Drove the New Macan 'S' tonight!
 

I attended the unveiling of the Macan tonight at an upscale restaurant. They had three on display. Two Macan 'S', and one Turbo. They had 19, 20, and 21 inch wheels. I was pleasantly surprised that the 21's looked great! I did not expect that.

I drove in a caravan, me in the middle, sales manager in front in the Turbo, and one of his sales guys bringing up the rear. Porsche has done an amazing job on this 'Sports Car' SUV. The brakes and PDK transmission are the best I have felt yet. Just perfect. The driving was aggressive so I had to be sure of myself, and since it felt like a Porsche the adjustment period was seconds. It feels like a tank, by that I mean solid. It has great low end torque and surges ahead effortlessly. I was very impressed with how quiet it was. Little body lean and very nimble. Turn ins were a little late but it is an SUV so that is expected. Ride is firm but mainly in the back seats where you sit very close to the wheels. This one didn't have PASM so it will be interesting to drive one that does. Folks 6 feet tall will have tight head room in the back.

If you get a chance to test drive one....DO!

Yep, I think Porsche will have a winner with this SUV.

But as sportscar fans, this is about the worst thing that we could have ever hoped for. Porsche doesn't car about making sportscars anymore. We are irrelevant.


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Porsche does care about sports cars and they make these to help fund it. I have always HATED SUV's till the Macan. Unfortunately I didn't look at it at the NYAS so I'll check it at a PCA meeting. I think this is as close to a rally car in disguise as Porsche has come. All wheel drive, slap a couple rally lights on the front grill area and bam.

Lucky ya.

Wrong thing to do with new cars imo... I don't know about some of you but every single 'special' cars I get to try (new or modded) I always end up wanting it x2

Hate this Macan car especially. Mother in law already mentioned twice about it and as a Pcar enthousiast myself I see it in some ways somehow..... as if she wants me to buy her one :/

had to vent sorry lol

I like them but I remember seeing some number that 70percent of Macan haven't owned a Porsche before.


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SUV's, sedans, and now a crossover? Oh, Porsche...

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...ps10d01131.jpg

Doubters should watch this...Porsche makes Panameras, Cayennes and now, Macans, so they can make and improve Boxsters, Caymans and 991s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioLu-Q5_S3c

This post made me register. ;)

Ok, I get the Cayenne. I get why Porsche built it and sell it. I know the market they were wanting to hit, it makes sense. Porsche has always been very logical (German trait? :P ) in their products.

What I can't seem to figure out is who they build the Macan for? What's its purpose?

Porsche stopped being Steve McQueen a long time ago.

They're now a luxury car brand that make two sports cars on the side.
The Boxster/Cayman and the Carrera. And one toy for billionaires the 918.

When you think about it that's exactly what BMW, Merc and Audi do as well.
Most of their business comes from the same, SUVs, little SUVs and sedans, coupes. Actually you could make the argument that Porsche sell one sports car (akin to the 550 or 911), the Boxster/Cayman and that the Carrera, given how deep its gone into the grand touring category, is now the Panamera coupe. The 911 of the air-cooled era was not a grand touring car nor did it makes its legend as one. The Boxster/Cayman are more like Steve's 911 than the 991.

On this we agree.

Funding sportscars? Ha ha ha ha.

Porsche's next major release will be a mini-Panamera to further compete against Mercedes and BMW (and Audi)... although I am holding out for the pick-up truck...


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To sell metric arse tons, same as why everyone else made a compact SUV. My philosophy is as long as Porsche keeps making the best of whatever it may be in the market I'm happy. Maybe you say SUVs shouldn't be made like sports cars, but it was pretty stupid to make a sporty rear engine VW beetle called a Porsche as well.


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For me it would work great as a daily driver and heck some mountain twisty runs too. The Cayenne simply is more vehicle than I would want to be in. The Macan appeals to me. Not too big, not to small. Easy access, nimble, sure footed, and really comfy.

I understand the complaints/frustration with Porsche's direction. With these non-sport car vehicles some might think they are a sell out to the masses but they still never build anything but very sport minded vehicles. I've driven the BMWs in the same class and they really don't compare to the Macan.

I think they stand by their principles to make the best handling vehicles in the world. I've owned an E350 and it simply wasn't as sporty as the Panamara.

Set aside concerns with their direction and test drive one. You’ll probably like and appreciate it.

Don’t get me wrong, I do understand the frustrations with PDK taking over, 911s getting bigger, electric steering and likely all the move to SUVs and big sedans is pushing this.

