Used 2003 Porsche Cayenne SUV Consumer Reviews
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Satisfied
I am 6'2 and have desired a 911 even before I could afford one. However, I refused to pay that much for a vehicle I could not be comfortable in. My prayers were answered with the Cayenne. I love this vehicle, like no other SUV on the market. Certainly, I have encountered small issues that were addressed and fixed quickly. This SUV is the best: Performance, power and comfort.
Don't settle for less
After torturing my wife with test drives and performance reviews I finally decided on the Cayenne S. I was tempted to go for the turbo, but who really needs a 450 hp SUV? If someone is willing to take their SUV over 150 to beat me then they deserve to win...
Unhappy Camper
My Cayenne was a joy to drive until the recalls came in..I am on my 12th recall. New computer system, new drive shaft. Tires wore out at 7K miles due to front end vibration. 2 sets of brakes. Interior trim vibrates. Rear door handles have broken off, ski door broken, wood trim has come lose. On my third set of brakes. Each set are noisy and Porsche says thats normal. Interesting design feature! Dealer cannot keep story straight and service is getting worse. Ski racks whistle so loud you have to remove to drive and keep sanity. Dealer service is the worst I have ever experienced.
Maintenance money pit!
This is a great fast SUV, but that's about it. The fuel mileage is terrible at average of 10 mpg for street driving. The worst part is the cost of maintenance. This has become a money with average $5000 in yearly repairs after 60K miles. Brakes cost $1400 every year. The 60K mile service costs $2500. Things start to break that are not covered by 100k Porsche maintenance warranty at average of $1800. I would stay away from this car unless you like paying Porsche for service.
Excellent driving machine
Handles and performs just like the famous sportscars. I sincerely recommend this to anyone who would like to purchase a Porsche but wants the feel of a sports car.
The Funnest Car I have ever owned
I have never owned a car where the excitement never seems to reduce, it gets better ! The Cayenne even put pleasure back into my daily commute. Zero regrets. Selected after 24hr road tests of FX45 Tech and BMW X5 4.4.
Entertainment and transportation
I can't rave highly enough about the Cayenne Turbo. It feels very light and nimble due to the beast of an engine, tiptronic transmission, brakes and suspension.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Exhilaration!
This car will shave 10 years off your age faster than a White House intern. It does everything great - performance, handling, comfort, looks and gadgets. It gives the feel of total authority over the road. It is probably overpriced, but it is a better value to the equally priced S500 4MATIC. Life is short. Drive fast.
They fooled me once
First the engine would not stop and the key got stock. Rear door won't close. No spear tire at all. Now the car is at the dealer waiting for parts from Germany. This is not what I was expecting from my first Porsche.
My Turbo Blows!!!!!!!!!
I hate this SUV. In the shop for more than 75 days. Tires wear out every 2000 miles. Car vibrates on highway. Electrical problems. Door lock problems. I real piece of crap for $100,000
The Ultimate Baby Transportation
It was time to buy a new house & start a family my wife said. Poof, my 911 cab was gone! Fast forward 14 months later. The new home was purchased,the baby is here & a Cayenne is sitting in my garage. Unbelievable is what I have to say! Even the baby appreciates the Cayenne. I just strap her into the baby seat & the throaty growl from the engine puts the baby to sleep right away. On weekends, the transmission stays in automatic when the baby is on board. On weekdays on my way to work & back, it's a whole different story! I never thought I'd look forward to commuting each day. Thank You Porsche!!
The Bomb
The Cayenne behaves like a true Porsche. This is my 5th Porsche and I may add my favorite. I have to allow that I am older and slower now, but the Cayenne is the SUV of the future. I notice people gawking at the car repeatedly, more so that any of my 911's. I guess that is Ok but I honestly believe that they are looking at a Auto like they have never seen before.
Porsche for Boomers
The Cayenne S is more sports car than SUV. Space is not abundant, but the trade off is performance and handling. Not may creature comforts, save that for Lexus!. The Cayenne handles like a 3000 lb coupe and not a 5000 lb truck. The 6-speed tip is fun, but in automatic mode, the shift points are at lower RPMs and you can easily lose torque. The 6-speed auto doesn't really save on gas either. At highway speeds the Cayenne S is rock solid and cruises easily over 100 mph with room to spare. X-5 has more refined ride, but more sway as well. The Cayenne S is the sports version of the VW Toureg which is $15K less for the V-8 version with air suspension
Senior Citizen Says
We have had the car for 1500 miles. Everything about it is terrific except the transmission response in D3. It is a little flat when doing in city driving. If it is driven in Tiptronic, the transmission and the performance is awsome. The physical finishes in the car are first class.
