Originally Posted by Scott C

My sincerest apologies....... I think you need to reference the earlier quote about hypersensitivity.

Originally Posted by John Krawczyk

Considering how much i love my Jetta TDI, If the powers that be ever wise up and import the available in the rest of the world Toureg TDI, I'd schlep my Ranger 4x4 and the wifes Jeep Cherokee to the VW dealer and trade them in on one.

Originally Posted by cobalt

Why let this thread die.

Forget Wikipedia or other definitions of today. Growing up it was always my understanding that a "sports car" was a car designed totally around performance. It was the bare essential, no holds bared, performance handling car. Comfort, fancy interiors, vanity mirrors, Idiot lights, sunroofs, a/c and radio were most likely omitted to reduce weight and help the car perform. The total emphasis was on getting the job done. Although these cars accommodated passengers their focus was solly based from the drivers seat.

A "GT" on the other hand was a car designed for performance with emphasis on passenger and driver comfort. Although performance was the starting ground, less harsh suspension, A/C, sunroof, plush interior, stereos and whatever other creature comforts were added to make a long drive less fatiguing and more pleasurable.

Both the sports car and the GT can perform equally as well if that was achievable with the technology of the time, one just was easier on the occupants. Kind of a cross between the performance of a sports car and the comforts of a sedan without crossing into sedan territory.

One can get the same thrill out of either car but the way it was delivered was different.

Personally I feel the spots car died sometime back in the mid 90's or before with very few cars made today that qualify. Even the GT3 is more GT than spots car, based on the old definition. From what I hear the new 997 GT3's will all be delivered with sunroofs.

So where does that put the Cayenne. Well the base model I would say falls under the heading SUV, it is only there to increase sales to those who do not care for performance but want something to be seen in. I have a problem with the 6 cylinder. The S and Turbo on the other hand are more of the "Cross over" that Jim had mentioned. It seems to transcend the SUV crossing into the sedan and GT categories. It has performance, there is no denying that. It has comfort again no arguments, room for 5 adults and luggage. But now it covers something never ventured into before it can tow and go off road.

So is it a sports car? Definitely NO. Is it a GT? Closer. Is it a sedan? Somewhat. Is it an SUV? Somewhat. So where do is it fit in? It doesn't, it is in a category all its own and I think this is more the reason why it is looked down at. But now the most important question, Is it a Porsche? Most definitely, and that is not because of the name on the hood badge. It is well thought out, performance oriented, with good build quality and feels like a Porsche when pushed to its limits.

So although it may not be for everyone it has its place alongside everything else designed by the factory and if I have to get my Porsche fix by driving a Cayenne Turbo instead of a GTS so be it. I still prefer it to most any other product produced by any other company out there except for the ultra exotics which most of us couldn't afford the brake rotors never mind the car.

I leave it to you but as I never tire of driving my other cars I never walk away from the Cayenne saying I wish I was driving something else as I do with any other car out there.