Panamera; GTS or Turbo

[Simonfraser181]

Looking to swap my very tidy 996tt for a Panamera. Kids are growing up, more space needed..... so looking to get a 2013~14 Panamera.

Not yet got behind the wheel of one, but interested to make my mind up - whether GTS or Turbo..... come on then, which to get and why?

I do like a burly v8, and find the 996tt a bit quiet. So, purely on the vocal attribute - the GTS has got me thinking!

Cheers
Simon

[David A]

Being in exactly the same position I can confirm what you need is to modify your turbo so it’s fastwr and louder. Then buy a panamera 4s for sensible family duties. Ensure there is a tv in the back for Madagascar or minions to be put on. Then refuse to sell the turbo (s) as you need it for sunny days.

Note I wanted a panamera turbo really but the 4s was great condition and spec and price.

[Mosdef]

I had a 2012 Panamera GTS and then swapped it for a late 2014 Turbo S. They’re pretty different cars.

The GTS sounds magnificent, on a level with the 4.7 in the Maserati. The GTS also gets some nice kit with it e.g alcantara seats (leather was an option), Bose, , recent headlights, black accenting, special suspension and wheel spacers to name but a few.

I haven’t driven a normal Panamera Turbo so can’t comment specifcially on that but the Turbo S makes the GTS feel underpowered / lacking torque. Progress in the GTS requires revs whereas driving a Turbo S requires restraint! The GTS was more fun to drive hard because it was more raw and licence losing speeds weren’t so attainable.

That said, the Turbos and Turbo Ss often have better spec and are more luxurious feeling I’d say.

Either will make a fantastic daily driver and I’d probably sum it up by saying the GTS was a little more fun/interesting but the Turbo S is just so impressive overall.

[Mosdef]

If you’re coming to from a 996 TT, I suspect a GTS might feel a bit slow to you...

[RDMcG]

Turbo..no doubt.

[GT03ROB]

RDMcG said:

Turbo..no doubt.

Turbo S to be precise!

[IMI A]

Buy a 1 to 2 yr old 5 door Golf Mk7 GTI or R and keep the 996 turbo.

Panny is crap by comparison to that combo as it doesn't have the space of a Golf believe it or not. Golf also has all the latest Apple car play etc and costs buttons to run and I find the GTI a hoot down a twisty back road. You can enjoy the 996 turbo on those very early morning blasts when you fancy some time out on the road on your own

Even a Panny turbo S feels slow, fat and heavy and for such a large car really poor use of internal space.

[Cheib]

Don’t know what the space is like in the old Panny but it’s a good point. Wouldn’t say a Golf is the answer though depending on how old the OP’s kids are and indeed how tall the OP is. If you’re over 6ft you start encroaching on rear space pretty quickly.

Interior passenger space in the new Panny is brilliant. I can sit where I want in the drivers seat and there still loads of room behind me.

Anyway...Turbo!

[456mgt]

I have the turbo, and love it. Even more so because I had a GTS loaner and it felt gutless; Panamera is a big, heavy car and needs the turbo to pull it along properly.

[red997]

had a 4S pan & a turbo S (with virtually every option ticked, inc sport design)
had it remapped & IPD plenum - 700bhp - it was not slow....
did a few Vmax & track days with it - was a hoot.
for a 2+2 space was fine; I also added a roofbox for touring
great place to be

[EGTE]

LOADS of space in old Panny and no it's not crap at all.

GTS sounds great, but really isn't quick enough. Turbo gives the torque the car needs and it really motors if you're alone in the car (Sport-Plus over-boost!).

[Simonfraser181]

Thanks guys. I am not after a licence loser so outright speed is probably second to a great soundtrack. I am sure the GTS is not too slow!
Have had the fun with the 996 and fancy something more along lines of GT.
Will need to be on the lookout for a low mileage and high spec GTS then... or maybe a turbo!

