Used Porsche Panamera or Audi A5 Sportback or new Kia Stinger?

"LJ909" (lj909) 11/12/2019 at 12:09 • Filed to: Kia Stinger, Porsche Panamera, Audi A5 Sportback

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Used luxury cars, depending on the brand, depreciate fast and sometimes hard. With the Kia Stinger still being the new hotness and one of the best bang for your buck sport sedans on the market right now, I’d thought I’d compare them to some used models. This also comes in handy with me wanting to get another car soon.

If you dare compare the Kia (!) Stinger to other upmarket vehicles like Kia intends buyers too, it can be closely matched to the Porsche Panamera and Audi A5 Sportback. The main thing that can be said about all 3 is that all 3 are 4 door sedans that share a liftback body style. But depending on the Stinger model, its either more closely related to the A5 or the Panamera.

First up, the Panamera. Depending on the year, used Panamera prices come right in line with heavily discounted Stinger GT’s. That means high $20’s low $30’s. Unfortunately that also means that you, if you are wanting to go cheap for Porsche performance, will have to make due with early model year Panameras. So figure 2010-2014. That also means higher mileage. Panameras at this price range look to have mileage ranging from 50-110 thousand miles. Any lower or any newer, and you push $40k. This also limits you to only choosing the base V6 or Panamera S models. For the sake of comparing though, lets stick with the V6 model.

This example for instance, is a 2011 Panamera for $29,998 with just over 46k miles. In a sentence I never thought I’d be typing, the Kia is actually up on power compared to the Panamera from nearly 10 years ago. Back then it came powered by a 3.6 V6 putting out 300 horses and 295 lb ft of torque routed to the rear wheels through a 7 speed auto. Inside you get all the Porsche quality and goodies, some of which is standard on the Panamera (like a sunroof) or not even offered on the Panamera but the Stinger has it (sat radio). The Stinger and Panamera are also close in dimensions as well being within a few inches of each other in all manor of interior dimensions.

While looking like a good deal on the surface (especially to those driven by the badge and being seen) The downside to the Panamera is its ownership and maintenance costs. I couldn’t find data on a 2011, but 5 year cost of ownership for a 2016 Panamera is nearly $90k, with depreciation and maintenance being the bulk of that. A brake job for just the front brakes will run $1200-$1500.

2018 with 7k on the odo for $34,490

Next up,the Audi A5 Sportback seems to be better. For one its a new model, having been just introduced for 2017. However the A5 can be more closely matched to a Stinger 2.0 Premium AWD. Depreciation has made the A5 Sportback be relatively affordable for what it is. Brand new, an A5 Sportback starts at $44,200 for the base Premium. But used they can be found from the high $20’s to the mid to high $30’s with low low miles. Most I found had under 10k on the odo. Which also means that a lot of Sportback models are CPO off lease vehicles in fantastic condition.

The comparison VS the Stinger has its caveats though besides price and being certified. For instance, mark one in the A5’s category for having AWD standard on any model. That’s just the nature of it being Audi of course. AWD on the Stinger however, can be had in either the 4 or the V6 and is a $2500 option regardless of trim. Mark one for the Stinger though for offering a turbo V6 while the A5 Sportback only offers a 252 horse 2.0 turbo 4 across the board. You have to step up to the $52k S5 to get V6 power, and even then at 349 horses, the Stinger GT still is up 16 horses over it. But in 4 cylinder trim, the A5 Sportback and base Stinger are close. The Stinger gets a 2.0 turbo 4 with 255 horses and an 8 speed auto. But the Stinger is the bigger car overall in most dimensions.

With the A5 and Stinger both being new models, a 5 year cost to own cant be calculated yet since both haven’t been on the market 5 years. Maintenance costs of course will be higher than the Stinger just by nature of it being an Audi, but it wont be Porsche expensive. Using the standard A5 coupe as a reference, a brake job looks to cost anywhere from $5-700 bucks, which still isn’t cheap, but its not thousands.

So which would you guys choose? The Panamera is for those that want the status and performance that comes with a Porsche badge. But its going to hit your pockets hard when things go wrong. And with the only affordable models being almost 10 years old or with high miles it might be a bit of a gamble if you can’t afford newer or versions with lesser miles.

The A5 Sportback might be the sweet spot if you’re a badge whore. Its newer and like I mentioned, many examples can be found with low low miles and they are CPO for piece of mind. You won’t have the capable performance of the 6, but the turbo holds it own good, plus you have the all weather capability of awd.

And of course you have the Stinger which, if you don’t care about the badge, is the best all around value. Combine that with the excellent warranty coverage and the performance of GT ( I still hate how unfortunate it is that you can tell the difference between a 4 cylinder version and the GT with those terrible standard headlights) along with steep discounts on new models and its quite possibly the best all around value on the market today.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 12:40

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Sweet spot is an S5 Sportback.

