Should I trade my M3 for a Panamera S?

[flea333]

Originally Posted by saeyedoc

This car is more for my wife. She really wanted a Panamera when we bought the M3, but they were more than we wanted to spend at the time. I need to get back my Cayman from her, lol, she borrows it and won't give it back. Although the Panamera I'm looking at has more miles, the warranty is about the same. I'd be getting a car that listed for close to $110k. Figure I can make back most of the differential I'd have to pay for the trade on the back end when I sell it. Will stop by after work and see what they're willing to do on the trade. With the tax situation here, it gets complicated trying to deal with private parties or selling to carmax without buying something from them, need to research that aspect.

Why not M5?

[jeff2015]

Panamera! Different league or class of cars.

[Wolfinwolfsclothing]

Originally Posted by flea333

Why not M5?

New M5 does not even come close to driving as well as a Panamera, let alone a GTS turbo/turbo S. The GTS drives like a sports car. Great steering, grip, handling and a phenomenal exhaust note. Only thing is, its a very expensive car.

Of the Panamera, S6, cls/e 63 amg, and M5, the M5 would be m last choice. Its lost everything that used to make it great.

[flea333]

Originally Posted by Wolfinwolfsclothing

New M5 does not even come close to driving as well as a Panamera, let alone a GTS turbo/turbo S. The GTS drives like a sports car. Great steering, grip, handling and a phenomenal exhaust note. Only thing is, its a very expensive car.

Of the Panamera, S6, cls/e 63 amg, and M5, the M5 would be m last choice. Its lost everything that used to make it great.

I thought new M5 was the best? What was better before?

[Antonio1988]

Everyone has said it, so I'll say it again. The Panamera S will leave you underwhelmed compared to the M3, so unless you are getting a Panamera GTS, then the answer from my perspective should be no

[Wolfinwolfsclothing]

Originally Posted by flea333

I thought new M5 was the best? What was better before?

New M5 isnt the best. It used to be the best until the Panamera came out and Merc and Audi stepped up there game. So read any reviews with the S6 or CLS63 and see why the M5 came in last place.

[bga23]

Don't bother with the "S" either get the GTS or Turbo. Around here soccer moms drive the "S"

[saeyedoc]

Would love a GTS or Turbo, but no way I'm getting one for the $63k the S I saw was.

[bimmerj]

Two completely different cars. The GTS is a good $130k and the Turbo is $160K in Canada.

[Krockit1]

Man don't do it! The Panamera is a truly fabulous ride, until you have to get out of the car and look at that ass. Hideous! The car's design has an interesting genesis. Wendell Weideken (spelling?) Porsche's president at the time was a very tall guy, 6'4 or 5", and he demanded that the sedan have a rear seat that would comfortably fit people of his height! So you end up with that, uh, styling... Does it grow on you? Yep, like fungus.

[saeyedoc]

Well, looks like we're trading for a base Panamera, 2011 with 15k miles, certified. Although underpowered on paper, with the PDK, it really moves well accelerating around traffic. Drives like a much slower car. Passed on a local one, only had the base stereo which is awful and no ventilated seats. Found one in Houston for $3k less with better options.
FYI our 2011 M3 Sedan with 14k miles appraised at around $47k trade value through carmax and two Porsche dealers. With the tax credits I'd lose, I'd have to sell it for $50k privately, if anyone's interested.

[saeyedoc]

Sorry, meant to say it drives like a much smaller car. It's for my wife, I've learned to pick my battles. Yes, it's under powered, but accelerates fast enough to get around traffic.
I'm planning on trading to get the tax credits, but would consider selling privately if the timing works out and I get enough to recoup the loss of tax credits (6.25%) and hassles of selling privately. The deal I got was contingent on the trade, so I'd have to make sure what the cash price would be.

[Wolfinwolfsclothing]

Originally Posted by saeyedoc

Sorry, meant to say it drives like a much smaller car. It's for my wife, I've learned to pick my battles. Yes, it's under powered, but accelerates fast enough to get around traffic.
I'm planning on trading to get the tax credits, but would consider selling privately if the timing works out and I get enough to recoup the loss of tax credits (6.25%) and hassles of selling privately. The deal I got was contingent on the trade, so I'd have to make sure what the cash price would be.

I figured you meant to say smaller. The panamera drives like a car the size of the M3. Its a very neutral car and handling is pin point accurate and the steering feel is phenomenal!

[Wolfinwolfsclothing]

Originally Posted by Team Plutonium

I'm confused... are you trading in your M3 (indicated in your first sentence), or are you selling it privately (last sentence)?

Then you say it is underpowered on paper, but moves really well (accelerating) around traffic, followed by the comment that it drives like a much slower car (which it obviously is).

Your post made no sense at all. Also, as a recommendation, don't buy the base, you'll hate it within a week.

Honestly, people say that, but at the same time the base is a very good platform. Id certainly take it over any base BMW, Audi, or Merc.

My gf and I have a Cayenne diesel, and while its one of the least expensive models from a base price point, its one of the best cayenne models. We also have a Q7 TDI S line and it is IMO the best Q7 model by far.

[saeyedoc]

Originally Posted by Wolfinwolfsclothing

Honestly, people say that, but at the same time the base is a very good platform. Id certainly take it over any base BMW, Audi, or Merc.

My gf and I have a Cayenne diesel, and while its one of the least expensive models from a base price point, its one of the best cayenne models. We also have a Q7 TDI S line and it is IMO the best Q7 model by far.

Yes, I've heard nothing but good things about the Cayenne diesel.

[Wolfinwolfsclothing]

Originally Posted by saeyedoc

Yes, I've heard nothing but good things about the Cayenne diesel.

Its a phenomenal car. Far superior to the X5d we also looked in every possible way. It is (cayenne) undeniably the best SUV on the road, though pricey.

[saeyedoc]

Ended up closing the deal on a '12 CPO base Panamera yesterday. Was able to get it for $6500 more than the 2011 I was looking at. Has more warranty than a new one (4 yrs 8 months), great options at a good price. Will miss the sound of the screaming V8 in the M3.