My first reaction was ewww, but after seeing them on the road and looking at the inside they are beginning to appeal to me. How are they viewed by the cognoscenti? Am I looking to own another orphan?
I dont think you should worry about P lovers. There are so many Panameras around that if you buy one, you wouldnt have a problem shifting it when time comes to move on. The car is very nice, esp if you can swing the Turbo. I only like it however with the optional 19 wheels.
I've said it before, but i started to appreciate the Panamera much more after I sat in the backseat of a cls.
I drove the Panamera last year, a very capable car and a joy to drive. But the styling is weird (the rear looks like an extended turtle) and I would rather buy a sexy gorgeous body when buying a high-end car (and fun to drive of course). The Panamera is a great car, no doubt, but that was not enough for me: therefore I bought a Maserati Quattroporte, the sexiest sedan on the road (piece of art).
I still am not a fan. I like the front end and it looks decent with the right wheels, but then you see the back and want to barf. Styling wise, I think they could have done better and not made such a round rear end, even if it was to make more room.
The Panamera has subjective looks, but I liked it when I saw it in person. Objectively it is a very well built car and a driver's car.
As a certified cognoscente, I would say the badge has trumped the styling for most people. German cars have almost never been pretty in the way Italian cars have, but they have always looked German. And that may be enough in a world of clone cars.
my wife has a white one. after almost one year of ownership, the car just "grows" on you. it is a fantastic daily driver.
I used to think that there must exist a mutated gene that caused some people to like the bubble butt Panamera. This gene must also affect these same patients to envy the FF also. I have abandoned the genetic mutation theory in favor of an acquired malaise, possibly infectious , for I too am now finding myself looking at the Panameras on Ebay. Fortunately, I must have a less virulent form of the pathogen as I have yet to see the attraction of the FF. That being said, for years, I have chastised those that purchased Cayennes. But, this Sunday morning, I woke up with a GTS in my garage. Apparently the bacteria or virus is marque specific.
I will have had my Panamera 4S for 2 years come January. It's an exceptional daily driver. It still looks awkward from the rear, but I really love it.
You sir, need to see a Rapide. @topic, the Panamera grew on me massively. I saw press pictures and thought to myself "fail", but after seeing them in person they grew on me. Of course the styling may be odd, but imo that's what makes it unique. I still haven't sit in one though but I can imagine it would be comfortable (I'm 6'0"), in both front and back seats. In the end, if I had a choice, I'd choose the Rapide over the Panamera. AM did an almost perfect job of making a 4-door DB9, while Porsche didn't do the best... Here's something you guys may find interesting. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmeeF9ZtkCA[/ame]
I agree. especially here in status-conscious LA, the Panamera is still (relatively) new and unique; and I see tons of 'em. that badge is worth a lot it seems. supposedly it's a great driver's car for a big luxury sedan but I still can't get over the looks.
I wouldn't know, I'm not that old but yeah, every Porsche without its engine behind the rear axle gets that treatment at first.
Actually, I did before I decided to buy the Maserati Quattroporte last year. The Rapide is definitely a much more exciting car than the Panamera (design, magnificent interior, etc...). But I was somehow disappointed for several reasons: . The rear seats are small and it is difficult to get in and out (and I am not tall). The space in the back seats is a joke for a sedan as big as the Rapide. . Difficult to look thru the front windshield when you drive and have a large view of what's ahead because the roof panel goes so far ahead of you. . The look/design of the Rapide does not show its true beauty in many colors (light blue/grey included). The interior is of course magnificent (better than the QP). Great engine too but performances are about the same as the QP 4.7. Bottomline: for that kind of money, the Rapide is really not that superior compared to the Maserati. Like I said, the Panamera is a great car, no doubt, a joy to drive. It was on my list but its look is way less attractive and sexy as my QP, the most gorgeous sedan on the road (piece of art). Looking to add a Ferrari 612 or California in the coming year. .
The 928 was ultimately a failure -- sort of a cult car now like the 914, but never widely loved, IIRC. Lol
I have driven the 6cyl, the V8 (rwd) and the turbo. I thought they were all very capable cars, though if you have three kids under 11 to bring along with you it was just not an option for me. I ended up with an S Class big roomy comfortable and as fast as a 4 door family car needs to be. I must be getting old but I just do not see the point anymore of a big sedan that goes 0-60 in 4sec and costs 200K. I rarely go drag racing, or racing anywhere in a sedan.
I had a 4S with the upgraded cognac leather and the interior was exceptional. For the money you can't get a nicer interior. The car was ugly and the transmission annoyed me enough that I got rid of it after a few months.
I park next to one most days,... white. It's as ugly as the first day I saw one. Yes it gets your attention, but so do those "people of walmart" photos. Sure, put a nice interior in it and you forget what it looks like while driving. Not much different than taking 1500 thread count egyptian cotton sheets to a motel 6,... when the lights are out you'll never know your not at the ritz,... until you step out of it... As for the design inspiration,... Anyone remember the AMC pacer? Obviously enough people feel different,... I see a lot of them here in SoFL.
After I saw this Video... I Decided... I want one! [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF0i_7cFHSc&feature=relmfu[/ame]
Those Top Gear guys are pretty funny: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baX9UCNzC6A[/ame] "Hideous compared to a genital wart".
