Hi All,

Thank you in advance for your comments. Luv the Cayenne S as an all-in-one vehicle. I am coming from a 05 CS with PASM/Air Sus (150K mi) and looking to move to the 2012 Cayenne about 6 months sooner than planned. I drive in all condition all year, including high heat/hummidity in the summer and snow and mountains in the winter (well, maybe not this year.

Originally, I have been looking at a 2012 CS with PASM/Air, PTV+, premium package plus, 20" wheels, bose, aluminum package, roof rails, trailer, entry, pan roof, and a couple of other things with MSRP of $92 and I can get it next week.

However, I have been thinking about the Turbo with basically the same options with PDCC added as part of the sport package with a MSRP of $118, which I would probably have to order with an April delivery.

Questions
1 - is the CT worth the add $26K?
2- any long term maint issues with the turbo? what is the useful life of turbo vs V8?
3- is the turbo too much for the snow/ice and high elevation driving?
4- any other ordering advice? Not a big fan nor do I see the value in the entry system, voice (siri on phone). I do like the compass. Mandatory options for me are roof rails, hitch, camera, heat/vent seats, LCA, PASM, 20" wheel, Bose or better.

 

if you have the money, turbo all the way... why? because it's a turbo

 

I hate to even weigh in on spending $25K of someone else's money... yet here I go: the most compelling sales piece I've ever seen on a CTT - any CTT - was a piece where some British outfit clocked a new yellow 911 C4S (?) around a windy course, then did the same with the new CTT. As I recall, the CTT finished within a second of the 911 (yes, a 911). That told me that the otherwise beastly SUVs from the earlier generations - as fast as it was with crazy weight and off-road capabilities - had been re-bred into a true sports car.

So I guess if you ever wanted to own a 911, $25K is a pretty good deal for an extra sports car.

From my experience with an '04 CTT (I should never have test driven one), the difference between Turbos and naturally aspirated V8s is simply more gas and oil and tires and brakes. The big issues that plagued the Turbo V8s, plagued the CS V8s. I don't think I've ever heard anything about actual turbo spooling issues or overheating, etc. What I have heard, is a lot of "Wow!" and virtually every CTT owner saying they are glad that's the one they got.

I'd say take them both for a spin, but I hear they are hard to find to test drive...

 

that about says it all. a friend of mine owns an S and he's literally smashing his head every time we ride in my CT-S

 

Thanks, seankrider, great comment on the add 25 for a 911! Leaning towards Turbo. Any long term issues with the Turbos?

 

Maybe it depends in part on what else you're driving. I already owned a "thrill car" so with my SUV I wanted performance, but I also wanted something that was reasonably efficient. The V8 was a fair compromise in that regard. I've driven the TT and as nice as it is, I don't regret at all not spending the extra $25K for the turbo. I wouldn't have taken it to the track, and my wife and Lab feel the V8 is plenty fast enough for the street. If I didn't already own a 911, the TT might have tempted me more.

 

Thanks, lupo, great video... more lean towards turbo

 

Thanks, Mike. I do have another car, I hesitate to mention on this forum (see below) and great point, how fast is fast enough... I appreciate your perspective as I haven't driven the new turbos.

This summer I have purchased a 12 Mustang GT Prem Convertible 6sp man, with brembos, 19" wheels, frpp tune and heavily modified suspension including Steeda coil over Tokico D-spec adjustable (manual, I do miss pushing the buttons on the porsche) shocks/struts, steeda front/rear sway bars, steeda UCA/LCA... it is a lot of fun...rated at 4.3 0-60 with over 1g

 

You are going to need the turbo to keep up with that Detroit muscle
I love your choice in rides...2 totally different ways of putting down the traction and driving..awesome contrast..ENJOY
PS:get the PCCB's(ceramics)...expensive,but worth every penny..they have the bite to match the speed
Their stopping power is practically without equal!!!

 

Thanks, unfortunately, I don't get to drive the mustang that much.

 

My S build costed 5K more than a base turbo. So I did not shun away from the CTT due to the sticker price. I have driven the CTT and have absolutely no regrets in not going for one. I am at awe every time I drive the v8 Cayenne and it is a seriously fast and capable machine. I do believe that the CS with some of the goodies like 20 inch wheels, air suspension (that comes standard with the CTT), PDCC and PTV is the sweet spot on the Cayenne line up. Trust me I gave it a lot of thought before I ordered one. You got to pay while you play and what I mean by that is the CTT is more expensive to purchase, insure and maintain. Something that I did not want to get into considering the stable of cars I have. If I ever where to get a turbo, it would be on a 911 and not the Cayenne as I personally can't justify 500 bhp on a family hauler, grocery getter. But if you want it get it (no one and I mean absolutely no one who has one regrets getting one) ...otherwise you will regret it. Just like Mike, I would never ever regret not getting one when I see a CTT pass by. All it takes is a quick drive on my 3.2 to realize that driving is not all about horsepower and handling.

 

Porsche = Turbo.

 

Drove a TT first,loved it. Bought a S really like it,warranty.

 

Thanks woot, I have seen some of your posts, which have been helpful, but I haven't seen a pic of cayenne. I will do a search... $5k over a CT I have to see, I am sure she is a beauty!

Back leaning towards the S after sleeping on it, luved my 05 Cayenne S PASM/Air +150K miles... the 2012 will get a 40HP increase and with PTV and possibly PDCC it is a heck of a rig!

Now one to colors decisions, which I hate...
Black vs Jet Black Metallic thoughts?
Black with Black exterior vs Black with alum rails/trim?
Umber vs black leather interior thoughts? Any concerns over the long term (10 yrs) on the leather trim?

 

woot, just found your cayenne review, great looking loaded S. I don't have time to read it all now, but will later, thanks for putting up a detailed review.