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I started with an 04 CTT and had the rails and liked them - with the softer front end styling of the 955. But as I graduated to the 957 CTT, an 08 with pdcc, I found the styling just different enough that I now prefer the transport system racks look. So I found a used pair, and refinished them in black. I keep them slung toward the rear when not in use as visually they create a nice punctuation for the lines of the 957 I find. And the rails seem to be on every stinking hybrid, crossover, and SUV made today so this is a nice way to differentiate and keep the beast looking properly beast.
I also remember when the cayenne first came out - in the states in the press in 2003 - and I HATED them. But I was in my 20's and really didnt know ****. As I gained a family and some time - I am now in love with these - the uglier the better frankly as so much else on the road looks like a bar of soap. The 958.1 went off the rails for me a bit, but Porsche has improved the styling again and getting better. Plus, these are the most fun vehicles to tweak and mod - from wheels to body kits to accessories. Just check hashtags on instagram for some of the best varaiants and personalizations of any beast on the road. (Here's one of may favorites: http://instagram.com/laid_out_phaeton).
They are also phenomenally engineered - my 955 saved my life when a Honda Pilot came thru an intersection and we collided at about 40mph - the cayenne did exactly what it was supposed to do - absorbed all the impact into the crash zones and fired several airbags. I literally stepped out within a second of the impact without a scratch. They are safe and smartly designed.
I'm solidly in the "Without" camp. To me, Cayennes are the best combination of high-end performance AND awesome utility, but one of these machines with roof rails evokes images in my mind of a 90's Ford Aerostar
I'm all about the utility of our Cayennes (this is a BEAST of a towing rig for our boat and snow mobiles), but unless you've kitted out your PIG with tires/gas cans/light bars packed on the roof (like dr_r2r's pic in an earlier post), the roof rails just seem wrong to me ...
I beg to differ. I bought my 958 with them as I intended to use them, but as it turns out I haven't nearly as much as expected.
I, however, think it looks much better with them so if I should be in the market for another 958 it will also have rails for that reason.
I purchased the complete rail and attachment system for my 04. Used the attachments once and sold them off. Cross rails made too much wind noise and was much easier to use the ski bag inside.
I kept the rails and have remove them several times but can't stand the look without. My GTS looked far sportier with IMO. Streamlined the look for me. Would never own one without.
I purchased the complete rail and attachment system for my 04. Used the attachments once and sold them off. Cross rails made too much wind noise and was much easier to use the ski bag inside.
Yeah I definitely don't use the cross rails except when actually needed.
Learned my lesson about that with my old Golf. Leave them on long enough and you'll never get them off again
Interestingly for all Porsche's normal markup I looked into not getting the rails when I ordered it and instead going with a Yakima/Thule setup. What I found was that the aftermarket setup (gutter mount) cost about the same, but held half the weight. So I ordered it with the rails. Similarly I looked into after market cross bars, but again found that when all was said and done they were actually more than I could get the OEM bars from Suncoast.