2005-06 CTT Option Packages

[kkoepp31]

Hey guys, total newbie here and this is my first post on this board. I've recently gotten bit by a big bug to get into an SUV capable of pulling my new 22' boat. We currently lease a 2012 Silverado and I've driven turbo Subaru's for over a decade now. She drives the truck because she can't/won't drive a stick and take my car on days she works so I'm generally always stuck without a vehicle when she is at the hospital on the weekends. I've had my eyes on getting a Cayenne pretty much since they first came out and decided that if I ever had to size up into an SUV that it would be something fun and sporty still.

I've read as much as I can the last couple weeks after I found this CTT on ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-Cayenne-TURBO-TWIN-TURBO-AWD-LOADED-WITH-EVERY-AVAILABLE-OPTION-FACTORY-20S-AND-NO-RESERVE-/231012596044?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item35c96c794c&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_1182

Obviously it did not sell and I did not bid on it, but it is within about a four hour drive and seems like it may be a decent deal. Brake pad light comes on and so does the "Air Suspension Faulty - Workshop" code. The owner claims the suspension fix to just be a sensor, which hopefully are not that expensive and DIY job. I would probably go ahead and rebuild the compressor because the fix is cheap and may actually be the real problem here. The brake pad sensors I understand are fairly cheap and not a big deal to replace. He claims the coolant pipes have been upgraded to aluminum. No idea on whether the driveshaft was replaced but I do see on the carfax that plugs were changed around the 50k mark. Makes no mention of coils but I'm hoping they were done as well. I have no issues doing work to a vehicle myself and would plan to continue. I also understand that I'm going to need the diagnostic cable in order to reset things like the oil change service light.

What I come to you guys for is advice on what else to look for on 2005-06 CTT's. Did these years gets PDCC as an option and, if so, how do you tell if it has it? Are there any other suspension/performance based package that I can look for or that you can tell it has from pictures? I can't remember seeing anything in these two years that has the "Sport" button sandwiched between the gearbox selector and PASM switches. Do these years just not have this option available?

Ideally I would love to find a black on black CTT with carbon fiber trim and it must have a trailer hitch. 4-zone climate control seems pretty cool as well but I would really like to find one with a locking rear diff. I assume they all at least have limited slip in the front and rear. Is this a true assumption?

Thanks guys, I know this got long but really trying to not make a $20k+ mistake.

[mcbit500]

No PDCC or Sport button beside the PASM controls until 2008 but they are still a fun drive. The number of people who by a $100k luxury SUV with serious offroading in mind is limited hence vehicles fitted with the offroad package (including rear difflock) are rare. Offroad traction is achieved by use off a lockable centre diff and automatic differential braking (of wheels) front and rear.

[kkoepp31]

Is there any way to tell from just looking at pictures if it has the off-road package? I'm guessing it would have skid plates and I'm guessing this one in particular I'm looking at does not have it. Not expecting it to be a huge deal, especially if PDCC isn't available in these years.

I'm really looking to get into an 05-06 right now and sit in that for a couple years and then get into a 2010 or newer one without losing too much in depreciation.

[Loren]

Is there any way to tell from just looking at pictures if it has the off-road package? I'm guessing it would have skid plates and I'm guessing this one in particular I'm looking at does not have it. Not expecting it to be a huge deal, especially if PDCC isn't available in these years.

I'm really looking to get into an 05-06 right now and sit in that for a couple years and then get into a 2010 or newer one without losing too much in depreciation.

Several off road packages in 2005-2006... some were more look (front and rear skid plates- option codes PA1 and PA2) and some were more functional ( Hydraulically disconnectable front and rear off road stabilizer bars, electronically controlled rear axle differential lock, plus the underbody protection - option codes PB1, PB2, PB3, PB4).

So if you see one you like ask for the original option list on the car (we can do a look-up by VIN for our Contributing Members). Good Luck!

[clarksongli]

just as an fyi....already you can tell that doesnt have every available option......no dash compass....small i know, but obviously he doesn't realize what "every option" actually entails. It also lacks the rear camera. It also doesn't look like it has the 4 zone climatronic....also his keys are in in the ignition and i can't see the handle buttons, so i don't think he has entry and drive either.

So i would go over that car with a fine tooth comb.....since i think this guy seems pretty dumb/shady (putting his number on ebay)......and clearly putting some sort of weird advertisement description instead of a real explanation (intercooling technology?).

WIth that said......<20k is a decent deal for a reasonable mileage CTT. I bought my CTT with a little over 50k for 20k....but no offroad package.

I would be careful with this one though.....doesn't seem like he quite realizes what's up, which would also worry me in terms of being able to take care of the car properly.

I tow regularly with mine, and it is a great car to tow with....very stable and with an added trailer brake controller.....even 7k trailers tow with very little effort

[kkoepp31]

Yeah, this guy I've pretty much determined is a flipper. Says he knows the guy who owned it before him and has had it for a few months. When I run his number through craigslist or google I get several other listings that pop up. He claims the coolant pipes were done and has a carfax on it that looks clean, but he is basically a small scale dealer running salesman talk with claims of original MSRP of $113k even though he has no original window sticker to back that up. Definitely does not have 4-zone climate, doesn't appear to have a skid plate up front so I'm guessing there is no off-road package, and I see no reason to think it has entry and drive. Those aren't deal killers, but definitely sheds some light onto the character of the ignorant seller.

I'm definitely proceeding with caution on this one and have kept my eyes open for others now that I realize they can be had in this price range. I also might become a contributing member if I can run multiple VIN checks for option packages since, in situations like this, the owners cannot always be trusted to have any clue what they are talking about.

[odix]

To Loren's point, become a contributing member and you can run the VIN and learn a lot more about the vehicle. Money well spent.