Panamera Buyer's Guide - Your Input Needed!

Post Reply
User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Panamera Buyer's Guide - Your Input Needed!

Post by FRUNKenstein » Mon Feb 12, 2018 8:46 am

So, let's say a guy in Kansas City, maybe a professional (like a lawyer) who's kind of a tightwad who doesn't want to drop $100k+ on a new car, is thinking about buying a well-used Panny a couple of years from now. So, higher mileage (say 70,000 to 110,000) isn't a problem as this is going to be a daily driver and maybe his wife, who just absolutely tears the crap out of every car he buys her, might be behind the wheel quite often.
What should I (err, "that guy") look for and what should I expect to pay?
What are the best models?
Does it pay to go for the Turbo, or is a lesser model maybe the sweet spot on price/reliability/maintenance costs (sort of like a 955S versus a 955 Turbo)?
What are the desirable options?
What are the model year breaks (I think they just came out with a fresh new model in either 2017 or was that a 2018 model?)?
Are there any known fatal defects (think IMS bearing or bore scoring)?
What are the common failure items to check to see if they are addressed or that you can expect to have to fix soon?
Does it makes sense to go with a newer model with maybe really high miles or is it better to get an older model with low miles?
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Re: Panamera Buyer's Guide - Your Input Needed!

Post by FRUNKenstein » Thu Mar 01, 2018 2:39 pm

I was just looking at the dealer's auction website (I've got a dealer's license) to see what the oldest Panameras are selling for wholesale. Looks like a decent 2010 Turbo (60,000 miles, above average condition) is going to fetch a little over $32,000. With the auction buyer fees, that puts it about $33,000. Still not in my daily driver territory. When they drop below $25,000, that's when I'll get serious. But still, would be good to get some more info from any of you guys that own one of these beasts.
Manheim _ MMR _ PORSCHE PANAMERA AWD _ March 01, 2018 US Editio_Page_1.jpg
Manheim _ MMR _ PORSCHE PANAMERA AWD _ March 01, 2018 US Editio_Page_1.jpg (129.55 KiB) Viewed 5008 times
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

User avatar
pfbz
OG (First 100 Outposters!)
Posts: 71
Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2018 2:04 pm

Re: Panamera Buyer's Guide - Your Input Needed!

Post by pfbz » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:28 pm

Gen 1 Turbo Panny's are available for silly cheap money, well at least compared to their original sticker price!

They drive great, are fairly practical, highly reliable without any IMSB-esque weaknesses to speak of, often were owned by cost-no-object owners who had their detailer come to clean their 10-car collection every month (in other words, in great shape).

Really the only downside is the looks... Not exactly a gorgeous design. But hey, better looking than the Ferrari FF!

I seriously considered this Panny that was up for sale on the 'R-forum' a year or so ago, but ultimately just couldn't pull the trigger.

Just a bit of an ugly porsche, even if it is a swan compared to the FF. (PS, the new Pannies are a huge improvement in the looks department! !)
Mail Attachment-0.jpeg
Mail Attachment-0.jpeg (209.42 KiB) Viewed 5003 times
Image

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Re: Panamera Buyer's Guide - Your Input Needed!

Post by FRUNKenstein » Wed Mar 07, 2018 9:39 am

pfbz wrote: Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:28 pm Gen 1 Turbo Panny's are available for silly cheap money, well at least compared to their original sticker price!

They drive great, are fairly practical, highly reliable without any IMSB-esque weaknesses to speak of, often were owned by cost-no-object owners who had their detailer come to clean their 10-car collection every month (in other words, in great shape).

Really the only downside is the looks... Not exactly a gorgeous design. But hey, better looking than the Ferrari FF!

I seriously considered this Panny that was up for sale on the 'R-forum' a year or so ago, but ultimately just couldn't pull the trigger.

Just a bit of an ugly porsche, even if it is a swan compared to the FF. (PS, the new Pannies are a huge improvement in the looks department! !)
I was out at the dealer's auction yesterday afternoon looking at some cars for the 16 yr old kid of a buddy of mine. There was a 2012 Panny, 2wd, V6, tan interior and what the auction listed as "purple" exterior. I would say it was a similar color to the Millenium Edition 996. I liked it, but it was a little rough. Plus, I think the V-6 is a downer - it wasn't slow, but wasn't impressive either. I think I'll set my sights on a Turbo model, as it comes standard with AWD. But, that was the first time I've driven a Panny, and I was not disappointed. The new model is a huge improvement in the looks department, but I don't absolutely hate the old design. Probably the biggest concern is the 4 passenger seating.
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

Post Reply