951Pearly

I currently have a 997.1 Carrera. The tactility and handling is amazing!

I have not driven a panamera S or 4S on a track or mountain road. I am wondering how well the panamera handles compared to a 997? For those of you that have both or have driven both in the same conditions, what do you think? I know the weight difference is about 900lbs but everything I've read says the panamera handles it's weight well and it's weight balance is good. Also in real world roads where mid corner bumps are common the panamera is purported to handle disturbances well.

I'm purely asking about dynamic performance and not concerned with looks, utility, or other unrelated opinions. If I had a panamera I would take it to mountain roads and the track just like a 911. There is something novel about a car that can truly do everything.

Thanks in advance!

Para82

It's a giant tub of ****. I had one as a loaner, couldn't wait to turn the keys back in and get my 911 back (a real Porsche).

Redline911

I think you know the answer to your question. If you need 4 doors and a trunk go with the new M3

sleepy

I think this Best Motoring video might answer your question. It's in Japanese, but you don't need to understand the language to enjoy this epic battle between a Carrera, 2 Panameras, an E63, and an Audi S8.

BrakingBad

The 911 is a race bred sports car. I've had the panamera as a loaner on a few occasions. It is a luxury barge with better than expected handling but it wouldn't bring me joy in the mountains or on a track.

1Carnut

I own both and though my 997s is lets say (Porsche dealers call it a kit car since I has so few of its original parts left) not the norm the Panamera set up right is no slouch. It is not a sports car has too wide a B pillar, heavy, and large, but it is surprisingly nimble. I had a custom steering wheel made so I have thick multifunction wheel with the Techart paddle shifters. My car is the one featured in AWE exhaust video though I've done some stuff to it since that video was made. The Panamera is my 40th Porsche and while it offers both performance and luxury not sure I'd want to take to the track.

BIG smoke

This is like comparing a scalpel to a steak knife. Both cut and are agile. But they represent different jobs. Some say a sports car should only have 2 seats.
I find there are two kinds of Porsche people. Porsche die hard's, only drive and think a porsche is a Carrera, and everything else is an atrocity. And drivers that think they have a Porsche and it weighs 5ooo lbs and really just an expensive Toureg, with lipsticked calipers.
To me, My Carrera, had two rear contortionist rear seats. Which allowed me to rationalize its' purchase. While I could see a Panamera for my wife sometime in the future. It would be an excellent soccer mom drop off vehicle.

Chrono

You running some kind of revolving museum or something?

Concerning the Panam, I love the styling and feel of that car and it would be at the top of my list for a 4-door, looking so much sexier and exclusive than the BMW or Benz, and the interior is great. When I went 911 shopping with my wife, she saw the Panameras and asked me to get "one of those". I said I'm not here for a "Porsche", I'm here for a 911. They are not cross-shoppable on this planet.

php

I'll give my 2 cents.

I had a 2014 Panamera as a loaner for almost a week when I took my 911 in for service, and I have to agree to what one person said on this board (can't remember what thread) - Identity Crisis. It's no where near a sports car (or sports sedan like the M3), and because of it's intentions, it's nowhere near as comfortable/luxurious as other full size sedans (Merc S, BMW 7, Lexus LS, etc).

I'm a person who loves to experience new cars, but this is the FIRST time I actually wanted my own car back instead of holding on to the 14 Panamera for a bit longer. Not impressed. Yes of course it handles great for a car that size, but again, what are we looking for here?

For me, I want a sports car for a pure sports car performance, and I want a luxury car for pure luxury experience. For someone who can only have one car, maybe it makes a bit more sense, but generally I don't think folks looking into Panameras are people who only have one car. You can argue getting the Panamera Turbo then, and yes that would be one hell of a car that MIGHT satisfy both. But then again, when one is ready to shell out $140k, why not just buy a 997.2 CPO ($60k)+ a near new proper luxury sedan ($70-80k)?

Chrono

PERFECT advice.

OWLY

I agree...had a 2010 S. I celebrated the day I sold it!

Picked up a '14 E63...awesome!

Volnomad

I agree with BrakingBad. Giving back the Panamera 4S loaner and getting back in my 911 was a relief. The Pana feels huge and heavy after being in the 911. But, as others have pointed out, it's serving a very different purpose in Porsche's product line.

alexb76

Panamera is probably the worst Porsche you can buy, as others stated, it has an identify crisis, looks aweful, and is nowhere as fun as 911.

ADias

But neither is a current generation M3.

beden1

I had the same experience as others with a loaner Panamera S that I had for two weeks when my car was in for service. I hated it and felt it was a total POS. I also felt like a posuer driving it.

I drove an Audi RS7 last week when I had my daughter's S4 in for service. That car felt great for a sedan. It was fast, tight, and handled extremely well.