[WCZ]

Turbo S every time, it’s a no brainier

[Mosdef]

IMI A said:

Buy a 1 to 2 yr old 5 door Golf Mk7 GTI or R and keep the 996 turbo.

Panny is crap by comparison to that combo as it doesn't have the space of a Golf believe it or not. Golf also has all the latest Apple car play etc and costs buttons to run and I find the GTI a hoot down a twisty back road. You can enjoy the 996 turbo on those very early morning blasts when you fancy some time out on the road on your own

Even a Panny turbo S feels slow, fat and heavy and for such a large car really poor use of internal space.

Panny doesn’t have the space of a golf? Have you been in a Panamera? Oddly enough, we had both in our household for a while and the golf was fine as a shopping trolley but didn’t really suit other duties. For anyone over 6’2” there was absolutely no chance of getting anyone behind them. I’d do a pan European road trip in a Panamerawith four up but not sure I’d do it in a golf, even the mighty GTI or the R.

The Turbo s doesn’t feel quite as quick as the figures suggest because it is big, heavy and refined but it’s the same size as an S a class and is well under 4 secs to 60mph, so should be fast enough for most...other than the most committed GTI drivers.

[GT03ROB]

Mosdef said:

IMI A said:

Buy a 1 to 2 yr old 5 door Golf Mk7 GTI or R and keep the 996 turbo.

Panny is crap by comparison to that combo as it doesn't have the space of a Golf believe it or not. Golf also has all the latest Apple car play etc and costs buttons to run and I find the GTI a hoot down a twisty back road. You can enjoy the 996 turbo on those very early morning blasts when you fancy some time out on the road on your own

Even a Panny turbo S feels slow, fat and heavy and for such a large car really poor use of internal space.

Panny doesn’t have the space of a golf? Have you been in a Panamera? Oddly enough, we had both in our household for a while and the golf was fine as a shopping trolley but didn’t really suit other duties. For anyone over 6’2” there was absolutely no chance of getting anyone behind them. I’d do a pan European road trip in a Panamerawith four up but not sure I’d do it in a golf, even the mighty GTI or the R.

The Turbo s doesn’t feel quite as quick as the figures suggest because it is big, heavy and refined but it’s the same size as an S a class and is well under 4 secs to 60mph, so should be fast enough for most...other than the most committed GTI drivers.

I'd echo that. 4 adults in a Panamera is not a squeeze...all will be comfortable. Not convinced in a Golf.

As for feeling quick... that's very much in the eyes of the beholder, but there is no way I would describe a Turbo S as feeling slow, fat & heavy. The refinement can mask a real sporty feel, but I'd argue similar for non-GT 911s. I wasn't impressed when I drove a 996 Turbo, because it didn't feel sporty enough & I felt the same about other 911s bar GTs. But if you want a sports car don't buy a Panamera. If instead you want a luxury very fast 4 seat saloon, that will much motorway miles yet you can still hustle along the twisties look at a Panamera.

[IMI A]

Mosdef said:

IMI A said:

Buy a 1 to 2 yr old 5 door Golf Mk7 GTI or R and keep the 996 turbo.

Panny is crap by comparison to that combo as it doesn't have the space of a Golf believe it or not. Golf also has all the latest Apple car play etc and costs buttons to run and I find the GTI a hoot down a twisty back road. You can enjoy the 996 turbo on those very early morning blasts when you fancy some time out on the road on your own

Even a Panny turbo S feels slow, fat and heavy and for such a large car really poor use of internal space.

Panny doesn’t have the space of a golf? Have you been in a Panamera? Oddly enough, we had both in our household for a while and the golf was fine as a shopping trolley but didn’t really suit other duties. For anyone over 6’2” there was absolutely no chance of getting anyone behind them. I’d do a pan European road trip in a Panamerawith four up but not sure I’d do it in a golf, even the mighty GTI or the R.

The Turbo s doesn’t feel quite as quick as the figures suggest because it is big, heavy and refined but it’s the same size as an S a class and is well under 4 secs to 60mph, so should be fast enough for most...other than the most committed GTI drivers.

