CL members need opinion on Porsche Cayenne S
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Ohio
CL members need opinion on Porsche Cayenne S
Today me, and the wife went to look at the Cayenne S, and what i wanted to know is the up keep on that suv high, and is the cayenne s worth $60 something G. Is it worth giving up my RX330 for, and any thoughts or info would be great.
Last edited by Lexy GS430; Aug 8, 2005 at 10:31 PM.
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Personally, I think it has a pretty ugly face. But that aside, I think it's a good performer for an SUV on- or off-road.
I'd take (for one) a V8 Touareg over the Cayenne. It has a much more handsome interior and exterior and off-roads just as well (I think) as the Cayenne. I believe it's less agile though. Actually, for the price I'd opt for the V10 TDI Touareg but they don't make new ones of those anymore due to slow sales.
I'd take (for one) a V8 Touareg over the Cayenne. It has a much more handsome interior and exterior and off-roads just as well (I think) as the Cayenne. I believe it's less agile though. Actually, for the price I'd opt for the V10 TDI Touareg but they don't make new ones of those anymore due to slow sales.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I would avoid the Cayenne S for several reasons. Gs430jw is correct about it being more-or-less a 911 with more room, but IMO just about everything with a Porsche nameplate is overpriced. And Porsche reliability, while not as bad as some other German designs, is iffy. Unless there is something about the Cayenne's handling that you just find irrestible, why not look at another new RX? You could get a RX400H hybrid ( after getting on a waiting list ) probably for less than a Cayenne, and have the efficiencies and power of the hybrid drivetrain. (And gas is only going to get more expensive). However, to be honest, I am not as impressed with the RX400H's interior as with the RX330....it is not as rich-looking....but that, of course is a matter of personal taste.
I would avoid the GX470 and the LX470. They are both truck-based, the LX is somewhat overpriced IMO, and the GX, especially, is tall and narrow , with a high center-of-gravity, and could be prone to the tipsies in cornering.
If you prefer another make, check out the Infiniti FX35. It promises good handling and better reliability than the Porsche, but the ride is rather stiff ( even more so on the more expensive V8 FX45 ) and the interior is not quite up to Lexus standards.
I would avoid the GX470 and the LX470. They are both truck-based, the LX is somewhat overpriced IMO, and the GX, especially, is tall and narrow , with a high center-of-gravity, and could be prone to the tipsies in cornering.
If you prefer another make, check out the Infiniti FX35. It promises good handling and better reliability than the Porsche, but the ride is rather stiff ( even more so on the more expensive V8 FX45 ) and the interior is not quite up to Lexus standards.
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Originally Posted by mmarshall
If you prefer another make, check out the Infiniti FX35. It promises good handling and better reliability than the Porsche, but the ride is rather stiff ( even more so on the more expensive V8 FX45 ) and the interior is not quite up to Lexus standards.
FX45 has 315hp stock... and rides the same as the FX35.
Former co-worker has a Cayenne S which I've been in. VERY nice and he's had no problems that I know of (after probably nearly 2 years).
mmarshall - comparing it to an RX - well there really is no comparison. The RX is nice, but boring. A Porsche, well, is a Porsche.
Not everything's about 'logic' when it comes to vehicle choice. 
mmarshall - comparing it to an RX - well there really is no comparison. The RX is nice, but boring. A Porsche, well, is a Porsche.
Not everything's about 'logic' when it comes to vehicle choice.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 480
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From: ON
problematic yo, buddy of mine has one.
It was bought in Jan, took delivery in Feb, they bought if from Pfaff Porsche in Toronto, so far it has been into the dealership no less than 10x, from a/c's drain plug is dumping water into the cabinet, to power window broke down, and tranmission won't upshift on the hwy, I've sat in the thing and saw he actually redlined the thing cause it won't upshift. To the HU needed a reboot, he's getting 'em to do a buy back, cause he has driven the rental more often than the thing itself.
but he said he would buy a Turbo in an instant, btw, those things handle for a SUV, but I'd rather just get a S4 Avant.
It was bought in Jan, took delivery in Feb, they bought if from Pfaff Porsche in Toronto, so far it has been into the dealership no less than 10x, from a/c's drain plug is dumping water into the cabinet, to power window broke down, and tranmission won't upshift on the hwy, I've sat in the thing and saw he actually redlined the thing cause it won't upshift. To the HU needed a reboot, he's getting 'em to do a buy back, cause he has driven the rental more often than the thing itself.
but he said he would buy a Turbo in an instant, btw, those things handle for a SUV, but I'd rather just get a S4 Avant.
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From: California
Originally Posted by Lexy GS430
Today me, and the wife went to look at the Cayenne S, and what i wanted to know is the up keep on that suv high, and is the cayenne s worth $60 something G. Is it worth giving up my RX330 for, and any thoughts or info would be great.
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I'd hit it, though as suggested, I'd wait for the new one.
Understand, it will never be as reliable as a LX470. And it won't be as dull to drive either.
There is tons of prestige in the brand, there are tons of diehard Porcshe fans who spit on this SUV.
For some reason, personally, I am drawn to the looks. The reviews of its handling have been excellent.
And we need PICS!!!
Understand, it will never be as reliable as a LX470. And it won't be as dull to drive either.
There is tons of prestige in the brand, there are tons of diehard Porcshe fans who spit on this SUV.
For some reason, personally, I am drawn to the looks. The reviews of its handling have been excellent.
And we need PICS!!!