{"id":37310,"date":"2019-02-22T06:00:10","date_gmt":"2019-02-21T21:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=37310"},"modified":"2019-10-01T13:52:17","modified_gmt":"2019-10-01T04:52:17","slug":"porsche-owners-file-11-panamera4s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/en\/entry\/porsche-owners-file-11-panamera4s\/","title":{"rendered":"Porsche Owners\u2019 File #11: Buying a 971 Panamera 4S\u2014Options and Driving Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello, everyone! I\u2019m Mina, the editor of \u201cWelcome Home, PORSCHE.\u201d Our Porsche Owners\u2019 File series grew out of readers\u2019 requests to hear firsthand stories from Porsche owners. In this 11th installment, Mamma, who lives in Hokkaido, shares his experience buying a 971 Panamera 4S, choosing its options, and living with it on the road.<\/p>\n

This blog features plenty of information about the Panamera, but the driving experience can vary significantly between the base model, 4, 4S, Turbo, and hybrid versions. So how does Mamma rate the Panamera 4S? Read on to find out.<\/p>\n

\u3018Owner profile\u3019<\/strong>
\n\u30fbCar featured: 971 Panamera 4S (MY2018)
\n\u30fbName: Mamma
\n\u30fbLocation\/home: Hokkaido \/ apartment
\n\u30fbFamily: A family of four\u2014my wife (who has a license but rarely drives)<\/span>, a middle-schooler, and an elementary-schooler
\n\u30fbPrevious cars:
\nHonda Prelude (BB4) \u2192 Honda Integra Type R (DB8) \u2192 Honda Odyssey (RB1) + NSX (NA1)
\n\u2192 Audi A6 Avant (C6) \u2192 Audi S4 (B8)
\n\u2192 BMW M3 Sedan (E90) \u2192 And now, our first Porsche, a Panamera 4S, has joined the family
\n\u30fbA message to readers: I hope my experience will be helpful to anyone considering buying a Panamera.<\/p>\n

1) What Led Me to Buy a Porsche<\/h3>\n

\u2014 My approach to choosing a car<\/h4>\n

Looking back over the cars I\u2019ve owned, I\u2019m reminded that \u201cthe first half of my automotive life was all about Honda\u2014especially its VTEC engines<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

After moving on from Honda, I happened to move from one German car to another. I was drawn to Audi by the \u201cglittering interior and exterior lighting<\/strong>,\u201d while I remember falling for the BMW M3 Sedan\u2019s \u201cmuscular, broad-shouldered design, with its blistered fenders and power dome<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Somewhere along the way, more and more people around me started driving German cars, and I naturally became interested in them, too. But my priorities when choosing a car\u2014\u201cfast, good-looking, and with a beautiful dashboard<\/strong>\u201d\u2014have stayed the same since my Honda Prelude.<\/p>\n

\u2014 How I first became interested in Porsche<\/h4>\n

One evening at dusk, I saw a 991-generation 911 Carrera 4<\/strong> sweep past. Its beautiful shape and striking taillights hit me like a bolt of lightning. I was so moved that I started thinking, \u201cHow can I bring a Porsche home to our family?<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Why I chose the Panamera<\/h4>\n

As I mentioned, the car that first sparked my interest in Porsche was the \u201c991-generation 911 Carrera 4\u201d (its design is stunning from every angle, and I find the rear view especially breathtaking)<\/span>. But if I bought a 911, we\u2019d need another car to take all four of us.<\/p>\n

Running two cars would be difficult for us, so I was starting to lose hope and thinking, \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll have to wait until the kids grow up and leave home\u2026\u201d Then I read somewhere\u2014perhaps in a magazine\u2014that the 971 Panamera\u2019s design had a lot in common with the 991-generation 911<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould the 971 Panamera actually be unbelievably cool? No\u2014it\u2019s seriously cool! And it seats four!\u201d<\/p>\n

That was when I began actively considering buying one.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u2014 Why I chose the Panamera 4S<\/h4>\n

