looking hard....

[James Brown]

looking at a 08 CS with around 30k on it. They seem like great cars/suvs. Never driven one but it must be better than my dodge ram! Looks like it will take some time to get the electronics down. love the leather everywhere. Good/bad things about them? Does the 08 need the cooling hose repair? Might also get a extended warranty. Had one on the truck but nothing broke/needed repair in 5 years. But it is insurance and parts are pricer on the pepper.

P.S. Rennlist has a huge section on them but i'm sticken with Pelican.

[jeffdtla]

Overall the 2nd gen 9PA is pretty good, but there are a few things you may want an extended warranty for. In tank fuel pumps, which I've only see go bad in 1st gen '03 to '06 models with anywhere from 60k to 120k miles. I'm pretty sure these are the same thing in '08-'10 models and are about a $1200 repair. The high pressure fuel pump on the engine has failed a few times, causing a long cranking time to start and sometimes a check engine light, and there is currently a campaign to replace this some cars. This part doesn't look cheap, so make sure this campaign has been done on this car, or get it done ASAP if the history calls for it. The driveshaft bushing usually goes at around 50k to 70k and is about an $1100 repair. Again, I have seen these fail only in early models so far. The 2nd gen 9PA doesn't have the plastic coolant pipes of the 1st gen, but there is still one single plastic pipe under the intake manifold that I have never seen fail yet. There is however, a metal coolant hose fitting at the back of the engine I have seen come unglued about 3 times. Replacing this requires dropping the engine and front subframe/suspension. The plastic thermostat housing behind the water pump can leak in very cold weather, but is not a serious problem and there is a superceded part that fixes this problem. The thermostat itself has gotten stuck open and caused a check engine light a few times, but not often(Panameras have a major problem with this). The electronics of all things, have not been a problem at all. This is the area they have gotten right. But you will of course be stuck to going to a dealer or shop that has a PIWIS Tester to diagnose anything(Both PIWIS I scanner and PIWIS II laptop will work). I have not seen any ignition coil failures that are all too common with the 1st gen 9PA. The V-6 2nd gen 9PA, while possibly not as desirable, seems to be a more solid design than the V-8. It does not have any of the weak points of the V-8, and I have only seen a cam adjuster come apart once and replaced an oil separator/valve cover on another. Other than that, it has been pretty much trouble-free. And if you ever see this engine apart, you will see how overengineered it is. And it's the most popular Cayenne, so this may be something to consider. That's all I can think of for now. It does drive nicely, but with relatively little time in the driver's seat and very little in high end SUVs in general, I'm sure there are others here who can answer this better than me. It does feel bigger and heavier(by 400 lbs) and therefore not as powerful or nimble as the 2011 Cayenne, which is a 92A.

[SCOTITUDE]

they are great when they are healthy, and suck when they break. read on rennlist. much more info to educate yourself, not necessarily to talk you out of it. just need to be prepared. resale value blows. there are definitely issues but fixable. the only recurring costs will be brakes, tires and fuel. it eats them very regularly.

[James Brown]

Thanks guys!