Wife wants a new SUV and since I picked up a 997 she is thinking possibly a Cayenne... want an 08 v6, lighly options. (roof, heat seats, decent stereo etc...) and hoping to get used CPO's in the spring or summer this year. We looked at a few to feel out the size and although its clear it is much smaller then her Toyota real world ownership tells much more then just looking at one.... anyone step down in size from a similar like rig as my Landcruiser and feel the Cayenne is just to small?

Also any must have options? Worth getting an 08 over lets say 06 or 07? The Toyota has been bullet proof (except the brakes, common issue with these beasts) but curious on how the Cayenne's hold up.... fair, good, or great repair record etc....

thanks all and sorry of there are a lot of questions here..... thanks for the feedback.

 

i'd think twice about going with the standard cayenne. although coming from a landcruiser you're not exactly spoiled by power, the 'S' seems like a better fit for an SUV that weighs what this thing does. just a thought.

 

I traded in a H2 for a Cayenne S Titanium Edition last year. Although the H2 is much bigger than a TLC on the outside, I think both SUV are smaller inside than most would think. On the contrary, the Cayenne is a midsized SUV with just the right amount of interior space IMO. Bottomline is it depends on what you are going to use it for? For daily stuff like carrying people and luggages, its fine. But carrying big stuff like Home Depot, Costco, or IKEA trips, it is terrible. Luckily, I have a minivan to do all that stuff.

As far as powerwise, again, I think both the H2 and TLC are just too heavy for their engines. I do have the V8 in my Cayenne and it is definitely more than enough. Needless to say, the '08 V8 has even more power to spare.

For the V6 however, I have only driven the pre-'06, which I think is underpowered especially noticeable in slow speeds. Once you get up to freeway speeds, its OK at best. There are no '07 Cayenne. '08+ Cayenne got a much better engine. And from what I've read, it is a huge improvement over the pre-'06. Almost as good as the pre-'06 V8 some said.

Lastly, fyi, the V6 engines found in Cayennes are in fact VW engines. Along with many components the Touareg & Cayenne share. But the V8 engines are completely different. The 4.5 or 4.8 in the Cayenne is all Porsche. Whereas the 4.2 V8 in the Touareg is Audi/VW.

 

I would recommend you to get a loaded 04-06 Cayenne S for a price of a new or slightly used V6. Otherwise you will feel the 6cylinder to be too slow and feels far from a porshce interms of power.

 

+1 ... though I haven't driven a V6 or a non-turbo V8, I'd stray towards a V8 for wifey. There is just too much mass to move with just a V6. Maybe other V6 owners will chime in on this topic.

Now I being patient for a replacement for my wife's vehicle - a Honda CR-V. We (I) are looking closely at the Cayenne Hybrid which does have a V6 and an electric motor, all controlled by a overly engineered (read - German) clutch to integrate the motor and the engine in harmony. Unfortunately, it will not be here for another year.

 

I also suggest the V8 CS, had an 08 v6 loaner and my wife felt the lack of power was unsafe for highway. but then the only Cayennne she has ever driven was our CTT

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, just the data I was hoping for, this really helped. Eager to here others respond but again this is the type of data I was hoping for so thanks...

 

Wow never thought they were that underpowered meaning the V6, my TLC is as heavy as they come and gets 13+mpg and although a piggly wiggly I feel as if the V8 is strong and when I even tow with it (double trailer and 2 PWC's) it runs perfect...... I have a 2007 4dr Jeep JK Wrangler Sahara with a 6speed and this could possibly be the most underpowered creature ever built.... Love the jeep as a fun toy, top off, modded a bit with some sublte things but man this thing is just terribly under powered. Towing some ski's need to leave it in 5th and down shift again up slight inclines.... 6th towing or not is not a gear to stay in unless ripping at 80mph or else it falls out of gear anbd need to pop back into 5th on any incline...210hp, less then my jetski for gods sake..

I have read the v6 in 08 is much better then the v6 in prior years of the Cayenne. I am OK if the suv is not fast etc but it its actually "underpowered" like my jeep I would not be happy.... thanks again for the help...

 

mick, my jet ski has 215 and its supercharged too. lol

 

You are welcome. While I cannot comment on the new V6 because I have not driven one. I would disregard Billt928's comment on the new V6 being underpowered because he is comparing it to his Cayenne Turbo. No offense Billt928, but I think just about every other SUV on the road is underpowered when compared to the Turbo

Also, if you are going to tow with the Cayenne, I strongly suggest you find one with factory installed tow hitch and PASM (air suspension). I have neither because I do not tow. But I have read numerous times getting a hitch install afterward is much more expensive and PITA. IIRC, it is not so much of the hitch itself but more so on the wirings for lights or brake controller. If it is not done correctly, it will cause the car to throw out all kinds of error messages.

As for the PASM, the Cayenne is the best handling SUV therefore the chassis is stiff. I cannot imagine how stiff the ride would be if I have to tow something. So yes, there are times I wish mine has it.

 

None taken,

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=119520

The Cayenne's base V6 engine has been derided as too weak to sit beneath a Porsche hood, yet now we think it's a worthy entry-level offering. The angle between the V6's cylinder banks shrinks from 15 degrees to 10.6 degrees, while displacement grows from 3.2 liters to 3.6 liters. The V6 now pumps out 290 horsepower and 283 pound-feet of torque, some 43 hp and 54 lb-ft more than last year. Porsche claims 0-60-mph acceleration drops from about 9.5 seconds to the low 8-second bracket.

The normally aspirated V8 in the Cayenne S receives a similar treatment. Displacement increases from 4.5 liters to 4.8 liters and the compression ratio increases to a mind-boggling 12.5:1. A dry-sump lubrication system improves efficiency, while Porsche's VarioCam Plus variable timing extends the power band. Together these changes give the Cayenne S's 4.8-liter V8 some 385 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, a significant improvement over the 340 hp and 310 lb-ft ratings for the previous V8.

Atop the range sits the Cayenne Turbo. Apart from the two turbochargers (one per bank) and a compression ratio of only 10.5:1, the list of improvements to this 4.8-liter V8 is similar to that of the Cayenne S. With an output of 500 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, the 2008 Turbo nearly achieves the output of the 2006 Turbo S (which has been removed from the 2008 lineup). We expect the Cayenne Turbo to accelerate to 60 mph in about 5 seconds.

 

My favorite of all toys....is my sea doo RXT 215hp SC PWC, I also have Kawasaki ultra 150, smaller ski but with some mods actually as fast ss my RXT.... Personal Watercraft to me is the ultimate in fun, over track days, or what ever.... new RXT X is out 255hp.... him may need to upgrade

 

Burnt orange Gold 06 RXP here.