Since I was moving on from a BMW M3 Sedan, I compared three models based on power: the Panamera, Panamera 4, and Panamera 4S<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I live in snowy Hokkaido, but modern cars are very capable, and I didn\u2019t consider all-wheel drive essential. (My rear-wheel-drive M3 Sedan handled snowy roads just fine.)<\/span><\/p>\n

So I naturally went to get a quote for the least expensive, rear-wheel-drive Panamera. The salesperson told me, \u201cHardly anyone buys this one\u2014the rear-wheel-drive Panamera. (smiles)<\/strong>\u201d I got the distinct impression that he was hinting I shouldn\u2019t order the RWD model! (laughs) I also thought, \u201cI don\u2019t have any particular reason to insist on rear-wheel drive.<\/strong>\u201d So I ended up comparing the Panamera 4 and Panamera 4S.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u2014 High-Gloss Black Interior Package<\/h4>\n

The Panamera 4 and Panamera 4S come with different standard equipment, of course, but you can get them very similarly equipped by adding options\u2014at an extra cost.<\/p>\n

However, the High-Gloss Black Interior Package was available for the Panamera 4 but not the Panamera 4S<\/strong>. (The catalog showed it as available for the 4S, but it wasn\u2019t listed in the configurator. When I checked with the salesperson, he confirmed it couldn\u2019t be ordered. The Turbo model could be equipped with it.)<\/span> Since I was considering either a black or carbon-fiber interior, I found myself wondering:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy can the Panamera 4 and Panamera Turbo have the High-Gloss Black Interior Package, but the Panamera 4S can\u2019t<\/strong>? Is the 4S the only one left out?\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, whichever model I chose, I figured its performance would be the limiting factor in my decision. So I approached it this way: \u201cFor the interior, I can go with black on the Panamera 4 or carbon fiber on the Panamera 4S.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

In the end, I chose the Panamera 4S because I thought, \u201cIf I buy a Panamera with less horsepower and torque than my BMW M3 Sedan, might it feel underpowered by comparison?<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

The Panamera 4 has more than enough horsepower and torque by any reasonable measure, and I never felt it lacked power on a test drive. Still, I may also have been drawn to the \u201cS\u201d badge.<\/p>\n

2) Options and Specifications<\/h3>\n

\u25a0Exterior color: Carrara White Metallic
\n\u25a0Wheels: 20-inch Panamera Turbo wheels
\n\u25a0Wheel accessories: Porsche crest wheel center caps
\n\u25a0Interior color: Saddle Brown \/ Luxor Beige
\n\u25a0Seats: 8-way power comfort seats (standard)
\n\u25a0Exterior: LED Matrix headlights (including PDLS Plus), tinted LED taillights, Comfort Access, ParkAssist with Surround View, privacy glass, soft-close doors, air outlet grilles painted in exterior color, painted exterior mirrors
\n\u25a0Transmission \/ chassis: PDK (standard), Sport Chrono Package
\n\u25a0Interior: four-zone automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, floor mats, cupholder covers, white instrument dials, white stopwatch dial
\nCarbon interior: Carbon Interior Package, illuminated carbon door-sill guards
\n\u25a0Other: leather key pouch, 19-inch aftermarket alloy wheels and winter tires<\/p>\n

\u2014 Why I chose these options and specifications<\/h4>\n

I initially planned to order a 4S and had a quote prepared. Then I was offered a car in Porsche Japan\u2019s inventory that was configured almost exactly as I wanted<\/strong>, and I ultimately bought that car.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t an exact match for the car I\u2019d planned to order, but it had the key options I was determined to have. Most of the missing equipment could be changed, and the car could be delivered within a few weeks. Taking all that into consideration, I decided to go for it. My must-haves were:<\/p>\n

