Cayenne...

[Kenrik]

My wife wants a new car for when we have kids. I would like to get a 911 but they are around 40k for a 2005. I could swing it but I don't want such a massive payment.

So i'm looking at the Cayenne.
Good for a family car and only around 25k for one with low miles.

Thoughts? anyone here have any imput on them?

I would like to get a cayman but only two seats kills it.. unless we throw the baby in the trunk.... hmm gota think about that one...

[Jesda]

I spent some time with a Cayenne S in 2004 and wasn't blown away, but it was nice. Some of the interior bits were imperfectly fitted but handling was surprisingly good for an SUV, like a luxury sedan.

The sound system was impressive, as was the quality and feel of the leather.

I didn't like the appearance at all, and interior space is tight for how large it is on the outside.

I've seen them for as low as $20k, so buy it, get a warranty, and enjoy the hell out of it. Personally, I'd look for a Touareg V10. They're better looking and more powerful.

[Mr1der]

CTS sport wagon?

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Aren't they supposed to be REALLY small inside? I read somewhere they have less room than a Ford Escape, lol.

But it's a Porsche. I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the handling. As far as value though.....ehh.....maintenance is probably ridiculous.

[sx moneypit]

I have a customer that owns a Touareg (basically the same thing) and it has been reliable so far. He loves it.

[Kenrik]

I have a customer that owns a Touareg (basically the same thing) and it has been reliable so far. He loves it.

Not really... they only share the same chassis.

[frapjap]

I drove a rode in a Touareg a number of times in college. Very, very comfortable, fast, and handle decently for such a huge vehicle.
How about an FX45? THOSE are fun, and they handle well for the size.

[Poyzinous]

Why do you want an overpriced Volkswagen Touraeg??
Isn't the Versa enough for 2 adults and 2 kids?
I agree with an FX. They are quite awesome.

[Bubba1]

Why do you want an overpriced Volkswagen Touraeg??
Isn't the Versa enough for 2 adults and 2 kids?
I agree with an FX. They are quite awesome.

Used Cayennes are reasonably priced to acquire but like all porsche's, the maintenance and repair costs are waaay higher than it's competition.

Yes they are comfortable, and handle better than most SUV's, but make no mistake, at the end of the day, it's still a big heavy SUV. It's not something to take to the track unless it's a tow vehicle. If you're looling for a daily driver family grocery getter or take the family on a vacation vehicle, there are better, less expensive choices out there.

An FX45 is a nice alternative, though the looks are love it/hate it, An Acura MDX is also something worth looking at. well made, big and comfortable.

[Poyzinous]

An Acura MDX is also something worth looking at. well made, big and comfortable.

But its a h0nd@.

[Bubba1]

An Acura MDX is also something worth looking at. well made, big and comfortable.

But its a h0nd@.

That's true. but I don't see too many MDX's with oversized wings, fartcans, and "Pep Boys" bling.

[AZhitman]

I think the "entry price" is false economy, much like a high-schooler buying a Q45. Sure, you can get in cheaply, but as was said before, the upkeep, repairs and maintenance are pricey. There's a reason they're languishing on the used market.

With that said, it's still tempting. I mean, after all, it's a Porsche.

When I worked for Infiniti, I had a couple customers with them, and I drove a couple. One particular customer was considering the FX, but didn't want to "give up the performance" of his Porsche. I took great pleasure in taking him down some backroads and spanking his Cayenne handily. He bought the FX.

That said, I think there are several other vehicles that better meet your "unspoken needs" (upscale performance crossover).

BTW, welcome back!

[Kenrik]

you guys keep saying the maintenance is expensive but why?
I hear a lot of people say the same thing about the G35 but I don't find that it cost me more than my s13 did when It was my daily.
For example it costs $1000 - $1500 to get a G35 clutch replaced at the dealer but I got a OEM clutch kit for $175 and Installed it myself.

I would be doing any work myself short of a complete engine rebuild so I'm just looking at part cost which will be higher but not insanely so...

The only thing that i'm not so excited about is the mileage.. 13/19 I know that really means 12mpg lol.

I looked at the FX but I'm not happy with the build quality of infiniti.. after dealing with the crappy paint and interior of the G I think i'm done with Infiniti for a while.

Maybe I should just go for the 911 - throw the car seat in the back (since no full sized human would fit back there anyway) and be done with it.

[Kenrik]

Oh and Acura... Honda... Ewwww...

They are overpriced for just being a tojo car.

[Jesda]

you guys keep saying the maintenance is expensive but why?

