Hi all, I've been reading these forums and I thought it was time to add a post of my own. After months and months of research, and having driven a Toyota Tundra for over 13 years, I purchase my first Porsche on Friday (3 days ago)! I'm very excited!
I made an appointment last week, and going into the appointment, my goal was to test drive 4 vehicles:
1. The Macan Base model
2. The Macan S
3. The Cheyenne
4. The Panamera
I had watched all YouTube videos I could find. I read Car and Driver and Edmunds a million times and I had read any article I could search and find, finally - I was ready to go and test drive. What was so critical for me was size inside. I'd be coming from a full sized truck and I was always told that Luxury cars wouldn't have enough room for me (I'm 6'4" 225lbs), so sitting in the vehicle...playing with the seat settings, viewing visibility, and actually driving the vehicle was key for me. I went to the dealership with some 'wants' for options and for 'must have' for options. The first vehicle I drove was a base. Not a ton of power, but more than I was used to in my Truck. The Porsche dealership had a structured test drive path (getting onto street, hitting the on ramp to an interstate, getting off of interstate, driving through some very curvy neighborhoods complete with tight turns and pot holes). It was clear that they wanted the test drive to be as genuine as possible. The base felt good but not extremely powerful. I had plenty of room. In fact, the seat wasn't even 100% back, though i Could do that if I wanted too. I also had about 3" above my head and in between the sun roof.
Next was the Macan S (I insisted on this order because I didn't want to test drive the most powerful first and then use that as the standard for my test drives). The S had more power, but honestly...other than on the on ramp to the interstate, and once I hit 75mph on that on ramp, I never got to feel the power again. I mean...test drive conditions were in standard traffic. The traffic I drive in everyday. Although I could feel the power on the on ramp, for a few seconds, I got out of the S (the model I 'knew' was the 'one') with a realization that it's awesome but I'd rarely get to use that power where I live.
I drove the Cheyenne next. Although it's only slightly bigger (the interior is literally 1.5" wider) I felt that it was underpowered and that I was driving a much bigger vehicle. It didn't move. After driving the Macan and the Macan S, I knew not only was the Cheyenne out of the equation due to drivability, but it was more expensive than both Macan's that I enjoyed more. It was 100% out of the equation.
Last I drove the Panamera. I literally told the salesman that it doesn't feel as powerful as the Macan S. He said "it's not. it's a few HP less actually." He asked me if I thought the price justified $30,000 more for the Panamera (based on both test drive vehicles). I said no. In fact, the Macan S was faster and more usable for me (I have a newborn).
So we finished the test drives and I was aware then that the Macan Base would be fine for my needs. Although I'd like to have the S for some fun, I'd rarely get to use that power where I live (Tampa Area). So we sat down and looked at the inventory (they literally only had 3 Porsche Macan Base vehicles in stock, and 2 Porsche Macan S vehicles in stock). The idea was that If I didn't want one of the 5 available, I could order whatever I wanted and wait 3 months...or, buy a loaner vehicle with 4000 miles (or more. there were several to choose from) on it. While I didn't immediately say no to the loaners, due to their extended CPO warranty's, it didn't make sense to me to take a loaner with a few thousand miles vs the slight savings. I left the dealership after 4 hours (worth noting, no other buyers entered within that time and I'm told that's not unusual for a Porsche dealership). I needed to breathe and I'm glad I did. The idea was that once a particular loaner was returned the next day, I'd look at it. But I had my eye on the show room Macan Base vehicle. The salesman texted me the next day that the loaner had been returned and I could come check it out. I told him "let's make a deal on the show room model." I went to the dealership and was only there maybe 2 hours tops.
Unfortunately I had to drive 'her' home in a thunderstorm and now it's dirty. But I'm returning to the dealership this week to have front windows tinted and have the center caps replaced with colored Porsche caps (both part of the deal). Hopefully they're wash it for me and it'll look nice again. I've been reading the manual and watching YouTube Videos to learn all the features (I got the Premium Plus package) and it's like a space shuttle to me (my old truck didn't even have cruise control). But I'm extremely happy with it so far. It has a nice little pick up (nothing crazy) and it's been quite a bit of fun to drive so far. Let me know if you have any tips or tricks for the Base Macan for me.
Here's a couple questions I had if you know the answer:
1. Is it worth it to have the 'software' update done to the base model to achieve 50 more hp? (salesman said it was possible)
2. I got the wheel and tire protection plan (to me, worth it). Did you get the prepaid maintenance plan and if so, is it worth it?
3. Overall, how satisfied are you with you Macan?
4. The all electric Macan is supposed to come out next year. Do you think it'll be a lot more expensive?
5. I notice that Macan inventory is extremely limited on the lots due to Covid-19. How much (if any) of a percentage did you get off of MSRP? I got 'some' off but not as much as I did with my Toyota 13 years ago. I was told that a deep discount isn't likely with a Porsche and covid-19 slow down.
6. What type of gas do you put in your Macan? I was under the impression that they require premium. At the dealership they topped mine of with 88 octane (I asked and they said their pump was 88 octane). I was confused and was told that it's the gas they used for all their new porsche vehicles. Do I need 93 or is 88 sufficient? I haven't noticed any pings, but only 70 miles on it so far.
