So, let's just get right to the chase.
Agent 001 and I were chatting today about our respective weekends and he noted he had been at his local Porsche dealer last night. 001 was comparing the prices of the all-new 911 (991) —
my number one pick for 2012 — and the Panamera.
His point is a simple one:
How can a Carrera S cost $125,000 and a Panamera S go for $105,000?Of course there are plenty of reasons why from a branding and marketing perspective, but I'd say the primary is the following: The 911 is the halo car, which is the foundation of a brand steeped in rich tradition. One could argue that what makes a Porsche is fully enveloped in the 911 and you
will find little tastes of it in the Boxster/Cayman, Cayenne and Panamera.
But 001 had a
very interesting counterattack. If you pick up a Panamera S, you get SO much more car. More room, a proper backseat, more storage, more luxury, and a quieter AND more comfortable ride.
Keep in mind, most buyers aren't buying their 911s to go to the track and the same goes for Panamera owners. These are daily drivers meant to give buyers a thrill on the ride home from the office.
This back and forth triggered an intriguing question: Taking all of these things into consideration,
how many people do YOU think go into a Porsche dealership looking at the very lovable 911 and wind up leaving with the keys to the more practical and livable Panamera?