Hello all, I'm currently shopping for my first Cayenne and am looking to spend around 25-30k on one, preferred CPO. I'm not really in a hurry as I have an existing lease (breakable) through November but I thought it best to start looking sooner rather than later.

When I look at available cars in my price range today I see:
2008-2010 Cayenne S - less than 50k miles
2008-2010 Cayenne GTS - less than 80k miles
2011 Cayenne V6 - less than 70k miles
2011 Cayenne S - less than 90k miles

Basically to me the sweet spot looks like a well optioned 2010 Cayenne S or GTS. That being said I'm well aware that the updated platform is a substantial upgrade. I was hoping somebody here could let me know if there is any reason why the 957 would be preferred (other than price) over the 958 as pretty much everything I've read makes it seem like the 958 may be a better bet.



Just to put come context to the situation I moved from NYC, where I had no car, to Chicago last year (Chicago is much better, I get a DD and a project car- right now a 84 Land Rover). I have been driving a Nissan Murano as my DD ever since so any Cayenne is going to be a huge upgrade over that. I would be sharing the car with my wife and between the two of us we would typically be driving about 9000 miles a year with about 70% being highway miles. The wife would prefer a Japanese SUV and I want a sports car so we settled on the Cayenne as a suitable compromise. She wants reliability above all which makes me think the 2011 V6 would be the best "happy wife happy life" solution but the 2010 GTS looks hotter to me. Any thoughts are appreciated

 

FWIW I had an 09 S. Absolutely rock solid dependable. Many cross country trips without issue. Running down the interstate at 90MPH for hours was no problem at all. 120k miles when I traded it in.


My advise would be to get an S. Also, do get the color combo you like. Dont buy a color that you think you might like though time. It only gets worse.

 

If you keep the Nissan Murano as a backup any of these are good choices. If not stay with the 958, one that is a CPO if possible.

 

2009-2010 GTS all the way.
As long as you don't mind the low MPG

 

If you want a real SUV, get the 957 over the 958.

It's D pillar is more vertical which gives you more room in the back.

The glass on the hatch opens independently of the hatch itself.

And the rear seats fold completely flat.

Not utility related, but the number of buttons I. The 958 is over the top in my opinion.

Those are the big things that drive me nuts about my 958, but overall I love it.

The 958's styling is a bit more Asian so that may appeal to your wife given what you've said.

If you look at a base V6, the 958 is the better option as its lighter and that makes a big difference for the motor. It's a great motor on both platforms (VW's VR6 if you aren't aware), but it definitely feels better in the 958. Being VW's motor it is cheaper to get it worked on since you can buy the VW branded parts and can get a VW shop to work on it.

Of those that you listed if they were all the same price, go with the GTS. The MPG will not be great, but it's the best of the bunch for the sports car feel you seem to want while still being a great SUV.

 

Speaking of utility, if you decide on a 958 and there is ANY chance you might ever want to put something on its roof, find one with the roof rails. Porsche says you can't add them after the fact.

This is not an issue with the 957.

 

Yep. I have an '08 GTS 6-Speed CPO (957), and I had a loaner 958 V6 for a few days. Definitely prefer the 957 styling, size, V8 sound, and road-feel (more brutish), BUT the 958 is gonna get better MPGs and the interior (minus the button overload) is way better. I'd buy the same again for sure. I saw a black, 6-speed '08 GTS with pdcc on ebay a few weeks back. That'd be pretty sweet.

 

^^^Agree with everyone^^^ about the comparisons.

I was passed by a 958 turbo this week, while driving my Dodge Challenger SRT8.
Seemed like he wanted to play but my exit was up ahead.

Looks sporty but I did not realize how the 958 roof line has changed.

With the 09 GTS I am able to transport (2) 32 gal. trash containers on their side, without dropping the seats. I doubt this would be possible with the 958.

 

I have owned both a 955 CTT and a 958 CTT. In a nutshell the 958 is less utility, but more sport. The 958 is also more comfortable and gets MUCH better fuel economy. The 955 has more utility (as mentioned previously, the flat rear load floor, larger rear cargo area, larger side view mirrors which are especially handy if you tow a wide trailer). Styling is subjective but IMO the 958 is a much better looking vehicle inside and out.

They are both great trucks. My $.02 is

957 = best value
958 = happy wife, happy life

 

In my opinion, for what the Cayenne is supposed to be and do, I feel the 957 generation is the best looking. Anything newer looks too much like a crossover vehicle to me with the odd taillights, pointy nose, etc which is why when I was looking, I limited my search to the 957 generation and about a month ago bought a CTTS. Stay with '09-'10 for the DFI engine and color, touchscreen nav. If so inclined the GTS in this series can be had with a 6 speed MT. I would recommend the 957 GTS out of the choices on your list, but make sure you find one with PDCC. It makes a huge difference in how the car Corners and is one of the attributes that separates it from the other SUV choices out there. In my opinion, these vehicles need the V8 of some variety.

We love ours. Happy Hunting.

 

Owned both, 10 GTS which turned out to be a POS and currently own an 11 Turbo which is a GREAT truck. JMO

 

why was urs a POS?

 

957 you also get the off terrain (high/low) 4x4 transfer case. I've read this is the major weight difference in the 957 & 958.

 

See TurboS' comment above

 

Own a 09 GTS and it has been great. I have about 120k on her.