I currently drive a Panamera 4 970 (V6 NA 3.6L)


I’m looking for an upgrade for mainly one major reason: the V6 is horribly quiet and I need something that has a more lively driving experience (mainly in terms of exhaust sound).

I ordered and installed PSE. Installing a PSE didn’t help much, a resonator-delete had really nice pops and crackles, but raspy obnoxious tone so it was reverted and not a single aftermarket exhaust system sounds not raspy or any good basically.

The other concern (very minor) is that I don’t enjoy having to worry too much all the time of how low the car is when parking/driving over speed humps (with load/4 people on board which usually means that the car scrapes the hump), so I thought the idea upgrade would be an SUV, a Cayenne in particular since I’m not into the Macan and once you drive a Porsche nothing can compare.



(Other suggestions from the Porsche lineup also are still valid and welcomed even if they don’t cover the ride height concern as the exhaust is my main concern)




So basically I narrowed my search to the:

1. 2014 Cayenne GTS as it’s a NA V8 beast with the PSE button as standard. However with this option the two main mods I’d do would be retrofitting the 958.2’s steering wheel (AKA the Macan steering wheel) and a Secondary cat-bypass for sure. (side note: 958.2 16' GTS is out of the question since it's a TTV6 and doesn't sound any good imo)
2. The other option in mind just as of recently is a CTT/CTTS 15/16 since it’s also a V8, could have a PSE installed and or a secondary cat-bypass and already has the beautiful newer steering wheel but the only downside is that it would be more expensive and my budget is a bit tight. (most options of both the GTS and TT range between 40-52k $ so 52k would be my ceiling)

Bottom line, I need advice

Which option is better (also while keeping in mind reliability/maintenance) seeking a CPO is also on the list of priorities


Speed/acceleration/comfort are not an area of concern in this comparison as we have strict speed restrictions and I don’t require this car for very long commutes.

Also since other posts in the forum have covered these points fully




Other suggestions are welcome even from other makes.

 

I’m in same boat, looking for a 13 or 14 gts. The 13 does not have the pse (exhaust only) button and only opens the exhaust valves and a pillar symposer valves with the sport button itself. You can easily plug the exhaust valves so they are always on in the 13, but don’t see a solution without hitting sport for the symposwr which I really want. Maybe using sport mode all the time will be ok, but sometimes it’s a bit much for the family hauling...

 

Honestly the main reason I'm going in favor of the 14 is the PSE button. It will give me the freedom to make modifications and still have the ability to go quiet mode especially useful since the authorities around here a somewhat strict and might fine me for having a modded exhaust.

So as planned the first mod will be to get a cat bypass, the button will allow me to unleash the beast and muffle it on command.

 

FWIW I always hit the sport button after I start the car and drive in Sport mode. More than the exhaust note (which is great), it downshifts for you when you're coming to a stop.

 

If you turn the key to the first click, you can turn on PSE. THEN start car. Start sound I’d much better.

also, I installed a Fabspeed cat bypass on my ‘13 Cayenne GTS. The sound is almost violent. Awesome.

 

Thanks, ya some cars sport mode is much better to use always than others. My Raptor sport will often VERY annoyingly hold gears for like 15 seconds strung out at 5k rpm and not up shift. My Ferrari 360 never comes out of sport and is actually smoother with f1 in it, and it’s one of the few cars with a toggle you don’t have to hit it every damn time you start the car, toggle stays where you left it. Wish more cars left settings where the driver put them upon restart. My wife’s XFR will store dynamic mode for 6 hours after turned off then go back to regular, so Ifs a reasonable compromise.

anyway, you don’t find sport to be too harsh / aggressive for a wife and 3 kids? The cars that fit my criteria are all 13’s so no PSE button. I’ll probably plug exhaust to always have those valves open at least I’m going to try to test a gts today to make sure 3 car seats fit and I like the ride. Never driven a cayenne, just owned a 996tt for 8 years and have tried a mecan (too small for 3 car seats and I’m 6.6”).

 

presume you can do the same with the sport button in a 13? I do this with my gt350R, which has perhaps the best stock exhaust on any car, but the valves can be annoying. At start when you hit the clutch it checks valves and opens then closes them until you put in sport or toggle the exhaust toggle open, so starting the car quickly gets a obnoxious (and wonderful) bark with them open then closes them. Keep in mind cold start even valves closed on this car is louder than Most open valved cars, but I eventually instilled a remote valve controller. Unfortunately it also defaults to closed at start (can hit open before starting though) and does not do the flutter and otherwise has them open like 6th gear which is otherwise always closed, it also lets me rip wot at one of my local track with a noise ordinance issue but keeping them shut always in track mode still.

I just wish there was a solution to leave open the symposer. Plugging its valves keeps it closed by a spring. Not sure how it would be possible to put a 14 pse button in which would probably require a whole module and dash part and pita. Maybe I won’t like the symposer and it won’t be an issue...