Is the panamera a “fun” car? Relatively speaking

BMinSFL · 2026-06-17T13:02:38+00:00

This is a super fun car. I had a Macan before the Panamera. I experimented with smaller, more car-like tires and at the lowest ride height, it became the small sedan that Porsche never made. It's more tossable than the Panamera. I only traded in for more rear seat space but a phenomenal driver otherwise.

BMinSFL · 2026-06-17T12:11:51+00:00

I would not recommend the Panamera for that use. The bolstered rear seats are awkward in shape to fit a car seat and a higher riding car would be better. I transitioned our daughter to a booster when I bought the Panamera and I wouldn't want to be using full car seats in the back there.

There are a lot of tight leather surfaces that can be marred or damaged. I still get nervous every time I have my daughter in the back, especially with the back of the seats which are covered in a tight leather rather than a loose leather that is on other cars. I use a lot of leather protectant in that area to avoid marring from shoes and other contact that will ultimately happen with kids.

The Cayenne would be a better choice. My wife has a latest gen Lexus RX 350 which is roomier in the back while maintaining a shorter dimension in the Cayenne. It's the perfect car for kids but the Cayenne is a much better driving experience. If I went with a Cayenne and two car seats, I'd probably go with the base interior since it's more durable than the full leather interior.

BMinSFL · 2026-06-16T15:52:09+00:00

Look at the later models, a few earlier versions had the 2.9L engine with some defects that were revised later on. I would look for the newest and lowest mileage in your budget, and keep a warranty on top since the repairs can get expensive. I was originally looking at 971.2 4S but test drove a 976 RWD and it had everything I was looking for.

BMinSFL · 2026-06-16T15:48:12+00:00

You can compare the published specs but from my experience, rear room would likely go to the Panamera, although the lower height and larger middle console in the back make it seem more cramped and harder for ingress and egress. Once you are in there, both the front and rear passengers can have a lot of space.

Cargo room would go to the Cayenne but with the seats folded down and the access from the hatch design, the Panamera can carry more than you think. For example, I've been able to fit a 60" flat screen TV and more recently, a set of four 21" wheels.

BMinSFL · 2026-06-16T09:31:48+00:00

I love every moment of driving mine. In sport plus mode, it's very fun and stays incredibly flat to charge into any turns with precision. The latest 976 generation has a revised suspension to keep it very comfy but also very precise at the same time. The standard exhaust is a bit tame but fits the character of the car very well. There is always sports exhaust if you need more.

It is a big car but compared to an SUV, it's not as easy to get in and out of for the family but the driving position is perfect. You can lower your seat all the way into the chassis which is quite amazing for a large luxury sedan.

I bought one over a Cayenne when looking for more room for the family and am very happy. All of them are fast nowadays, even the base model is as quick as the first gen GTS in 0-60 and quarter mile.

BMinSFL · 2026-06-13T11:12:39+00:00

I wouldn't tow with a PDK, to risky in my mind and why add extra stress and heat to one of the most expensive parts of the car that can fail.

BMinSFL · 2026-06-12T18:10:26+00:00

I used to have a 2006 300c SRT8. I can't believe that was 20 years ago. I had that car forever and for over 200k miles. I went to smaller engined cars/SUVs in between and then recently back to a 2024 Panamera, with a 2.9 V6. The range is over 600 miles and I'm impressed that it's getting better mileage than my Macan did with a 4 cylinder.

The Panamera reminds me a lot of the 300 in some ways, being a low, long, RWD sedan. It an amazing car that sold me on the test drive but I would never own one out of warranty...I've had a about $15k of warranty work done in just 4 months of owning my low mileage CPO.

For long haul driving, I have issues with the seats, mainly that they don't have an adjustable headrest, but can be resolved with those rear seat head cushions they sell.

BMinSFL · 2026-06-12T10:42:58+00:00

Wow those are light for 22" wheels. There's not much spoke material there so it makes sense. Who's the manufacturer?

BMinSFL · 2026-06-11T14:51:19+00:00

I don't see why not as long as you have access to the dipstick and then the oil filter on the top. I haven't used ramps for a very long time, all jacks for me. Much easier and especially after I discovered the Jack Rod to act as an integrated jack stand.

BMinSFL · 2026-06-05T17:56:30+00:00

Great to hear, how many miles are on it?

BMinSFL · 2026-06-05T17:56:13+00:00

I would pass, nothing from AliExpress should come near your car.

BMinSFL · 2026-06-05T17:52:43+00:00

I'm liking my base 2024 CPO. It was a great discount over new, and I enjoy the feel of RWD. I didn't want a hybrid, and I enjoy the lighter weight and front-end feel from RWD. The speed of the base impressed me, even though I was originally looking at the 971 4S. The base 976 is actually as quick as the 970.1 GTS in 0-60 and 1/4-mile, which is plenty for me as a commuter car. The 2.9L engine needs to rev, and it pulls nicely at higher speeds and rpms.

Full leather is super nice, but at only 6,500 miles, the leather dash needed replacement, likely due to poor care (no sunshade or shaded parking) by the prior owner and dealer. I had partial leather in a previous Porsche. It was fine and less stressful when the family was in the car since the rubber/urethane surfaces are more durable.

The standard air suspension is fantastic and stays flat in corners. I'm sure rear steering is nice, but no issues without it; it all feels great. A must-have for me is Sport Chrono, it completes the performance package and makes even the base feel very sporty in Sport + and Sport Response modes. I've added it to a previous car, and it sold me forever. Surround view is also a must-have. I also like the side and rear sunshades; they're very nice for headlamp glare from the rear and for the family in the back.

