My wife's 2004 Grand Cherokee Limited (loaded, H.O. V8, factory satnav, black/black, the whole kit) just passed 85k miles and we're thinking about trading it up for something a little bigger and a little nicer. I'm questioning how costly and feasible it may be to keep a DCX product going after 100k... We want a Cayenne. I brought up the Touareg, but the cleaver wifey opined, "I'd rather have an SUV with a 911 front-end than a Jetta's." I love this woman. Regardless, this thing is the perfect size for our little growing family (one 7 mo. old, another one soon-ish). Bigger than the GC, smaller than a Tahoe. And I gather more reliable than the runner-up, a Range Rover Sport. Poifect! Been eyeing Cayennes for years, but it's only recently made sense for us.

Now before I ask for you to throw the n00b the typical bone here, I did spend a good 3+ hours trolling and combing back through the last 10 pages of threads last night already getting something of a baseline. I'm aware of the plastic coolant pipes issue, the driveshaft, coilpacks and that these things aren't the friendliest with brakes and tires. And surely spark plugs don't cost more than $15 ea that can't be changed by, well, my wife (though I would)! And that hopefully not all of its woes would happen within the same month and maybe this is on the worst end. And also that there are 5 members annoying the rest of you with relentless 'P!g' bias, trying to perhaps scare guys like me away. Yes?

So that said, what more do I need to know from you fine folks about the livability and maintenance if I take the plunge here? I'm aware to steer clear of anything earlier than 2005 to be safe (I think), but hear the 2005+ are fairly well squared away. Wife has a short 3 mile suburban traffic commute she makes several times a week, so this would be a daily for her (yes, 5k oil changes). A CS might even replace my recently-purchased 2002 Audi S8 as our roadtrip car (ski trips to Colorado, parents' ranch in TX Hill Country). I love that car, and am a German car... well, snobophile. Also got an '86 GTI. We're looking for a long-term commitment (at least 5-7 years, 100k+ miles). We can probably get $12k for her Jeep now (it's loaded with some rare options) and a good 2006 Cayenne S for $27k (right?), with $15k or so to handle for the balance. Not a bad deal really. And my current thinking is to do this sooner than later while the Jeep is still worth something- the economics don't work here for us in a year or two if the Jeep is only worth $7k. We have a limited rainy day fund for car emergencies too. I'm assuming running costs with a CS shouldn't be more than if we just continued to run her Jeep with similar specs past 100k, so why not do it in something safer with better room, build quality and style that I'm hoping would last longer? What say you?

Btw, she really wants a Pure Red one with the black/tan interior, just like this. I'd rather not have the air suspension, btw, though the pana-roof is pretty slick. If the PCM dies, I'll just put in a Pioneer AVIC setup. Also FYI, my mechanical abilities for doing my own work currently are at the level of digging out and replacing catalytic converters if that helps to advise. Thanks!

 

Sounds like you've done your homework and figured out what you want... now just go buy one!

In terms of maintenance, our 2004 CS hasn't been bad. Here's a breakdown of the service costs by year, keeping in mind the fact that some things were covered under warranty initially:

2004 - $0 (vehicle put into service at the very end of 2004)
2005 - $0
2006 - $278.45
2007 - $923.45
2008 - $1,000.57
2009 - $1,152.16
2010 - $1,123.80 so far

My average mileage between service appointments over the life of the vehicle is 3,370. So, as my wife's daily driver, the Cayenne is in the shop roughly twice per year.

Overall, it has been quite reliable. I think the biggest concern is that if something big fails, you could be looking at a repair bill of a few thousand dollars or more. As long as you're ready for that, then it's no big deal.

BTW - I really like the PASM option. It's especially nice if you opt for larger wheels.

Good luck and have fun shopping.

 

Oh yeah... I almost forgot...

FORE!

 

Look for a car that has been maintained regularly and I think you will like the Cayenne S. I have a 2004 that we bought new and it now has 102k miles. We had owned a number of SUVs previously: Toyota LandCruiser, Ford Expedition, Jeep Grand Cherokee. Once we drove the Cayenne S nothing compared. Even the BMW x5 does not compare in terms of handling. We have had all of the maladies you listed and it wasn't cheap so any thing with less than 75k miles but more than 35k will likely need all of those repairs so budget for them. Regarding handling, the 20" wheels and Michelin Diamaris tires made a big difference, sharpening the handling compared with the 18" Continentals that were stock. We use the 18" wheels for winter snow tires but you probably don't need those in Dallas. If you plan on using the rear area to haul large stuff, it is a pain to fold down the rear seat. Overall the electronics have been perfect however check for a recent upgrade to the GPS disks. The 1st gen Cayenne styling seems to be wearing well with the gen2 looking more contrived. The gen 3 looks like a different car and I like it except for the $80K price tag for replacing our S.

 

Nicer, yes. Bigger... maybe on the outside but not so inside. FYI, pure red (& iceland silver metallic) is only available in 2006 Titanium Edition, they command a premium over the regular S models mostly because they come standard with certain options.