\u201cCarrara White Metallic,\u201d \u201cSaddle Brown \/ Luxor Beige,\u201d \u201cLED Matrix headlights (including PDLS Plus),\u201d \u201cComfort Access,\u201d \u201cSport Chrono Package,\u201d \u201cfour-zone automatic climate control,\u201d and the \u201cCarbon Interior Package.\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019d also planned to add ambient lighting, but the Panamera in inventory didn\u2019t have it, and I was told it couldn\u2019t be retrofitted. In the end, I had to give up on that option.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The car also came with quite a few options I hadn\u2019t originally planned to get. Calling them unnecessary might sound rude, but I decided that \u201cif they\u2019re already there, they might come in handy<\/strong>\u201d and made peace with it. I\u2019ll share my thoughts on how those options worked out in practice later.<\/p>\n

In the end, I bought the in-stock car\u2014my planned order minus ambient lighting, plus a few extras (quite a few, actually (^_^;))\u2014assuming there wouldn\u2019t be major differences between MY2018 and MY2019.<\/p>\n

3) From Order to Delivery<\/h3>\n

Ordered in late September 2018 \u2192 Delivered in mid-October 2018<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Next page \u2192 The Panamera 4S engine, acceleration, and updates after six months of ownership<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

4) Living with Porsche Performance<\/h3>\n

\u2460 Engine<\/h4>\n

My driving consists mostly of \u201ccity driving, some highway miles, and the occasional cruise through the countryside<\/strong>.\u201d There\u2019s no way I could be unhappy with the power of a Porsche Panamera 4S, built by one of the world\u2019s leading sports-car makers.<\/p>\n

When I need to accelerate unexpectedly and press hard on the throttle, the sound changes dramatically and the car surges forward like a raging storm. It reminds me of Honda\u2019s VTEC engines.<\/p>\n

Its speed brings to mind the slogan for a famous racehorse: \u201cSpeed: freedom or solitude?<\/strong>\u201d I\u2019m impressed by it every day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I\u2019m thoroughly satisfied with the Panamera 4S and the fierce, exhilarating roar it produces every time I turn the ignition control to start the engine, drive normally, accelerate, downshift, switch to Sport or Sport Plus, or press the throttle a little harder.<\/p>\n

After buying the car, I came across the claim that although both engines are V6s, the Panamera 4\u2019s 2,995 cc engine is made by Audi, while the 4S\u2019s 2,894 cc engine is made by Porsche<\/strong>. That might have influenced my choice, too. Details may vary by model year, but that\u2019s apparently how it was for MY2018.<\/p>\n

\u2461 PDK<\/h4>\n

I\u2019ll compare it with the DCT in my M3. When accelerating from low speed, the DCT tended to hold lower gears and wouldn\u2019t shift up readily. The PDK shifts smoothly and promptly, with virtually no noticeable jolts.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When slowing down, the DCT would quickly select a lower gear, seemingly keeping the engine response right at the point where it could put the power down. (It felt ready to accelerate at any time, wherever I was.)<\/span> By contrast, the PDK downshifts gradually and smoothly<\/strong>, which I think makes for a very comfortable ride for passengers.<\/p>\n

As for shift response, the DCT was so quick that \u201clightning-fast\u201d seems the right description, while the PDK feels just a little more relaxed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The DCT\u2019s rev-matching blips also sounded rather aggressive, whereas the PDK seems more refined (that\u2019s just a relative comparison)<\/span>. These are my impressions in Normal mode; I expect things to feel different in Sport and Sport Plus.<\/p>\n

The model is different, but the post \u201cWelcome Home, PORSCHE goes into detail on PDK response<\/a>\u201d covers this topic well.<\/p>\n

\u2462 Handling<\/h4>\n

Driving the Panamera, I genuinely feel\u2014without exaggeration\u2014not so much \u201chorse and rider as one,\u201d but that \u201cthe driver and car have become one.\u201d<\/strong> It makes no unnecessary movements and follows the line I intend, responding precisely to every turn of the steering wheel. All I can say is that it\u2019s remarkable.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m always impressed by the Panamera\u2019s agility and speed.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u2463 Fuel Economy<\/h4>\n

