Bayou_Flyer

New to the forum, been reading a LOT! My TDI is being bought back from VW in a few weeks, so I am looking for replacement. Since not much there out there can replace the torque and fuel mileage of the TDI, I am just looking for an interesting/engaging runabout to drive (I do have a 300k mile Tacoma in the drive for backup...that seems to be one of the prereq's). I also do my own basic repair/maintenance but have two good Indy mechs for bigger items. I also have a cash reserve for such repairs.

My search has mainly been the 2008+ 3.6 to minimize the issues I have read about with the V8, but I have been eyeballing this 04 CS lately that is close by and has many problem areas and routine maintenance already completed. The Cayenne is a 2-owner originally from CT (had a 5mo lease in 04, 1st registered owner almost 12 years, 2nd bought late last year) with no reported accidents on Carfax. It was serviced by the Porsche dealer through 2010. Sometime after, the car came down south and was used as a vehicle by family member attending Tulane, serviced by local Porsche specialist Greff Motors.

The current owner bought the car while at Greff's knowing it had a valve cover leak and needed brakes. He told me he has done the following: coolant pipes, valve cover gaskets, spark plugs (and seals?), torsion mount, Brembo brakes/rotors/sensors all around, new PZero on 19" wheels, hatch struts, rear window struts, emissions air pump and valve. Service records available since new. He has a service manual to go with the car as well as the manuals and only one key.

I can get this Cayenne for $9k...which is about what it's worth with 120k miles, but it has had so much already done at that price for what I "wouldn't" have to do. The obvious concern is the scoring issue being a Connecticut car, but it has been down here for 6-7 years where we "might" get to 30 degrees once or twice per year. I've reached out to the service facility via email without response, so I will just stop by when I go look at that Cayenne. I want to see what else has been done and have been told by owner the business also has records from service in CT.

I keep trying to ignore this car, particularly over the potential for scoring, but I keep coming back to it. I am a thorough buyer more than an emotional one. I often miss out due to my "leave no stone unturned" approach to car buying!

Just looking for feedback, as I am not objected to just walking on to something else. Car has steel springs, full leather interior, Nav etc....a few pics:

Wisconsin Joe

Well, if it's been in the south for that long, any scoring that happened "up north" would have become a problem by now.

It looks to be in nice shape, and a nice price (fair anyway).

If you're willing to go with a 955, this one seems to be worth a look.

Bayou_Flyer

Thanks....that was my line of thinking. I had my eye on a 957 3.7/6MT, but the seller won't budge off his $13k price and has no records to show other than a carfax report.

That said, this 955 has all of the right things going for it with the maintenance performed. My hope is the original owner paid good money to ensure their son/daughter had a well maintained car while in the city. Again, thanks for the response.

Marv

I'd say that sounds like a good deal.

It's less than what I paid for my Base 06 with a V6 and the color combination is nice.

Just have a pre-purchase inspection done at a qualified shop to make sure you don't have any hidden issues.

Nevertheless, expect to spend some money sorting out unseen problems on whatever you buy.

Bayou_Flyer

Thanks for the perspective! I like the color combo as well. Its perfect for the southern shn/heat. I absolutely plan to get a PPI if I like what I see in person. My initial thought is to bring it to where it has been maintained....being a reputable porsche repair shop. Or should I find another shop to get a fresh set of eyes on it? Current owner does not know status of fluids (trans/xfer/axles) and cardan shaft (though it has to have been out at least once at 120k miles).

Dilberto

It would have scored long ago. Nice deal. Just be prepared to shell-out for potentially dodgy electrics the 2004 model inherently had...

Bayou_Flyer

Yeah, how does the "buying a 955" post read....03 yuck, 04 luck? Hopefully this one will have had a history on the lucky side! Otherwise, I've driven VWs for years and am accustomed to German electrical issues from time to time.

Reading up on some of those issues now to have a few good questions to ask.

Bayou_Flyer

I used the pcar vin decoder and found the car is an Aug 2003 build with an in-service date of March 2004. Certainly something to consider since my reading mentions early build cars as having more potential for gremlins.

Bayou_Flyer

Things just got interesting. I am planning to check out the 04 later this week. Today, I find out a local dealer has an silver/black 06 V6 with a 6speed manual and a tad over 100k miles. On the way to drive.

aftCG

I personally love the 955s bashing.

Coolant pipes are "one and done", not a recurring item. Any other tasks that have come up on my car are well known and not particularly difficult (or expensive) to DIY.

Any atrocious electrical issues are typical German car stuff - and will all happen to new (more complex, more expensive) cars in due time.

I'll pick up a 958 when they're being trashed on as old news and poorly made.

Bayou_Flyer

Thanks aftCG! Well, the local 06 Cayenne was enough to almost discourage me from even considering looking at another. At 106k miles, if it isn't a prime example of a car to avoid....it's a close second!

Driver seat back held on by wood screw (that had pulled out), black tape on the driver seat leather, a headliner that looked like it had been replaced with a leftover blanket, and a smell that could only mean water intrusion meets old car (a smell I've noticed many a time at the local pull-apart). Cranked it up...liked the exhaust note. Didn't like the weird rattle/clunky sound I heard underneath though from either the bottom of the engine or the clutch assembly (was in neutral). Tires near end of service life along with brakes. Clutch felt good, but the LCD info screen had started to burn out and it had an ABS light, check engine light, airbag light, service light, and multiple "you can't have this" messages scrolling on the display. Not to be denied, I still wanted to at least drive the manual...if anything, just to see if I liked driving a manual SUV. Rolled forward, made a right turn, and felt an awful clunk from the right rear. Turned right back into the lot and felt it again. Parked it and walked away....listening to the salesman ramble on about how he had driven it all over without ANY issues. I'll report back once I drive the 04.