Have we talked used Cayennes yet?

Have we talked about used Porsche Cayennes yet? Man, they sure seem cheap . . .

Any experiences to share? Not really looking, but not really not looking.

When my parents were looking for a car a couple of years ago the test drove a Cayenne S (first generation) and they really liked it, they were most impressed that you could really feel the car transform when it was in sport mode. I always though they were neat in an odd way.

Porsche tech we know hates 'em.

Apparently the VR6 models sling timing chains at 60-80k. The salesmen at the Porsche dealership say that the things only need oil changes every 20k miles. Well, that's good enough to get the truck out of warranty, anyway.

Aside from that, they're just German vehicles, with all of the good and bad that goes with it. People keep telling me that the Cayenne is way different from the Touareg but the only difference I see is the color of the brake calipers.

I've been browsing the S variant with the non-turbo V8. Apparently there are plastic cooling bits that need to be updated, but the vehicles hold together very well. The Porsche is surprisingly adept offroad, with an available locking rear diff and low range. They make a great tow vehicle.

I've heard that they make great tow rigs.

I keep thinking of Trailblazers, but then I remember that it's rare for any kind of repair on one of those to run under $1000. If a truck is going to be expensive to operate, might as well do it with style.

They have some issue with the cooling neck in the valley of the V8 coming apart. The coolant then leaks down behind the motor and somehow ruins the torque converter, don't ask me how but that's what I've heard. There is a preventative repair for it so based on Porsche parts prices you might want to do that first if you get a V8 model.

I'd certainly look at one if I needed that type of vehicle.

I had a buddy ask me about Cayennes when he was shopping for Denalis. I told him to price out brakes between the two of them and be ready to replace brakes about 2x-3x as often on Cayennes. Also, price out tires and get ready to smoke through those too.

I see that all the time at work. Other than that, damn they are sexy.

The one thing I have noticed with them is that the interiors do not seem to hold them selves together very well. They seem to wear prematurely. I didn't get one, but just want I found looking around.

I see a lot of them towing 911s to track days.

I've spent some time behind the wheel of one and was unimpressed. Looks like a beached whale and drives too much like one for the Porsche badge.

The early S and Turbo models have a few coolant pipe issues. Hatch struts wear out quickly and are a pain to change. Cardan shafts need to be replaced fairly often. Transfer case control motors can burn out. Most of the stuff is minor, but the one that always grinds me is a "financially nonviable engine rebuild". Motor pops, you buy a new one.

Please tell me you mean Caymans.... please.

Yes on them eating cardan shafts at $900 a pop.

Look for aluminum pipes under the intake, that's the update for them. $800 or so for all the update parts.

I don't see a track record of repeat failures on this stuff, once it's fixed, it's fixed.

V8s seem to hold up, I'd skip the V6. Overall they seem pretty durable. I think there is more cross over with the Q7 than the Tourag.

there's a fellow over on Advrider who swears his Turbo will out tow his 3/4 ton diesel truck. The truck is a Duramax IIRC.

What is a cardan shaft?

David

Can't get over how much I've hated the looks. Not for me.

DWNSHFT wrote: What is a cardan shaft? David

It's a driveshaft. The center support bearings fail.

At $900/pop I'd be tempted to send one to Tom Woods (http://4xshaft.com/) and tell him to make me one that uses consumables from something more pedestrian.

The base model has always been available with a 6 spd, which I've found interesting. Autotrader shows a mere 17 for sale in the entire country... This 2008 model doesn't look bad:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=19021&endYear=2014&listingType=used&engineCode=6CLDR&listingTypes=used&sellerTypes=b&transmissionCode=MAN&transmissionCodes=MAN&mmt=%5BPOR%5BCAYENNE%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&modelCode1=CAYENNE&showcaseOwnerId=0&makeCode1=POR&startYear=1981&engineCodes=6CLDR&searchRadius=0&bodyStyleCodes=SUV&listingId=338176518&listingIndex=12&Log=0

One of a hand full of SUV's I'd buy if you put a gun to my head. I have no interest in a V8 version other than maybe a GTS (also available with a 6 spd manual).

Oh, and $950 for a pair of fuel pumps and install bits....

I'd rock a Toureg V10 Diesel before a Cayenne.

pinchvalve wrote: I'd rock a Toureg V10 Diesel before a Cayenne.

QFT

5.0 V10 Twin Turbo Diesel?! Yes please all day long.

I'm sure I've heard absolute horror stories about TDi toe-rags and Pepper wagon service costs, like $1k brake service at the dealer etc. I'd head straight over to owners forums and check out prices, even assuming you plan on DIY for the regular maintenance stuff.

I always like the look on Cayenne owner's faces when I complement them on their nice minivan!

Gearheadotaku wrote: Oh, and $950 for a pair of fuel pumps and install bits....

That's about in line with any other modern vehicle.