OT considering a used Cayenne, share your input Options

[iamchappy]

I am considering a used Cayenne, I have done a few searches, but the forums I've read dont involve much do it yourself information.

I have come across piston ring breakage and water pump failures in some engines
but haven't seen any high mileage cars out there to see how they hold up.

My wife had a hard time keeping her Lexus on the road this winter, and my autistic son's favorite car is the Cayenne. I would like to get one and get a personalized plate with his name on it, if I can find the right car for the right price and there not considered piles of crap.

I would use it to tow the 914 around to events and she can drive it the rest of the time.

Any input and advise would be appreciated.

[soloracer]

Should You Buy This Car?

Good question. Here's the deal: We like the Cayenne and think it's the perfect second-car for the household that already owns a Porsche or any other equally zippy-yet-impractical sports car. That being said, there are some things to bear in mind before you plunk down your money.

First, while the Porsche is undeniably fast and sporty, it might be just a little too much so. As mentioned before, even in Comfort mode, the ride can be a bit harsh for passengers. For families with children, the smoother ride of a Land Rover Range Rover--which is certainly as prestigious as the Cayenne and, if one opts for the $90,750 Supercharged version, even slightly more expensive--might be more welcome. Moreover, one does not need to spend so much money to get a perfectly good SUV. The $67,395 Lexus LX 470, the smaller though pleasantly fast $71,100 BMW X5 4.8is and the virtually identical $44,750 Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI are all worth a look.

And of course, one might decide that they don't even really need an SUV as a second car when a wagon will do just as well. If that's the case, it is definitely a good idea to check out the Mercedes-Benz E500, BMW's 5-Series wagon and Audi's $48,600 S4 Avant.

Then there is the question of vehicle reliability. Consumer Reports raised a red flag about both the 2004 and 2005 models (the 2006 model has not yet been rated), saying that its reliability was "much worse than average," scoring low in the "power equipment," "body hardware" and "electrical" categories. To be fair, most European luxury cars tend to score pretty badly with CR--although the 911 was rated among the most-dependable luxury cars by JD Power. (To find out which other high-end cars score well, see: " The Most Reliable Luxury Cars 2006.")

When one is shopping for a $90,000 car, reliability should be a factor--but it is unlikely to be the dominant one. This is a car that should be an indulgence, a reward, a treat. The Cayenne Turbo is all of those things. And practical too. Best of all, it's a Porsche.