We would have been thrilled with 15mpg on the Tourag I'm referring to. It was more like 9mpg on premium.

15-17 is very acceptable for a powerful SUV. And I know they are not a Prius. I drive plenty of trucks.

9mpg !? --Yikes! What, at 120mph?

fwiw, my Cayenne computer says average MPH is a slow 27mph. Read: not that much freeway, other than rush-hour :-/

Sheesh, maybe I should buy a Prius. Ha! - Hells no!

Just city driving and lots of hills and canyons.

Towing a boat? - I kid.

In conclusion, we changed direction and went back to a small wagon. After test drives of X5, Cayenne and Touregs we decided on an Audi A3 Quattro (used with 50k miles). The commentary here was helpful in setting expectations for an SUV that although perfect on a test drive, may and probably will have some issue in the future. Just have to be prepared.
So yesterday we stopped at local Audi dealer to look at their used SUVs and noticed an A3 on the lot. Looked at the back and read that it was Quattro. We took it out and the primary driver (spouse) loved it. It fit like a glove, accelerated and handled great. And with seats folded down can handle 95% of what we need to haul. Roof rails on top for the other 5% (hopefully). The other SUVs were fine, but when she drove the A3 it was only positive comments (gas mileage, comfort, visibility, ease to park...). The handling etc was similar to our prior 325xi wagon which we had for 8 years. Anyway, not the predicted direction but at least we have an AWD all season "practical" car. And I'm prepared for the inevitable repairs (it is an Audi CPO so if needed I hope it has actual value) - but fingers crossed for nothing major to occur....
Cheers,

Congrats! That's always my big issue with the performance SUV, you can still find a wagon that does everything better.

Nice! Congrats

Is it black?

Thought I might as well get that over with...

Congrats on your purchase.

concerned that those SUV options would probably will have some issue in the future.

So you bought an Audi A3?

oye.

Vey

Quick question for the owners at higher altitudes, specifically Colorado. Have you had any problems with your Cayenne diesels? I have a friend that lives in CO and he's looking at the Cayenne diesel and the X5 diesel but has heard nothing but bad things about the Cayenne diesel leaving people on the side of the road with engine issues.

We see lots of both in the shop. For general maintenance up to and including brakes there isn't much to choose between them price wise. However, we REPAIR more X5s than we do Cayennes. The V8 X5's are worse than the straight 6 ones. Both the x5 and the cayenne are good to drive and both have their issues....

We own a 2005 CTT with almost 200,00 kms (125,000 miles) that my wife drives daily. It just got a second brake job (and it has been on the racetrack) and we put a fuel pump in it about 4 year ago. Other than that it has been repair free.

Our Cayenne turbo gets driven daily in rush hour traffic/some hwy commute and shows 15-16mpg. Far better on the hwy and far worse when punks in hondas with big tailpipes want to race my wife... :)

Cheers

Congrats! What year A3?

I like hatch backs. They have practically all the utility of a small SUV except for the ground clearance. But in return they handle!

G

Hahaha...I like that. :)

LOL. Had my wife kept my GTS, a ticket was inevitable. She also drove my C63 like she stole it, including racing some dude in a Camaro.:D

Some things just need tending...

Hey guys - never planned to reboot this thread with this news, but we are in a similar position again after three years of A3 hatchback ownership. Spouse was hit hard on passenger side rear wheel by another car driving where it should not have been (the shoulder to bypass backed up traffic at a light). Thankfully no one was injured. The car was totaled by insurance company and as we wait the settlement, the search begins. BTW we loved that A3 - never left us stranded, went through snow without issue here in Philadelphia and served us well on moves for kids back/forth to college - surprisingly practical considering overall size. Was not planning to sell it. It just worked.

Going to look at a 2010 Cayenne S tomorrow with <40k miles. There is a good amount of info on these cars (anyone see the TFL review on youtube of his 2010 Cayenne after 3 years use? Raves about it), and positive experiences. I'll look at it, but not buy immediately (I hope...).

What would be the Toyota equivalent - Land Cruiser? Anyone dd a 4Runner - or from another perspective, is the 4Runner too much of a truck for suburban and PA and NJ turnpike driving (70-75mph)?

Thanks in advance for any feedback from experienced Toyota - or other SUV - owners - former or current - as the search for an SUV has begun...

Probably end up with another A3 hatch...

I’m sorry to hear about the demise of the car, but it sounds like the missus came out OK, so that’s great news. Good luck and keep us informed!

Just my .02. The cayenne is a far better built vehicle, and will most likely be more friendly to own over an x5.