Cayenne - tell me what you know

[cashflyer]

I will need to replace my pickup very soon since some jackass ran a light and totaled my truck.

I may just go with another pickup, but I am also musing other alternatives. And the Cayenne came to mind as a possibility.

1. Are there any known "gotcha" issues (like the 996 IMS bearing) ?
   
2. Are there any "bad years" to avoid?
   
3. And since I am looking at used* vehicles, are high mileage examples a bad idea?

* Used, because it will be a work truck. I will haul trash away with it once a week, and my German Shepherd will ride around with me and get fur all in it, and my boots will likely be muddy or dirty quite often... etc. IE, it will be a work truck.

[porsche4life]

I think from what I've heard you want '06 or newer. Only major gotcha is the coolant crossover pipe.

[HardDrive]

Sounds like a poor idea to me. What is Cayenne going to do for you that an F-150 or Silverado won't? Soak up money?

Of course, you go in some interesting directions with it.....

[gtc]

I helped a friend replace the plastic coolant pipes on his wife's Cayenne S ('05?).
It was one of those jobs where you're constantly fighting the urge to light the car on fire and push it off a cliff.
Otherwise, I rather liked the car. Lots of fun to drive. Gets terrible mileage. I bet the turbos are a riot.

[Nostril Cheese]

I make a good deal of money fixing them.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Go for a 2008+, most of the issues from the early models are resolved. It's an SUV that drives like a sports sedan, but personally I still prefer a sports sedan.

[bell]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

I make a good deal of money fixing them.

So do I lol
Brakes are expensive. ....
Plan on changing the drive shaft. ....
Have seen 4 or 5 develope bad piston slap. ...
Coolant pipes, pay someone to do it. ...like us. ...
Tend to eat batteries every couple years. ...
Fuel milage sucks....
Fuel pumps go bad, or the console for the fuel tank will leak...
Rear hatch shocks
Headlamp mount brackets crack, causing the plug to not plug in properly. .....so expect random light faults. ..
I could go on lol
Honestly though, if you have the bank, get the twin turbo.....going cheap right now and are quick fun suvs...

[fintstone]

I have a 2004 Turbo. Very fast, great tow vehicle, handles great, luxurious and comfortable. 12 years old and well over 100k miles and other than replacing the plastic coolant pipes, pretty much as reliable as a Toyota. So far, front brake pads, a light bulb and a battery. Not very good gas mileage and the huge tires are not cheap. The struts that hold up the trunk lid are a little weak and I will eventually replace. Hit a deer at speed and hardly felt it (but did need a new plastic grill and bumper cover).

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by bell

So do I lol
Brakes are expensive. ....
Plan on changing the drive shaft. ....
Have seen 4 or 5 develope bad piston slap. ...
Coolant pipes, pay someone to do it. ...like us. ...
Tend to eat batteries every couple years. ...
Fuel milage sucks....
Fuel pumps go bad, or the console for the fuel tank will leak...
Rear hatch shocks
Headlamp mount brackets crack, causing the plug to not plug in properly. .....so expect random light faults. ..
I could go on lol
Honestly though, if you have the bank, get the twin turbo.....going cheap right now and are quick fun suvs...

I bought an 04 new and just gave it to charity this year with 190,000 miles on her. You have just described my experience to the penny

[Dan J]

I have one and like it very much
I do however own an Independent Porsche repair shop with 5 mechanics
so when it breaks (monthly or sometimes weekly) I just have my guys fix it
It's a great truck though

[impactbumper]

I make living of Cayenne repairs. 955s are getting old, 958s are better be called stationwagen, best ones are 957. V8 is the way to go.

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Sounds like a poor idea to me. What is Cayenne going to do for you that an F-150 or Silverado won't?

I agree. A nice diesel F150. Perfect truck, cheap to get, cheap to keep, easy to fix.

Everything a Cayenne isn't. Also, boring to drive, and looks like every other truck on the road. Which it is, since they sell a bazillion of those things.