Anyways, I'm happy to be here and look forward to seeing everyone's Macans.
I made an appointment last week, and going into the appointment, my goal was to test drive 4 vehicles:
1. The Macan Base model
2. The Macan S
3. The Cheyenne
4. The Panamera
I had watched all YouTube videos I could find. I read Car and Driver and Edmunds a million times and I had read any article I could search and find, finally - I was ready to go and test drive. What was so critical for me was size inside. I'd be coming from a full sized truck and I was always told that Luxury cars wouldn't have enough room for me (I'm 6'4" 225lbs), so sitting in the vehicle...playing with the seat settings, viewing visibility, and actually driving the vehicle was key for me. I went to the dealership with some 'wants' for options and for 'must have' for options. The first vehicle I drove was a base. Not a ton of power, but more than I was used to in my Truck. The Porsche dealership had a structured test drive path (getting onto street, hitting the on ramp to an interstate, getting off of interstate, driving through some very curvy neighborhoods complete with tight turns and pot holes). It was clear that they wanted the test drive to be as genuine as possible. The base felt good but not extremely powerful. I had plenty of room. In fact, the seat wasn't even 100% back, though i Could do that if I wanted too. I also had about 3" above my head and in between the sun roof.
Next was the Macan S (I insisted on this order because I didn't want to test drive the most powerful first and then use that as the standard for my test drives). The S had more power, but honestly...other than on the on ramp to the interstate, and once I hit 75mph on that on ramp, I never got to feel the power again. I mean...test drive conditions were in standard traffic. The traffic I drive in everyday. Although I could feel the power on the on ramp, for a few seconds, I got out of the S (the model I 'knew' was the 'one') with a realization that it's awesome but I'd rarely get to use that power where I live.
I drove the Cheyenne next. Although it's only slightly bigger (the interior is literally 1.5" wider) I felt that it was underpowered and that I was driving a much bigger vehicle. It didn't move. After driving the Macan and the Macan S, I knew not only was the Cheyenne out of the equation due to drivability, but it was more expensive than both Macan's that I enjoyed more. It was 100% out of the equation.
Last I drove the Panamera. I literally told the salesman that it doesn't feel as powerful as the Macan S. He said "it's not. it's a few HP less actually." He asked me if I thought the price justified $30,000 more for the Panamera (based on both test drive vehicles). I said no. In fact, the Macan S was faster and more usable for me (I have a newborn).
So we finished the test drives and I was aware then that the Macan Base would be fine for my needs. Although I'd like to have the S for some fun, I'd rarely get to use that power where I live (Tampa Area). So we sat down and looked at the inventory (they literally only had 3 Porsche Macan Base vehicles in stock, and 2 Porsche Macan S vehicles in stock). The idea was that If I didn't want one of the 5 available, I could order whatever I wanted and wait 3 months...or, buy a loaner vehicle with 4000 miles (or more. there were several to choose from) on it. While I didn't immediately say no to the loaners, due to their extended CPO warranty's, it didn't make sense to me to take a loaner with a few thousand miles vs the slight savings. I left the dealership after 4 hours (worth noting, no other buyers entered within that time and I'm told that's not unusual for a Porsche dealership). I needed to breathe and I'm glad I did. The idea was that once a particular loaner was returned the next day, I'd look at it. But I had my eye on the show room Macan Base vehicle. The salesman texted me the next day that the loaner had been returned and I could come check it out. I told him "let's make a deal on the show room model." I went to the dealership and was only there maybe 2 hours tops.
Unfortunately I had to drive 'her' home in a thunderstorm and now it's dirty. But I'm returning to the dealership this week to have front windows tinted and have the center caps replaced with colored Porsche caps (both part of the deal). Hopefully they're wash it for me and it'll look nice again. I've been reading the manual and watching YouTube Videos to learn all the features (I got the Premium Plus package) and it's like a space shuttle to me (my old truck didn't even have cruise control). But I'm extremely happy with it so far. It has a nice little pick up (nothing crazy) and it's been quite a bit of fun to drive so far. Let me know if you have any tips or tricks for the Base Macan for me.
Here's a couple questions I had if you know the answer:
1. Is it worth it to have the 'software' update done to the base model to achieve 50 more hp? (salesman said it was possible)
2. I got the wheel and tire protection plan (to me, worth it). Did you get the prepaid maintenance plan and if so, is it worth it?
3. Overall, how satisfied are you with you Macan?
4. The all electric Macan is supposed to come out next year. Do you think it'll be a lot more expensive?
5. I notice that Macan inventory is extremely limited on the lots due to Covid-19. How much (if any) of a percentage did you get off of MSRP? I got 'some' off but not as much as I did with my Toyota 13 years ago. I was told that a deep discount isn't likely with a Porsche and covid-19 slow down.
6. What type of gas do you put in your Macan? I was under the impression that they require premium. At the dealership they topped mine of with 88 octane (I asked and they said their pump was 88 octane). I was confused and was told that it's the gas they used for all their new porsche vehicles. Do I need 93 or is 88 sufficient? I haven't noticed any pings, but only 70 miles on it so far.
Anyways, I'm happy to be here and look forward to seeing everyone's Macans.