Help me find a Cayenne pepper ...
 

wagon ... methinks.

I have decide, spur of the moment, that I must have one... don't ask ;)!

I've read they are bargains ... just want a good reliable SUV and they look cool ... for one of those....

No performance enhancements needed ... it'll be a taxi....

IT MUST NOT BE WHITE!

The older the better .... for a good one ... yep!

Thanks a bunch .... I'll start my quest later on, but since we have Mattbots here ... why not here :)

Thanks!

I am a racist ;)

I’m going to create a bot that helps people shop for cars, like the Carfox but not a fraud.:)

You said older the better, what model are you looking at? Price range? Tim Hancock swears by the V6 base models, I’m partial to the V8 and have owned a 955 GTS that was quite good for an SUV. Any particular features you want? The PASM air suspension is really good and provides a lot of adjustability, but obviously that’s more stuff to break too. This is one where I would definitely be looking private party only, and want something with service records. They can be good trucks if kept up on.

I just hit 165K miles on '10 GTS. It has been very reliable but I don't think they have that reputation in general. A Lexus would be a better choice for a taxi. But if you need a Cayenne, get a 2008-2010 base model with a V6. The key is a file folder of owner repair records and a good PPI.

These things are the new 944/928 of years gone by, purchased by people who couldn't afford to fix them, so buy the best one you can find from an original or second owner.

I have said over and over here, a 957 GTS is the best "if I could only have one car" vehicle ever made. By far.

If you live anywhere that gets snow or have the need to haul bigger stuff I would 100% agree with Shaun. I’m partial to a good sports sedan, but the Cayenne does a pretty good sports sedan impression with some additional practical advantages.

The only big thing I’m aware of with the early V8 models are the plastic cooling pipes that tended to crack and were later upgraded to metal. Here’s a good DIY write up. Otherwise it’s mostly what I would call typical German car stuff for upkeep.

https://blog.ecstuning.com/how-to-replace-or-upgrade-your-porsche-cayenne-s-or-cayenne-turbo-coolant-pipe/

I thought some had engine failure?

Just a quick update .... I have not searched for anything yet... a 6 cyl Cayenne or Lexus 350 will work ... non-white.

A taxi for my parents ... easy to ingress/egress and I don't like the Highlander that I bought for mom ... and she might drive it a bit more ... still.

So an older version of either... ideally, it would have belonged to Matt for years and years ;)...

Thanks!

It’s getting in and out is an issue and you want to go with the Cayenne I would definitely get the air suspension model. It’s more complex and more things to break but you can lower the truck way way down so it’s like getting into a Ferrari.

I wouldn't eliminate looking at a dealership for a good used one. We bought our Macan S that way and negotiated the CPO warranty into the deal. I know I paid more than private party, but ours was owned by a meticulous wealthy couple who cycled through new ones every 4 years. It had higher miles, but was spotless and had all services done. We've now had it for 5 1/2 years and since my wife retired, it is babied and driven under 5k miles per year.

I don’t think many of the base V6 models will have the air suspension. CPO with full dealer documentation would be good but I don’t know if Porsche will even CPO something that old.

About 240k now on my '08 6 cylinder. Have only had to fix a few items for the 100k plus miles I have owned it.

Had trans valve chest rebuilt after initial purchase 130k ish due to hard shift in a gear or two... high pressure fuel pump at around 190k.... Replaced one radiator fan at about 190k... replaced original battery about 2 years ago... repaired one flex pipe near exhaust manifold at about 200k... Replaced air/oil separator at about 225k

Maintenance wise.
Oil changes, Transfer case oil change a couple times with Ravenol, Trans fluid change once... due again soon. Brake pads and rotors changed twice over entire ownership. Just recently changed front and rear original diff oil and replaced all 4 original shocks/springs with cheap aftermarket, lifted it a couple inches and added new larger tires. It is my daily driver for work and with the new tires and shocks, I recently made the decision to continue driving it for several more years vs dumping it for something newer. Still drives nice and interior is still nice looking although I now have a few small door dings and car could use a good buffing session. :)

Wife's 2013 6 cylinder Cayenne has a bit over 100k and has been trouble free so far with only work being tires and brake pads once.

Sounds perfect Tim ... just name yer price for either one ... I have rattlecan paint too :D!

Air suspension, etc. don't want or need ... cars are an issue .... too low.

Is cargooroos still a decent search site .... any others?

:D Neither are for sale... Wife's '13 is our newest "good" car but should last several more years before she starts jonesing for a newer one. She will likely retire next year so daily mileage will drop off considerably.

I really like our older simpler cars we buy used with cash... Someday I will be faced with having to buy the newer overworked turboed small motored cars with crappy CVT transmissions and overly complex electrical/fuel systems that will be more difficult to DIY maintain/repair.

Damn CAFE standards, safety regulations and unwanted tech features.:mad:

Get a 2015 or '16 diesel. My '16 is under warranty until Dec. 2026. Tows like a champ and gets 32 mpg on the highway.

As a close plan B, I have a bulletproof 2011 Lexus RX350 that may be up for sale in Jan. Alas, it is indeed white. ;)

Everything is for sale for a price. Since KC prints his own money....

https://www.rollingstone.com/wp-cont...9-87664_lg.jpg

:D

Help me find a Cayenne pepper ...
Walmart has em.

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2018/0...292349_640.jpg

For searching look at Cargurus, Autotrader, Cars.com, EBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace if you’re a Facebook guy. If you’re looking for one with or without air suspension, look between the shifter and cup holders on the console, right side. Air suspension has a control panel for height and handling mode, non air suspension will have a small coin tray.

I recently bought a complete new set of assembled front and rear struts with new springs for $260 on Ebay for my '08 non air suspension Cayenne. I shudder to think what air shocks and air suspension components would cost to replace.

Am guessing the air suspension Cayennes work just fine, but I like not having to worry about it on my high mileage cars.

Rebuilt units are $500/pair each end Tim so a lot more than springs. The combination of sport mode (and normal and soft modes), raising up the truck to drive over any median or parking lot divider without care and leveling a trailer more than makes up for the cost IMHO. Honestly, the sport mode alone easily justifies the cost. I would expect to replace mine by 200K miles. Compressors go too but again those are cheap rebuilt or aftermarket.

I am constantly amazed at how inexpensive part are for the truck.

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.