[F1Venom]

My father is in the market for a new car and is stuck between these two (and maybe the Audi RS7). Does anyone have experience with either? He's had a CLS63 AMG before but it wasn't the 4Matic S. I also think the Porsche GTS is a better driver's car than the Turbo, but he isn't as objective as I am, lol. It would be his DD so AWD is a must. Thoughts?

[swanson]

For me, I would get either the RS7 or the CLS 63. I do not like the panamera. Its quite hideous looking regardless of how nice it drives or performs.

[ddk632]

Opposite for me. I came real close to buying a Panamera GTS a couple of years ago. It's a beautiful car, has the beefed up NA engine, comes standard with the sport exhaust and Sport Chrono package, some aero bits, etc., handles and drives like a car of this size simply should not. It's mind boggling how good that car is.

The CLS is more luxury focused and I am not a fan of Audis at all, but for me between those 3 cars, it he fight is over before it even starts.

The great thing about the Panamera is it can be optioned to be as sporty or as luxury as one wants. The only performance type option I think isn't standard (could be wrong, it's been a while) is the $5k PASM active suspension, which I would say is a must for that car.

The downside is it's honestly in a different league price wise than the CLS 63 AMG or the RS7. Optioned even without going crazy it's going to be hitting $130-135k easy, that's without the Burmester and without going insane on the interior options.

Still it's worth the money to me. And some will say this is blasphemy, but to me eyes, the Panamera GTS looks much more beautiful than either CLS 63 (which is beautiful up front, not so much in the back) or the Audi, and I again am not a fan of the Audi's looks or their cars in general very much.

I think it's also the classiest car of the 3. Anyway, first world problems having to make such a tough choice, right?

[F1Venom]

Haha, he just found a great deal on a 2012 V10 R8 but it's the single clutch auto. Is the transmission poor? He'll test drive it in a few days and that's his only worry, but it's a car he's always loved.

[ddk632]

Haha who can argue with that?

(Should have excluded R8 from my general Audi comments but I know lots of people feel that way as R8 stands on it's own)

[ashtaron14]

I had the opportunity to drive a buddy's R8 V10 Spider. The transmission isn't that great in slow traffic, but wring the engine out and shift it with the paddles, let go of the gas and then shift, bang hard on the throttle, and it gives this snappy jolt. Of course the new S-Tronic cars would be easier to live with, but it surely don't have that supercar style bang.

I think it depends on what your dad is looking for. Audi's interior, along with the S-Tronic transmission, is a super comfortable place to be.

The Mercedes has an average cabin compared to the Audi or the Porsche, but that engine is crazy good.

The Porsche probably has the best transmission, if your dad can get past its looks.

[swanson]

Originally Posted by ashtaron14

I had the opportunity to drive a buddy's R8 V10 Spider. The transmission isn't that great in slow traffic, but wring the engine out and shift it with the paddles, let go of the gas and then shift, bang hard on the throttle, and it gives this snappy jolt. Of course the new S-Tronic cars would be easier to live with, but it surely don't have that supercar style bang.

I think it depends on what your dad is looking for. Audi's interior, along with the S-Tronic transmission, is a super comfortable place to be.

The Mercedes has an average cabin compared to the Audi or the Porsche, but that engine is crazy good.

The Porsche probably has the best transmission, if your dad can get past its looks.

Average? Have you looked at the interiors of Mercedes lately? They destroy anything made from Germany. I think Audi's get way too much praise for their interiors. They really are nothing special both from a design standpoint and materials used. And anything Porsche is overrated.

[roll_the_dice]

Out of the 3 original cars you mentioned...I would opt for the Panamera every day of the week and twice on Sunday. I have test driven the Audi and blah for me. I almost bought a Merc CSL a few years ago...I like the styling, but something about it just didn't do it for me. When I had my P car, I had the pleasure of getting a Panamera a few times as loaners and it is exquisite to drive and I personally love the styling. it screams Porsche up front, but luxury every where else. It was the smoothest driving car I have had the pleasure of driving. I had it the 2nd time for an extended weekend, while the 997 was getting a service....I put about 500-800 miles on the car that weekend. Everywhere we went we got stares and it was just a nice nice vehicle.

If his daily commute is short, the R8 will be great...if not, the Panamera will be great for a longer drive commute.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by swanson

Average? Have you looked at the interiors of Mercedes lately? They destroy anything made from Germany. I think Audi's get way too much praise for their interiors. They really are nothing special both from a design standpoint and materials used. And anything Porsche is overrated.

This. I never understood the appeal of Audi interiors. Using the A4/A5 as an example, I hate how the passenger dash area is just that - a dash area; very VW-like (sorry, deny all you want, you can find hints of VW in a A4/A5). BMW and Mercedes do a way better job in design with their horizontal layout across all their models.

