Given everything, I would only consider a one or two generation old Lexus.

Bore scoring is an issue with a small percentage of 955 and 957 Cayennes. It's only prevalent in very cold climates and collective wisdom is to use the best oils, change every 5000 and well below freezing, start and go, don't let idle. My truck was originally from Canada and used as a ski truck. I've started it many times at 4:30 in the morning at 10ºF and it's still going strong, knock on wood. Only use Liqui Moly but I'm sure Motul will work as well.

There are a lot of known issues with early Cayennes but if they have already been corrected by a responsible owner, I think they will go for 300K+ miles of excellent service with reasonable care.

I kinda like the adjustable ride height and had it set one down from the middle for regular driving. Raised it one time when I went off-roading. But then again I let it go at 90K miles... I know they tend to fail eventually.

No issues with the air suspension on my 2004 Twin Turbo. It is almost 220K miles. I use it daily as my wife is less than 5ft tall (and not getting any younger)... so she has to climb up when the suspension height is set to normal. I set it to loading for her ingress/egress. I did the same for my mother before she died. She was taller (about 5'7", but quite heavy and could not get in easily at normal height. She did fit pretty well in back though. Lots of room back there and its own heat/cooling as well as heated seats.

I raise the ride height to high when I have to get under it to work on it, change the oil, etc...so I don't have to jack it up.

I have done minimal maintenance/repairs and the car has held up well. I have used it to tow cross country quite a few times without issue. I would probably get a new one, but this one still looks and runs good and almost worthless to sell trade.

The Turbo version engine have had a better record of engine longevity (no bore scoring issue). Sadly, I have yet to come across a shop that specializes in rebuilding these engines/transmissions. I find it hard to get anyone to work on mine locally and generally have to do it myself. The same as with my air cooled.

The low loading height setting is handy for getting heavy things in and out of the back. High is great for oil changes.

Thank you all! What I need won't see snow, no towing, no hauling, no ride-height adj. needed... the Highlander's height is perfect and a car isn't. Very few miles will be added. I've always maintained my Carrera .... it's "special" ... this one won't be :D.

That's a plus for a Lexus .... and a "good" version of either that are older will be just fine .... and preferred ...

I don't care for newer ______s ... none of them ... even if they were free .... they'd prolly be white!

I have just started the search... hoping Tim changes his mind :)...

Interesting thread. I hope the OP finds what he is looking for. Overall like my 2011 Lexus RX350 with no major problems. It has 80k miles. Low mileage for the year. But might trade it in for a smaller Lexus.

As mentioned above the impact of weather on a vehicle can be severe. Lexus has been overall good in this regard. No block heater and not needed. It starts at minus 40C/40F.

I see a few Cayennes around here but more Macans. Good luck with your search!
Cheers, Guy.

Saw a video with a Mexico Blue Macan. OMG was that thing hot looking.

Anyways just posting to follow this as i cannot get the idea of a less expensive Cayenne out of my head. Should've jumped on the diesel that was offered to me here a while back.

If Lexus is in the cards i'd strongly recommend the GX 470 if you can find one with not too many miles. As with all things Toyota it is more or less soulless transportation but it's built better than it had to be and has one of the all time great motors.

I've had Toyota motors from 4 cyl college Corollas, an awesome Supra Turbo 6 cyl, a Lexus SC 400 ... in beautimous Pearl White :D.

Don't need or want an 8 cyl in this one.... and it will NOT be white ... it might become a zebra ;)

IIRC, piston bore scoring was an issue for Non-turbo engines. The turbocharged engines were equipped with dry sump oil circulation and piston oil squirters for cooling purposes. A side effect of that cooling effort was superior piston skirt and cylinder bore lubrication. I hope I'm remembering that accurately.

KC in my opinion the 3.6 VR6 base Cayenne is the best bang for your buck . Find the cleanest lowest mileage unit with maintenance records you can find . Get a PPI and if it checks out move forward .

I am on my second Cayenne V6, and I can attest the engine is very reliable. My first one was a 2008 model that I bought with 112,000 miles and traded back at 168,000 miles for the second one which is a 2014 I got with 53,000 miles and is now at 110,000 miles. When I traded the first one, it had developed an exhaust leak that would have had to be fixed, but ran very well otherwise.

The second one had transfer case issue that was fixed under recall warranty, but then developed a differential issue that cost $5k to replace. In that regard, the first one was a better deal. However at some point the pcv valve had to be replaced, and that involved taking off the whole intake assembly and replacing the valve cover.

What I am saying is, even with the super reliable V6, there will be other issues to look for, and here is the list based on my personal experience:

2008 model:
- PCV valve
- Coolant leak at engine plastic elbow.
- Rear transmission shaft support

2014 model
- transfer case
- differential

We have just over 110K on our 11 Turbo and previously had over 180K on our 2005 Turbo. The 2005 we still service at our shop, has about 230K on it now, 2 more owners later. Both have been great vehicles.

If you plan to do any towing, air suspension is a must. I tow my 20 foot enclosed aluminum trailer with my Radical SR3, Rolling tool box, spare wheel/tires, 8 full 5 gallon fuel jugs, jacks, etc and the 2011 Turbo doesn't even know it is there, except for the fuel gauge..... it knows.... :)

I daily drive the 11, all year around, and after owning over 40 Porsches it may be my Favorite all around one. It is VERY fast (its a tad modified), handles well, hauls the 2 Boxers to the Vet or park, tows my trailer etc, does everything well.

We see a lot of Cayennes in the shop for maintenance/repair. The 958 seems to require less repairs vs the 957/955. But it is also newer so.... The 958 Interior is also a step up from the 955/957 (which are still good).

We have even built a couple of "safari" ones, which I am tempted to do to the 958 Turbo if we ever replace it with something else.

Cheers

I appreciate all the input ... I need to go sit in and drive one ... even a white one!

$$$ is no object Tim ... I have green ink ;)

Did they get biglier over the years ... smaller is better ... that's why I don't have a newer F150 ... and it IS still white...

A Maaco Zebra mebbe ;)

Why not white?
White would be at the top of my list for a vehicle like that. Doesn't show dust and dirt and always looks good.

I used to enjoy washing the cars...now, not so much. My Civic is gray and is another good color for not showing the dirt.

Not a Cayenne but I LOVE the air suspension on my Ram. The ride and handling is fantastic for a truck and I have used both the off road height and loading height adjustment multiple times.

I think I made it quite clear that I am a racist .... black is out too :).

I had a Subaru (white) 4 banger back when we whoopdidoo'd .... saw an Outback SUV style yesterday .... perfect size too. Are they decent?

I've done some casual online searches .... this thread has already been helpful... thanks!

Timely thread, just bought a 2018 CPO Cayenne S. Harper Porsche in Knoxville TN, flew out and drove it home to NM this week. What a fun road trip home! It's a great SUV, highly recommend. I prefer the looks of the 957, but they are all high mileage these days so decided to go with a 958.2.

Please tell me it was in glorious white .... then I won't be mad at ya :)!

There is a low mileage black perfect 10 Cayenne GTS close to me. Only $23K for 69K miles. So tempting.