I get around 6\u20137 km\/L in town and 10\u201312 km\/L on the highway<\/strong>. The tank is large, so it\u2019s hard to say for sure, but I don\u2019t get the impression that I have to refuel particularly often. Considering the engine output and the car\u2019s weight, I\u2019d say its fuel economy is excellent.<\/p>\n

\u2464 Ride Comfort and Driving Feel<\/h4>\n

\u201cSupple\u201d is the perfect word for the ride.<\/strong> Whether it\u2019s highway expansion joints, minor bumps, or the rough snow-covered roads we get in the north, the way the tires stay connected to the road feels wonderful.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s right\u2014this might be a clumsy way to put it, but it really does feel \u201cgood.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Panamera is certainly a large car, as people often point out. But I was surprised by how easy it is to judge its width and how straightforward it is to check for hazards all around the car.<\/strong> It really shows Porsche\u2019s attention to practicality as well as performance.<\/p>\n

\u2465 My Family\u2019s Reaction<\/h4>\n

The rear seats are much more comfortable than those in our previous car, and my family\u2014especially the kids\u2014have been full of praise<\/strong> for the improvement.<\/p>\n

They particularly like the snug feel, generous foot space, and heated seats. They also get excited every time the start-up animation appears on the four-zone automatic climate control screen (they\u2019ll probably get used to it eventually\u2026)<\/span>.<\/p>\n

My wife can\u2019t understand why anyone would spend so much on a car, but she seems to have reluctantly accepted it on the grounds that \u201cif it motivates my husband at work, I suppose it\u2019s worth it.<\/strong>\u201d (laughs)<\/p>\n

\u2466 What I Love Most<\/h4>\n

The combination of the Saddle Brown \/ Luxor Beige color scheme, the feel of the smooth leather, and the richly detailed instrument cluster creates a luxurious atmosphere that I can\u2019t help but admire. The displays look especially beautiful around dusk, just as it starts getting dark\u2026<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Speaking of light, the rear view with the taillights on is simply breathtaking. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s an exaggeration to say, \u201cCould there be another sedan this elegant and graceful?<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

5) Options<\/h3>\n

\u2014 Options I\u2019m glad I chose<\/h4>\n

\u2460 Saddle Brown \/ Luxor Beige leather interior<\/h5>\n

It does get dirty easily, but I chose it thinking, \u201cSurely I can keep it clean with the right cleaner and conditioner.<\/strong>\u201d In practice, whenever it gets dirty, I clean it right away with Porsche\u2019s own cleaner, and it\u2019s stayed in good condition.<\/p>\n

\u2461 ParkAssist with Surround View<\/h5>\n

I think it\u2019s essential for a car as big as the Panamera. It was an extra I hadn\u2019t originally planned to get, but it\u2019s proved extremely useful.<\/p>\n

\u2462 Air outlet grilles painted in the exterior color<\/h5>\n

On the car I bought from inventory, the air outlet grilles were finished in High-Gloss Black (standard), while the lower part of the door mirrors was painted to match the body. The air outlets looked out of place, so after delivery I had them refinished in the exterior color using a Tequipment accessory.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The paint and labor cost as much as the parts, but I\u2019m glad I had them painted to match the body.<\/p>\n

\u2463 Comfort Access<\/h5>\n

I assumed that what we commonly call keyless entry would be standard on a modern car (it is standard on the Turbo)<\/span>. But this is a Porsche, where you turn the ignition control to start the engine. Some owners may actually like the ritual of inserting and turning a key, but personally, Comfort Access is a must-have.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u2014 Options I wish I\u2019d chosen<\/h4>\n

\u2460 14-way power seats with memory (front)<\/h5>\n

One feature I\u2019d been looking forward to was the \u201cability to adjust the passenger seat from the driver\u2019s seat<\/strong>,\u201d mentioned in an earlier blog post<\/a>. I wish I\u2019d known beforehand that the standard 4S seats don\u2019t support this feature\u2014you need to choose the optional 14-way power seats with memory (front).<\/strong><\/p>\n

