I have been a lurker here for a couple of months now. I am really interested in the Porsche Cayenne. I am looking at purchasing an 06+ model (preferrably the GTS). I do have a couple of questions.

1. How is the maintenance on these? Expensive?
2. Do I need to get those regular maintenance checks like Mercedes Benz?
2. Would you recommend a family member to purchase one?

Thanks and I hope to be driving one in the near future!

 

I think in general the reliability is good on these, but when things do go wrong, the price you pay to have them repaired is relatively high.

I've had very good luck with BMWs in terms of reliability, and maintenance cost (parts cost). I enjoy how easy they are to work on as well. Porsche part cost is somewhat higher, but not entirely unreasonable in my opinion. It's the price you pay for labor due to lack of serviceability that makes it expensive.

This is an opinion, but no, I wouldn't recommend one to a family member because none of my family members can or wish to afford the cost of maintaining one. Since you have merc as a point of reference, I'd say the Porsche will be a little harder on you, but probably not much worse. I own (not have owned) 6 BMWs, two of them M cars, and the cost of maintaining the my Cayenne TTS is a fair progression upward. Nothing I didn't expect.

One thing's for sure, I'd rather have to maintain this than most modern VWs or Audis. Although Porsche is owned by VAG, they haven't fully diluted Porsche engineering. They're still better to work on in general.

 

1. Yes
2. Yes
2. Yes

 

What Dennis said.

 

Yes.

 

Thanks all for responding. GTS seems to be a great model. Thoughts?

 

The GTS has some advantages in that it is available as a manual, it's lighter, lowered and has a body kit and a more sporty interior (half Alcantara seats). But from what i can tell it's price is almost on par with similar aged Turbo's, incidentally the GTS was only available from the 4.8L face lifted models MY 2008 in North America.

It depends what you are looking for, the Turbo's have more power and more standard kit, but they don't seem to hold their price as well as the GTS, great if you looking to buy one, not so great when it comes to sell.

Whilst the GTS is a hoot to drive i wouldn't trade the power of my Turbo S for it.

 

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts and suggestions.