As you work up, it does improve dramatically for Audi but I still prefer a BMW or Mercedes interior - personally I think the 6-Series interior trumps all.

[Arsonism]

To hell with both of them, Ferrari FF. Done.

But seriously out of the three if the RS7 was on the table, RS7.

[F1Venom]

Lol, my dad called the Nissan dealership at 1 pm saying he was going to come around 6:30 to test drive their GTR and is very serious about purchasing it. They said ok. He arrived at 6:30 and I arrived at 7. He was still waiting for a salesman! At about 7:20 is when a salesman came and he opened up the car for us. He said that he cannot let us drive the car as the people that buy these cars just come in and buy it outright. We were like, "how are we supposed to know if we like it without a test drive? This is a $110k car." He said the people that buy these cars don't need to test drive them. So we either put down a $5k deposit, or we don't drive it.

On to the Audi R8 and possibly RS7 if they have one in stock.

[F1Venom]

Originally Posted by Skiddish

To hell with both of them, Ferrari FF. Done.

But seriously out of the three if the RS7 was on the table, RS7.

Yeah right, his budget isn't $250k. But if it were, then he wouldn't look further.

[hellrotm]

RS7 gets my vote. I still think about them, after seeing the RS7 safety cars at the WEC race. They are so aggressive looking in person.

[Aapparition90]

Why not just get a 911 carerra 4s... yes it feels a bit underpowered next to the amg and M's but its pretty special once you drive it.

[F1Venom]

Originally Posted by 328ihp

Why not just get a 911 carerra 4s... yes it feels a bit underpowered next to the amg and M's but its pretty special once you drive it.

He drove one last year and seemed to like it. I drove a C2S back in March and felt quite underwhelmed after getting back in my M3. It doesn't justify its $130k price tag.

[P1]

Originally Posted by F1Venom

Haha, he just found a great deal on a 2012 V10 R8 but it's the single clutch auto. Is the transmission poor? He'll test drive it in a few days and that's his only worry, but it's a car he's always loved.

One of my good friends is getting close on selling his V10 R8 Spyder if your dad is serious. Completely stock, apart from Stasis exhaust (which sounds amazing)...

[F1Venom]

He's only looking for a coupe. Spyder's are nice though, especially with the V10.

[Wolfinwolfsclothing]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Out of the 3 original cars you mentioned...I would opt for the Panamera every day of the week and twice on Sunday. I have test driven the Audi and blah for me. I almost bought a Merc CSL a few years ago...I like the styling, but something about it just didn't do it for me. When I had my P car, I had the pleasure of getting a Panamera a few times as loaners and it is exquisite to drive and I personally love the styling. it screams Porsche up front, but luxury every where else. It was the smoothest driving car I have had the pleasure of driving. I had it the 2nd time for an extended weekend, while the 997 was getting a service....I put about 500-800 miles on the car that weekend. Everywhere we went we got stares and it was just a nice nice vehicle.

If his daily commute is short, the R8 will be great...if not, the Panamera will be great for a longer drive commute.

Panamera GTS, no doubt. Best interior deisgn and quality/fit/finish. Sounds fantastic and drives like a sports car instead of a big luxury car.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by F1Venom

Lol, my dad called the Nissan dealership at 1 pm saying he was going to come around 6:30 to test drive their GTR and is very serious about purchasing it. They said ok. He arrived at 6:30 and I arrived at 7. He was still waiting for a salesman! At about 7:20 is when a salesman came and he opened up the car for us. He said that he cannot let us drive the car as the people that buy these cars just come in and buy it outright. We were like, "how are we supposed to know if we like it without a test drive? This is a $110k car." He said the people that buy these cars don't need to test drive them. So we either put down a $5k deposit, or we don't drive it.

On to the Audi R8 and possibly RS7 if they have one in stock.

That very same thing happened to me when I bought my first Porsche. I was looking at a used Boxster at a lexus dealership about a year after they came out. I went to test drive, they said NO, people buy them or they don't, but we don't let anyone test drive this car. It was only $50k or so... I said OK and left. Went to the Porsche dealer, they handed me the keys and said come back whenever. My wife and I test drove it...came back and ordered a new one. Dealerships are dumb!

[Aapparition90]

Originally Posted by F1Venom

He drove one last year and seemed to like it. I drove a C2S back in March and felt quite underwhelmed after getting back in my M3. It doesn't justify its $130k price tag.

yeah its not a whole lot quicker than a m3 in a straightline , your gonna need turbos if you wanna make the m3 feel slow.
the panamera gts will feel pretty slow next to a rs7 just sayin.

[AstonKarim]

Panamera GTS!!! When I see these on the road it just screams status like an S63 or similar vehicle. Looks okay with the spoiler up and turbo wheels. Motor Trend has a few decent youtube videos on them, all favoring the handling and the PDK.

[fecurtis]

Audi RS7, love how those look.