LJ909 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 11/12/2019 at 12:46

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You think so? Even with it being down on power compared to the Stinger GT?

FSI > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 12:47

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If high quality interiors are high on your priority list, A5 Sportback. But personally I'd buy the Stinger, even as an Audi guy.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 12:48

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The interior quality and tech is better. And yes I have sat in it, and test driven the Stinger.

LJ909 > FSI 11/12/2019 at 12:50

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Same here. The interior is a nice place to be unless you just have to nitpick about it. 

LJ909 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 11/12/2019 at 12:52

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This is true. Audi always does interiors well. One thing for instance I cant get over with the G70/Stinger is that the UI is pretty much the same one that’ s in my Sonata. While I like it because its easy to use and familiar, it cheapens out the car. But yea I agree with you. The S5 will hold its value better and have better resell too.

InFierority Complex > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 13:06

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At the risk of inviting Italian reliability jokes I might go with a write in option. Can be found in the 20s-30s all day

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 13:11

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Stinger all the way. I'd personally go for the base trim. Less powerful engine and less toys, but it would still be a fun car.

imadick > FSI 11/12/2019 at 13:13

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Same, I bet they have taken a massive depreciation. Could probably get one for a song.

LJ909 > InFierority Complex 11/12/2019 at 13:13

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This isn’ t a bad idea. I would have to do more research though on ownership and reliability before I would even go take a look. But other than that I’d proably go for it if it was ok. Espcially since you dont see these things everywhere.

From looking though these things are cheap as hell. With low miles too. Gulia QF’s also seem to have dropped with the few I saw being in the low $50's. Not bad.

LJ909 > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 11/12/2019 at 13:16

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Right. And they are cheap too. I’ ve seen many going for Optima money. I just cant get over that front fascia though.

Saracen > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 13:38

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A5

LJ909 > Saracen 11/12/2019 at 13:46

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Because Audi?

Saracen > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 13:50

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Yes b ecause Audi (gorgeous inside and out, great to drive, etc..) , but also because first gen Panameras did not age well (and I love Panameras) , and because I think Kia builds a car that looks great on paper - it checks all the boxes in what customers look for - but is not as good of a cohesive package as it should be. And Kia dealers suck.

LJ909 > Saracen 11/12/2019 at 13:58

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Good points. Enough to make me consider an A5 Sportback.

Panameras, in typical German luxury car fashion, didn’ t age well. And even the ones with low miles for the year that they are, like the one I used for an example, show wear and age in places like the seats, steering wheel, headlights etc.

Kia does build a great car. And the Stinger is at the top of my list. But I’ve been reading and following long term tests and while nothing big goes wrong ( they are reliable) its little annoyances like the back hatch rattling that would get me. And yea the buying experience is bad enough that it could make them kill it it because they are turning buyers away by just being stupid.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 14:06

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TIL my G37 is faster to 60 than a Panamera 4 , by almost a full second.

And I’d pick the Stinger, most and newest features, as well as the great warranty and the fastest.

Thisismydisplayname > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 14:11

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A5, best fit and finish without the dent to the wallet for every repair as would be the case with the Porsche. I wouldn’t bother with the Kia myself, but I also don’t follow this advice as I own a 10 year old Audi as well. And yes, being a performance model, similar to the  porsche, it gets costly when parts fail.  If I could have kept my S4, that would be the one to have.  But the small size made it tough to haul the kiddos.  But the Audi’s are great to drive, although I like the S# cars better, you still get the good interiors and solid ride with the A# Audi’s too, and a bit of a discount to go with them.

Thisismydisplayname > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 14:15

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Why not a S4?  You need to go back to 2016 model year to nab a sub 50k mike example for less than 30k, but I’d do one of those anyday over any of the other three.  But I’m partial.  I had a ‘12 S4 6mt for 3 years and loved it. 

Thisismydisplayname > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 14:17

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LJ909 > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/12/2019 at 14:31

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Thats because of weight I think . A Panamera 4 is like 4200 lbs. 

LJ909 > Thisismydisplayname 11/12/2019 at 14:34

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For some reason I feel the A5 would be pricey to repair but not as pricey as Im imagining it to be. Plus unlke the A/S4, you have that hatch versatility. Which comes in handy with the kids.

LJ909 > Thisismydisplayname 11/12/2019 at 14:43

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I honestly have never cared for the S4. It always came across as the S model where Audi didn’ try hard enough. Even the old V8 powered ones I’ve driven were meh to me. And later models seemed more S line than full on S. Surprisingly I’d take an S3 over an S4. Even an RS3. But the prices those command new and used can get you more powerful cars with more room.