Its a fact of life with most high-end German vehicles, especially vehicles from the Volkswagen/Audi/Porsche/Lambo auto group. While someone may have told you the G35 had expensive maintenance costs, they were clearly using standard vehicles like the Altima has a benchmark. The G35 is quite affordable to maintain among luxury-branded vehicles.

The Cayenne's maintenance and repair expenses are high not just in the league of standard autos -- they're high when compared to other luxury cars. However, if you purchase an extended warranty with generous coverage for the engine, transmission, suspension, and electrical components (please read the fine print), you'll come out ahead of the warranty on the cost of repairs.

MB and VW AG vehicles -will- cost plenty to keep running. I know this from experience.

Keep all of this in mind if you purchase it. Set realistic expectations and enjoy it. Its a genuinely nice vehicle.

[Mr1der]

Just sayin.

[Dittoz7]

Caution: Baby in the trunk.

Can't find the actually picture of it on a s2000.

[93coupe]

CTS sport wagon?

This or an FX.

Kenrick is back?! And married? WTF. How is the G?

[Bubba1]

Why do we keep saying it's expensive? I do because I have several friends that own Porsches, and they all complain about the cost to repair after the warrranty expires. They have deep pockets so it seems the costs do not exceed their willingness to own them. They are clearly great vehicles, but none of them use their Porsches as daily drivers.

But hey, if you want to believe that late model Porsche's outside of its warranty is no more expensive to repair than an infiniti, and that a 911 is useable as family daily driver, please don't let me stop you from buying one. It's your money.

[AZhitman]

Just sayin.

DO LOVE.

Y'know, I really wish GM had skipped the bailout money like Ford did.

Alternatively, I wish Ford could build something worth owning, like the CTS, the Corvette or the Impala.

[HashiriyaS14]

My wife wants a new Cayenne next year. The V6 isn't *crazy* expensive (high $40s), which is all she needs, but I'm trying to convince her to get something (anything) else.

I obviously voted CTS Wagon, which she promptly vetoed because she hates the front end. I might be able to sell her on an A4 Wagon, which I really like.



Why the hell isn't there a G37/Skyline wagon? I would buy that ALL DAY LONG.

[Dittoz7]

Never really liked cross-overs. SOoo...

S5/A5 ALL day long.





Or

Used Q7 should fall into that price range.



Out of the ball park suggestions.

Kia Sorento Starting at 22k
and just because the commercial kicks a**.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJqs3D2vv4I[/youtube]

If anything just get another grill for it.

2011 Ford Explorer is also looking promising.

[AZhitman]

Why the hell isn't there a G37/Skyline wagon? I would buy that ALL DAY LONG.

There is. It's called the EX, and it's amazingly underrated (spectacular performer on a track).

[Dittoz7]

Wish we got the Steaga.



Infamous R34 wagon is pr0nz!

[Mr1der]

Y'know, I really wish GM had skipped the bailout money like Ford did.

Alternatively, I wish Ford could build something worth owning, like the CTS, the Corvette or the Impala.

I'm with you there. Lincoln is a damn joke.

I think within 5 or so years, Ford will be on top of everything. Hell, maybe they'll back an F1 team...

[HashiriyaS14]

There is. It's called the EX, and it's amazingly underrated (spectacular performer on a track).

EX is a little too SUV-ish for me. It looks like a baby FX, and the FX is thermonuclear ugly. EX looks better, but I still don't feel like it would look like a proper wagon even if i lowered it. Something about the hindquarters.

[Jesda]

If an SUV is typically boxy and rugged, the EX looks nothing like it. Its in that hermaphroditic gray area that the Subaru Forester occupies. It doesnt seem to know what the hell it wants to be.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Personally, I'd look for a Touareg V10.

Audi Q7.

I obviously voted CTS Wagon, which she promptly vetoed because she hates the front end.

DIVORCE.

[DAAN.]

15K for one with low miles is a good buy. Resale value hurts in terms of this particular Porsche due to the consensus that it has an unattractive design.

A new Touareg would be an even better buy, as it is the Touareg 2.0 that is better than the old one (seems to have had problems with harsh suspension / bad gearbox).

[HashiriyaS14]

If an SUV is typically boxy and rugged, the EX looks nothing like it. Its in that hermaphroditic gray area that the Subaru Forester occupies. It doesnt seem to know what the hell it wants to be.

I guess it's really a "Crossover", as I've taken to limiting my (admittedly arbitrary) definition of SUV to body-on-frame vehicles.

Either way, it isn't a wagon, in the same way that the Forrester, Outback, Accord Crosstour, and AMC Eagle aren't wagons. I don't know what those are, but I know I don't want one.


Not as simple as just lowering an EX either, it just doesn't look car-like.