Cayenne Turbo - 3 months
Have over 3,000 miles in 3 months. Everything worked from day 1 and nothing has broken. Build quality is exceptional. Sales rep at dealer was exceptional. Used service department ro install after-market options. Their calendar is tight. Like almost everything about the car. It is everything I hoped for and more. Power is great and it handles the dirt as well as our Range Rover. Gas mileage sucks, though - 12 mpg consistently. Expected that. Takes a bit of work to get back seats down for an extended, flat stowage space in back. Feels extremely safe. Good selection of dealer options. Particularly like the rubber floor mats.
My First Porsche
My previous car was a 4.6is BMW X5.The S is a great car Black/Black combination is the best you can find because of it's aggressivness.I also bought a Turbo but because i prefer the European version than the US one i'm still waiting 4 availability of one at my "fantastic car finder" dealer Van Vliet Automobildrijven in Holland,while waiting i'm driving the S that is fast and fun to drive.S version i think it's a little bit slower than the X5 4.6is but after 2500RPM is much much fun to drive because after that it acelerates like a plane.I'm very anxious to put my hands on my future cayenne Turbo because all i read is that it is unique.
Next best after 911
The best SUV car I have ever driven. You can not compare it to a 911 and you should not. It is very good car for long drives and terrain. One 911 and one Cayenne and then you´ve got it...
PiMp Car
Its the best car of the year i would say it works great
Chase after your Dream !
Air Suspension made handling on the Cayenne excellent. The appreciation came everytime you pull a high speed curve,it simply does not roll.Acceleration is quick and on demand.With its rigid body,high ground clearance and a high,low range gear combined with a lockable differential,there should be no doubt that it is a true off roader. It is 90% close to a 911(Can anyone really drive their 911 toward 100%)and it is a true off roader.This is definitely a benchmark setting schievement.In sum,if you are considering a Porsche,the Cayenne is the best choice and value for your money.
thunderlight
altimate SUV handles like 911 except that I could still have my baby, husband and friends in the car. It is fun, fast, and elegant. I love it.
Awesome
This is the finest vehicle I have ever driven. The turbo provides great power and performance. The ride is smooth in all the choices of ride. The interior is very comfortable. Must be driven to appreciate the handling and performance.
not the greatest
this vehicle begins to rattle very quickly. it has a terribly high center of gravity from what you would expect from a porsche and does not even ride very well as an exchange.
WOW
Most fun to drive, from a sports car entuiast
best suv ever
It has BMW X5 4.6is road performance, or better, and Range Rover off-road ability! Great exterior and interior designs.
WOW CAR OR TRUCK?
BEST DRIVING EXPERIENCE EVER HAD
WOW!!!
I had the opportunity to drive both the S and the Turbo on the Barber Motorsports Race track in Birmingham Alabama. I also drove the vehicle offroad. In a comparison drive vs. the X5 and the new Rover it was the hands down favorite. Off road it did stuff I would have never thought to try. On the track I was on the tail of a 911 going full tilt. WOW what a thrill. The interior is that of a luxury car, tastefully done with superior fit and finish. To all you Porsche nah sayers, ....go drive it. If you have the $$ their is no substitute.
Cayenne Limo
Recently, I purchased a Cayenne and had it stretched to fit a comfortable 12 passengers. I own a limo comapny in New Jersey and specialize in exotic limos. The Porsche was not the best looking vehicle on the market, it was the best built. Also, I built a BMW X5 back in 2001 and it got rave reviews. The Porsche really gives the X5 a run for the money. I never thought a Porsche SUV could handle like a car. I give it 5 stars.
The best of the breed
This is probably the best SUV I have ever owned far better that the Escalade that I traded in.
so much power
Man i love this Suv i used to own a 2000 Bmw X5 that was a good car but this one is way better. their is too much eletronics i don't even know how to use but i like the navi.but i don't know if this Cayenne has a rollover senor.but over all this car is the bomb!
Almost Perfection
The only thing wrong with this car is the rather stiff ride (his car only comes with regular suspension unlike the Turbo model which has three different suspension options). It rides like a dream on smooth payment but is rather jarring when driving in the city or on bumpy roads. Otherwise, this car is a joy to drive and truely worthy of calling itself a Porsche.
Great SUV
I have not owned a Porsche for about 12 years. This SUV is superb in all respects - looks, handling, performance, features and design. I now look for reasons to drive long distances.
what a car !
I love the power and looks. The interior is first class, with a lot of controls and adjustable seats. Computer readout and Porsche Crest on the computer and NAV is beautiful.
very good porsche
a lot of fun to drive.
Fabulous Vehicle
One of the best vehicles I have even driven.The feel and handling are amazing.
