Cayenne S Opinions?

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by speeder

16 mpg from a Cayenne turbo would be phenomenal gas mileage. They usually average around 10 mpg city in the real world.

There is no question that people in higher elevations, like Denver, get better fuel mileage than the rest of us. I've seen it on my own vehicles when visiting or passing through. Why? I don't understand. But could it be that significant? Not doubting, just asking.

Someone at sea level will not match that mpg. Plan on 12 mpg on premium for any V-8 Cayenne in stop-and-go driving.

We're considering the hybrid version after the first of the year when the warranty ends. I've heard it's just about as fun torque-wise as the turbo but I've yet to drive one. It's either that or we would like to try the diesel X5, a friend has one and raves about it.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by s_wilwerding

My thoughts:

First, look at a 2008+ - they have a lot fewer issues than the originals (coolant pipes, cardan shafts, etc.).

Thanks for the info. We stumbled onto this 2006. There aren't many (OK, there's three 2008 and newer) for sale here locally and the ones that are for sale are way above what we'd like to spend.

Supposedly this one for sale has full service records, etc.

I'm not dead set on buying a Cayenne (we were really leaning towards an X5) but this one popped up and I thought I'd get some opinions.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by IROC

....We've looked at FJ80 Land Cruisers (too many miles, etc. for a primary wife car, but the cool factor is pegged). We've looked at X5s and X3s (all used). X5s are a bit expensive and the X3 isn't really any bigger than the 530. We drove a nearly-new 4Runner today (owned one prior to the 530) and it was actually much nicer than expected.....Any experiences with Cayennes? This one is in perfect condition and the price is actually quite a bit less than the 2008 4Runner we looked at with the same mileage....

Originally Posted by Halm

Look at an X5 as well as the Cayenne.

Originally Posted by IROC

I've driven my boss's 2010 X5 and was not disappointed.

Originally Posted by McLovin

I'd just keep the 5. You save money and have a better car, to boot. If your wife and/or kids are too big to fit comfortably in a 5 series, I'd make 'em lose weight. You'll save money on groceries, to boot.

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

You should consider just stepping up in car as an option. The S8/A8, 7-series, and S-class would all offer more room than a Cayanne along with better mpg..

Originally Posted by cairns

What he said. A Cayenne isn't very large; for example the rear seats fold don't flat and require that you take off the headrests. Check the trunk volume with the rear seats up- it's 19 cubic feat. A 745i has 18 cubic feet. And while the Cayenne handles great for an SUV it's still an SUV.

Originally Posted by IROC

My logical side says "4Runner", but I can actually get the Cayenne for less $$ (and it has less miles than the 4Runner we're considering).

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

If you want a fun SUV with better reliability have you considered the Infiniti FX, Acura MDX, Mazda CX7 or CX9? If you like the FJ80, ever consider a UZJ100? It's a much better driving SUV for on road use than the FJ80, but with the same reliability and most of the off road ability.

Originally Posted by IROC

Good suggestions (and you definitely understand the buckling in the 3-year old activity). We've looked briefly at the Mazdas (didn't drive them, though) and the wife didn't like them. The Acuras are nice, but surprisingly pricey (and very few seem to come up for sale locally). Haven't looked at the Infiniti.

We owe it to ourselves to go check out a 100 series LC. There are a few for sale locally. That's a good idea.

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

100 series will be significantly bigger than the Cayenne, and has the added benefit of a 3rd row seat. If you want more luxury don't forget the LX470.

Then I ask, briefly, why no one has mentioned American SUVs and get this:

Originally Posted by IROC

Maybe so, but the title of this thread isn't "can someone recommend a bunch of fantastic American SUVs".

I'm specifically looking for information on Cayennes.

Really?!?


A half dozen others give you suggestions that aren't about Cayennes, and you jump on me? Thanks for coming off like a jerk.


...

[IROC]

Originally Posted by kaisen

A half dozen others give you suggestions that aren't about Cayennes, and you jump on me? Thanks for coming off like a jerk.

I'm sorry, but you have a history of this type of behavior. Go back to my thread on asking questions about FJ80 Land Cruisers. You lambasted me out of the blue for "drinking the Toyota koolaid".

You're a sharp guy, but your obvious biases aren't adding any value. Get over yourself and go bother someone else. I don't care. I almost prefaced this thread with a caveat for you not to start suggesting crap that is off-topic, but I didn't think it was necessary. I evidently under-estimated you.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by IROC

Get over yourself and go bother someone else. I don't care. I almost prefaced this thread with a caveat for you not to start suggesting crap that is off-topic, but I didn't think it was necessary. I evidently under-estimated you.

Thanks

Good luck with your purchase

[MysticLlama]

Oh, and since you're considering an X5, the shop we tend to go to says they are *way* worse than (already bad) Cayennes service wise...

[motion]

Originally Posted by IROC

I'm sorry, but you have a history of this type of behavior. Go back to my thread on asking questions about FJ80 Land Cruisers. You lambasted me out of the blue for "drinking the Toyota koolaid".

You're a sharp guy, but your obvious biases aren't adding any value. Get over yourself and go bother someone else. I don't care. I almost prefaced this thread with a caveat for you not to start suggesting crap that is off-topic, but I didn't think it was necessary. I evidently under-estimated you.

