Has any calling Cayenne boring actually driven one

D Hanson · 05-19-2003, 06:27 PM

Didn't think so. I have owned several 911s and I currently have a 02 C2 with a new turbo on the way to replace the C2. I, like so many of you, was not exactly excited about the Cayenne initially. That is until I drove one.

I had no intention of purschasing one and took my car in for service. Dealer threw me the keys to an S. Once I drove it, I had to have it. It was unbelieveable for a SUV. The things handles like a true sports car, but will tow 7,700 pounds.

You cannot fairly judge the Cayenne from the sideline. That is not what this or any Porsche is about. If you drive, you will understand and you will also understand the price. What they have accomplished seemed impossible. It is a sports car that can tow a decent size boat.

I have a boat so I need something to pull it. I have had an X5 and a Tahoe in the last 4 years for boat duty. The X5 does not come close to comparing to the driving experience or in its ability to tow. The Tahoe, obviously, is not even in the same league. The Cayenne tows as well as the Tahoe, has better pickup while towing, and has much better braking while towing.

old_skul · 05-20-2003, 01:40 PM

I was impressed by the Cayenne Turbo I saw in the flesh. It was nice and had a nice stance to it. I have also seen video of one on an autocross course and it was demonstrably fast.

Moneyguy1 · 06-12-2003, 10:57 PM

Drove an S model from local dealer here in Tucson. Nice truck, but not 80k nice. Frankly, I wouldn't buy one. I have no self image problem.

Seriously, I didn;t find that it handled or felt much different than many less expensive truck based SUVs. I didn't take it much over 65, and it was competent, but not enough to warrant the price. I sat in it and the thought kept going through my head that a 1986 Ford Wagon I once had would haul more people, dogs and groceries. Maybe the Ford wouldn't climb rocks, but neither will all but a few Cayennes either.

I wish I could give a more glowing report. BTW..of those on the lot, only one had actually been sold....

kringer2 · kringer2's Garage

Holy cats. 80k for a S type. That dealers ripping you. Under 60k for an S. I drove one. It rode and drove much better than the mercedes, BMW, H2, Cadillac, Yukon, Tahoe, Discovery, 4Runner. I konw I've driven all of them.

Moneyguy1 · 06-29-2003, 12:03 PM

I agree they are all quite nice, some a bit nicer than others. However, no matter how good a vehicle handles on its own, the real test is towing. That changes everything. The ability to "corner like a 911" goes out the window. Imagine how a 911 would fell with a trailer behind it at 75 MPH (or more)!!

I am not against the Cayenne; I do wonder about its limited interior room, no place for a third row of seats, and not much room behind the second row. I have driven some but not all of the vehicles y

Moneyguy1 · 06-29-2003, 12:08 PM

ou list, but not all. I find them to all handle and behave a bit differently,
and perhaps the Cayenne might "handle" a bit better at highway speeds, although I did, as I stated, only take it to the posted 65. To me, owning one is less of a practical matter than it would be an ego trip.

Just my humble (and often wrong) opinion.

P.S. You are correct..I hit the wrong key when posting the price...60K

D Hanson · 07-06-2003, 08:32 PM

I just drove the Cayenne on a long trip for family vacaction. I had not driven it much lately as it is my wife's daily driver. What a ride this thing is. I am used to cruing aroung in my 88 911 cabriolet on weekends and my 02 996 during the week as a work horse. The Cayene is every bit as fun to drive and easier to drive aggressivel;y than either of my cars. It is also unbelievable at towing. I averaged in the triple digits for about 500 miles and the Cayenne always felt like it was traveling at a much slower speed. Great handling, great braks and great accelleration even when loaded down with my family and packed to the gills with beach wear for the week. I think it is the ultimate vehicle on the raod today when you consider the size, towing capacity, use a family truckster for an extended vacation and its performance.

Moneyguy1 · 07-09-2003, 11:28 PM

You were towing in the triple digits?

D Hanson · 07-10-2003, 07:09 PM

Yep. Don't tell anyone though.

kristian85 · kristian85's Garage

See, I think the problem is that people like it because it almost achieves the statuts of being a silkpurse made from a sow's ear--an SUV that has some driving characteristics in common with sports cars.

There is simply NO WAY it can be said that it drives like a sports car. Granted, I have not driven one, but it's a simple matter of Newton at work. The damn things weigh FIVE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED pounds--5 , 7 0 0 pounds. While Porsche may have achieved miracles in spite of all characteristics being completely wrong for a sports car (i.e., high CG, weight, overall size), that in and of itself does not make it desirable. I don't want something because it does things it's not supposed to do. Before I'm chastized for not having driven one, I do know what sportscars drive like, and understand elemental physics. A true sportscar? Go drive a Ginetta.

Interestingly, Mr. Hanson didn't mention whether he ever considered, or had true need for, an SUV before.

I will never forgive Porsche for not simply making a fine 4-door sedan instead. That would have been bad enough. The saving grace is that Porsche made them to stay healthy, so they can continue building real cars, and that people are buying them hand over fist.

That said, it is a pretty cool tub of a car, and I can see buying one over the 60-80K luxus barges if I needed towing capacity. But, in the end, I'd still have an Audi A8 or S500 instead, or for even more carrying capacity and midwarping performance, an RS6 Estate.

D Hanson · 12:37 PM

In response, I currently own an 88 911 commemorative cab with turbo tail, 2002 996 aero coupe and the 2003 Cayenne S. The Cayenne S is actually the wife's ride. I have owned other Porsches and currently have a 996 TT sitting at the dealer that I am working out some issues on. I am somewhat familar with how various models of the 911 drive throughout its evolution. I have also owned an NSX and a Mondial convertible which should qualify as "tue sports cars" in addition to my past and current P cars. Owned several Bimmers throughout the years including M3. I think the Cayenne, in its own way, is as fun to drive or funner to drive any other vehicle I have owned.

You stated "Interestingly, Mr. Hanson didn't mention whether he ever considered, or had true need for, an SUV before. "

I have always had a need and always had an SUV because I have owned a variety of ski boats throught the years in the 20 to 21 foot range. SUVs owned, 90s suburban, LR Discovery, Acura SLX, X5 and a 2002 Tahoe was before the Cayenne S.

Our original intention was to purchase a full size suburban because we actually felt like we needed more room than the Tahoe had when going to the lake house every weekend. We take our 110 pound Golden and King Charles Cav in their kennels and my 6 and 7 year-old daughters. Its amazing how much stuff the wife packs for 4 people and 2 dogs just for weekend getaways.

I had no intention of buying the Cayenne. Neither my wife nor I were real excited about its looks and we wanted something bigger. The dealer threw me the keys to one when I took one of my cars to get serviced. After I drove it, I made the wife drive it and we both had to have it regardless of space issues. I can load the boat down and use a carrier on top of the Cayenne for space.

My wife absolutely loves her Cayenne and loves driving it everyday. She is a soccer mom and very active in kids school life so she does a lot of shuttling children around the city.

I was somewhat like you about the Cayenne except I didn't lose any sleep about it or change my view of Porsche for building it. Then I drove it and understood what it is all about. Well worth giving up the space we lost and have never second guessed the decision to get it.