Thinking about a used Cayenne
 

Getting to the mid life crisis stage where i feel like i should enjoy driving each and every time i get into my car. I love my truck but it's a functional tool rather than a joy.

I regularly tow a 21' fiberglass skiff and as well a golf cart on a landscaping trailer. Is the base Cayenne good to go with this? I think i'd kill a turbo with constant foot in the throttle driving so considering checking out either a newer base or Platinum and also the v8 GTS (13, 14) and S models.

We don't have room to add a toy car like a Cayman as my son is about to get his license and 3 cars is enough to shuffle, can't be doing 4. I fish, hunt and crab out of my vehicle so it's gonna get used hard.

Anyone here actually use the Cayenne as a truck?

I had a 2009 GTS, it was great for an SUV. So if you actually need some of the functional aspects like towing and hauling I think it would be great. Definitely drive a GTS, it was exponentially better than the newer S that I test drove. The basic S was very boring to me, it felt like any other luxury SUV. The GTS drives like a sports sedan.

I am an avid track enthusiast and I see Cayenne's as tow vehicle's all the time.

They are rated to tow over 7000lbs due to the beefy transmission.

I believe all the models get the same 8 speed tiptronic transmission if you're looking at 2011+ models.

my good friend had the Diesel version. that car left a lasting impression on me. it was awesome.

white with black interior. i vaguely remember red seat belts and highlights. could be my vivid imagination. it was fast and agile.

They eat tires and fuel. Fun though.

Get a 2015 or 2016 (958.2) diesel with the LED headlights. Can pass as 2018. Gets killer gas mileage (32-ish on the highway), pulls like a truck and basically has a 120k mile/10 yr powertain warranty thanks to the deiselgate settlement. They are tough to find, but worth the effort.

The Turbo S's certainly do, not so sure about the base and diesels though.

I haven't really used mine as a truck but I can't recommend rubber floor mats enough, main cabin and trunk... It may take a while but find one that has the hitch already installed. New ones are $1K at Suncoast, plus dealer install (or so they recommend). I'd get the S, not the base.

Don't buy a base. Buy a turbo. Way more smiles per gallon.

Turbo failures are very rare and you wouldn't be able to keep your foot in it long enough to overheat them unless you have some seriously long, straight road.

I occasionally rent a trailer any use my '06CTT as a hauler. I've never pulled more than 2500lbs, but at that weight, you'd hardly know it was back there. Plenty of guys on the R-list forums have experience pulling up to the 7000lb max without issue.

I think some folks on this board have the VR6 Cayenne and are happy with them. I'm considering one for my next ride.

Love mine: 2009 Turbo S

I thought about one and was even shopping them last winter before the pandemic. I want an AWD car for skiing and road trips in winter plus I was going to hit all the film festivals last year before they were canceled, (Telluride/Sundance/SXSW), hauling some merch for a business idea.

That didn't happen, obviously. :)

The bottom line is that they are awesome vehicles, really capable but also seriously impractical. You can get a lot more cargo room in an AWD minivan, (don't laugh-the newer ones are fantastic), or drive a used diesel 4x4 PU w shell for less fuel cost and have a seriously versatile vehicle, (but a lot less sporty, of course).

My conclusion was that if you really want a Cayenne, you can justify it from certain angles but it's a really expensive way to roll over asphalt. Between purchase price, fuel/tires/brakes/maintenance/insurance and depreciation, (on a late model), it's pretty insane for my uses. YMMV, as they say. :cool:

Do you use your truck bed for things? ie, when you hunt or fish, where do you put your gear? Toss it in the bed or do you put it in the cabin with you? Messy items? Bulky items? - maybe they won't fit as easily as you think. If you are comfortable with all that stuff in the same cabin as you, then maybe it would work. but if you like to toss things in the bed of your truck and hose it out a week later, then maybe a fully carpeted and leather lined SUV isn't ideal.

My dad has a 2015 V6 version. 300hp. Its quite nice and is tow rated the same as all the other models (7700lbs or so)

We bought a 2008 Turbo to tow our 6000lb camper. My wife loves it as a daily driver.

Had a gen 1 turbo and hauled a trailer with, no problem. Could pass anything with the trailer on. Had no problems with it before I sold it.

My wife recently bought a 12 S that has CPO warranty, and we just got the transfer case replaced under warranty. These are a very common problem so I would look to see if it’s been replaced or has a warranty - they will fail if original.

Great SUV’s

I’ve got a Gen 1 2005 Base Model ordered new from factory. Other than a couple of recalls that the dealer addressed, no problems (fingers crossed) to date.

55,000 original miles, freeway MPG isn’t too bad, 20-21 mpg. If it would need to be replaced I would look at a CPO circa 2014.

I’ve got a friend with a Gen 2 diesel, he loves it.

The tow hitch is a big plus even if you don’t tow, I use a basket that attaches to the tow hitch when I need extra room or want to leave dirty items out of the inside during transport.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1602080053.jpg

I have had friends with biiig repair bills on these. Quite a few endemic problems with various trims and generations. The only Cayenne that I would consider owning would be a gen 1 Turbo, but they are hideous. I would also consider any newer trim as long as its still under warranty for the period of time I would be operating it. I would also do some research on the diesel version. Probably not nearly as fun to drive as the turbo, but they seem fairly economical, as long as they don't blow up.