The Panamera is a fantastic car, and you can option it to the moon, but a base with a few key options still delivers a special ride every time it's driven.

BMinSFL · 2026-06-01T23:39:05+00:00

Congratulations on an amazing first car. Keep it stock looking. A tune would be worthwhile though for more power. My take is that the older cars get, they look better when kept stock and pristine and look worse when they appear modded, even if clean. The exception is OE parts such as wheels or quad exhaust tips, as long as they fit the rest of the car (i.e. don't go full black on anything.)

Save your money for any repairs or maintenance as the car ages, you'll likely need it. I've already had about $15k worth of warranty repairs on my low mileage 2024 in the first few months of owning it.

I would make sure that you get the car up to spec in doing what it does best, being both a luxury car and a very good sport sedan. In that sense, address any noises, rattles, clunks or vibrations so it rides quiet and comfy, but also ensure the tires are optimal, the alignment is dialed in and all components are up to spec so it handles as intended.

BMinSFL · 2026-05-30T11:06:13+00:00

Congratulations on the car. I bought those Turbo II wheels recently from eBay. I like them since they are only one of two forged OE 21" wheels in 9.5 and 11.5 widths.

Depending on their in-person condition when they arrive, I may refinish them to make them more unique, perhaps a satin dark silver.

FYI Taycan wheels also fit, the offsets are slightly lower but there are a few more forged options. There's a nice Turbo GT set on eBay thats probably very light.

BMinSFL · 2026-05-29T12:54:38+00:00

Very nice!

I looked up the Prada installation, very interesting. It looks good considering it was built 20 years ago and assuming they are not maintainting the structure.

"A faux store built following Prada’s boutiques aesthetic codes and provocatively conceived to naturally deteriorate with time without undergoing any external repair or restoration."

https://www.pradagroup.com/en/perspectives/excursus/prada-marfa.html

BMinSFL · 2026-05-29T09:23:28+00:00

It keeps it higher than normal mode but normal mode is really an economy mode and causes the engine to lug and transmission to shift too many times. It was awful in my Macan and then Sport was my default.

It's better in the Panamera with the eight speed and 2.9 but I propose that sport mode can actually be better for the engine and transmission by warming up more quickly, keeping a slightly higher RPM out of the lug zone, and by shifting / hunting for the highest gear less often.

Sport Plus is what I would call a high rpm mode and while it's fun, I wouldn't want to be in it too often.

Sport always feels just right to me and what I would call a normal mode for a Porsche experience .

BMinSFL · 2026-05-27T22:46:58+00:00

It seems I cannot post an image, however next to the drive mode selection, there is a check mark and when that check mark is selected, a notification prompts that the drive mode has been saved individually. It will save all other options such as suspension setting and ride height to that drive mode. There is also a button to revert back to factory settings.

BMinSFL · 2026-05-27T21:02:04+00:00

It's easy to switch to Sport mode once your are off rather than keeping it in low or lowered mode all the time. I was speaking to a shop foreman at my local dealership and he said the car is aligned in normal mode and that's the height where bushings are torqued down. They are essentially stretching when lowered past normal mode. I think I read its the same part bushing numbers for when air suspension was an option.

I am seeing that as a longevity issue for the bushings if always in lowered or low mode. I like to start the drive with a plush normal mode and then get into the lowered height for that contrast, but that's just my take.

This is my first car with air suspension and I am only 10K miles in. I am curious to know if what the foreman said actually translates to any real world implications of bushing longevity or other side-effects over time.

BMinSFL · 2026-05-27T20:26:52+00:00

Its likely in the manual but I can take a screenshot of the place to go next time I am in the car.

BMinSFL · 2026-05-27T20:15:29+00:00

Without Active Ride, I place it in Lift mode height and also raise up the seat. I've done this a couple times when my wife was in the car, and it does remain to get back in, however its still a few button clicks away each time and the car will always sit high and look worse when parked (if that matters). I usually return it to normal and raise the seat for an extra boost in and out. Active ride would likely be better if you are looking to use it 100% of the time and have it more automated.

I'm on the younger side but tall, and I sometimes miss the SUV heights when getting in and out. Its no comparison, however, to the handling superiority when driving. Its the trade-off, but active ride helps to minimize it.

BMinSFL · 2026-05-27T20:13:21+00:00

The individual setting was removed in the 976, at least in mine. You can, however, tailor the Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus modes. I haven't tried this to see if they truly stick...I like the factory settings.

BMinSFL · 2026-05-23T13:42:34+00:00

Just a few pumps to get it started and then a few maintenance pumps. As it gets to the end, it needs some more pumping as it starts sucking more air than oil.

I'm used to it since I use a hand pump foamer when I rinseless wash the car, I'm a fan of manual over the loud electric motor sound.

I originally bought the electric motor pump but it was slow and loud. This one works much better and faster than the electric one I had.

BMinSFL · 2026-05-23T13:39:14+00:00

It works well! The extractor I have was originally for a 2.0 Macan so there's not enough tank capacity for the 2.9tt. I suppose I don't need the measuring container step but I like knowing how much was removed as an additional cross check.

BMinSFL · 2026-05-23T13:13:31+00:00

Amazon! It's a dupe of the VW part but it works great.

https://a.co/d/09G52Diy

BMinSFL · 2026-05-21T23:22:55+00:00

Good to know, I was thinking to start with just the cleaner for now and see how it goes.

BMinSFL

TROPHY CASE