06 Cayenne S, Yea or Nay, from your experience Options

[IronHillRestorations]

Going to look at a really clean 06’ Cayenne S. 150k on the clock, gas burner, last 10 years of records. New brakes and motor mounts, coolant pipes have been replaced. $7500

What is your experience with a first generation Cayenne?

[infraredcalvin]

You know what they say about cheap a Porsche…

All joking aside, as long as you're prepared for parts cost to be expensive, at that age and that mileage, everything is worn out…

[JmuRiz]

Boroscope the cyl bores for scoring during a ppi, if that checks out, why not (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Front yard mechanic]

Weak two piece driveshaft but the aftermarket repair joint will take care of that. I have an 04 and it’s still a tight truck.

[technicalninja]

At that mileage I'd be leery of the front differential assembly...

If it's the same as the Toureg (I think it is) they die hard above 120K and SOME internal parts are NLA...

Like the crush sleeve!

You cannot easily rebuild them.

NEW units are available to the tune of 4k...

Most of my Toureg customers have problems in the front.

They ALSO have the single most complicated vacuum pipping system for the brake booster that is prone to failure.

If the pedal feels weird you get to take the firewall apart and replace $500+ in a multipiece plastic/rubber manifolds.

I'd pass on that vehicle.

[scallyk9]

I had owned a 2006 Cayenne S Titanium Edition (955) before my current 2009 Cayenne Turbo S (957) and loved it. I purchased it early in March 2016 with 85k on the odometer and had no major service problems with it over the two years I had owned it. Most of the issues I had were electrical and took time to track down so I'd spend time checking all functions before purchasing it.

A bore score check is very good advice and be sure to operate the different drive modes, four wheel drive settings. My S would be down a quart in approximately 4000 miles.

[914Sixer]

Suspension and brakes are not cheap.

[bob164]

Agree with doing the bore check, at 150k is when it occurred to my 05 Cayenne S.

[Front yard mechanic]

I have a spare diff

[Dlee6205]

Oh man, I love the early Cayennes. Amazing vehicles.

In a moment of weakness I sold my '09 S last summer after 157K miles. On the hunt for a Turbo S now.

Biggest thing is finding the right car that's been well taken care of, maintained, garaged, etc. I'd consider buying another higher mileage Cayenne as long as it has the right history. 7.5K seems a little high but it might be in the ballpark for the right car.

[SKL1]

Loved our first gen Cayenne- had no issues but since we pulled an enclosed aluminum trailer with our race-car in it, we sold it when the warranty ran out. Didn't want issues with the air suspension, drivetrain etc.
A lot of those issues have probably been dealt with a vehicle with those miles...


(of course, when Porsche was first talking about building a SUV I didn't feel that way but quickly changed my mind...)

[Jack Standz]

What's not to love about an awesome offroad vehicle that comes with a quad-cam 32 valve all-aluminum V8? Handles like a 911 on pavement and like a Transiberian winning racecar when offroad.

Traction control.
Stability control.
Bose sound system.
Leather seats.
6 speed AWD with "paddle" shift standard
7,700 pound towing capacity
Etc., etc.

We got a 2006 Cayenne S several years ago (but around 1/2 the miles on it), should have gotten one years ago. Still have it, but with a few upgrades/modifications (like full set of skid plates, rock sliders, big mud/snow tires, lift kit, winch, factory tow package, etc.). It'll take you anywhere you want to go.

Any downsides? Sure. For one, it's a pig. Weighs something like, 5,000 pounds. Gas mileage is terrible and requires premium due to the high compression motor. The rubber center mount on the driveshaft fails. Replaced it already and shortly after purchase. Check it..

Here it is (the gold colored, slightly more subtle one) along with another example of what can be done.

[JmuRiz]

FWIW the new PCA Panorama has a very cool Transiberia resto with a RoofNest tent on top. I like it a lot even though I hate the idea of camping...but in something like that, I could give it a try.

[jfort]

I had two of that vintage with V8 and both had cylinder scoring resulting in engine failures. I got a 2005 V6, which I still have and love. I think those from the south are more likely to not have more scoring

[ClayPerrine]

We are currently in the market for a Cayenne GTS (Second generation (92A)) to replace our current GMC tow vehicle. But it's almost impossible to find a low mileage V-8, Black Interior (Betty insists on this) and small sunroof in an outside color other than black, white, grey or silver. I can add the trailer hitch if it doesn't have one. I can find a few in red, but they are usually high mileage. Everyone that bought them seems to be bland, boring people with no sense of color in their lives. I would almost settle for a black outside, but I would have to have it painted and/or wrapped to look like a Bumblebee 914. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

If I really wanted to make Betty happy, I would find one in Purple!

[Jack Standz]

Yes, you can add a trailer hitch. Picked one up for the 955 from Pick & Pull for like $40. Get all the electronics when you pull it (they're under the right-side rear interior panel by/above the CD changer).

Integrates with the 955's security system so that if someone unplugs the trailer, it sets the alarm off. Not sure if later generations require a durametric (we have one) or the dealer to program for it, but the first generation 955 didn't need it. The hardest part of the swap was getting the correct bolts from the dealer. It took like 3 orders to finally get it right.

When we were looking for a Cayenne, the hybrid one seemed interesting. But, IIRC they didn't make that many and those that bought them were hanging on to them. Still, I'd like to have one for a spare
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) .

[targa72e]

I have a 2004 turbo that I purchased a couple years ago for a camping / winter driving car. I have put 25K on it (now at 127K) and it has been very reliable. One of the things I like is that they share parts with Audi and VW so shared parts are inexpensive. Because of the high cost in general to have Porsche repaired and the fact that the cost is now low many get parted. You can find many parts cheap (complete engines can be found for $1500). I was able to get parts for mine to add options it did not have originally for very little money. I have added Automatic head lights and Homelink garage door opener. I have even had some of these show up locally at the pick and pulls so have spares for some common problem parts. If you can do your own work they are a lot of car for the money.

john

[Maltese Falcon]

Cayenne engine ('05 Turbo) left overs from our 9148-gtt project;
Complete engine wiring harness (not cut anywhere), ecu, flywheel, intake manifold, misc. I will put this equip up for sale in classifieds eventually.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/marty914.jpg)