2004 Porsche Cayenne S

mjanis · 03-04-2009, 07:24 PM

Hi Guys!

I need some help. My best friend has a 2004 Porsche Cayenne S with a motor that siezed up. Dealer and Porsche are recommending a new crate motor with a 2 year 100K mile transferable warranty.

So what the heck is this thing worth? The chassis will have 75,000 miles on it and the new motor is setting him back roughly $8K.

So what's a guy to do? He's between a rock and a hard place. He wants out and has already bought a new ride.

Any discussion around this is appreciated.

Mark

gulf911 · 03-05-2009, 07:55 AM

Here's some discussion...8k for a new Cayenne S motor? How cheap are these made? And you can't rebuild an early car 2.4L 145hp at a shop for under 12-15k? Granted , the rebuilds don't generally seize up after 4 years...

I would check current prices for that year deduct the 8k and the cost of install then reduce some more. You would have a pretty good car...for 2 years...

DDDD · 03-05-2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjanis

Hi Guys!

I need some help. My best friend has a 2004 Porsche Cayenne S with a motor that siezed up. Dealer and Porsche are recommending a new crate motor with a 2 year 100K mile transferable warranty.

So what the heck is this thing worth? The chassis will have 75,000 miles on it and the new motor is setting him back roughly $8K.

So what's a guy to do? He's between a rock and a hard place. He wants out and has already bought a new ride.

Any discussion around this is appreciated.

Mark

I hate to break it to you but do the math and it ain't pretty.

A 2004 S in mint condition with maybe 25-35K miles would maybe fetch $22-25 grand.

That is what they sell for on EBAY. Maybe you know of a better way to sell cars, but I take my market prices from actual EBAY sales because that is a known transaction.

I don't want to say that the chassis has ZERO value...but think about it. $22 grand for high mileage, minus 10 grand for the install and labor...and you are lucky to get 12 grand for the chassis. That would be top dollar IMO.

Plus who exactly is looking for a Cayenne with no engine when they are being given away on EBAY as it is.

Long story short, it is a tough call on what to do.

boxster03 · 03-05-2009, 12:20 PM

He might want to check with one of the big Porsche dismanttler yards and see if they might have interest from the standpoint of buying it and replacing the engine with one they have and reselling or using it for parts or try selling it on ebay as is.

mjanis · 03-06-2009, 09:17 AM

Thanks to everyone for their input.

Yeah you can't rebuild an early motor for that money. It seems that Porsche engines at least in the new models are an FRU (Field Replaceable Unit). You don't rebuild a 996 you just order a crate motor and drop a new one in.

Porsche is providing the engine, crate motor, at a substantial discount, (most engines last longer than 4 years and 75K miles, so most of the cost is dealer labor to install it.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Mjanis, tell us a little better what you want to do:

Are you planning on buying this vehicle? And if you are, will you install the engine, or will that be done at the dealership? Would you be in the market for a 2004 pepper wagon if this was not available through your friend?

Thanks,

George

mjanis · 03-26-2009, 08:51 PM

Here is the latest on the car.

Almost six weeks in the shop, Porsche put a new motor and trans in the car.

They put the new motor in the car only to find out the trans was blown too. So Porsche had to get a new tranny from Germany.

So the car has a brand new engine and a brand new trans.

My buddy want to sell it now since he just bought a new 2008 M-B CLS 550.

The engine and trans have a 2-year 100k mile transferable warranty from Porsche. All work done by the dealer.

BTW I don't like to plug companies but it turns out that he had Geico insurance and he bought something call Major Mechanical failure insurance and they are picking up the tab for a $250 deductible. Sweet.

He wants me to help him sell it. He is picking it up tonight.

I would appreciate any advice on what you guys think the car is worth. I'm guessing that somewhere between $22-25K.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Mark

aigel · aigel's Garage

Some people may really like the new engine / new trans aspect. Others may think "lemon" and run or want a extra good deal. I would price the vehicle as if it had 40k miles on it to get started, sort of an average between the chassis and drive train. Unfortunately the prices on these cars are crashing hard. I see stuff with 60k miles sold on Ebay for 18k and even the low mile cars barely get over $22k.

So, translating the above to asking price, I would ask $22k and go from there. I would advise your friend that he may look at significantly less than 20k to move it.

Good Luck!

George

mjanis · 03-30-2009, 09:13 AM

Thanks for the input.

I agree with your assessment. Some people will like the fact that it has a new engine and trans and others will want a bargain or avoid it all together.

Putting it up on eBay is much like putting it up for sale at wholesale prices. I think that Dealers dump their used car inventory there. Trade-in's that they don't intend to retail.

There are other smaller dealers who go to the auctions, buy cars that are coming off of leases and try to sell them for a quick $500 profit and try to make it on volume.

I'm not convinced that this is the best way to get the most money for a car although it is a fast way.

Mark