Spanfeller is a twat > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 14:46

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New Stinger. Hands down a better investment than an A5 or such an old Panamera. 

Chariotoflove > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 15:05

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Stinger.  Best value, best to maintain, and best looking.

CompactLuxuryFan > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 15:21

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I’d probably go for a 4-series GC myself, as they seem to run considerably cheaper than A5s. Out of these three realistically the A5 but at this point I’d rather go more used for a higher trim than get a newer 4-banger.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 15:35

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Less power (295  vs 328 ) and more weight (4200lbs vs 3700)

RPM esq. > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 15:46

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Every single major automotive publication (including Jalopnik!) experienced problems with their press vehicles in just the day or two they had them . Tales of ownership are not much better. You’d have to be insane.

RPM esq. > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 15:47

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Audi S5 Sportback.

LJ909 > CompactLuxuryFan 11/12/2019 at 16:12

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This is true. I almost included the 4 and 6 Series GC in with this, but they aren’ t hatches. Plus the 4 GC seems to be really cheap in 428 trim. But with it being BMW, the repair costs are probably close if not on par with the Panamera, especially on 435 and 440 trims.

LJ909 > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/12/2019 at 16:14

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This proves that in a lot of instances power to weight ratios mean everything. 

LJ909 > RPM esq. 11/12/2019 at 16:16

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Right. That’ s why I said I’d have to do research. Most of the unreliability I’ve read about come from press and slight owner stories. From the little I have delved into, it seems no one actually owns a QF. And if they do they aren’ t talking about the bad. I agree with you though.

LJ909 > RPM esq. 11/12/2019 at 16:18

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Really? Thats saying something coming from someone that drives a C63. Is it because Audi?

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 17:13

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Not sure I follow...you don’t like th e front fascia, or it’s different from the higher trims?

RPM esq. > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 17:36

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I’m not shopping for me here, I’m shopping for you off the list and considerations you listed. I think an S5 hits the same sweet spot as the A5 but solves the power differential. And I really like Audi’s interiors.

AMGtech would probably k now better than me, but a full brake job (pads and rotors) on a C63 507 or performance pack is like $4k because the front rotors are $950 each.

RPM esq. > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 17:41

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Anecdotally, when they first came out I saw QF’s pretty regularly downtown (where there are lots of nice European cars to see in and around the office buildings) . A couple years later and I haven’t seen any Giulia in months, to the point that I got excited when I saw one on the highway a couple weeks ago. My theory is that people leased them, gave them up the second their lease was up, and went to a BMW or Audi dealer to replace them.

LJ909 > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 11/12/2019 at 17:57

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It different and apparent. At least to me. Its not as handsome on the base cars. Its like how you could tell the difference between a first gen Chrysler 300 and a 300C. Subtle, but not. And somehow it looks cheap from certain angles. Look.

Heres a Stinger 2.0T

And here’ s a Stinger GT

Subtle but different. The GT is more aggressive in its grill design and headlight trim. The 2.0 gets a basic grill and big halogen headlights and somehow its not that cohesive with the rest of the car. That’ s just me though.

LJ909 > RPM esq. 11/12/2019 at 18:01

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Yea you cant beat the interior of an Audi. its not even comparable to anything else. I just find it crazy though how even the S5 is down on power compared to the Stinger GT.

$4k is insane for a brake job but not surprised. I know a brake job on a Cayenne is about the same too.

LJ909 > RPM esq. 11/12/2019 at 18:06

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This is my theory as well. I’ ve never seen a QF which is surprising since here in SoCal I would expect to see something like that. I have seen regular Giulia around but its here and there. Probably 2 a month or every other month. But that theory of yours would hold. They went in thinking that they would get an Italian 3 Series, which is true to a point, but it wasn’ t what they thought it was so they went to to the Germans anyway.

It shows in the used listings too. There’ s only 83 for sale used within 100 miles of me, with 6 of those being QF’s. No one’s buying em.

CompactLuxuryFan > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 18:38

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The 4 GC is definitely a hatch. Don’t think the 6 is, though.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > LJ909 11/12/2019 at 19:54

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Yeah, was going to say, the only thing I see different is a slightly different grille and the lights. Might be possible to find some at a wreckers though - lights and a GT grill? Who knows!

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > LJ909 11/13/2019 at 20:06

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New Kia Stinger GT. Dependability and reliability with a phenomenal warranty aren’t something to sneeze at.

LJ909 > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors 11/13/2019 at 20:18

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Thats the most important thing to think about with the Stinger: the Value quotient. While many people will go for something like the Audi because of the interior or something like that, the warranty alone on the Kia is enough to make any other purchase of a competitor a fools errand.