A Rapide....
 

...pulled up next to me this morning. It is as stunningly beautiful as the Panamera is ugly. I followed it for as long as I could....you don't see 'em very often even in DC.

saw one down in orange county a couple of weeks ago. awesomely good looking. last week i saw a Vantage V8 here in the desert at one of the coffee shops. seemed completely out of place up here, but man was it good looking. A lot smaller then i had imagined. perfect curves.

Yes, they are stunningly beautiful.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1331312675.jpg

With cars like the Rapide and Quattroporte available, it's hard to understand why anyone would buy a Panamera. If I spend $100k+ on a car it had better be easy on the eyes.

I guess I am in the minority, I like the Panamera.

You ARE the 1% :D

I would imagine people buy the Panamera because it has 4 useable seats.

Because the Panamera works?

In the real world the Panamera is the better vehicle on just about any indicator you care to name.

Agreed it is a better "car" (and faster in every way)

But they could have made it better looking. The QP and Rapide are examples.

Honestly, a Nissan Maxima is just as good looking as the Rapide. I finally saw a Rapide in the flesh, looked rather bland and boring.

The Panamera is much more exciting, much more unique, more more practical, just plain a much better car in any aspect I can think of.

I've had the Panamera and the Quattroporte back to back, between those two cars, its a little bit closer, it comes down to if you want rough Italian craftsmanship, or a highly manufactured finished factory fit that comes with the German option.

More exciting my butt. And unique?? Puh- leez. Panameras are common here- usually driven- slowly- by the elderly to the local country club. Seriously we live close to the CC and I'm amazed. I think they're hideous and would never fork over $ for what I consider to be an ugly car. On the 20 inchers they look a little better but on the 18s or whatever they look giga ugly- a big fat blob on high heels. And what are the vents on the side for?? Did Manny, Moe and Jack have a fire sale? Besides they're huge. I'll bet you need a camera just to back the thing up.

BTW I have driven one- on a race track- admittedly a six banger w/o the air suspension but b-o-r-i-n-g. I think they double the price for a real engine. Certainly we know that even the Turbo sounds nothing like a Maserati, right? That's exciting.

As I said I think the Rapide is stunning- this is only the second one I've ever seen in the flesh and I'd buy one (and scads of other cars) over a Panamera in heartbeat. I could care less if a six footer with a hat on can sit in the back seat and you can get two sets of golf clubs in the trunk. I don't play golf.

WW f'd up IMO- he designed the thing for golfers. Hopefully it will be restyled soon and, after all, I think most of us would agree the 2nd gen Cayenne looks far nicer than the old one- even if they stole the taillights from a Hyundai.

How many other cars look like the Panamera? Its a unique, eye catchy design, grabs my attention. The Rapide looks bland and boring in comparison, very little creativity.

Let's agree to disagree then. I see nothing redeeming in it (except Porsche quality) but everyone has their own opinion and I don't want to disrespect yours.

I've never seen an ugly Aston Martin. Even the name is class.

I don't hate the Panamera, but I sure don't get where Porsche comes up with their names.

Upon this I agree, I cringe evertime I have to type it. They pull the Carrera and Panamera names from a race in Mexico from the 50's. Carrera is good, Panamera is lame as it should be Pan American.

Jeff, I heard the Whooshing noise as well! ;)

Now I know where it got it's looks from!

http://img.wp.scn.ru/camms/ar/978/pics/5001_2.jpg

+1

In Canada, the Rapid(e) name has a somewhat more tarnished past. Of course, a rear-engined, rear-wheel drive, air-cooled European "sports" car is still cool . . .

http://up.autotitre.com/c6c9543be3.jpg

Here's another "unique" vehicle that works very well for its intended purpose.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...G0WfWfHfn2g-8J

For well under $100k you can get a number of four door sedans that are excellent performers and can comfortably haul four adults. The CTS-V, E55 AMG, and M3 sedan quickly jump to mind. Plus, none of them are fugly. If I'm spending $100k on a car it had better have tons of character, be beautiful, and fantastic to drive. From all reports the Panamera has one of three.

But hey, Porsche doesn't have to care about my opinion. I'm not going to be buying a $100k car anytime soon.