Guys,
I am in the market for a new DD. My usual arrangement is to have a sensible DD, and a weekend or whenever-I-can-drive-it car, which my TTS is now. We are a 4 person household, my wife, our son, and my 82 yo mom, who moved in with us a couple years ago due to some declining health issues. My wife has a 2003 SUV with 130k miles, and my DD car is a 2007 MDX. My wife thinks of cars like appliances, fine with any type vehicle as long as it is safe and runs well. Great car guy wife. So I get the new cars, then pass them to her. I will give her my MDX, sell her SUV and buy a new DD for myself.

I need some type of crossover, as the hauling abilities are needed once in a while, for Home Depot, etc. A truck would be overkill, and a 4 door sedan maybe not enough.

The new MDX looks like a blob of jello to me, and I have owned one for the last 7 years anyways. I am kinda stuck between a Toyota Highlander, the Porsche Macan, the Lexus RX350, and the Mercedes ML. My Porsche Dealer has some Macan S models decently equipped for around $60K, ML Territory, and a bit more than than the Lexus and a good bit more than the Toyota. The 340 hp of the Macan leaves the others in the dust, power wise.

Any ideas or input for me would be greatly appreciated.

Anyone

 

So I just bought a macan turbo as my DD, I traded in an m5 and had an x5m before that. The macan is a great cuv, I didn't order one because I was scared the back seat wasn't going to be big enough for my two kids but it was,it was just slightly tighter than the m5. So I bought my dealers launch car. It is smaller car than the others you're comparing it to so it depends on whether you need the space. It drives way way way better than any of the others.

If your other car is a TTS I would go for a turbo model. It still feels underpowered to me for a "turbo" model so I'm hopeful there is a tune soon.

Jeff

 

I looked at a Macan Turbo when I had my TT in recently for a more aggressive alignment. Neat little SUV, and I wish I could find a reason to buy one. Unfortunately for us, those small crossovers just aren't big enough for our family with four boys. They pulled it out of the showroom while I was there and I actually thought they had started up one of the Turbos on the showroom floor, lol.

Would be a great choice, IMO.
S.

 

I have a similar domestic arrangement in my household.... wife, parents (89 and 78) who live with us. We checked out the Macan as well but found the limited rear legroom to be a problem for elderly access. Our Audi Q5 has a couple inches more. The Macan does drive well but I found the S to be the better option over the Turbo. Chassis and power better matched.

 

In addition to the concerns with elderly rear sitting access, I had to carry a transporter at times for family members. Check out the storage capacity with the rear seatbacks up and vertical clearances if you think you might have to use one or a wheelchair in the future.

 

check out the Audi Q5 with the 3.0T (same as S4)

 

I think the Macan is a great looking car and would be a very ideal dd.

 

If you're going to be driving with your mother around, you'd probably want the largest, cushiest vehicle (prob the ML or RX). If not, then I'd probably choose the Macan.

 

I've debating to get Porsche SUV as well - Macan or Cayenne. I looked at the Macan and the rear doesn't appeal to me at all. It's slopes too much and looks more like a wagon than a SUV. Additionally the Macan is only 6" shorter than a Cayenne so its not that much smaller. In terms of price...

• Macan S (semi loaded is around $64K)
• Macan Turbo (semi loaded is around $86K)
• 13' Cayenne GTS (< 10K miles, lightly used $85K)
• 12-13' Cayenne Turbo (< 10K miles, lightly used $95K)

We're leaning towards a 2013 Cayenne Turbo - several with less than 10K miles and $90-100K

If I was buying Macan S, I would probably buy an M-sport BMW X3 and pocket the $10-14K.

 

I currently have an impeccable highly optioned V6 Cayenne . It is ideal for tooling around town in comfort, taking passengers , and fetching groceries . It's low on gas and high on practical . Ideally the diesel is IMO the most impressive but it ws not available in 2012 .

The main dealbreakers in favor of the Macan Vs Cayenne is that the Macan has :1) PDK and 2) agility and 3) blistering performance at rational pricing (a 90K Macan Turbo will wipe the doors of a 90K Gts Cayenne).
In my opinion the Macan is going to be the future Porsche icon once they get some of the first production gremlins resolved .

It is a small SUV but it drives like sports sedan . In fact it will beat many top tier sports sedans . With 0-60 in the 4.4 sec range and lapping the ring in the low 8's the car blows away the fastest Cayenne at the track and in a straight line will run with a base 911 . At 85-90K (nicely equipped) a Turbo is a bargain !!!

I am expecting delivery of my custom build in less than 3 weeks . I sadly no longer have my elderly parents (miss them both dearly ) nor adult children but even if i did they could fit unless they are giants and if that's the case even a Cayenne will seem small.

I am 5'9 and weigh 160 . Here is a photo of me sitting in the rear of a Macan S immediately after I had set the front seat to my driving height . I am very comfortable .

Included is a photo of the interior of my cayenne as well . It certainly is a beautiful vehicle yet it just can't compete with the Macan on any performance/value level .All the Cayenne has over trhe Macan is space and even that difference is not huge . Here is my Macan Turbo build http://www.porsche-code.com/PF2MG2M9

 

Yeah I got a cayenne as a loaner for a few days last week and it's not really comparable to a macan even in the way it drives. The macan is for people who want a sedan but need AWD, and some ride height. The cayenne is for people who an SUV, both great cars but targeting different audiences.

Jeff

 

Macan probably too small. I opted for the Cayenne as its got tons of room and plenty of power and really handles like a sedan.