Do I Buy My Mom a Cayenne Turbo? 

"The World of Vee" (theworldofvee) 09/29/2015 at 21:15 • Filed to: Beyond Motoring, Porsche, Cayenne, Turbo, Porsche Cayenne

2

42

So a few years ago I bought my mom a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and she loved it. The car is pretty solid, has no major issues and is paid off because I got such a slamming deal on it. My mother decided that she wants to give the car to my sister now because her lease on a C300 4matic is over (my mom and dad drove to LA to be with her while she gets ready for her wedding, so she’s been driving the car a lot anyways and really likes it). So I told them I’d find another car for her and then my dad could give me a bit for a down payment and I’d pick up the monthlies. I did this because a) I love my mom, but more importantly b) car shopping is fun!

So now here’s the kicker, I wanted to get her a Range Rover but getting a last gen feels wrong and the newer models are still absurdly priced. I thought about another Lincoln (MKX) but it isn’t as comfortable as the MKT, and the XC90 has a 6 month wait in their area. Enter Cayenne.

Obviously, the Turbo is an absurd price as new (150k or something) but in the used market it’s not a bad deal. The local dealer has a Silver over black 2012 Cayenne Turbo with 15k miles and all the important options in the safety and comfort fields for $62k. It’s Porsche CPO and with the 100k/7 year warranty it all comes out to a nice round 66k$ taxed and titled. Now assuming that the finances work out, the real question becomes is a 500hp SUV too much power for a middle aged suburban mom who drives it to Costco and to New York City occasionally?

I think of it from the value perspective, a brand new Cayenne V6 which is the same body style with the same options that the turbo has on it comes out to roughly 85k. This one is 20k cheaper AND has the bonkers engine that if you drive it like an old lady...is just a normal engine. She also didn’t have an issue with the MKTs 365hp, and while 500hp is a big difference...is it really that big?

Thoughts?

Steve in Manhattan > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 21:19

1

AWD adds complication and cost. Where are you, and does mom really need AWD/4WD?

Nibby > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 21:21

13

No. You buy your mother a Civic and get me something nice.

The World of Vee > Steve in Manhattan 09/29/2015 at 21:22

1

Upstate NY. It snows quite heavily here from time to time, but also my parents flat out refuse to buy non-awd vehicles

dogisbadob > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 21:24

0

How about a QX56 or LX570 :)

Steve in Manhattan > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 21:26

1

Fair enough. If they lived in San Diego, it would be a different story.

What about a Subaru Tribeca? I drove one, and despite the fact that they’re a bit homely, it’s a great vehicle. Also, any sort of Subaru. Rented a recent vintage CR-V, and it was very nice. Or an Element. Something more economical than the Porsche. Or does she want the badge?

pjhusa > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 21:31

0

GLE400 bruh

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 21:31

0

Why not a Macan?

M54B30 > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 21:31

0

Im curious on a review of the MKT, my wife are i planning to look at some when she gets back, specifically with the 2 seat middle row and actual buttons instead of the touch sensitive panels

DrScientist > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 21:38

2

yes. do it.

and the turbo will hold its value better than an equivalently used v6 cayenne.

i do think though you should check out a gts. they had unique styling cues, look great, probably more rare (better depreciation) and less likely to get in trouble... i mean horsepower.

Doug DeMuro > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 21:38

1

I’ve driven everything you mention except the new MKX and XC90.

The Cayenne Turbo does have a lot more power, and it’s very very smooth power delivery (unlike the first ones, which had some serious lag). Most Cayenne Turbo models were also optioned to the gills, so you’ll get more equipment. But why not just get a used V6? Or an S? They came out in 2011 and they’re very well priced now; your mom may not notice much difference. The Turbo doesn’t really go unless you’re really getting on it.

Also you should consider the old body Range Rover! The 2010 facelift gives it just as much tech as the Cayenne, and it drives like nothing on earth — for better or worse... Plus CarMax is still selling warranties for em!