 

Thanks so far, guys- good stuff. As long as 'something big' doesn't fail every year, I think we're OK. I will be looking for examples that have strong service history/records if we decide to move forward. My wife occassionally complains about the ride in my S8, so I'm hesitant to go with any wheels larger than the standard 18s (though I love the 20" replicas that were posted recently that OEW has). I've been glad to see no issues regarding the electronics, etc. Don't typically haul much big stuff- a few suitcases, some bagged mulch from Home Depot, need the seats to fold down every now and then for something like a ladder. Wifey has also known to use her high-pot Jeep as a pet ambulance to get small animals to a specialist center/ER (she's a vet)- some very large dogs in the past. Kinda cool. Agreed on the history of Cayenne styling. Good to know about the 'Pure Red'/Titanium premiums- it did seem that way. Maybe I can talk her into black with the same interior...

Could I be safely looking at 75k-80k mi. examples instead that might have all the issues taken care of if documented? Is that better than a 30k mi. example without?

 

Just went a test-drove a 2005 CS locally and came away impressed. Definitely heavier than our GC, but more poised, confident and powerful. Handles a ton better too. Feels much more stout and safer. Just the right amount of power. This CS is the first Cayenne the used luxo-dealer has offered, so he wasn't very familiar with it. He's asking $31k which is quite ambitious, so I hope he didn't get into it for more than its worth himself (I'm thinking $26k- not really any options except PCM, has 49k mi, black on tan interior, no records handy, paint touched up from a few dings, bought from local MBZ dealer, drives well though). CARFAX shows it was a repo but is otherwise squeaky clean. Will probably just use this to let the wife test drive locally, as I think she's heartset on Pure Red or nothing...

 

Any more thoughts? We might actually pick up the local one I test drove today after I explained how the Titanium goodies/colors at current market prices go a bit over our budget. Went back by this evening for her to look, but they were closed and I only got the owner's voicemail. Parked outside, just got a look-see. She's into it. Might have the Porsche dealer run the VIN for records before the weekend.

My principal question remains; Could I be safely looking at 75k-80k mi. examples instead that might have all the issues taken care of if documented? Is that better than a 30k mi. example without?

 

I would not rush into anything -- no shortage of CS'S around. I would definitely price out a few CPO cars - and from more than one dealer. I was surprised at the price difference for basically the same car from different dealers when I purchased my 01TT 996 . I see the same thing with the C. The CPO's are the way to go - even if you must get one with more miles on it ...IMO.

As to what to get .....that really does depend on the miles you plan to put on it. I am looking for a Mercedes Wagon to replace an older one -- I only put 5 or 6k on it a year ..... max. I am looking for a perfect one with around 65k miles on it and plan to drive it for 4 years - no point to pay a premium for one with 40. If you are driving a lot it makes a difference.

I have seen some really nice 06 CS's that look fantastic at 60k

 

Definitely no shortage- there are tons of them. This is not like shopping for the S8 was last fall, when there were just two to choose from. We got burned on a CPO from a dealer lot with her first Jeep right before we got the one we have now- it had frame damage if you can believe. Anomoly, yes. But we'd also be looking at another $5k to get that certification. I think I'm just going to pray that the history checks out when I run the VIN tomorrow with the Porsche dealer on this 05 CS I drove today. If it's been kept up well, that's good enough for me. Looking for a black on tan with only a couple options and a modest ODO, this one is going to be hard to beat I think. There aren't that many available actually when we apply that filter. Hoping this can go for under $28k.

Here is the CS in question now that I drove today- please take a gander and let me know if there's anything I need to double check on my next visit. I work about 5 minutes away from this lot.

And the backup

 

They both look nice......but.....


The first one is nice and clean, has nav, but does not have the air suspension. You mentioned above that the wife sometimes complains about the ride in the S8. The adjustable ride quality of the air suspension might be an important feature for your long term satisfaction with the Cayenne.

The second one is nice, but missing the nav. This is a little expensive to add aftermarket, but can be done.

Might be worth shopping a little more to get both features. Or budget an extra $2500 to add nav to the one that is missing it.

 

You can't swing a dead cat without finding lots of used CS's for sale. Hold out for the one you want if those are not it. I see no reason why you couldn't find a CPO 06 CS with lower miles for around 30k. I didn't pay that much more for mine a year and a half ago. Trust everyone on the CPO. You can thank us later.

Also, if you're in TX where pot holes are less than here 'up north' go for 20" wheels. They look so much nicer and even the std spring suspension is pretty comfortable compared to some other cars. My 06 with steel springs rides like a caddy compared to the old A4 with sport suspension.

 

"You can't swing a dead cat without finding lots of used CS's for sale. Hold out for the one you want if those are not it. I see no reason why you couldn't find a CPO 06 CS with lower miles for around 30k. I didn't pay that much more for mine a year and a half ago. Trust everyone on the CPO. You can thank us later."

I've been looking... havent found one yet but i may not be looking in the right places.

 

Thanks, folks- maybe we'll hold out for 'the one' that is CPO as well. Definitely lots to think about, and time to do it. Thanks for the reasonable help! I'll be back later this year or next. I don't think we're as attracted to any other model to take the GC's place but a CS.

 

This is in your price and mileage and had way more options!

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...e&aff=national