The 05 Turbo we put 170,000 miles on was essentially trouble free. It was a great car, with horrible mileage. It was the best vehicle we had owned until we got our 2011 Turbo which is beyond amazing and gets 50% better mileage.

I’ll admit to paying a lot of attention to the prices of the early turbos, it’s an amazing amount of car for not much money.

I have a very short commute to work, and I can live with the higher fuel cost of traveling home in the winter if I have AWD. I cross the border a lot, I buy 90% of my fuel in the USA.

A cheap SUV that guzzles fuel is still cheaper than a new car that gets double the mileage.

That was my diagnosis based on a quick internet search and some tests the current owner did for me.

eeew.

I had an Expedition. No thanks.

I would rather drive my VW diesel.

So true!

>>> I need a long distance winter car, I drive from Michigan to Toronto and back every other week. <<<

I can't think of a more capable tool for that task. As you know, that trip in winter often consists of marginal road conditions.

Valid points, but I am not known for taking the easy (or smart) road... :rolleyes:

How close are you to Ohio? There's a turbo going for cheap there:

https://images.craigslist.org/00a0a_...wj_600x450.jpg

https://columbus.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2004-porsche-cayenne-turbo/6287991232.html

Make no mistake either guys, those old porker turbos haul arse. Not a whole lot of cars are going be able to hang with one on the on ramp.

Maybe true, but every car will hang with it cruising at 75-80 mph in the highway.

If that were the only criteria, we'd all be driving Camrys.

I guess the thinking is "why not?" The median price for a good 2004-2007 Ford Explorer is about the same as a 2004-2007 Porsche Cayenne around here. Come to that, the BMW X5 and X3 ask similar money for those years/miles, and a Lexus or Audi SUV skews a bit higher.

My 05 Turbp looks just like that...

http://www.zipbang.com/Photos/Jaramasm.jpg

except for the 22in wheels and tinted windows.

Where I notice and enjoy having the power is pulling out into traffic from a stop.

And I guess if the only criteria would be how fast it can go on an onramp, we'd all be driving 914s (or old Cayennes).

It all depends on the intended use of the car.

For the OP's intended use ("I need a long distance winter car, I drive from Michigan to Toronto and back every other week") a Camry might not be bad, although sounds like 4wd would probably be helpful.

I could see getting a $5,000 Cayenne, for certain uses. Just not the OPs use.

If it were me that's exactly what I would consider for driving through heavy snow over a long distance on potentially treacherous roads. Excellent AWD, good ground clearance, plenty of power, comfortable, and not boring. I'd probably also consider a Land Cruiser or Land Rover.

early Cayenne turbos are fantastic.
Not mentioned is to make sure batteries are trickle charged or strange errors pop up. First shift into second can be jerky too but normal-only happens on startup for me and worse when cold. Coins get caught behind the ashtray-never put coins in there and make sure . The Late 05's and later I believe can use cell phone hands free.
These cars are very good at everything. Fast, agile, comfortable, good looking, reliable and finally cheap.

The car was not quite as advertised. Rust, crappy interior, engine tick (probably about to become a knock), bought from auction, etc.

I had to pass. I will keep looking for 'something'.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

I will add, sitting in the vehicle it felt huge. For sure more than I need, maybe more than I want.

I think my best bet is four new snow tires for my Jetta diesel. Once a diesel starts, it always gets you where you're going.

I have a 04, love it, only issues I have had are 2 flats withing a week (and yes, I replaced all 4 tires the 1st flat)