[cashflyer]

Brakes are expensive. ....
Plan on changing the drive shaft. ....
Have seen 4 or 5 develope bad piston slap. ...
Coolant pipes, pay someone to do it. ...like us. ...
Tend to eat batteries every couple years. ...
Fuel milage sucks....
Fuel pumps go bad, or the console for the fuel tank will leak...
Rear hatch shocks
Headlamp mount brackets crack, causing the plug to not plug in properly. .....so expect random light faults. ..
I could go on lol
Honestly though, if you have the bank, get the twin turbo.....going cheap right now and are quick fun suvs...

Ok... well, I guess that takes care of that idea!


Re: F-150 ... It's a Ford.
It's slightly better than the Mercedes built Dodge trucks, but I'd rather buy a Volvo wagon and chop off the roof than drive a Ford.

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Re: F-150 ... It's a Ford.
It's slightly better than the Mercedes built Dodge trucks, but I'd rather buy a Volvo wagon and chop off the roof than drive a Ford.

I used to say the same thing. But it does the pickup truck thing just fine, so I use it.

[CarreraDan]

Harvey,
I know you like to work on cars, I know someone who is looking to sell a 2004 Land Rover Discovery, supposedly great condition for just under $7k. Silver over black interior. Let me know if you want details. Rented a new GMC 1500 to haul some big parts this week and was very impressed, they have come a long way in the last 15 years.

[chocolatelab]

We have an 06 S model.

Lot of haters out there but, its been great for us. Super fun to drive.

Bought certified preowned with 29k miles in 09. Coolant pipes had been done.

Has 120k now.

2 set of new brakes and rotors, did them myself, might be the easiest brake job out there.

oil change every 10k

replaced drive shaft at 80 or 90k, apparently they all go around that time.

Does chew up tires.

I have been buying takeoffs from craigslist for dirt cheap. So we have new porsche rims and tires every couple years

I have replaced 5-6 bulbs ( brake lights, front cornering lights )

1 new battery

Thats about it.

Gas mileage blows.

Its sitting in the garage unused right now since Judi wanted a new car. Still likes the car but wants new. Got a diesel 328 bmw wagon for her.

I am hard pressed to sell the cayenne as its been so good.

[vash]

my great friend is absolutely driving the crap out of his Diesel version. traipsing across the country and stuff..i mean coast to coast.

he gets ridiculous MPG..i think 38-40?! it doesnt sound like a diesel. and certainly doesnt seem to run like a diesel either. on-ramp are a push you back into the seat kinda affair.

i havent heard of any major setbacks with his..he has owned some amazing cars, and he describes his as the "best car he ever spent money on..ever"

[island911]

Originally Posted by gtc

I helped a friend replace the plastic coolant pipes on his wife's Cayenne S ('05?).
It was one of those jobs where you're constantly fighting the urge to light the car on fire and push it off a cliff....

Seemed pretty straight forward to me.


Anyway, cashflyer, sounds like you want truck. The Cayenne's are generally too plush inside. They are great getting around vehicles. ...quiet, comfortable, "drive like buttah.." go-anywhere rides.

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by island911

Anyway, cashflyer, sounds like you want truck. The Cayenne's are generally too plush inside.

I guess I was temporarily courting the idea of having two Porsche's in the stable, and I know there's no way I could justify two sports cars. I was trying to figure if the Cayenne (or other SUV) would substitute for my truck, but it may be that a truck is the only substitute for a truck.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

I guess I was temporarily courting the idea of having two Porsche's in the stable, and I know there's no way I could justify two sports cars. I was trying to figure if the Cayenne (or other SUV) would substitute for my truck, but it may be that a truck is the only substitute for a truck.

Exactly what I did. Replaced my POS F-150 and never looked back. One of the best decisions I have made. I only need a full sized truck bed now and then so I use a small trailer when I do. Hooks up in seconds. Also pulls my car trailer well. Pulled it cross country without a problem as well as several large box trailers. So much back seat room that it is similar to a club cab.