Looking for a used Cayenne S, but...

[ninpo4me]

Hey guys,

I have had many Porsche in my life but I have never had a Cayenne. I was hoping to get some general feedback as to what people feel is the "best" MY Cayenne.

Ok first off this car is going to be the family car (wife and two active dogs...kids coming someday)

This car will mainly be drivin by my wife. (My dream is a GTS in GTS red BUT.. its 90k and way to much car for her. )

So we are looking at used "S's".

What options are a must have?

MY to stay away from?

Are there any ares to be mindfull of?

Etc etc etc....

I apperciate any help you can give.

PR

[wvicary]

As always but the newest you can afford. The 2003 and early 04's had problem but most got resolved. I suggest driving several different model with the options you'd like or want and decide from there. Best of luck in your search.

[roxboxxx]

I bought an 05 with 14K on it and never looked back (found on ebay and bought it local).

05 and 06 are basically the same and there was no 07. In comparison to the new style, i would take the old - but that's up to taste.

Fits my family of 5 very comfortably.

Options I wish I had:

- Air suspension (ride nicer around town)

- Phone option on the PCM. Without this no add-on Bluetooth will work right.

- Newer PCM firmware that supports MP3 (mine is V1 and it does not).

- Turbo dash (but you need the turbo! or its a real journey to make it work).

- Longer warranty (mine runs out in 2 weeks - only after market warranties after that - $2 - 3K)

- Black with Tan interior (I am titanium and silver - nice but not killer).

I have had the car 3 weeks and in order to make it stand out I added:

- Turbo tips

- secondary cat elimination

- Wood steering wheel

- Wood shifter

- Rear cargo mat

- Roof rails

Mileage with a HEAVY foot has been 11MPG around town and 15 - 16 on the highway.

Can probably get another MPG with a $500 EVO intake kit.

Also, do not cheap out on a non-S or a 6cy - You will regret it (I test drove both and NG!).

Attached pic for reference - Hope this helps!

Edited October 28, 2008 by roxboxxx

[wvicary]

I would recommend the V6, better fuel milage, more then enough power for 90% of the driving, and cheaper labour cost as it's easier to work on. Like I say, drive as many as you can and make your decision from there.

[tonga3]

I bought an '05 CS back in June. Absolutely love it. I bought a durametric cable so I could do some service myself. Hey Roxboxxx, did adding the cat bypass wake the sound up much?

Thanks

Andy

[ninpo4me]

Thanks everybody!

Super helpful advice. I have been poking around ebay a bit and found a handfull of '05 TURBO's for under 40k. Most with average milage. Are there any issuse that anyone has run across with higher milage Cayenne's? Other then the obivous!

How hard is the car to work on yourself?

As with ALL of my past Porsche's I have done most of the regular stuff, brakes, Fluids/filters etc.

What do you all think is a better buy:

Lets say option A is

An 06 "S" loaded with 20k

or

Option B

an 05 Turbo with 50k

Price, color options all being =

Oh side note I live in NorCal and will be driving this car up to Reno and Tahoe in the winter over hwy 80. Can't wait to try in a Cayenne.

Thanks again

PR

[tonga3]

I bought mine with 94000 km's on it, and I now have 108000 with no complaints. I just finished doing the air filters and an oil change on it. All things being equal I would personally go for the Turbo.

Thanks

Andy

[Dennis C]

I drive a 2004 CS every day, and I love it. No regrets, no major issues.

I think the key is a good PPI, and make sure you check the service history.

There are some good 2004s out there, and there are some 2005s out there with issues. Take your time and be careful, and you'll probably be ok.

Have fun with the purchase!

[roxboxxx]

Tonga - the cat bypass wakes ups the dead and most of your neighbors when you get on it. Nice and quite when you drive like a human, but the second you punch it its like a small explosion.

Only thing, its all out the backend, so if you really want to hear what others are hearing, open the window a tad. I am def happy with this mod.

[SWFLHOMES]

I bought an 04 S a year ago from a non Porsche dealer. I thought I was being smart by taking it to the dealer that was literally across the street to have them go over the vehicle and do any warranty updates on the vehicle. They said everything checked out great and it was a solid vehicle. I asked "were there any common problems on this year Cayenne"? They said just the coils. I proceeded to purchase the vehicle only to find out on they way home I had to avoid an animal in the road and went to use my horn (no horn)! Thanks for the 2 hour "complete" inspection! My milage in mixed driving is close to 16 and 22 on the HWY. I still love this Truck. I would prefer a 911 but this is the closest thing to that when you have to drive the family and clients around. I would reccomend the following:

Get an extended warranty

If money were close consider the turbo

Stay away from the 04 (without a warranty)

Expect to service this vehicle a bit more than the average car.

Problems I have experienced:

Cardan (drive shaft) 52k miles $950 at the dealer

Rear hatch supports (easy to replace difficult to get at) $75

Electrical A/C servo motors (intermitent gerbal noises)

Headlight turn signal beeps every morning (moisture issue)

Horn, not too difficult $25

Insrument info screen goes dim on hot days

The best thing you have already done it to ask the members of this forum. They are the best resource for you question and are extremely helpful!

Best of luck!

[tonga3]

Tonga - the cat bypass wakes ups the dead and most of your neighbors when you get on it. Nice and quite when you drive like a human, but the second you punch it its like a small explosion.

Only thing, its all out the backend, so if you really want to hear what others are hearing, open the window a tad. I am def happy with this mod.

Good to know. I think I now know my first upgrade. Thanks for helping me spend more money Roxboxxx :rolleyes: !!

[ninpo4me]

I bought an 04 S a year ago from a non Porsche dealer. I thought I was being smart by taking it to the dealer that was literally across the street to have them go over the vehicle and do any warranty updates on the vehicle. They said everything checked out great and it was a solid vehicle. I asked "were there any common problems on this year Cayenne"? They said just the coils. I proceeded to purchase the vehicle only to find out on they way home I had to avoid an animal in the road and went to use my horn (no horn)! Thanks for the 2 hour "complete" inspection! My milage in mixed driving is close to 16 and 22 on the HWY. I still love this Truck. I would prefer a 911 but this is the closest thing to that when you have to drive the family and clients around. I would reccomend the following:

Get an extended warranty

If money were close consider the turbo

Stay away from the 04 (without a warranty)

Expect to service this vehicle a bit more than the average car.

Problems I have experienced:

Cardan (drive shaft) 52k miles $950 at the dealer

Rear hatch supports (easy to replace difficult to get at) $75

Electrical A/C servo motors (intermitent gerbal noises)

Headlight turn signal beeps every morning (moisture issue)

Horn, not too difficult $25

Insrument info screen goes dim on hot days

The best thing you have already done it to ask the members of this forum. They are the best resource for you question and are extremely helpful!

Best of luck!

Thank you for that! That is super helpful.

I am looking at a couple of '05 Turbo's. I just found on with only 14k on it and is priced less then 50 grand! That seems to good to pass up! I will post pics and an update as I move forward with this purchase.

How hard is ipod hookup on this model? Just wondering.

thanks again everybody....

[wirunner]

I wouldn't worry about an 04 as long as the coils and drive shaft were replaced. I've experienced both on a very low mileage 04. IMHO, no matter what MY you choose, get one with PCM. The standard CDR23 radio used on all MY's is a POS. Bad reception quality and constantly broken and I've heard of many others with similar problems. There's no way the PCM could be less reliable that the standard radio.