Mike, Eric provides a lot of free, professional, well-informed advice to many on this board. We're all a bit biased. I think you should cut him a little slack and be thankful for what he adds here.

[Don Plumley]

Originally Posted by motion

mike, eric provides a lot of free, professional, well-informed advice to many on this board. We're all a bit biased. I think you should cut him a little slack and be thankful for what he adds here.

+1

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by motion

Mike, Eric provides a lot of free, professional, well-informed advice to many on this board. We're all a bit biased. I think you should cut him a little slack and be thankful for what he adds here.

+2

I also appreciate what he adds to the board

Regards

Mike

[speeder]

I think that Eric has more general automotive knowledge than anyone I've ever met in my life. And I've been a gear head for 50 years, (since I was in diapers). He does like a lot of American iron but it's from an informed POV and he can back it up with data.

We all have our automotive biases. I am also biased because he is my friend in the real world and he's a stellar guy.

That said, I've always enjoyed your posts, IROC, except for this dust-up. And a Cayenne is a bit of a horse if a different color because it performs so much better than most SUVs. As Eric always says in the end, get what you want. But he is a pretty incredible source of info and data here.

[SiberianDVM]

I did a test drive of a 2009 Cayenne S a month of so ago, when I was thinking of trading my 335xi. Caught a boatload of **** from some of the forum members here then. Ended up keeping the BMW for now, but I came real close to getting that Cayenne S. Seriously fun to drive for an SUV. It was priced around $30k, with 60k miles, I think.

Since the Cayenne S was at a Mercedes dealership, I also test drove a couple of their used M-B SUVs. The GLK350 was very nice and the used one they had was a couple of thousand $ less than the Cayenne S. Not as much power and not as much fun to drive, though. The ML SUVs were a little out of my price range.

The Cayenne S made me really want another V8. Must resist the urge to buy a 928.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Back on topic......

A general question Mike, does your wife complain about space? Each kid brings an exponential amount of stuff, something the non-parents can't understand. It only gets worse as they age, and eventually you need something to haul both kids + friends + stuff. I ask simply because if you are buying a Cayenne for more space it probably isn't the answer, in reality it's not much bigger than a 5-series.

Similar to you I tried to keep my wife in a fun vehicle, we had a great 2003 4Runner and I then pushed her into a 320 HP AWD Cadillac SRX. I sold her on the SRX because it had a 3rd row seat, but realistically I wanted it because it was fun to drive. She hated the SRX and it didn't last because it didn't have the space she needed. I finally wised up on the "happy wife happy life" philosophy, and have bought her the big vehicles that she has wanted ever since.

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Back on topic......

A general question Mike, does your wife complain about space? Each kid brings an exponential amount of stuff, something the non-parents can't understand. It only gets worse as they age, and eventually you need something to haul both kids + friends + stuff. I ask simply because if you are buying a Cayenne for more space it probably isn't the answer, in reality it's not much bigger than a 5-series.

Similar to you I tried to keep my wife in a fun vehicle, we had a great 2003 4Runner and I then pushed her into a 320 HP AWD Cadillac SRX. I sold her on the SRX because it had a 3rd row seat, but realistically I wanted it because it was fun to drive. She hated the SRX and it didn't last because it didn't have the space she needed. I finally wised up on the "happy wife happy life" philosophy, and have bought her the big vehicles that she has wanted ever since.

This is why I have limited my wife to one kid. (well that and it's already going to suck being near 70 when the first one graduates college)

[chocolatelab]

Our Cayenne S has been amazing.

Fingers crossed and knocking on woods.

Wifes Cayenne just had the brake lights pop on.

Parts from the dealer 1800. Pads and rotor.

Porsche inde shop. pads rotors and labor 2200.

Bought the parts for 367. Easiest brake job I ever completed in half a day.

[asphaltgambler]

You might want to check what brake pads and rotors costs for these things. Might shock you.

[pavulon]

Are you implying that the parts were remarkably affordable or expensive? Am I missing something? Not trying to be crass...I'm just a little confused.

[Rtrorkt]

was going to pull the trigger on a 2011 base Cayenne that had been the dealership owner's vehicle. very well optioned. But my local dealer, Euroclassics here in Richmond, dug in their heels on the price. Could get a similarly optioned truck for $4000 less with a 100k warranty. Told them and they would not budge. After that, I decided I just didn't want to deal with them, so Cayenne off the radar.

Got a VW Touareg Diesel. Getting 24 in town, nearly 30 on the highway. Gobs of tourque. So, I would put that one on your list. $20k less than a similar Cayenne Diesel. Same chassis, though I must admit to thinking of changing shocks and sway bars to get a better handle

[asphaltgambler]

Last time I checked the OE brake parts were more expensive than a 911............

[onewhippedpuppy]

The 350 mm front discs from a 955 are between $95 and $118 each from our host, front pads are between $60 and $282 for 350 mm. That's a mix of OEM and aftermarket options, not bad prices in my opinion. If you have the biggest 380 mm brakes they get pretty pricey though.

[chocolatelab]

Originally Posted by pavulon

Are you implying that the parts were remarkably affordable or expensive? Am I missing something? Not trying to be crass...I'm just a little confused.

I am not sure if this question was for me.

I bought the Bosch quietcast pads and rotors, and hte Pex sensors for 367.

I am amazed that they are that affordable.

Just a comment on expenses related to owning the Cayenne S.