RideLust

Ever since the Porsche Panamera debuted, I’ve seen and heard nothing but criticism about the car’s looks. Journalists have universally panned the design, and every single car fan I’ve spoken to equates the Panamera to such design classics as the Pontiac Aztec and the Suzuki X90. It’s not quite scare-the-kids-and -make-the-dog-hide ugly, but I don’t think that the Porsche Panamera graces very many teen bedroom walls.

Someone is buying Panameras, though, since Carscoop tells us that Porsche has shipped some 22,500 units worldwide since sales began. The bulk of the sales have been the sensible Panamera 4S model, but sales of the Panamera Turbo are surprisingly robust despite the car’s $133,000 plus asking price . To no one’s surprise, the lower cost six cylinder version has racked up sales of nearly 2,400 units since its launch a few weeks back.

Maybe buying a Panamera is like that freaky cabbage-and-high-heel fetish you have. You’re not comfortable admitting to it in public, but when the lights go down you crank the freak knob to 12 in your stilettos and shredded-cabbage-filled-bathtub (not that I’m judging, by the way). Some things just feel too good to quit, regardless of what others may think of you, and I suspect that driving a Panamera is much like that.