Cayenne Advice Needed

[1JB]

I would not buy a new base Cayenne or a used Turbo. I drive the base as a dealer loaner when my car has been in and it's underpowered imho. The Tip on it also behaves very strangely under certain conditions, downshifting in turns and when I was rolling down an entrance ramp. That may be becuas of all the different drivers in a loaner and a resulting screwed up "adaptive" trasnmission. I recommend the Acura MDX. Drive one, it's one heck of a great SUV. I've owned one since 2002 and new models are even better.

The turbo Cayenne is off the charts in cost and a used one expensive in turns of maintenance. -Jim

The main agreement is "get the S if your gonna get one". Im gonna go test drive it today or tomorrow or something. I will let ya know my impressions then.

[RandallNeighbour]

Ditto on both poster's comments on the Acura and the VW... depending if you want Jap or German. Both are excellent specimens and will be very reliable. Neither are very strong sellers in their class though... at least in my part of the country. Maybe your mom could get a good deal on one.

I would not talk her into buying a Porsche SUV unless she has her heart set on one... an Acura or even a VW will be a lot less money to maintain in a couple of years when maintenance is required.

It is almost hard to believe that the Cayenne (new ones) is a 4.5L V8 with 450-520 HP (Turbo and Turbo S modles). That's a lot of engine!

I went and drove them today. Base model was good and I liked it a lot. I went and drove the turbo too though . The salesman only had 2 rules: You pay for your own tickets and you cant let a minivan pass you. It was a lot of fun... seriously. But the base model was all supple leather and plenty good. I think im gonna try and get a 24 hour test drive so I can drive it home so my mom can inspect it and drive it.

[Perfectlap]

if you are about to buy then it would be a good idea to post in the Cayenne section of Rennlist. Those guys probably have a ton of suggestions.

[racer_d]

My only experience with a Cayanne was as a passenger in the rear seat. We were driving back from the track in my friends "tow vehicle". I was very impressed by the ride quality and handling of this "truck". His was an "S"- 340hp 4.5l V8. Pulled nicely. Really was a nice experience. Mileage sucks though. My friend sold it after 2 years, but I can't remember why, exactly. A little "small" when it came to rear seat leg room, imho.

I believe the base (V-6) model is still available with a stick shift, though not certain.

If considering the Cayenne, consider also its corporate "twins" the Toureg (V6/V8/V10TDi) and Audi Q7.

[z12358]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

It is almost hard to believe that the Cayenne (new ones) is a 4.5L V8 with 450-520 HP (Turbo and Turbo S modles). That's a lot of engine!

Too much engine, I think. I don't know why but that many horses just shouldn't come in a vehicle with such a high and heavy center of gravity. An invitation for trouble, especially if drivers are lulled by a false sense of security provided by the AWD, traction control, and other such gadgetry. Physics, is physics, and no magic can control that thing in a slippery curve at high speed.

Z.

Say that... After youve driven a Cayenne turbo. Really, there are limits to a tires grip, ect... but this is a very well behaved car when on its low sport setting. Also, its smart 4WD, not AWD. He didnt really explain that, but something about the differentials locking, ect...

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by z12358

Too much engine, I think. I don't know why but that many horses just shouldn't come in a vehicle with such a high and heavy center of gravity. An invitation for trouble, especially if drivers are lulled by a false sense of security provided by the AWD, traction control, and other such gadgetry. Physics, is physics, and no magic can control that thing in a slippery curve at high speed.

Z.

Cayenne Turbo when it was first unveiled lapped the N-Ring in the same exact time as the BoxsterS...impressive.

[John V]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Ditto on both poster's comments on the Acura and the VW... depending if you want Jap or German. Both are excellent specimens and will be very reliable. Neither are very strong sellers in their class though... at least in my part of the country. Maybe your mom could get a good deal on one.

I would not talk her into buying a Porsche SUV unless she has her heart set on one... an Acura or even a VW will be a lot less money to maintain in a couple of years when maintenance is required.

The VW and the Cayenne will probably be equally bad to maintain - they're basically the same vehicle. We've had some pretty terrible experiences with our VW - they just haven't figured out how to make electrical components that are reliable for the long term.

Acura has been having major problems with their autotragic transmissions for the past five years, and even though I've had Hondas in the past and loved them, I wouldn't risk it at this point.

I'd probably start looking at preowned X5s if I HAD to have an SUV .

[Brucelee]

A Cayeene Turbo? Didn't you guys read the Global warming post yet?

[z12358]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

A Cayeene Turbo? Didn't you guys read the Global warming post yet?

Actually, a big engine and a 4wd would come in handy for the impending race to the hills.

We bought it today. 48,000 and they paid off the caddiliac. Plus I got some leather Porsche driving gloves and my mom got a tshirt, lol. The invoice price was 50,000 so I guess the dealership lost money on that deal (stickered at 57). But im not so sure, they are tricky like that. Will take some pics. Bought it with 140 miles.