GUTTER-BOY

I think the Panamera looks pretty good from the front, rear, and 3/4 view, except when directly viewed from the side. That "hump" behind the rear door is too pronounced. If they toned it down a little to mimic the Cayman or Audi S7, it would look as good as it goes.

I think the lack of waving is caused by; 1) ignorance, meaning not knowing or being able to recognize Porsches' from the past (except the 911), and/or the 2) "Harley Davidson Too-Cool Factor" which is when I'm riding my sport bike or even with friends riding Japanese cruisers, the Harley guys look down on us, rather than recognizing that we all love motorcycles.

mdkelly1

Plenty of Panameras here, but the drivers rarely acknowledge the 928 or the Turbo. Don't see them at club events either, except for a few at concours.

Had the opportunity to drive two Panameras for a week each last summer, and fell in love with them, For me, they were everything I'd want in a modern 928, great ride (air suspension), great handling (standard through sports plus), and great power when you need it (Panamera S - 400HP V8). Took one of the cars on an 800 mile week long round-trip and we felt totally relaxed when we arrived at our destination and when we arrived back at home. When your wife says to you after a week of riding and driving, "this is the car!" (and you feel the same way), you know you've found your next P-car.

jheis

The best part of driving a Hunchback is you can't see the outside from the inside.

Oh yeah, and they're a great source of wheels for the 928...

James

M. Requin

Just catching up on this thread, and I must say, I take a little bit of umbrage with your use of "ratty". Because mine looks that way most of the time, result of living >1 mile down a gravel road, on a farm. So I must point out, "drove through town. Never saw it again." Another 928 doing service as a daily driver. Just what Ferry wanted. And so's you know, I'm an old coot, too...

Red Flash

I do not know enough about the Panamera to really comment in detail about it in particular.

But, I am not sure, if the younger people around today as they grow older will really be willing to put the same kind of efforts into their possessions as older people do. Also, cars are simply becoming too mundane in general to be culty in the future. (Of course many cars are showing excellent performances but they have all been "focus grouped to death" so that they all converge on the same ideal.)

I have no problem with 911s. And some of the 80s ones I actually like quite a bit. But there are simply no news cars that I really like. The few that I think might be culty in the future might be some kind of limited edition cars, like the Aston Martin. In fact, all things being equal, and if I couldn't find a different 928 in good shape (and if I had to replace my 928, which I don't) I would go for an Aston Martin V8.

What makes older designs for me so interesting is the fact that years ago, things had to be made for a purpose. Too many features were just not doable... Perfection therefore came not when there was nothing else to add, but when there was nothing else to take away. (St. Exupery) All this modern stuff is just overfull for me for me and there is no clear design requirement and therefore no clear character.

Ok, this is all very subjective. I know. But, my personal belief is that very little of anything that we are doing today will be memorable/culty going forward. Not that we are doing bad things! Modern products are getting better and better, just not memorable. And, everywhere, there is amazing progress. I might also add that I am probably one of the younger 928 owners on the board. So, this is not a case of old guys bashing the young guys... Just a reflection on current culture and behavior.

I think a fan of 911s, classic guitar amplifiers or classical photography equipment could have written this. So, I don't think it only applies to 928s. 928s in fact do have character, a clear design goal, and I like them. Which are the reasons why I am here.

:-)

rgs944

The 928 is bad enough to keep going as a 30 year old car. I wonder what a Panamera will be like once all the electronics, plastic and rubber is 30 years old and failing.

Fogey1

That is a great looking shooting brake. I'd have one in a heartbeat.

Now, where did I put that lotto ticket?

Catfood

I hardly ever get waves. I must look like an idiot waving and flashing my lights as those superior boxster drivers pass me by!

Ad0911

Perhaps 5 doors then. Where did I read that only 25% of Porsche cars currently sold are sportscars? The majority is Cayenne and Panamera. These re the bread and butter cars that enable Porscheo build sportscars.