[Kim]

I was invited to the grand introduction of the Panamera at the local Porsche dealership on Thursday. They have a Turbo and a 4S. Will advise on how it goes (it probably goes rather well!) after I do it.

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[DiREW0LF]

I got an invite from my local dealer too and they already have them sitting in the showroom. I would like to go check them out but would hate to be temped and have no chance of buying one right. Stupid house shopping. LOL

Oh and this morning I saw on driving on Columbia Turnpike in Florham Park, NJ. It was a turbo with dealer plates. They look much better in person than in pictures.

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[Johannvb]

I also thought that they look much better in the flesh. The seats in the Panamera are heavenly [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif[/img] if only my 968 had seat like those.

I was at the Porsche dealer today, there were at least 10 Panameras in the pre delivery parking lot, I think it is going to be a huge success.

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[jimb968]

The Santa Barbara Porsche dealer had their Panamera launch yesturday at the Polo grounds. Great venue to launch the car at. The car was incredibly beautiful, gobs of room inside, especially the back seating area had endless room. The outside was surprisingly large looking to me, and the in person viewing of the car was better than any of the promo pictures of the car I saw.

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[tom968]

They couldn't have introduced this car at
a worse time. The economy being what it
is here in the U.S.A.

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[Scott Collins]

<!--quoteo(post=82099:date=Oct 19 2009, 10:31 PM:name=tom968)-->QUOTE (tom968 @ Oct 19 2009, 10:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->They couldn't have introduced this car at
a worse time. The economy being what it
is here in the U.S.A.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

sort of like when another car we know was introduced in '92...

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[rhudeboye]

<!--quoteo(post=82099:date=Oct 19 2009, 11:31 PM:name=tom968)-->QUOTE (tom968 @ Oct 19 2009, 11:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->They couldn't have introduced this car at
a worse time.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I was thinking the same thing, then I thought, are exotic cars suffering with the common brands? They'll loose some sales on upper middle class but for the most part, I think they'll sell a modest amount here in the US.

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[Johannvb]

The Netherlands are also suffering heavily from the recession, but looking at the parking lot at the dealer yesterday, I think it's fair to say Porsche is not suffering that much. There were new Panameras and 911s, no Cayennes though...I think it is the end of the SUV.

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[rxter]

<!--quoteo(post=82122:date=Oct 20 2009, 10:38 AM:name=Johannvb)-->QUOTE (Johannvb @ Oct 20 2009, 10:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I think it is the end of the SUV.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

We can only hope.

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[gryphon]

<!--quoteo(post=82101:date=Oct 20 2009, 08:04 AM:name=Scott Collins)-->QUOTE (Scott Collins @ Oct 20 2009, 08:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->sort of like when another car we know was introduced in '92...<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Perhaps this means that used Panoramas will eventually be selling below $10K like our beloved but under-appreciated 968s?

Tom

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[Scott Collins]

<!--quoteo(post=82148:date=Oct 20 2009, 01:59 PM:name=gryphon)-->QUOTE (gryphon @ Oct 20 2009, 01:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Perhaps this means that used Panoramas will eventually be selling below $10K like our beloved but under-appreciated 968s?

Tom<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Let's see how they look in 2023...

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[Cloud9...68]

I've heard high end cars are suffering very badly right now. The nose-bleed category (Ferrari's and such) are doing well, as always, but cars priced in the Panamera's range are taking it on the chin. How many new M3s do you see on the road, for example (though I realize this car is slightly cheaper than the Panamera, but not by enough to matter)? I wish the luck, but I smell a great used car bargain a few years down the road...

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[rhudeboye]

Well lets see, whats is the Pans compeition? I would say:

BMW M5
Merc CLS
Maserati Quattroporte

Assuming I was going for a unique 4 door GT Car and having those 4 to choose from, I'd take the Maserati then the Porsche. The BMW and Merc dont appear to be int he same league so Porsche may just have a nich.

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[DiREW0LF]

None of those cars are direct competition for the Panamera. And if you look at the average income of a Porsche owner $300K+ (as shown in Forbes) technically the market for the Panamera shouldn't be effected (Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne are a different story).

