affordable Cayennes?

[VaSteve]

Drove a 2008 Base and a 2009 S back to back. No comparison, the base seemed like such a dog. Handled well but slow off the line. Which isn't important for stop light drag races but for merging in traffic and such.

In driving it around a bit, it's so much bigger than my 325...but not as big as the wife's Sienna van. Hard to move up to a bigger car even though that's what I think I want.


It's a very nice car and it felt nice inside but I'm not sure I loved it like I thought I would. I might go back to checking on the X5s....always like those, but not sure I want to get a car as old as the older, smaller one.

[tedg04]

It's all about the right tool for the right job. My wife's RX (essentially an early production Highlander) is an absolute bore to drive. Terrible steering, feel, even sound. That said, she doesn't get satisfaction from any of those less tangible assets and it's a great car for her.
On the opposite side of the spectrum is the Audi Allroad I would have preferred. Do the transmissions tend to have issues? Yes. Air suspension leak? Yes. Need new control arms/bushings every 100k? Yes. The RX needs none of these things, but shifts like a vague sort of rubber band system in the transmission I would rather throw in the trash than fix. Doesn't have any steering feel at all, so I would never know if the bushings were bad. And it obviously doesn't have air suspension to leak.
There are Honda buyers, Porsche buyers, and everything in between. The people who shy away from Cayennes are those who A.) buy them out of warranty, and B.) didn't know what to expect. For the vast majority of people, a Highlander is a better option. For the small minority who know what's what, they can get cheap under-maintained Cayennes all day long.

[speeder]

It seems that Cayennes are awesome driving machines but you're going to pay to play. If you are a skilled DIY enthusiast type, your cost of ownership might be drastically different from a checkbook only owner.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I can't fathom how anyone can afford to own an older German car if they don't at least partially DIY. I can't imagine paying the service bills that some people do on a regular basis.

[Scott R]

And the problem with DIY on a Cayenne is all the darned body modules that you need specialized equipment to work on.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I can't fathom how anyone can afford to own an older German car if they don't at least partially DIY. I can't imagine paying the service bills that some people do on a regular basis.

I'm 6 months into an engine rebuild on my 944. It's almost done but I'm having problems. I do believe in DIY....but a drive it and park it Toyota is looking really good about now. My old BMW needs work on the doors since water is getting in when it rains a lot. It's back burnered until I get his 944 done. I need to take some time off Porsches or DIY or something. Maybe thats what's killing my interest in this. I orders the 996 book and was thinking about one as a DD, but aside from being completely impractical doing a lot of work to it left me cold. I send the book back.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Steve, I've had the same debate, hence my test drive of a Focus ST a few weeks ago. Fun to drive with a warranty, won't break, that sounds very appealing. Then I drive my 996 and think, "could I really replace this with a Focus"?

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Steve, I've had the same debate, hence my test drive of a Focus ST a few weeks ago. Fun to drive with a warranty, won't break, that sounds very appealing. Then I drive my 996 and think, "could I really replace this with a Focus"?

There's a fellow on our local board that is always talking about how great Focus are. I got one last summer as a rental car.. I was all excited since Tony said they were good cars. I was dissatisfied and I almost called him to complain.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Rental Focus is not the same as the ST. It really is a damn good car and a blast to drive.

[porsche4life]

Yup. The ST is a total different beast. My folks are going on 6 months with their ST and love it. I took it to an autocross and was very very impressed.

[pavulon]

Saw a turbo pepper at Road America yesterday and it seemed larger than I had remembered them being. Now I find myself looking for one...especially one w/ the 21" wheels. I hope this phase passes soon.

[porsche4life]

It will pass very soon if you put one in your garage...

[fintstone]

Love mine! It is like driving a sports car. Had the trailer on today...hauling stuff, then switched to the car trailer. It is like you are towing nothing. Very reliable...and a dream to drive or tow with. Fast and carves up the backroads like a 911.

[VaSteve]

Went test driving at carmax... They had an x5..,, not as big as I thought it was....the Diesel would tow about the same as the cayenne....might be a good candidate again. I like my 325.... Hmmm.