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Well, after a lot of back-and-forth with Pfaff in Toronto, I pulled the trigger on the 2012 Turbo, Silver/Tan/Cream 39.000 Miles, CPO. Options listed below plus photos:
Less than 24 hours into ownership, this happened- Into the PCar dealer Wednesday to have it sorted. Hellacious 'pop' on the drive back to the airbnb we were staying at around 11 PM the day I picked it up. Had no idea what it was (wing cycled back into position when I parked that night, noticed it was not sitting flush in the morning, cycled it and saw this....
Starbucks and first photos out in the wild- Really happy with the color and the black trim effect! Trip tp Walmart to get some tools to remove this- then left it in the 'up' position all the way back to FL. Well c'mon, wouldn't you stop for a Cobra photo op?
Extremely happy with her. Goes like a bat out of hell. I came very close to pulling the trigger on a 2015 GTS, but am happy that I was able to work out this deal with Pfaff- love the colors.....Now on to some goodies!
Noticed you're coming from a 996 Turbo. Miss it any? Thoughts on going from manual to PDK, 2door to 4door. I get an occasional itch to switch to a 911
Deezflip- Haven't updated that photo in sometime- she went to a new owner some time ago- I missed the manual gear box, so picked up an 08 RS4- Let her go last year- I miss the RS4 as much as I miss the 996TT- But the RS4 was a more practical fun car in terms of performance in my mind. The Turbo was blindingly fast, but the RS4 (with Miltek Catback) was always fun, and I was never too worried about loosing my license like I was in the turbo.
Thoughts on Panamera- I love the lines on it with the GT silver....Darker colors seem to rob you of the visual niceties- I never grew tired of looking at the 996...Especially with the RUF wheels. The RS4 was equally pleasing to the eye, but not as engaging, if that makes sense.
Driving: I'm still learning how to adjust for the size perception when driving it (mostly in parking)- It doesn't feel small, and while it is not overly large, at slow speeds I'm not as spatially comfortable as I have been in other cars- That being said, it transforms at speed- I have a series of round-abouts on my way into my home- I hit sportchrono suspension settings and toss it around them like I'm driving a thimble on wheels- very much like the RS4....Weird. It blasts down the highway with ease, and the onset of speed is so linear that it seems like you've stepped from slow to fast in an instant.
Shifting - I played with the shifters once- and immediately tried to upshift by using the right toggle- and of course downshifted. I'm either going to install the TechArt shifters or go to a sport steering wheel (I'm unclear on whether you can have any controls on the sport steering wheel or not, as I'm not sure how you would control the multifunction aspects in the dash binnacle)- There is not substitute in my mind when it comes to auto vs manual, but I've always loved the challenge of the perfectly timed downshift- plus it feels more engaging as a driver experience. I hope that when I get it back from the dealership the rather chunky low-speed shifts the PDK is exhibiting now are resolved with a software update. At speed the car shifts sublimely but at low speeds I'm always wondering if I'm on the precipice of a 'grenade' experience (disturbing sounds coming from it when in reverse at times, like a playing card in a bicycle wheel, plus a pump noise when in forward direction)- With these issues I've been less inclined to use the sport of sportchrono buttons until I'm sure all is well.
So: Manual is missed for sure! Should you venture to the dark side on a 911? Absolutely. No question about that. Life is too short not to. I've got a new-to-me toy coming either next month or first week of January (I work rotation so it's a matter of timing) that will cover my manual gear box issues- But it's of an Italian nature. The 911 is probably the best all-around car ever built. It is probably the most rewarding car (in my experience) to drive and live with, bar none.
One of the best upgrades I made to the Turbo was 997.1 sport seats Loved the RUF wheel! Head Unit was a waste of money and time, as I hardly used it after installing it Always loved this shot- pure poetry even standing still This is my 94- She's in storage My beauty at the GC- Custom one-of wheels I had made by an outfit in Toronto- The Miltek Catback valved system was worth it weight in gold- Never, ever went anywhere without the valves open! In for services, final inspection and then I'll decide if I will fly in and drive it back or ship it down to FL.
having PTV+ is a nice option on that car. It was definitely a must-have for me.
As for the sport design steering wheel.. you lose the steering wheel buttons. What you have to install is a new stalk that goes on the right side, and you can manage the cluster menu from there. Steering wheel heating is also not an option for the sport design wheel.
I've gotten used to the buttons on the standard wheel, but I'm looking forward to having the paddles again, when I swap wheels next year.
having PTV+ is a nice option on that car. It was definitely a must-have for me.
As for the sport design steering wheel.. you lose the steering wheel buttons. What you have to install is a new stalk that goes on the right side, and you can manage the cluster menu from there. Steering wheel heating is also not an option for the sport design wheel.
I've gotten used to the buttons on the standard wheel, but I'm looking forward to having the paddles again, when I swap wheels next year.
Strassenkurven: I happened to tumble onto the Vividracing Site showing the sport wheels, and as soon as your message was read I immediately understood what I was looking at in the photo below (curiously you can't see the shifter paddles in the photo?). I'm going to give them a call and see what they can do for me with regard to a steering wheel. I've priced the TechArt shifters, and given what they cost plus installation, plus the fact that I'm not all that in love with the feel of the current wheel, I may go with a custom sorted wheel on their site.
I've never had a car with the PVT+ so I'm looking forward to the experience.
I love hitting the round abouts as well just amazing how fun these cars are to toss around! I can hardly imagine how crazy it would be with the PDCC! ( my 4S doesn't have it)
My current navigator asked me why I keep flashing thru them....Which gives me pause as to who's sitting next to me...Horse to water sort of thing...I hope she 'adjusts'
It really is something the way it eats up the curve- the first couple of runs I was taking it easy, somewhat. But it seems to love more throttle! Addictive!
Thanks, FNTSTK! Porsche is about the only vehicle I like in a white color- especially a 911 Turbo with black accents!
Just had a dealership shock- They wanted 420.00 to change the oil/filter! Unbelievable.
I called the shop that did the Oil Service on my BMW X5M, and they quoted me out-the-door 150.00. Can't understand the mentality of a dealership- guess they're not make enough of a margin on the sale side?
Looks great if you are interested in getting some black wheels let me know getting rid of my 20 inch satin black niche misanos for $899 shipped to lower 48. 20x9+20x10.5 +50 off my 13 panamera turbo. Enjoy the ride.
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New To Me 2012 Turbo
