Thinking about a used Cayenne

[berettafan]

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?

[onewhippedpuppy]

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.

[Gianni at Pelican Parts]

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.

[vash]

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.

[Nostril Cheese]

They eat tires and fuel. Fun though.

[tdw28210]

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.

[tdw28210]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

They eat tires and fuel. Fun though.

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

[wildthing]

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.

[brainz01]

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.

[edgemar]

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

[SiberianDVM]

Love mine: 2009 Turbo S

[speeder]

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.

[racer]

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)

[Mr. Merk]

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

[stealthn]

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

[RNajarian]

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.

[smokintr6]

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.

[Mr. Merk]

Originally Posted by stealthn

Had a gen 1 turbo and hauled a trailer with, no problem. Could pass anything with the trailer on.

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

[Tim Hancock]

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.

[Embraer]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

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 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.