The shock of going to \u201cVehicle\u201d \u2192 \u201cControl\u201d \u2192 \u201cVehicle\u201d \u2192 \u201cSeat Settings\u201d on the touchscreen and realizing that \u201cPassenger Seat Position\u201d wasn\u2019t there was pretty significant.<\/p>\n

The 14-way seats also come with an electrically adjustable steering column, so I imagine the easy-entry function is more comprehensive, too. (With the standard seats, easy entry only opens and closes the windows; neither the seat nor the steering wheel moves\u2026 (~_~;))<\/span> If I buy another one in the future, I\u2019ll definitely add this option.<\/p>\n

\u2461 8-way rear comfort seats<\/h5>\n

Ideally, I wanted a 40:20:40 split rear backrest. But I wasn\u2019t sure it was worth choosing this option just to get that feature, so I decided the standard rear seats in the car I bought from inventory would be fine. Now, I\u2019ve realized that the 60:40 split is a little inconvenient for the way I use the car.<\/p>\n

Next time, I\u2019ll definitely insist on the 40:20:40 split.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Options I chose but don\u2019t think I needed<\/h4>\n

\u2460 LED Matrix headlights<\/h5>\n

Highway signs are certainly easy to see, but overall, I don\u2019t feel I\u2019ve benefited much from them. LED headlights with PDLS would be enough.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u2461 Soft-close doors<\/h5>\n

No matter how many times I tell her, my wife still slams the doors shut with a bang, so perhaps this feature was a little ahead of its time for our family. That said, I like how refined it feels when I\u2019m helping someone into the car: I gently guide the door almost closed, then it shuts itself with a quiet click.<\/p>\n

\u2462 Tinted LED taillights<\/h5>\n

This was another extra I hadn\u2019t planned on ordering. With a white car, the standard taillights would have been perfectly fine.<\/p>\n

\u2463 Adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist<\/h5>\n

It\u2019s been a few months since delivery, but I still haven\u2019t had a chance to use it. Maybe I\u2019m jumping to conclusions, but for now, I consider it unnecessary\u2026<\/p>\n

6) Things That Bother Me<\/h3>\n

My Carrara White bodywork sometimes takes on a bluish tint in certain light, and every now and then I wonder if it\u2019s quite to my taste. I\u2019ve always bought white cars almost automatically, but Panameras in black or blue look great, too.<\/p>\n

Next time I buy a Porsche, I\u2019d like to consider a wider range of colors.<\/strong><\/p>\n

7) Overall Verdict<\/h3>\n

To quote the catalog, the Panamera is \u201ca four-seat sports car that combines a luxurious atmosphere with agile, dynamic performance<\/strong>\u201d\u2014an apt description. It is, just as Porsche says, \u201ca true sports car with outstanding practicality.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

8) What Does Porsche Mean to You?<\/h3>\n

To me, Porsche is<\/p>\n

\u201ca teacher who showed me what a sports car should be and what it really means to enjoy driving,\u201d and \u201ca wonderful partner.\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019d like to keep building my knowledge and experience with cars and enjoy a life behind the wheel filled with excitement and memorable moments. I\u2019m deeply grateful to the Porsche Panamera for inspiring me to feel that way.<\/p>\n

Panamera 4S: Six-Month Update<\/h3>\n

Six months after this article was published, Mamma sent us the following update. Compare his first impressions after delivery with what he thinks after six months of ownership. [Update: July 10, 2019]<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2460 Why I Chose the Panamera 4S<\/h4>\n

