Test drove a Pepper S
03-18-2003, 12:07 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Test drove a Pepper S
I test drove a Cayenne S yesterday here in Birmingham. I was not expecting to like the Cayenne, having been a skeptic all along. However, the thing is really a LOT of fun to drive. It's definitely the most fun I've ever had behind the wheel of an SUV.
The brakes are phenomenal. One can't overemphasize the performance of the brakes. When you press the brake pedal they BITE HARD and bring the Cayenne to a sharp stop. It's imprssive to see & feel such a large vehicle stop so quickly.
The Cayenne S V8 engine delivers lots of low end torque. Unlike the Turbo (which I've not driven), the Cayenne S is certainly NOT Boxster S fast - but the acceleration is surprisingly strong. Again, I'm not accustomed to feeling that in such a large vehicle.
The Cayenne handles very well - the suspension feels rock solid and very controllable at all times. It's a very weird sensation, driving around in a "tall Porsche!"
Build quality was higher than anticipated. I noticed a few details that could stand some improvement (there is noticable fexibility in the exterior door handles, some plastic interior trim bits could/should be upgraded), but these were incidental to the experience. I thought the quality of the leather seats was quite good (better than my 986 S) and liked the hand rails in the front passenger compartment.
The rear seat was reasonably comfortable for a 6'2" guy.
With regard to the engine, the amount of readily available torque was surprising. (I am accustomed to sluggish performance in large vehicles like an SUV.) The Cayenne S jumps forward from a stop. One can only imagine what the Turbo feels like.
Having driven the Cayenne, I can now see that it will deliver a lot of Porsche driving entertainment value. You can hear the engine music in the cabin, albeit in a muted form. The thing handles wonderfully for an SUV. It's just a fun vehicle to drive.
To conclude, if I were in the market for an SUV, I'd definitely take a close look at the Cayenne. Now, I don't even LIKE SUV's per se. But Porsche has done a good job with this strange beast.
Are you a skeptic? Seriously, you MUST go for a test drive before finalizing your opinion, yea or nay.
The brakes are phenomenal. One can't overemphasize the performance of the brakes. When you press the brake pedal they BITE HARD and bring the Cayenne to a sharp stop. It's imprssive to see & feel such a large vehicle stop so quickly.
The Cayenne S V8 engine delivers lots of low end torque. Unlike the Turbo (which I've not driven), the Cayenne S is certainly NOT Boxster S fast - but the acceleration is surprisingly strong. Again, I'm not accustomed to feeling that in such a large vehicle.
The Cayenne handles very well - the suspension feels rock solid and very controllable at all times. It's a very weird sensation, driving around in a "tall Porsche!"
Build quality was higher than anticipated. I noticed a few details that could stand some improvement (there is noticable fexibility in the exterior door handles, some plastic interior trim bits could/should be upgraded), but these were incidental to the experience. I thought the quality of the leather seats was quite good (better than my 986 S) and liked the hand rails in the front passenger compartment.
The rear seat was reasonably comfortable for a 6'2" guy.
With regard to the engine, the amount of readily available torque was surprising. (I am accustomed to sluggish performance in large vehicles like an SUV.) The Cayenne S jumps forward from a stop. One can only imagine what the Turbo feels like.
Having driven the Cayenne, I can now see that it will deliver a lot of Porsche driving entertainment value. You can hear the engine music in the cabin, albeit in a muted form. The thing handles wonderfully for an SUV. It's just a fun vehicle to drive.
To conclude, if I were in the market for an SUV, I'd definitely take a close look at the Cayenne. Now, I don't even LIKE SUV's per se. But Porsche has done a good job with this strange beast.
Are you a skeptic? Seriously, you MUST go for a test drive before finalizing your opinion, yea or nay.
03-18-2003, 06:22 PM
#3
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Sean,
Thank you for the detailed review. If a potential buyer can stand the wait, it might be prudent to wait a year before buying. By then, Porsche may have sorted out the trim quality issues, improved the seat/headrest design, added a rear center seat tether strap for a child seat, and given it the reported facelift.
Plus, the first year production is all sold out, anyway. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
Thank you for the detailed review. If a potential buyer can stand the wait, it might be prudent to wait a year before buying. By then, Porsche may have sorted out the trim quality issues, improved the seat/headrest design, added a rear center seat tether strap for a child seat, and given it the reported facelift.
Plus, the first year production is all sold out, anyway. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
03-18-2003, 07:32 PM
#4
Drifting
Thread Starter
Thanks guys. <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />
FWIW, my Porschephile buddy Scott (a 1997 993 owner) went along with me for the test drive. We each were skeptics, but after driving the Cayenne went away impressed.
Scott mentioned that he had previously driven an H2 Hummer and was appalled at the lack of power. The Cayenne had it beat in pretty much every department. It even looked a lot better in person than expected! (This one was white with tan interior.)
Regardless of what one thinks about the initial decision for Porsche to make a SUV... You have to admit, this is a well engineered machine!
FWIW, my Porschephile buddy Scott (a 1997 993 owner) went along with me for the test drive. We each were skeptics, but after driving the Cayenne went away impressed.
Scott mentioned that he had previously driven an H2 Hummer and was appalled at the lack of power. The Cayenne had it beat in pretty much every department. It even looked a lot better in person than expected! (This one was white with tan interior.)
Regardless of what one thinks about the initial decision for Porsche to make a SUV... You have to admit, this is a well engineered machine!
03-19-2003, 12:43 PM
#5
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I too test drove a Cayenne S over the weekend and it blew my skepticism completely away! The power and handling were simply stunning, no other SUV can compare. Definately want one now!
<img src="http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL114/954794/1763758/21767375.jpg" alt=" - " />
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<img src="http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL114/954794/1763758/21767375.jpg" alt=" - " />
<img src="http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL114/954794/1763758/21767361.jpg" alt=" - " />