04 Cayenne S (demo)
Purchased 04 demo with 9k on it in Sept 03. Has been back to selling dealership 2 times. A bunch of petty things that I would have thought they would hav fixed before offering for sale. Biggest problem is that it dd and still does drift/pull right. It will go backa gain to a different dealer. Looking at lemon law too. I would never recommend selling dealer. NO follow up, no offer of extended warranty, complaint to Porsche refered me back to dealer manager who never himself returned calls.
What an experienc
I also own a 2001 Cabriolet, which, until the Cayenne, I thought was the ultmate vehicle. Problem is, I live in Colorado (not a problem, actually) and the 911 stays parked most of 5 months a year. The Cayenne is a wonderful daily driver. I test drove the BMW X and my wife drives a Lexus GX. The GX is a great vehicle as well but the Cayenne is much more of a driver's vehicle. You get all of the benefits of a 4WD while actually having fun driving. This is the ultimate Colorado vehicle.
GREAT CAR
The Cayenne Turbo is AWESOME!!!!! It is luxurious, and it can beet any car u see on the road. Its great for a family less than 5. And if u get one, the Cayenne S or normal Cayenne are just wastes. Get the Turbo!!!
Turbo, the only way to go
The turbo model is a true Porsche vehicle.
me
this is a great practicalesuv with a sporty feel
The Best
I am 6'2 and always planned to buy a 911 as a kid. However, a 911 is not comfortable to someone me size. Then came the Cayenne and my dream is fulfilled. I love this SUV it is the best of both worlds.........
Drove Both, Bought Cayenne S
My dealer gave me a head start on Friday the 14th, allowing me to drive the S and Turbo. Both cars were equipped with PASM and most of the options available. Turbo was awesome, but impractical for me. Both drove identically, excccept for acceleration. Both had very civilized interiors, terrific Bose audio, no wind noise. I bought the S, based on practicality.
Why can't they build a truck
This is the best adaptation of a sports car to a truck on the market ever. BMW came close but the folks at Porsche made it fit real world drive- abilty. You can ford bodies of water up to 22 inches deep and still hug a turn better than any of the leading sports sedans. At track speeds the only thing you can feel is the desire to step on the gas harder.
UNNNBELIVEABLE
This is a truly and amazing vehicle. Power and handling are superb. Fit and Finish are a step above the current Porsche's. If can afford only 1 Porsche this is the one to own. You will never feel left out of the Sports Car experience.
Cayennes vs. BMW X-5
The Cayennes turbo is definitely the king of the hill in any comparison if you don't mind the 90K+ price tag. Yet the S-version was a big disappointment. The dead start acceleration was a dismal performance with no thrill or excitement. The X-5 will outperform the S in every comparison test. If you opt to equip the S like the standard features offered in the X-5, the price tag will easily exceed the listed $68,500 of X- 5 and you still don't have the performance like the X-5. The choice is yours.
WOW!!!!!!!
I have owned 2 ML's (430 & 500), Grand Cherokee's and Ford's. None of these SUV's are even in the same zip code as the S. Strengths- Fast (0-60 in high 6's), tight suspension that mutes big hits, ride is smooth and quite! Handling, amazing push it in corners and I detect no body lean at all, it tracks like it is on rails. Luxury, better equipped that the ML's, BMW and Lexus. Luxury and performance in one package. Gas mileage is very close to my old ML500. Porsche hit a home run with this one. As an SUV owner I really appreciate this vehicle.
What you expect from Porsche Engineering
I went to purchase a Range Rover, test drove it, finding the car typically top heavy. Being a past Porsche owner, I was reluctant to test drive the Cayenne because of its plain appearance. I was exteremely impressed with the speed and handling experience of the Cayenne, and immediately decided on the purchase. The Cayenne is a little thirsty with fuel,and the suspension is firm, but the end result is an SUV that is a blast to drive.
Better than an X5 4.4
I have just had this SUV a week and just love it. I thought about buying it for 6 months,(couldn't get used to the look)After driving it there was no turning back. I owned a BMW X5 4.4 and this is hands down a better overall vehicle. I also own the Acura MDX, which I am now going to sell. I think Porsche did with a SUV what they have been doing to cars for many many years. That's making driving fun!
Wow!
Could not be happier with the performance of this vehicle. Not even in the same catagory as the FX45.
It's Almost Unfair
The Cayenne is the ultimate blend of performance, utility, and reliability. I've never driven nor owned any vehicle that simply satisfied every automotive desire. Once you drive one, you'll know what I mean.
My First Porsche
Wonderfuly constructed and engineered from the ground up. Every available option is available for this car. However the cost of any add on from Porsche are very inflated and over-priced.