Even though the 991 is bigger than the 993, it actually weighs in (curb weight) about 150lbs less. ;)
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The current crop of Porsche sportscars (981/991) are the best they've put out in for overall cars in quality and performance (IMO). Sure they make two SUVs and a sedan, but we also now have a Boxster/Cayman GTS, potentially a Cayman GT4, and a wicked sweet 911 Targa (among the myriad of variations currently available).

Don't forget that Porsche was very close to bankruptcy not all that long ago. Wider variations in products appeal to a wider consumer group, and helps to keep things afloat when sportscar sales are down.

I just received an email about the Macan unveiling at our local dealership here in Austin next Thursday evening, I live only a few miles from the dealership. I may have an opportunity.

Awesome, thanks for your feedback. I have no problems with Porsche and their direction. Hell, I've owned two 924s :p They are a business, they want to make money. If they want to compete on the compact suv market, then more power to them, especially if they dominate it. hah.

What I was trying to understand is the demographic of the person that would buy this vehicle. Maybe I just can't grasp the reason for the compact suv market, period.

I failed to mention these aren't my frustrations. I have a 981, drive a 991 whenever I want and soon will have the same opportunity with the Macan. I know a lot of folks though feel Porsche have lost sight of the what the purists want. I’ve owned a 986 and 987, awesome cars but with time I’ve grown to appreciate what the 981 offers and allows me to do. To me though they haven’t lost sight of making cars that keep up with the competition’s lap times just maybe not with the same feel as before.

Oh, what a slippery slope...

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6eb3ce36.jpg

Is it a Boxster 986 :rolleyes:?

Id hate to rain on everyones parade, but a bit of a Porsche Ute would be amazing, as long as its lightweight and can smoke anything else, thats pretty chill haha.

Yeah....seriously.....my wife is dieing for a truck in the family. Not SUV/X-Over. Full on F150 truck. Maybe twisted....but I'd buy that. "Yeah Mr. Lowes Dude....put all that crap in the bed of my Porsche. I'll sling it all out when I hit the on-ramp." LOL.

Really? Well, I can speak for myself. I am married, 2 small kids, live in the mountains and wanted something all-wheel drive, higher clearance than a sedan, but nothing near the size of a cayenne, q9, x5, escalade, etc. I bought an x3. Car has handled every family trip taken, and is comfortable. Personally, I don't see this market to be very different than sedan owners. If I lived at a lower elevation, I'd consider a sedan, although I do appreciate the space provided by the SUV with the seats down. I also have a 981 for the trips without the kids. I'd guess the compact SUV market is a sub-market for SUVs that just don't like or need the real estate of the large SUV. As for my buying habits, I ordered my first 987 and waited 6 months. Went in to discuss trade a few years later, and they had a launch 997.2S on the lot; I picked that up. Went in to trade that one, and they had a 981 on the lot that I liked. When it came to the X3 I bought it after test driving a different one. I wasn't too picky about it, so I found one at a nearby dealer.

And... anyone with the May Panarama could tell you that March 2014 deliveries were 329 (Boxster), 887 (Carrera), 288 (Caymen), and 442 (Panamera) = 1946. Now, Cayenne deliveries were 1862. Sales, excluding Cayennes, were down 2%.

As has been said, company exists to make a profit. I'd have considered a Macan if it was out when I was buying.

An SUV that makes sense haha. Something a bit more tame for the rest of the motorist. Can't say how much I would pay to wipe all the Tahoe/expedition/explorer/yukons and dare I add broncos off the road. Rarely do these people utilize all the seats, not only do they not go offroad but most of these listed are not capable off road, they guzzle gas, which is bad enough when actually being utalized in a sports car but much worse when in a useless several thousand pounds too heavy SUV. More cup holders than anyone could ever need aside from a true McDonald's conisour. Why can't I live in Germany where people carry family's around in panameras and cls shooting breaks.


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Yeah, a heck of a lot more sense than a pickup -- assuming your judgement is based on utility, right? I mean unless it's a work truck, how much time is the flatbed occupied? :rolleyes:

Europe's most popular cars - Telegraph

Hate to break it to you, but it looks like Ford is more popular in Europe. :eek:

Doh!

http://bestsellingcarsblog.com/2014/05/10/germany-april-2014-vw-tiguan-passes-passat-to-2-year-to-date/

How I imagine BigJake in Germany...