After thinking it through more calmly, I realized that there\u2019s no way I was making full use of all the power in my former M3 Sedan.<\/strong> I\u2019m no expert behind the wheel, so choosing the 4S on the basis of power made little sense. The Panamera or Panamera 4 would have been more than powerful enough for me.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There\u2019s no denying that the Panamera 4S accelerates like it\u2019s bending space and time when you press the throttle. But, to be honest, its performance is more than I need, since I rarely take the car to a track or a mountain pass.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The thought \u201cThe M3 Sedan and the Panamera 4S are both monsters\u201d sounds like something out of a comic book, and it keeps running through my mind.<\/p>\n

Besides, one of the main reasons I bought the M3 Sedan was how it looked. I don\u2019t think I ever spent much time worrying about its power. I would probably have bought it even if it had a straight-six instead of a V8.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re now well beyond the days of Japan\u2019s 280-horsepower limit, and even the S4\u2019s 333 horsepower was more than enough for me. It\u2019s strange how the horsepower kept climbing every time I changed cars. Looking back, I think I may have been a little shallow in my thinking\u2026<\/p>\n

Another thing that makes it hard to work out where the Panamera 4S fits is that the price of my heavily optioned Panamera 4S is almost the same as that of a Panamera GTS with a reasonable number of options<\/strong> (and the GTS comes with plenty of standard equipment)<\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In short, I\u2019m no longer sure what the benefit is of paying a premium for the 4S. If I were considering a Panamera again, I\u2019d carefully choose the model and options<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The right model depends on each buyer\u2019s needs, so I\u2019ll leave that decision to you. But I\u2019d like to share my personal thoughts on the options.<\/p>\n

\u2461 Options<\/h4>\n

I still think the 14-way seats are essential, and I strongly recommend them. There are plenty of times when I want to recline the seat of a child who\u2019s fallen asleep in the passenger seat<\/strong>, and I can\u2019t help wishing I could adjust it from the driver\u2019s seat.<\/p>\n

It also seems a shame for a car this expensive to have manual steering-wheel adjustment. The 14-way seats include easy entry, too, so if there\u2019s a next time, I\u2019ll definitely choose them.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, I\u2019d put the Matrix headlights on the list of options to skip.<\/strong> They might be useful if the high-beam setting activated the Matrix function, but to turn off Matrix mode, you have to pass through the regular high-beam position. When I drive in Matrix mode, oncoming drivers sometimes flash their lights at me, too. (laughs)<\/p>\n

Maybe my driving habits aren\u2019t ideal for them, but I\u2019m pretty sure regular PDLS headlights would be more than adequate.<\/p>\n

I initially thought adaptive cruise control was an unnecessary option, but I\u2019ve found it useful on the highway. That said, I feel the deceleration can be rather abrupt.<\/strong> I haven\u2019t had much experience with systems from other manufacturers, so Mina, I\u2019d love to hear your thoughts on this!<\/p>\n

(\u2192 From the blog editor: I find it a little better with the longest following distance, but when the gap is shorter, it seems to brake later than I would and the deceleration feels quite abrupt.)<\/span><\/p>\n

As for the soft-close doors<\/strong>, I couldn\u2019t see the point at first. But after using them, I\u2019ve come to like them so much that I can hardly imagine owning a car without them. I love how refined it feels when the door closes without a sound.<\/p>\n

By the way, the Panamera\u2019s doors stay exactly where you leave them, regardless of how far they\u2019re open.<\/strong> I don\u2019t know what this feature is called, but most doors stop at set positions, sometimes with a slight clunk. That\u2019s perfectly fine, of course, but being able to leave the door at any angle is a wonderful feature\u2014you don\u2019t have to worry about hitting a neighboring car or a wall.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think other German cars have this feature, at least not the ones I\u2019ve owned. Do other manufacturers offer it?<\/p>\n

Finally, the four-zone climate control is another option you have to weigh against choosing the five-seat configuration. In my opinion, a huge storage compartment in that spot would be impractical and unattractive.<\/span>With a five-seat Panamera, you\u2019d inevitably have to compare it with the AMG GT 4-Door Coup\u00e9.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

