What's it like to drive on a daily basis?

[G7TTR]

I have a 911 for fun and BMW for the daily drive, however the amount of mileage I cover during the year has dropped, probably around 10k per year. I'm thinking of a second hand petrol Cayenne and appreciate that the mpg will be poor, however what is the daily drive like and what should I look out for, apart from service history, I have heard the propshaft can be an issue?
Mike

 

[Gordon Attar]

Besides the normal car checks

Fire car up listen for tapping sound that doesn't go away, bore liner issue minimum £1,000

Check coolant level, Check for coolant smell and check whether it has had the replacemnet pipes min £800

Drive car and kick down at least 2 gears if it bangs walk away its valve chest in gearbox min £1000

Propshaft is rattling noise when pulling away, you can have it refurbed for less than £300

Oil leaks

Bearing noises

Prices exclude vat and are from Northways

 

[jdredgers]

We have a 2005 4.5 v8; i was warned off the turbos until the 2008 model (too many leaks from the bearings) and on a few test drives noticed full pressure was not achieved as only one turbo working.
On the older models seen sagging roof linings, rear lid springs/hinges need replacing on the tailgate, eats brake pads and discs - huge stopping power, excellent braking.
I have driven 5.7v8 hemi jeeps, 4.0 Toyota Prado and Landcruiser, Nissan Pathfinders and Range Rover and Discovery - the only thing comparable to the Cayenne was the Range Rover; but the handling of the Cayenne i found superior. For a big car it is an excellent drive. For every day use my wife now prefers driving it to our 996 C4S.
We have had the fuel evaporation pipe replaced, and not much else other than the routine servicing. Although it seems the fader / dimmer switch on the dash lights is intermittently failing.!
Enjoy - the 2008 4.8s was very similar - but with more power and a sports button!

 

[Stu_No1]

Are there any issues with 2007 onwards??? Find all the above for pre 2007 but no 'standard issues' for 2007 onwards.

Stu

 

[70sthrowback]

Hi jdredgers,

I did a lot of reading before buying a 2003 Turbo and didn't find much at all in terms of being warned off buying them. I would say the bigger concerns seemed to be the 4.5s pre-2007. Coolant pipe issues were a problem in both, coil packs too. But there seemed to be more concern with valve wear on the S. Of course I am talking specifically 1st Gen models here, so it depends what year you are looking for.

From my experience I went from a 993 to the Cayenne Turbo. It was a forced practical choice, but apart from the lack of noise from a pure driving perspective I am surprisingly pleased with it. For a big car it goes like stink, its extremely comfortable, and fits 2 children, pushchairs and luggage in the back.

MPG averages around 18, not that far off the 993. Mine has 40k on it with a FSH, the propshaft and coolant pipes has already been sorted. For £11k I think its a steal....... for now anyway