$30K Panamera

[thstone]

Would you buy a $30K Panamera?

Came across this while searching the interwebs this evening for 356's. I don't really need a big sedan, but for some reason it sure seems tempting.

AutoTrader 2010 Panamera

[Smallblock454]

I would never buy a Panamera, even it's 3K, because it's an ugly car.

Regards, Markus

[itsnotanova]

They look like a modern Citroen DS to me.

[BRAN]

Old Panamera is a HUGE car, inside and outside, but design wise just ...okay. Always appeared like a monster to me. I wouldn't buy one.

The New Panamera on the other hand, I would say, they nailed it design wise, finally.

[VGM911]

Originally Posted by BRAN

The New Panamera on the other hand, I would say, they nailed it design wise, finally.

+1

And...the original design is really weird looking.

[Giller]

While it isn't the prettiest car out there, there is no doubt it is one of the premier handling cars. If you want a 4 door sedan, sure you could get something better looking, but it wouldn't handle near as good. For 30K...there's not much better in the driving department.

[PaulE]

Once you get over the looks I bet it has a nice personality, though. My gut t instinct is a $30k Panamera can become an expensive proportion. The profile is a bit of a humpback whale, but it's not bad from the front and rear. I wouldn't mind having one if I needed a new 4 door.

[BruceH]

That is a lot of car for $30K, I say go for it Tom!

[KevinH1990]

In the past, I was skeptical about Porsche's non-sport cars offerings. However, there are times that I need to have more than two seats and some luggage capacity. So I find myself asking questions like, "Would I rather be in a Cayenne than a Highlander?" While the Panamera may not be as soul-stirring as a Boxster or a Carrera, it is likely superior to other 4-door sedans. For $30k, it might be worth a look.

[The Radium King]

i've seen a few early, inexpensive panameras on the lot and ... dunno. like any vehicle, always beware the first few years until they work out the bugs. panamera seems like no exception to this. the ones i saw had flaking trim and seemed more worn than they should for age and miles. that alone kept me from getting any closer and examining mechanical stuff.

[husker boxster]

I'm getting old...

2010 still seems "new" to me, but it's SEVEN yrs old.
85K mi seemed high mileage to me, but NADA says to ADD $850 for mileage.

Would probably be able to sell it for $34K in my neck of the woods. This would be the kind of deal I look for when I have my Wheeler Dealer hat on, esp if you can get an addl $500-$1K off when negotiating.

But my Wheeler Dealer buying hat is not on at the moment. I bought an 05 Audi A4 AWD 2 wks ago so I don't have room for more inventory. The fixes are almost complete so it will hopefully be on the mkt soon.

[thstone]

What caught my eye is a $100K car (base price was $90K) with only 85K miles for $30K. 400hp V-8 with PDK. That is a lot of car for the money.

[steved0x]

I have seen a few of these at the track, in the right hands they are very capable on track. In the wrong hands (like a surgeon not used to not being the hot s***) they spend some time going agricultural (like all cars I guess )

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by steved0x

I have seen a few of these at the track, in the right hands they are very capable on track. In the wrong hands (like a surgeon not used to not being the hot s***) they spend some time going agricultural (like all cars I guess )

There was one at the 2014 Parade DE at Laguna Seca. (thstone, sorry for the sloppy line thru the corkscrew - it was Day 1 Session 1.)

[thstone]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

thstone, sorry for the sloppy line thru the corkscrew - it was Day 1 Session 1.

No worry! The main point is that you're there and getting after it!

And if it makes you feel any better, I've gone thru there with the left side wheels on that gaiter!

[dghii]

Car values are tough these days...

I get caught looking ALL THE TIME at cars that use to cost big bucks and now sell for peanuts.
Just doesn't seem possible to be able to buy even $50-60K cars with lot of life in them for under $10-20K.

Here's my sanity check: Take a look at leasing ANY new car for 3 years. Check the residual value. Cars that are known to 'hold their value' and cars with subsidized leases will be worth 52-54% of MSRP. Cars that don't hold their value will be ~45-48%.

That would put a $100K Panamera at ~$50K after 3 years. Its now 7 years old so $30K doesn't sound like a screaming buy given the above argument.

That being said, all the used cars I look at in the 5-8 year old range seem to be priced at a premium to what they should be worth. I think its a function of more folks being able to spend $20-30K for a car versus $50K plus for something new. Heck, new Ford Explorers with moon roof and leather have MSRP's of $52-55K! When did that happen?? My first house in 1982 was $54K, across the street from the beach! I even had 30 years to pay for it.

3 year Explorers are no bargain, with similarly equipped cars still selling in the $28-32K range.

I know you you're checking prices. If $30K sounds to good to pass up, trust yourself (as always)!

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by thstone

I've gone thru there with the left side wheels on that gaiter!

Like this?
Why is the photographer always around to catch a miss-step? My car made a horrible sound that I was sure was the sump being torn off. No warning lights on the dash, so I kept going. Next time thru, I saw I'd run over the grate. Man it made a bad sound but at least it was the grate and not my car.



Just to prove I did some good laps thru the corkscrew:



Back to the topic, all luxury cars drop tremendously in value. Good for owner #2, not so good for owner #1.

[flaps10]

I used to say I would never have a Cayenne. Coolest car I own

[thstone]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

Like this?

Yes, just like that!

I used the same line a few times and heard that same horrible sound from running over the grate.