As far as I know, the four-seat version hasn\u2019t been confirmed for Japan\u2014or perhaps it won\u2019t be offered at all. If you want a four-seater, the Panamera is the only choice.<\/p>\n

\u2462 What Still Bothers Me<\/h4>\n

I\u2019m frustrated by how shallow and small the trunk is.<\/strong> The AMG GT 4-Door Coup\u00e9 seems to have a deeper, roomier trunk, so the Panamera may fall short here. In my case, even though the car is larger, there are many things I could fit in the M3 Sedan that I now have to arrange carefully\u2014or can\u2019t fit at all. That was a bit disappointing.<\/p>\n

A 40:20:40 split rear backrest might solve some of the problem, but overall, the trunk is still shallow and small.<\/p>\n

This may be true of Porsche cars in general rather than the Panamera specifically, but for better or worse, I really notice the attention I get from other people<\/strong> (maybe I\u2019m just imagining it! (laughs))<\/span>.<\/p>\n

When I drove it to work, the female staff were so excited that I couldn\u2019t help being impressed by the magnetic appeal of the Porsche name. Ah, if only I were a little younger\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2463 Overall Verdict<\/h4>\n

The description \u201ca four-seat sports car that combines a luxurious atmosphere with agile, dynamic performance<\/strong>\u201d is no exaggeration\u2014it\u2019s absolutely true. I felt that way when the car was delivered, and I still feel that way now.<\/p>\n

The claim that it\u2019s \u201ca true sports car with outstanding practicality<\/strong>\u201d is also spot on. All four members of my family can get in and out without any stress, and once we\u2019re on board, we can relax in great comfort.<\/p>\n

My comments about the trunk, value for money, and so on are based on how I use the car and my personal preferences. I\u2019m a typical office worker in my late forties, and my car is mainly for family outings and the occasional drive.<\/p>\n

I think the Panamera\u2019s exterior design is superb, and it outshines its commonly compared rivals by a wide margin. If you fall in love with the design, that alone is a good enough reason to buy one. Sorry for the long, rambling post. I hope my experience is useful to anyone considering a Panamera.<\/p>\n

\u3018Editor\u2019s thoughts\u3019<\/strong>
\nReading Mamma\u2019s report taught me that even within the Panamera range, there are quite a few options and specifications that vary by trim<\/strong>. If you\u2019re going to buy a Porsche, you want to make a well-informed choice and be happy with it. It may seem like a small detail, but I\u2019d like to keep covering the options and specifications that differ between trims on the blog. Thank you, Mamma!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u30d6\u30ed\u30b0\u300c\u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u304c\u308f\u304c\u5bb6\u306b\u3084\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f\u300d\u306e\u8aad\u8005\u69d8\u304b\u3089\u9802\u3044\u305f\u611b\u8eca\u306e\u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u3092\u7d39\u4ecb\u3059\u308b\u8a18\u4e8b\u306e\u7b2c11\u5f3e\u3067\u3059\u3002\u4eca\u56de\u306f971 \u30d1\u30ca\u30e1\u30fc\u30e9 4S\u306e\u30ec\u30d3\u30e5\u30fc\u3067\u3059\u3002","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":9128,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=9116","footnotes":""},"categories":[31,56],"tags":[221,238],"class_list":["post-37310","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aboutpanamera","category-porscheownersfile","tag-221","tag-porsche-panamera","en-US"],"yoast_head":"Porsche Owners\u2019 File #11: Buying a 971 Panamera 4S\u2014Options and Driving Review - Porsche Owner's Blog from Japan<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Considering Porsche ownership? A Panamera 4S owner shares his buying story, options, driving impressions, and six-month review.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/en\/entry\/porsche-owners-file-11-panamera4s\/\" \/>\n<link rel=\"next\" href=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/en\/entry\/porsche-owners-file-11-panamera4s\/2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Porsche Owners\u2019 File #11: Buying a 971 Panamera 4S\u2014Options and Driving Review - Porsche Owner's Blog from Japan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Considering Porsche ownership? 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