The closest competitor to the Panamera is the Mercedes S-Class in terms of size, luxury, price and technology. To match the performance of the Panamera Turbo you'd need to compare it with an S-class AMG which costs quite a bit more and still won't out perform it.

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[rhudeboye]

As for size & sportiness, the Maserati Q seems to be running with what Porsche created, its also exotic and sports a Ferrari engine. If I had the cash it would be direct competition. I guess the Porsche would handle better though.

Avg P owner makes over 300K [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] I know a lot of Porsche owners and 95% of the ones I know are well under200K. Forbes
[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif[/img] .

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[DiREW0LF]

I found the article (dated 2008?), $390K is the MEDIAN and its mostly males.

Forbes - What your car says about you.

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[4matic]

<!--quoteo(post=82186:date=Oct 21 2009, 06:02 AM:name=DiREW0LF)-->QUOTE (DiREW0LF @ Oct 21 2009, 06:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->None of those cars are direct competition for the Panamera. And if you look at the average income of a Porsche owner $300K+ (as shown in Forbes) technically the market for the Panamera shouldn't be effected (Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne are a different story).

The closest competitor to the Panamera is the Mercedes S-Class in terms of size, luxury, price and technology. To match the performance of the Panamera Turbo you'd need to compare it with an S-class AMG which costs quite a bit more and still won't out perform it.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


2010 Porsche Panamera S / 4S
Base price (S / 4S): $115,100 - $120,300
Type of vehicle: RWD or AWD performance luxury sedan
Engine: 4.8L, 32-valve DOHC V8
Power/Torque: 400 hp/369 lb.-ft.
Transmission: Seven-speed twin-clutch
0-100 km/h: 5.4 seconds for S (4.8 seconds for 4S w/Sport Chrono Plus)
Fuel consumption (S, city/hwy.): 16.0/7.9 L/100 km
<b>Competition: Audi S8, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJR, Mercedes-Benz S-Class / CLS-Class</b>

2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo
Price: $155,000
Type of vehicle: AWD performance luxury sedan
Engine: 4.8L, 32-valve DOHC V8 twin-turbocharged
Power/Torque: 500 hp/516 lb.-ft.
Transmission: Seven-speed twin-clutch
0-100 km/h: 4.2 seconds (4.0 seconds w/Sport Chrono Plus)
Fuel consumption (city/hwy.): 18.0 / 8.9 L/100 km
<b>Competition: Aston Martin Rapide, BMW M5, Jaguar XFR, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG / CLS63 AMG</b>

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[rhudeboye]

I wasnt doubting that Forbes printed it. I just dont believe it. Porsche has a full line of vehicles now with the boxster cayman and cayenne all being competitively priced. There common place on the road today. Just look at the sales made from the Boxster and Cayenne, before the economy down turn. your typical family was trading in their Honda mini vans and getting a Cayenne. Porsche ate it up.

BOT- The Pan however will need a good economy to do as well as the above mentioned. Most middle and upper middle class people are a bit tight fisted as we go through these tough times.

Nice post 4matic.

I was too lazy to go get the info. Thanx.


I'd grab the Pan S over all its comp but for the cash, Id grab an Aston or a Rati over the Turbo Pan.

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[ds968]

I think Forbes' specific reference to the "Porsche 911" may imply the $ 390k avg. income attributed to its owners includes only the 911 models ( Carreras, Turbo, GT 2 and GT 3 ) but excludes Caymans, Boxsters, Cayenne, etc.
While that may be a bit more plausible, I still think that income number is surprisingly high.

And I'd also take a Maserati any day, any time, any place over the Pan N/A or the Pan turbo.

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[DiREW0LF]

Good info 4matic!

Looking at the list of the competition you listed I guess I can see how they are similar, but I doubt a Jaguar XFR buyer is also a Panamera Turbo buyer. The XFR is the S-Type R replacement neither of which are in the same league as the Panamera S, let alone the the Turbo or any of the other cars on the list. I guess they might be looking more at performance numbers than at the whole package (price, luxury, features, performance and normal vehicle use).

ds968, I've driven every car in the Maserati range and they look good and sound great but definately aren't thrilling to drive. Also, if your over 6' tall they are cramped inside.

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