 30 to 40k less than the other options. The S7 I hear drives very differently and in a bad heavier tankish way.

No interior right now comes close to an S class, don't believe go sit in one. Don't drive it or you will want it. I am currently looking at getting one right now, in place of my S6. Just not sure I want to sacrifice sport for luxury.

 

Very good points, thank you for that. For me, I guess I am trying to have my cake and eat it too. I want both the luxury and the power, I think the better option for me would the turbo since it has the ability to be upgraded so much and has the luxury I want. Does the GTS have cooled seats as an option?

I test drove the 2015 S6 and yes, the interior looks amazing, can't beat that diamond stitching. I sat in the back to see how much room it had and I thought the seat bolstering made it a little uncomfortable for my back (I have a wide back). I didn't really get that from the Porsche but I didn't sit in the back of it so I can't really judge it too much. Everyone refers to the S7 as a baby Porsche, love the amount of tech in it and I thought the A7 I tested took curves well (nothing like the S6 of course). Trying to stay away from the s class and 7 series, as that will bring me to a different level of cars and I'm sure my search would start anew, that Porsche is just so sexy and I like the prestige behind the name. I see more Teslas on the road now than Pannys so I'm not trying to fit in with everyone else and save the world, but just trying to figure out which one will put a bigger smile on my face when I open up the garage door, which one will make me look back and admire the car, and which one will make people do a double take!

 

I love the GTS racer feel, the one I test drove was loaded with alcantra seats, GTS stitched embroidered seats, carbon fiber everywhere, and sports steering wheel minus the steering wheel controls. Such a nice growl to it and that was stock! I hear the Turbo is a little more quiet and the power is ridiculous! I kind of like the hidden potential has your blowing pass an unknowing mustang(or corvette for that matter) while cruising with friends to see it happen in a nice, plush setting!

 

Really depends how you drive:
Tesla is a big, roomy car that has great acceleration, but it is not sporty and not usable for any roadtrips due to the battery restrictions. Great for city driving though. Make sure you drive it at night before you buy it, I hated the distraction of the huge screens and the lights coming from there.
Kind of a very cushy and sophisticated, but not for people who get a thrill of driving.


Panamera is a drivers car. Not quiet and comfy like a S Class Mercedes, but more a roomy 911. Fabulous fun in the mountains, great on the autobahn, best choice if you really like active driving.

Audi is somewhere in the middle, probably closer to the Panamera.

 

Great point, never thought about the screen being a distraction. I like to fill the road some what but I don't think I'm going to be blasting through the mountains anytime some. Maybe some spirited driving on the streets and maybe a track outing or two (few more if I spend the money to mod it). Knowing me, I will drive from NC to NY a few times so whatever I choose will not be a garage King.