A couple of other things to consider:

- You should buy a Cayenne that has already had the plastic coolant pipes upgraded to the metal pipes. It's best to buy one that had the pipes replaced proactively. If the pipes burst, then the coolant can cause problems with the starter motor and with the transmission seal. These problems may not show up until some time has passed since the pipes burst.
- You should buy a Cayenne that has had the ignition coils updated.
- Cardan shafts are almost a disposable item. I'm on my third cardan shaft at 141K miles.
- Fuel pumps (there are two) will need to be replaced due to failure at some point. This typically occurs between 80K and 100K miles
- The water pump will most likely require replacement in this time frame also.
- When you test drive a Cayenne, listen for a loud clunk from the transmission when slowing or coming to a stop. If the clunk is there, then the transmission valve body might need to be replaced, which isn't cheap.
- Cayenne horns were designed in such a way that they are mounted facing up. This allows them to fill with water and eventually corrode and fail. I think my horns have been replaced four times.
- The struts that hold the rear door open will fail with time and use and need to be replaced. It becomes problematic in cold weather when the door won't stay open. It's not an easy repair job. You should be aware of that and it would be great to find one that has had them replaced already. The same is true for the little strut allows you to release the parking brake, but that one is a quick and easy repair.
- I'm not sure why, but our Cayenne goes through batteries pretty quickly. I think I'm on my fourth battery. Some early Cayennes actually have two batteries. The primary battery is located underneath the driver's seat and the optional second battery is located in the rear cargo area underneath the floor.
- Some Cayennes are equipped with a collapsible spare tire. Some Cayennes have no spare tire.

 

- coolant pipes and coils are problems with the V8 not the V6.

I'd second the earlier comments about finding a basic audio package - Upgrading the PCM systems to get bluetooth and aux in is painful and expensive. I have been looking to upgrade my PCM 2.1 in my '08 CTT and it is going to cost ~$2k to install a $600 head unit. With the base audio the cost to upgrade is less than $150 (mostly for a trim plate). Dynavin has a drop in upgrade for PCM systems but reviews here show it is pretty buggy for now.

 

Yes, that's correct. The OP said that he's hoping to get a Cayenne S, which has the V8 engine.

 

I bought my 2006 P!G S with a little less than 50k miles for less than $20k from an Audi dealer in Northern NJ almost exactly a year ago. It's got Xenons, memory seats and some other bits and pieces. It's been terrific. I did do some work on it but nothing too dear. Expect to do the same at a similar price. All in, with the work I did, I spent a fair amount less than $23k for a low mileage car.

 

You might also want to consider increasing your budget with a loan, if you find you like the 957 series Cayenne better or find a really good deal on one. There are some cheap loans out there, e.g., PennFed CU has used auto loans for 2.49 & 2.74% for 36 & 48 month loans. If you don't meet their military rqmts to join, you can join one of their affiliate military charities for a one time $20 donation. Inflation is already 2% and likely headed higher, so those are really cheap rates in real dollar terms.

 

It's been raised before, but given some of the examples are pushing 10+ years, mileage is likely less of a concern compared to overall condition and maintenance history (an important one).

We purchased a high mileage example (now at 161K miles) almost 2 years ago and while it did have all the key issues addressed (coolant pipes, cardan shaft, coils), it still needed control arms, tailgate shocks, hood shock, front strut, and a heavy duty detail of the interior. Previous owner appears to have spilled a liter of soda in the back, lots of food bits sprinkled under the seats, etc. Yuck!

So why this one? It was a one owner, no accidents, no smoke, and lots of preventative maintenance. 5K oil changes, 30K trans service, brakes, new tires, etc. It did have a lot of miles, but the fundamentals were solid.

Oh, as for purchase price, a little over 10K USD for an '04 CS with 150K (HIDs, 19s, heated seats front/rear, tow, PCM/Bose, convenience pkg). Not a big exposure if it turned out to be a turd.

 

Good info. The 04/05/06 models... are they larger than the 957 models? Not sure if it is an optical illusion, but they look larger.

 

I think 955s and 957s are largely the same size-wise, they do have different front nose cone and rear tail lights.

About 14 months ago I paid $18k for a '05 CS with 80k. Condition is immaculate inside and out. All the known failure points were addressed by previous owner (cardan shaft, coolant pipes, coils) as well as all services done at dealers. It has PCM, memory seats, heated seats front and rear, trailer hitch with ball, xeons. Nothing needed except to jump in and drive.

Rear legroom isn't great, I'm tall and require the driver seat all the way back. Our 2 y.o. sits behind me, for now, but she does not have enough room to move her feet because back of my seat is so close to her.

It's a phenomenal road trip car!

 

I agree ^^

Sounds way too good to be true....
Would i buy a one year old, used car for sticker price - fat chance

 

It totally happens all the time on the planet Pferdescheiße which is in the Kuhscheiße galaxy. Earth, not so much

 

+1

 

I would absolutely recommend a cayenne....in that range it's be a 955.
Research the v6 vs. V8(s or turbo). There are common failures to the 2 different engines.( i tied the s and turbo together even though they are different engines as common failure items are shared).
Also consider the turbo...as many options were standard. You'd probably have to stretch your budget just a little bit and it'll probably be an early 955

 

Also, I'm not sure on the v6 or S model but if it was a turbo model, I'd also consider 100k+ mile one's also

 

The V6 is just a VW "VR6" and does indeed have coolant pipe and coil issues. In the VR6 world the coolant pipe is known as the "crack pipe"

The sample size of Cayenne V6 owners is just insanely small on an enthusiast forum, where this is the smallest, least enthusiast engine. Go to the VW forums where this motor is the largest, more enthusiast engine and you will see that it has plenty, of not more, issues than the Cayenne V8.


Here is a VR6 (Cayenne V6) "crack pipe". Same basic coolant pipe issue with a cracking plastic pipe. Notice the solution is also an aluminum replacement.

 

Interesting Cole. I never knew that.