Except the pump. I'd pass all the HD trucks and trailers in the mountains like :D and then SmileWavy when they passed by the gas station as I was filling up every 1-2hrs.

I have towed my race car trailer (6000 pounds?) And my 21' Io boat with my '08 Base Cayenne. I have also pulled the aforementioned boat with my wife's '13 base Cayenne. No issues with either and I would not hesitate to pull either across the country. The 6 has plenty of power and good brakes. In sport mode both are plenty quick for daily driving. I buy them used with some miles so I avoid the more complex 8 cylinder models with air suspension and other fancy doo dad's that are expensive to fix. Previously I owned a X5 BMW that was not nearly as nice to drive IMO and had several issues. My '08 is now my daily driver and had 208,000 miles. I have nice weather tech fitted mats in both which clean up like new even if I crawl in with muddy boots.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1602107941.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1602107941.jpg

I love my '08 GTS. Lapis blue with the full leather interior, towing package, etc. I tow my 22' aluminum trailer with it.

Just did the cardan shaft on it at 118,000 miles. First time.

Wow so much help here thanks! Tim your comments about simplifying the drivetrain/less to break and still plenty fast/fun to drive resonate. How DIY friendly are these for oil changes, brakes, etc?

I've done oil (topside), fuel, air and cabin on my 2015 diesel. Honestly, the cabin filter was the worst. Kind of awkward, cattywampuss orientation to while straining to look up to locate everything. I've not done the brakes. PO had those done.

I have not found my car, 2010 GTS, any more difficult to work on than any other vehicle. Everything has been straight forward for regular maintenance like oil changes, spark plugs, brakes, fluids, filters and belts. The starter is under the intake manifold and the alternator is difficult to get to but those are not regular maintenance.

Battery on my 2009 is under the drivers seat, making it inconvenient but not impossible to DIY.

Same here, I did a major service on a 2009 GTS and it wasn’t bad.

I wouldn't mind adding a diesel pepper wagon to the fleet :D . I have " heard " that to remove the engine from any of the variants means removing the engine/transmission/transfer case and front suspension assembly as an entire unit :( . Anyone know if that is true ?

This little aspect of the vehicle is a PIA

I'm happy with the 2011 Turbo I bought in 2015. It was CPO and they replaced the high pressure, low pressure, and fuel control unit under warranty because it died 3 times. They replaced an LED tail light that went out. They also replaced the transfer case right before it went out of warranty because I told them "it was acting weird". After warranty, they did the cam bolt recall and I noticed the other day that they replaced all 8 coils during that work.

I've changed the oil, brakes, air filters, windshield wipers, spark plugs, horns (which involves removing the whole front bumper assembly), battery, and cleaned out the sunroof drains. None of it was overly difficult but you do need a Durametric or similar to reset the maintenance codes.

We got a CPO 2013, 4 years ago. Base with the V6. Also has the optional 14-way seats.

Absolutely the best car I have ever owned. Period. End of story.

Incredible on the highway, but pretty nimble around town. Not great on gas, but better than any X5 six cylinder I owned. Will buy another when time comes to part with this one.

Do the electronics last longer than the warranty?

Yep. Which is why when it goes in for its next oil change, C&C Automotive will be doing it. My post-4-surgery back is bad enough as it is.

Mine have . . . So far

Ok lots of good info here. So i found a '16 GTS within a half hour of me. Gave it a test drive. First impression is it's small. Second impression is it was raining and the car felt very stable and secure. Confidence inspiring in the wet for sure. Didn't get on it much but around town driving would probably be more fun with a diesel version. Comfortable seats. Not at all impressed with the switch gear particularly the stalks which were tiny and cheap feeling.

Bottom line i can't fish and hunt out of a Cayenne so it wouldn't work as a replacement for my truck. I think it would make a very pleasant DD (though i'd probably look for the std model or diesel) but then i'd have to get a second vehicle for fishing and hunting which we just don't have the space for.

:confused:

https://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-capacity-aluminum-cargo-carrier-92655.html
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/attac...elope-rack-jpg

https://www.etrailer.com/Fishing-Rod-Holders/Rhino-Rack/RR574F.html
https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-hpfp...499372.jpg?c=2


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsyirAvWWSw

While the Cayenne feels small, I've found it roomy enough. With the driver's seat all the way back, there's still reasonable room for someone sitting behind the driver in the 958 vs the 957. I can also fit my unusually tall bike in the back:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1602601587.JPG

Love my 04 Turbo, trouble free vehicle equal to my Hondas
I did Cardan shaft, added tow from a junkyard
Gen1 is still the best looking even though others copied the shape. go for it

Merk i'm just picturing pulling the duck boat out from a hunt. covered in mud on my waders, back the trailer in, walk into the water to load the boat, climb back in the truck to pull the trailer out THEN get out and remove wet, muddy waders. It would be a bit upsetting to have to remove mud from alcantara!

Hmm...i could see if my wife would be amenable to letting me use her Sequoia for those times and she could take the Cayenne....Need to find a diesel and base to drive and see how they feel.

I have not had to work on our '13 base yet but I have done light maintenance on our '08 base and it was not too difficult.

Ha, weathertechs and a seat cover, but our turbo has leather. Easy enough to clean.