Big difference between a Mondero and a massive american suv. As for the truck, you need to haul the track car down behind something, sure would be nice to haul it behind a Porsche rather than a f150.

Uh... I don't think all these people are hauling Porsches... or need these for work.

Ford Tops Resurgent U.S. Car Industry, 2013 Sales Results Show : The Two-Way : NPR

"How are ya gonna keep 'em on the farm after they've seen Karl Hungus?"
http://www.austinkleon.com/wp-conten...543472_std.jpg

I guess that makes sense. Thanks for the reply. For the record, I have 2kids and a photography business. I bought a ford flex full load as it can carry kids and grand parents, as well as brides and camera bags. 2nd vehicle is an 2nd gen pathfinder. I get the SUV market, but I just can see me buying a compact SUV (even though the pathfinder is likely close to the same size as the macan/x3).

Stylistically, I like the Ford Flex, although I found it to be a bit long (for my family and needs). I actually like Ford, as a whole, and do appreciate the recent Mustang models. I did not care for the Edge, nor what the Escape has become. I see nothing wrong with the Explorer, although they have been growing a lot larger over the years. I've liked the older pathfinder models although think the current generation (not sure of the number) is a bit big (for me and mine). "They" say the the current BMW x3 is the same size as the original x5 that came out years ago. I had considered the Range Rover sport, although it was a little bigger, little more money, and I have little faith in their reliability. As we've both said, I think it depends on needs and I don't have my own business, nor the need for the extra row of seats so the small SUV (SAV) market is where I fall. I still don't understand the pickup market, though. I'm going to see the Macan tomorrow after a local PCA rally. I'm curious about it, but not in the market for another 6-7 years. I'll see what it's become then.

The most active thread on the 986 forum is about an SUV.

I'm sad :(

How is the quality on the flex, father is interested in one as an additional car? I quite like the styling.

Oh LORD! You didn't. I have been on a Macan high and that just ruined it.

Sorry life has been boring since I sold the 986. Ya I get to do the occasional oil change. It seems though all my days have been filled with having to just drive the 981. I figured a lot of the Boxster guys have other halves that want to drive a porsche too, it beats looking at mini vans. Oh and please no one post a picture of a mini van with a porsche front end!! :)

Couple that with the fact that Porsche has gone out of its way to ensure that its most sporty and nimble chassis (Boxster/Cayman) are always fitted with lowest power engines. I think it an abomination that the top of the line Macan/Cayenne/Panamera will trounce a Cayman GTS on the straights. It's pathetic...they have all of the ingredients to build an absolute world killer, but instead they make just potent enough to maintain its slight lead in its class.

Maybe Porsche realizes that a car with a lighter, more sporty and nimble chassis doesn't need as much power... :rolleyes:.

Quality so far is good. We bought it used with 50k km and have put 12k km on in the past year. No major issues. It's our first domestic. The interior is nice, sound system sounds great and it rides ultra quiet. The echoboost versions are factory lowered and quick. Very little body roll. My Subaru enthusiast friend (turbo wrx with coilovers, etc) was quite impressed with power and handling. Wife loves it too. Lots of room for kids and friends. I had a hard no on a minivan and the wife wanted 7 seats with car seat requirements (forward facing seats in the 3rd row). Didn't leave too many cars to choose from. I've always loved the flex. Sad though, could have bought her a crappy mini van and a boxster for the price we paid. Lol price of safety I guess. Major nit pick is how low the doors are and keeping the internal door seem clean.

Sorry to hear about your loss Jake. :(

:rolleyes::rolleyes:....:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolle yes:..maybe you should spend less time rolling your eyes and go buy a Miata Joe.

1) Sports cars are not about "need"...they are the antithesis of utilitarian.
2) Porsche deliberately neuters the Boxster/Caymen line every year to maintain their model hierarchy.
3) Go drive a Carrera S and ask yourself if it would be as much fun with 100bhp less...I mean it doesn't need 400bhp.

I love these cars, but I'm not such a fanboy that I won't admit that the chassis of every model year would happily handle quite a bit more power than that which they were offered. I would not say the samething about the other models.

Its all a measuring contest, these companies are all about getting the numbers, faster than whoever they compete with. Porsche keeps good feeling in their cars and all, worst case example being the GT-R for speed but no feeling. Back in the day car companies didnt care so much about numbers and thats why i think they all had alot more character.

Is the third row stow and go, or removable or something haha?

Stop saying sports car SUV!!!! there's no such thing!! lol

When is Porsche going to unveil the new new minivan dragster ?