Ok Try to make this short. Hitting the 50 and want to buy a nice car. I have had too many cars to count but I don't enjoy 2drs anymore as I have two kids 12 and 10 and just rather do things with them then without. I like fast 4DR cars and prefer more monster engine rough car deal but want the family to be happy. This will be a dedicated family vacation mobile.

I have $100k to spend don't want new as don't want loan or depreciation. I of course would love to spend less but thats my ceiling. I live in San Diego and have seen a coupe CPO cars ranging from a 12, Turbo to a 14, 4S. I want a CPO car. Would love a turbo or GTS.

Sounds easy right? Not to me I am not a technology guy and loved ***** and buttons. My last fun car was a full Dinan stroker M5. No electronic I was in heaven!

The problem I am struggling with is the staggering variation in options. I have never bought a car with so many options available its usually package based. There can be a 4 that almost specs out better then a turbo. Then there are all the abbreviations and Im lost.

What are the MUST HAVE options? I have searched and searched and I cant find a list to go off of. If anybody with an 12-14 has the time could you inform me of what options you couldn't live without and which are useless. Of course finding one optioned might be a chore but I the search is half the fun.

I appreciate any help or insight and I'm sure question has been asked but I did attempt to search first.

 

I bought a 2014 cpo pana 4. A must option are LED headlights. Aren't many cpos with them, so take your time (I spent 2-3 months searching before I found the perfect car), but looks much more current with. During the day, the daytime running 4 point leds are further apart which gives it more presence. And at night, when you lock and unlock the doors, there's a glowing Halo around the headlights which looks amazing! Other options I like are the 4 zone climate control, front ventilated seats, keyless entry/start, comfort entry (moves the driver's seat back when entering vehicle). Only option I wish I had would be sport exhaust; engine sound is somewhat muted at lower rpm, but with S or turbo, I'm sure it's louder. Originally wanted the adjustable air suspension, but ride is fine without, and my other vehicle is a Mercedes gl with air suspension. Every time they need replacing, it's $800+ per wheel, really adds up.

 

Thanks funny you said the suspension was not on top of your list I thought it was the must have option.

Thanks

 

It was on the top of my list as well, but overall I'm happy with the ride without. My comments are based on my experience with Mercedes and I'm also a high mileage driver. If your a casual driver, you may not need to replace them often. Maybe some other forum members can weigh in on the frequency of replacement and cost for the air suspension.

 

heated and cooled seats are great. No air suspension for me and I don t miss it.
Pana is an enjoyable car no matter the options. Looking at a CPO, which I did too leaves you looking at what is there already. I don t have sport exhaust and mine is too quiet, LOL. I lease mine so I don t worry too much about what it has and doesn t.

 

I have a '15 PGTS, car is phenomenal. There's a CPO GTS vs Turbo thread around with a lot of interesting points. Most said go GTS. The NA-V8 is an incredible engine and the sound with the Sport Exhaust is considered one of the best factory exhausts ever assembled. GTS packaging is very sporty and includes many must-haves IMO.

- Air Suspension (thats tuned differently and also sits lower than the Turbo's AS)
- PASM - Porsche Active Suspension Management
- PSE - Porsche Sport Exhaust
- Sport tailpipes
- 20 inch wheels
- PDLS in Black - Porsche Dynamic Light System
- Tinted Tail Lights
- Optional Exclusive GTS Interior Package in Alcantara/Leather w Deviated Stitching
- Carbon Fiber Interior Package
- Alcantara Roof Liner
- Window Trim in High Gloss Black
- Comfort Entry
- 440 HP ('15-16) '14 may be a little less

Most GTS will also come with other features such as Premium Package Plus, BOSE and Soft Close Doors, which are all basically must haves as well. Look for a '15 or even '16 GTS it's well within your price range.

 

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the rear visibility issues. IMHO you absolutely want a rear camera and Lane Change Assist because of those. LCA isn't a panacea or a replacement for mirror and head checks, it's an additional warning, and given how large the blind spots on the car are, a very welcome one.

The rear camera takes a lot of the headache out of parking a large car in tight spaces. If you don't ever have to deal with a cramped parking garage, it's not as important.

Can't comment on the LED headlights, since I didn't have them. I'd never put them on a "must have" list, though I'm sure they're nice.

I had air suspension, and it was very, very comfortable in the default (rather than Sport / Sport+) setting. I had more than one passenger comment on the smoothness of the ride.

 

Depending on which year, yes good point, all must-haves. Didn't think of that since every '15+ GTS or Turbo will have Park Assist (Front and Rear) with Reversing Camera optioned. I never saw one without this feature when I was looking. Also PP+ is extremely common and that includes LCA.

 

Log some rear-end time in the 14 way seats and the 18 ways. Figure out which one is more comfortable.

For me, the 14s are miserable after more than a two hour drive.

As Gus said, the Panamera is a ***** to park. The mirrors are too small. The blind spots too large.

 

Definitely has blind spots, and small mirrors, but with Park Assist Front and Rear and RVC I've never had an issue parking.