jpoint

I've been looking through the threads here with great interest. I'm looking at an '05 Cayenne Turbo with 76K miles on it. It was a CPO car and has had the drive shaft, coolant pipes and coils done. It is in very nice physical condition but will need rotors (some ridging on the edges) and tires. Comes with 2 sets of wheels (18's and 19's). I like the way it drives. I'll be giving up an LS 430 Lexus - I need the utility of an SUV. However, I'm wondering whether I'm going to be sad about the reliability and gas mileage in the Turbo. I drove the Lexus SUV - drives like a truck. Any comments would be appreciated. Price is $22k

mtnrat

I just bought a 05 CTT (149000km) and have put about 5000 km on it in the couple of months I have had it. So far so good. From my research these things are pretty reliable if they have had the usual issues dealt with. Gas mileage is in the eye of the beholder. My CTT gets much better than my built 97 landcruiser lol. On the hwy I get 24 mpg at 60 mph, 22 at 70 and 16 at 90. That would be US gallons. In town driving nice I get about 12 - 13 mpg. Just want to see what it was like when I first got it, but now I just drive. Considering the performance of the CTT and it's AWD and low range, the fuel consumption is actually pretty amazing.

jpoint

Encouraging! Thank you.

Cuba

That's a great price. I have an 05CTT and love it, just do it.

bansasn

Awww man...do you really want us to encourage you? It should be love at first drive.

CarreraCup03

I have a 2005CTT. I love the car. I did change the coolant pipes and drive shaft. I highly recommend upgrading both. There is a 100% chance both will go bad at the most inconvenient time. The dealer may cut you a deal on the labor.

ArneeA

Been loving our 05 TT. Now in the "high mileage" category. Replaced the coolant pipes and rear coolant T-pipes, drive shaft, and rear hatch strut. Waiting to do starter. Other than those, the truck has been solid!

Oh... one annoyance: I have to get durametric or pay the dealer to reset the service light. It has been on for a good 2 weeks now.

CarreraCup03

yes the T and the rear hatch struts ... I changed those out as well. But I do really like the car.

Cuba

I thought my hatch struts were bad when I got a year ago but it if you keep ignoring it it really gets interesting. It now has "moods".

I'd figure around $1250 for new tires, alignment, and road force balancing. I haven't done brakes but I think they're in the same ballpark. The typical things were done already so you should be fine. This p!g costs money to maintain but it's a great vehicle, just keep a few grand ready for what ifs and enjoy the ride.

hahnmgh63

Most of the common culprits are done. Keep changing the oil and please do it at 10K miles and not at Porsche's ridiculous 20K spec which they have already cut back on in the newer Cayennes. Electrical gremlins are your most likely issues. If you are handy you can try a good contact enhancer like Stabilant 44 (a bit expensive from VW or Audi dealers) or Pro Gold on every connection you can find, especially headlights and supsension. The Coil packs, now on revision #9 (probably revision $4 or #5 back in '05), and the Air Compressor and rear hatch shocks are your only threats. They are fun to drive. Get software flashed from www.Eurocharged.com and you will love it even more. Can't be a Turbo engine with low-end Torque.

carlos50

Get it, they are the most unbelievable car ever. I have had mine for a month and apart from some minor things that the dealer should have seen to before selling me it, I'm delighted.

I have spent many years trying to find a car that i can truly say is great, fast, refined, comfortable and worthy of the cost, i can say that now. I bought a late 2004 with a few miles on it just incase i wasn't a fan and can say for sure that after the winter a newer lower mileage one will be a very real possibility.

I have owned several Range Rovers (Supercharged and V8 diesel) including the Sport, Mercedes ML500, BMW X5's, BMW X6 and now the Cayenne. I also owned many sports cars including 911's, Merc SL', M3 and the CTT is simply the best at everything, it feels more alive than the 911's, more effortless than the Range Rovers and as an all round vehicle i cant see whats better?

Ive started to read up about the known issues so if its clear of all of that then you will not get a better car.

I was always worried about the looks and how friends and colleagues would see the car but everyone i have spoken to has said "wow is that a Cayenne Turbo, its amazing".

Get it !!!

Carl

jpoint

Thanks Carl. One question - how many miles is "a few". I'm just looking at long term reliability. This is a vehicle I would plan to keep into the 150K miles area.

carlos50

108k miles with all service receipts to back up the history, these cars can take that if looked after properly.

jpoint

Sounds good. I was told to watch out for catalytic converter problems on the turbo, but this is the first I heard of that issue. Anyone else hear of this?

XR4Tim

I haven't seen any cat issues on them, but I would guess the risk goes up with the mileage. I wouldn't be too worried about it. There are aftermarket replacement options if you do end up having an issue.