Boxer_4 > Steve in Manhattan 09/29/2015 at 21:40

0

The Tribeca would be a good choice (go for the refreshed Tribeca with the 3.6L, over the B9 Tribeca with the 3.0L). The prices are sitting at reasonable numbers at the moment (a CPO 2013 with ~40,000 miles is going for ~$25,000) The only issue may be availability (they didn’t exactly sell too well near the end), but Autotrader currently has 64 2012-2014 Tribecas listed, all under ~45,000 miles.

Wobbles the Mind > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 21:41

0

Jaguar just dropped their prices and added in a 6 year warranty I think plus complementary maintenance. I say take advantage now. Brand new car, never seen on the street before, and like a Rover for the street with Macan/Cayenne aspirations.

The World of Vee > M54B30 09/29/2015 at 21:43

1

well it has a touch panel and touch screen (in the refreshed 2013 models which I HIGHLY recommend). The car is fantastic in every which way. If you want to do it right get the Elite group (201a), Vista roof, Captain’s Chairs, Refrigerator. The Tech package is great and the ecoboost is intoxicating, but those are to each their own. Used prices on these models are like 30k and it’s a wonderful car.

The World of Vee > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis 09/29/2015 at 21:44

2

It’s smaller, and would cost about the same price.

The World of Vee > pjhusa 09/29/2015 at 21:45

1

Was never a fan of the ML, I guess i’d have to go test drive one

Steve in Manhattan > Boxer_4 09/29/2015 at 21:47

0

I don’t quite know why, but I have a visceral reaction when confronted with a Cayenne, especially a thirsty one. There’s also the smaller Volvo - not an XC90, but one step down. That’s certainly safer than the Porsche, n’est pas?

M54B30 > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 21:50

0

The looks are...polarizing...but the interior looks like a nice place to spend hours in on a highway. How was the touch panel? Reviews hate(d) them but is it that bad or just a learning curve? The Elite package is the only way I’d get it.

pjhusa > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 21:54

1

But... Jurassic Park: Lost World

Slant6 > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 21:56

0

Wait for the Volvo. Or just get one from somewhere else. Totally worth it.

The World of Vee > Slant6 09/29/2015 at 22:07

0

Volvo is high on the list. Urgency is making the decision harder though. Neither in my area, my sister’s area nor my parents area are XC90s or the New Q7 going to be available till 2016

The World of Vee > pjhusa 09/29/2015 at 22:07

1

If you can find me an ML in dino print modified into a truck by eddie, then I’ll personally buy it.

The World of Vee > M54B30 09/29/2015 at 22:09

0

I loved the looks. The touch panel was fine, just tap the edge to go up or down, if you really wanna slide it works just fine. If you really hate it just use the button on the steering wheel and adjust the fan and temp in the climate corner.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 22:11

0

How about a Volvo V60 Polestar? AWD, a good amount of HP, one of the best interiors, and practicality upon practicality.

pjhusa > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 22:12

0

Too bad, I’d snap it up first.

The World of Vee > Doug DeMuro 09/29/2015 at 22:12

0

I looked at a few V6/S models but none of them had the same tech that her outgoing MKT had (adaptive cruise, auto park etc etc) this turbo is the only model that does. The engine is of no consequence to her, it’s a cool nerdy thing for me but it’s the lack of safety/tech options that kills it.

And I love the old range! There’s an autobiography model on carmax that caught my fancy save for the miles. But usually the car is going to last for 8/10 years and it already looks dated. I know that’s vain, but you know how these things work for people doug!

The World of Vee > Wobbles the Mind 09/29/2015 at 22:13

0

If I could wait 4/5 months it’d be on the list, but the urgency is kind of now sadly

The World of Vee > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 09/29/2015 at 22:14

0

SUV only sadly. I got her into the MKT but a full on station wagon would be tough

Doug DeMuro > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 22:15

0

I absolutely do understand your point! I personally don’t think that body Range Rover looks dated, but maybe I’m biased. I still think the P38 (1996-2002 model) looks good.