I'n not committed driver on the road when in the UK. Use the Think Blue function everywhere. Admit amazing what the Panny can do for its size but I was left underwhelmed. Think I just prefer small cars full stop. By contrast I absolutely love the Golf I'd defo have one over a Panny Turbo S money no object. I have four children so Panny really not a starter. Also the looks of the first one really do take some getting used to. I think the new Sport Tourismo gorgeous but again not practical enough with 4 kids. Only let down in Golf is the engine noise. Really does sound crap but 10/10 for almost everything else. Okay brakes are over served and steering can be a bit lacking in feel but look for the money its a very good car and you get used to those things. If its one car I can understand a panny. Its been 13 years since I drove a 996 turbo s but I remember it being amazing. i did drive it in the wet and really gave it some welly - it was very good fun. 996 turbo s I drove was a brand new one. Used examples can have lots of issues. Many of them now are running with boost leaks and owners do not even know. as OPCs do not pick up on them.

[Mosdef]

Horses for courses and all that but I very much doubt anyone would seriously turn down a Panamera Turbo S over a Golf, unless you only drive in city centre and on B roads. You’re right though, a Panamera won’t work with 4 children (although would a Golf?).

[IMI A]

Have access to school run 7 seater. Only way unfortunately with 4 kids as I hate SUVs and they're now getting too big for the Golf but i still squeeze them in when not travelling with a full house as its 40mpg v 12 mpg. At some point may need to upsize Golf but loath to as Golfs diminutive size and anonymity a bonus. Yep horses for courses need something to offset the SUVs massive thirst and Golf does the trick.

On the Panny I think compared to its piers like E63s, M5 and RS6 space wise these are all better. The new E63s way more character and full stop a nice ownership proposition from a practicality point of view. Very spacious with lots of leg room. You have a thunderous engine too and beautiful interior. They'll be tuppence soon

[Till135]

IMI A said:

Have access to school run 7 seater. Only way unfortunately with 4 kids as I hate SUVs and they're now getting too big for the Golf but i still squeeze them in when not travelling with a full house as its 40mpg v 12 mpg. At some point may need to upsize Golf but loath to as Golfs diminutive size and anonymity a bonus. Yep horses for courses need something to offset the SUVs massive thirst and Golf does the trick.

On the Panny I think compared to its piers like E63s, M5 and RS6 space wise these are all better. The new E63s way more character and full stop a nice ownership proposition from a practicality point of view. Very spacious with lots of leg room. You have a thunderous engine too and beautiful interior. They'll be tuppence soon

I don’t post much but I’m sorry the comment above is total nonsense. I’ve had a 2015 Panamera GTS. Myself, Wife, 2 children, 2 dogs, roof box and a bike rack on the back. Beautiful place to be, awesome noise. Will do close to 30mpg. 0-60 in less than 5 seconds. In full sport mode it will fly down a country road. Mine had the torque vectoring etc. Anyone who claims a Golf is better either can’t drive, doesn’t like cars or hasn’t driven a GTS properly.
Re GTS vs Turbo, we borrowed a new style Turbo Pan and the older GTS was a more involving car to drive. Not as quick but more enjoyable.

[IMI A]

Sorry buddy no offence. I’ve only driven a turbo s not a GTS so cant comment but I expect it’s more noisy with less grunt. Golf GTI a better car and more resolved car for me. I know it’s on a humble hot hatch but I’d put it as a better all round daily car then 991.2 turbo s, 9e 997 turbo and 993 Carrera RS all of which I have access to whenever I’m back in the UK. If I have to do anything other than drive for pure fun I always pick the keys up to the GTI. It’s just so easy and comfortable with its DSG etc. Perhaps I’m giving the Golf too much credit but I’d go as far as saying for me it’s probably the best dd car in the world. A Panny GTS wouldn’t even be mentioned in same breath as those other Porsche’s. In fact it’s a bit of an insult to them imo