Because it's not needed. Headroom was the challenge, not kneeroom. That's why the last design changes that made the car a bit ungainly raised to rear roofline without a complete restyle. And the rear seat cushion is lower than the competing sedans (not including the more expensive AM of course).

 

Still doesn't hurt.

In fact, when I bought my Lexus IS300, I first went in some rather casual clothes, and, even with the auto knowledge I have (which, of course, many others on CL also have, including you), they didn't really know if I was serious until I showed up the next night with my checkbook.

 

Yes, dressing reasonably nice never hurts.

Just bring your American Express Gold/Platinum/Black card, that doesn't hurt and is more effective.

 

Anyone can max out a card, but paying cash for a car out of a checkbook is another matter....and interest-free.

Anyhow, we're both getting ahead of ourselves.....and him. I think he just, for now, wants a test-drive....and is not ready to talk a serious deal.

 

Not everybody can have a A.E. card with no limits (to max out), is another matter and the balance has to be paid in full every month...., and interest-free. No need to carry the checkbook, you write one check at end of month.

Carrying around the checkbook is not needed. Dealerships will gladly take a small deposit a credit card and require you to come in with check (for full amount) in specified number of days. I've purchased several cars that way (recorded as cash sale).

Now back to the Pamamera (after side-tracking on car-buying 101, for those that might need it)...

 

Wish i had the dough for even the base model! Nice review

 

Can you really pay with A.E gold for a car purchase? I always though that the max you can pay with a card is about 2k on a car.

 

I think it depends on the dealership, but they don't want you using credit cards of vehicle purchases because the fees they pay are based on the dollar value. Obviously, the higher the transaction the higher the fee.

Our BMW dealership typically only allows $2K on a purchase, but after asking nicely they let me put $5K on my card and we had to write a cheque for the other portion of the downpayment.

 

Agreed, depends on the dealership and the price of the car. Regardless, carrying around a checkbook is not necessary and not recommended. Cash transactions can easily be accommodated with actual check for full balance placed in dealer's hands several days after delivery.

 

wow, a popular thread!

mike - that's IMO your best review yet. thank you! ok i'm biased because i think the panamera is the best engineered 4 door luxury sports sedan ever made. if i had the bucks, i'd get one. maybe some day.

and glad your 'incident' didn't turn out bad!

the s-class with active suspension is awesome. when i saw motorweek's test drive of the panamera though, i was ASTOUNDED at how completely flat the car was through the slalom and fast lane change maneuvers.

lol, you're so wrong. your loathing of the panamera butt will fade in time and of course porsche will refresh it at some point.

 

^^^ That wasn't me, it was my knock-off..

Mike great review. The Panamera is a car of future interest. What really puzzles me is now 5th seat and I actually use it from time to time. I understand its a Porsche and most won't use it but it is a sedan.

I still am not fond over the looks, even after reviewing in person. However what is sexy is the engineering exercise. Porsche really did a great job with some weight savings techniques. The interior is glorious. The boot actually IS USEFUL.

In contrast the CrossTurd and ZitDX are just ugly to be ugly with no performance or superior engineering. Then they have no utility and they are SUVs/Crossovers.

Form follows function with the Panamera

 

At least you got a knock off

 

Oh you're popular. A few of us texted about the shamwow post. That was epic

Sorry MIke....


Great review again. Would you buy one? We don't get the manual here but Europe gets a manual in some versions.

 

Thanks.

It's a great car, but I'm not sure it's worth the sum Porsche is asking for it. (80-150K, of course, could be put to a lot of other good uses) Still, it's a lot cheaper than its Aston Martin competition.

 

Sure, Paul....anytime. I did it at the request of a close friend of mine. He liked it too....E mailed me (he's a non-CL member) and said he liked it more than any review since the Lotus Elise 3 years ago (I still remember shoehorning, at my size, in and out of that tiny-tot car).

And, just for you, for your kind words, I'll put the new Ford Explorer on my list.

Yeah. Several factors were at work....a great steering/suspension/braking system on Porsche's part, alertness on my part, the fact that I wasn't driving the faster Turbo model, and, of course, a higher power than me.....remember, I did this review on my way home from church.


The low center of gravity, of course, helps. This car sits lower than most of its M-B, Audi, and BMW competition, and, of course, is more sport-oriented. However, the good handling does not seem to come at the expense of a big loss in ride comfort, although it is obviously not a Lexus LS460.

But, given how this car rides/handles, and the way much of its other German competiton does, I get more and more convinced all the time that the Germans have the best chassis engneers in the world...though, as I've said before, the Hyundai Genesis 3.8 track coupe, at 30-32K, is also very impressive..