No auto park in the Turbo, but yeah you’ll be way more likely to get all the rest of the tech. Those options were available in the V6, but tremendously rare (nobody was going to spend $4k on adaptive cruise for a $50k Cayenne V6). Sadly it’s still missing stuff like lane keep assist and forward collision prevention, but you’d have to get a brand new model of just about anything to get those items.

2013+ Land Cruiser is nice, too! Or maybe a lightly used new body Range Rover Sport (2014+)?

The World of Vee > Doug DeMuro 09/29/2015 at 22:23

0

I LOVE the P38, I used to have a yellow 2002 model for a few years and it was amazing! I’ve looked at land cruisers and LX and QX models but frankly they’re huge, for empty nesters they might actually be a little TOO big (otherwise I’d be looking at an Escalade as well). The new Range Sport is awesome, and I found a few used ones in the 60k range too but the Turbo is tempting when playing the depreciation game that isn’t “old” yet.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 22:43

0

Do it, I plan on doing something similar in the future for my mom

Boxer_4 > Steve in Manhattan 09/29/2015 at 23:09

0

I believe you are thinking of the XC60. It probably wouldn’t be a bad choice, either.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 23:11

1

is a 500hp SUV too much power for a middle aged suburban mom who drives it to Costco and to New York City occasionally?

Yes, but who the hell cares? Go for it, they’re fantastic rigs.

I Will Always Be The Honey Badger > The World of Vee 09/29/2015 at 23:23

1

Why not? 5.7 Hemi, AWD, 8 speed, Uconnect, and decent leather interior.

Tohru > The World of Vee 09/30/2015 at 00:00

0

I wish I had money.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > The World of Vee 09/30/2015 at 00:04

0

Are we gonna get a in deep long term review of the Caddy ELR? Do you still have it?

His Stigness > The World of Vee 09/30/2015 at 00:43

1

Well if this engine is anything like the engines from BMW, you can actually cause more problems then you’d solve by not properly driving it (ie: driving the shit out of it and letting the engine breathe). But, as this is a Porsche, I doubt they’d have the same stupid issues as a BMW.

I say get it because it’s a Turbo!

JDMatt > Doug DeMuro 09/30/2015 at 02:43

0

I cosign on the Cayenne V6 or S. While I don’t know as much about all the cayenne models as doug, from the drivers seat all cayennes feel fast.

QCGoose > M54B30 09/30/2015 at 08:15

1

While not a fan of the MKT’s looks, I can verify that the interior is a phenomenal place to spend time. Last year my wife upgraded to a loaded ‘14 Flex Limited (MKT’s twin) and it’s undoubtedly one of the most comfortable interiors I’ve ever been in.

Also, the MyFordTouch is nowhere near the evil demon the media makes it out to be. We learned our way around it within the first day of ownership and it’s never given us any issues. We truly don’t understand the hate it receives, but we get that today’s touchscreen trend isn’t for everyone. Maybe it’s our age bracket (we both just entered our 30’s)? Who knows.

Either way, if you’re considering a Flex/MKT, I strongly recommend you do so. I can’t sing enough praises about our Flex.

Steve in Manhattan > Boxer_4 09/30/2015 at 08:21

0

Volvo is becoming like BMW - way too many SUVs and crossovers in the range, and they make a smart choice difficult.

The World of Vee > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 09/30/2015 at 12:02

0

Haha she'd be the most bad ass mom's on the block

The World of Vee > I Will Always Be The Honey Badger 09/30/2015 at 12:05

0

I’ve maintained my affinity for the best product rather than the best badge for years, but when comparing the interior of the cayenne is simply a much nicer place to be than the Durango.

Otherwise you're definitely giving a good suggestion

The World of Vee > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/30/2015 at 12:09

0

I sold it not too long ago! It was an amazing ride and I'd probably have kept it but I had to give back a parking space and nothing really can compare to my rs6. Fun rude though, got Damn near all my money back on it when I sold it too.