Used CTT opinion
 

I'm looking to add a 955 CTT when my ML350 lease expires. Are there any model years I should absolutely avoid?

At the moment, I am eyeing an 05 with 60K miles asking 25K. is this a fair price? I'd do a PPI and check out the coolant pipes before the purchase.

Thanks guys!

'05 was a good year, and $25k seems like a reasonable price to me.

03-04 is anecdotally more problematic but all the first gen problems can crop up on any of the 03-06 years...

Most of the 03-04 problems were software / firmware related, and were updated at the dealer by Porsche (engine management, Bose, PCM, etc). While these C's spent plenty of time at the dealer, performance did improve.

However, the other problems (coolant pipes, coils, water pump, drive shaft, horns) affected all first generation vehicles to my knowledge.

$25K sounds fair for the 06CT as long as the coolant pipes were updated (about a $2,500 fix), and the drive shaft center bearing is sound (another $1,400 fix). Also, check the horn, to ensure it doesn't sound like a golf cart, and the water pump (you can hear the problem at idle). In addition, get a CarFax to check for accidents.

Sounds good to me, my 05 with a few more miles was $31K a little over a year ago. If you have a couple grand a year for incidentals go for it.

My coolant pipe job cost $1500 total. Driveshaft job $500. I don't have the money nor enough vasoline for making the stealership rich.

I agree with the others, sounds like a good price if ppi checks out.

Lmao ;)

The one I mentioned sold. :(

Going to check out another one. Also an 05 for $25k, but with 74k. This one appears to be fully loaded and is a 1 owner vehicle:

http://www.texasimportsales.com/web/...Texas/1247408/

06 and earlier were prone to have failure of the plastic coolant tubes, Carden (drive) shaft bearing, ignition coils. If you're patient, you can find one with these common problems already corrected. Once these are corrected, they seem to rarely repeat them. Lots of 1st gen Cayennes with over 100K miles are traded-in on new Cayennes; that's a good thing. Stick to cars with complete service records.

The 05 I am considering now has a full service history at a local Porsche dealer, which includes the driveshaft, but no coolant pipes. Is there a visual way to see if the coolant pipes have been done?

There's a sticky on the subject on how to tell. For more information CLICK HERE

Replacing the plastic coolant pipes seems almost inevitable on 1st gen Cayennes and costs in the neighborhood of $1500. I passed on all CTTs that had not had it done. Carden shaft and coils are far less costly. You might also use it as negotiating leverage with sellers who know of the issues.

There are a couple very nice ones for sale on 6speedonline right now. One in SC and the other in WA.

Great advice. Incidentally, where did you get your beautiful Golden that's in your avatar? We are looking for a blonde pup or two since we lost our 12 1/2 old to a heart condition last summer...TIA

Cheers,
TomF