New car decisions - Cayenne the end game?
Discussion
After a work related delay, meaning I’ve gone over many options, this month I am finally going to be replacing my Audi Q5.
This is the main family car, the second car for running around in is an e-Up, so needs to be big enough to accommodate all the usual family/activity related stuff for a family of 4 plus a medium sized dog. Will normally go on a European family holiday once a year and possibly a trip to Le Mans classic if it’s my turn to drive. Want a petrol, no need for diesel and its increasing problems, not sure about a plug in hybrid as a second hand purchase.
The top contenders have been:
What do I need to know about them in terms of ownership and maintenance? Ideally I would find one and get it covered by a Porsche Warranty, but need to look at the cost of doing that, I assume it’s like other Porsches where you have to get an inspection at an OPC and then address any issues before then buying the cover?
Would welcome any thoughts on the shortlist, the Cayenne and advice on buying what would be my first Porsche - although never expected it to end up being an SUV.
This is the main family car, the second car for running around in is an e-Up, so needs to be big enough to accommodate all the usual family/activity related stuff for a family of 4 plus a medium sized dog. Will normally go on a European family holiday once a year and possibly a trip to Le Mans classic if it’s my turn to drive. Want a petrol, no need for diesel and its increasing problems, not sure about a plug in hybrid as a second hand purchase.
The top contenders have been:
- Audi SQ5 - but ultimately can’t get comfortable with dropping an extra £10k on top of the trade in for a car that is of a similar age, mileage and spec to what I’ve had for 3 years, engine aside. Plus would like something a bit bigger and a step up in quality.
- BMW 540i touring/640i GT - would still be tempted by a well spec’d, low mileage one towards the bottom of the budget.
- BMW X5 40i - combination of spec, engine and overall feel of the X5 made it a front runner. As above, don’t want a diesel and for a used buy, even with a warranty, would probably avoid the 45e.
- Audi Q7 - had previously been keen on an SQ7, but now don’t want or need a diesel and the petrols are way over budget. So it would be a 3.0 TFSI. This would be Mrs Aussieal’s preferred choice.
What do I need to know about them in terms of ownership and maintenance? Ideally I would find one and get it covered by a Porsche Warranty, but need to look at the cost of doing that, I assume it’s like other Porsches where you have to get an inspection at an OPC and then address any issues before then buying the cover?
Would welcome any thoughts on the shortlist, the Cayenne and advice on buying what would be my first Porsche - although never expected it to end up being an SUV.
I bought a 2019 Cayenne 3.0 base model around the start of last year for family duties - it replaced a Lexus RX which we had owned for over 7 years.
Like you, we have 2 kids and a dog. The car has been my wife's daily driver and has performed flawlessly. It was a one owner car bought at auction with around 45000 miles on it, having been traded in at an Audi dealership.
We have serviced it once at an independent and have done around 10,000 trouble free miles.
The car feels robust and hasn't given us any trouble whatsoever.
It is good to drive, although if I was doing it again I would probably seek out an S model - the base car doesn't ever feel that quick, but is a comfortable, quiet and refined place to be. I also think they are ageing well and still look fresh despite being 6 years old.
Good options are the air suspension and pan roof.
We certainly haven't regretted ours. Good family car.
Like you, we have 2 kids and a dog. The car has been my wife's daily driver and has performed flawlessly. It was a one owner car bought at auction with around 45000 miles on it, having been traded in at an Audi dealership.
We have serviced it once at an independent and have done around 10,000 trouble free miles.
The car feels robust and hasn't given us any trouble whatsoever.
It is good to drive, although if I was doing it again I would probably seek out an S model - the base car doesn't ever feel that quick, but is a comfortable, quiet and refined place to be. I also think they are ageing well and still look fresh despite being 6 years old.
Good options are the air suspension and pan roof.
We certainly haven't regretted ours. Good family car.
That’s very helpful, thanks.
I need to go and drive a 3.0 and an S to get a feel for them. Had read the S needs the revs more which might not be entirely suited to the way you’d normally drive a big SUV. But as a petrol head, hard not to see the attraction of 400+ bhp.
Have you put a warranty on yours?
I need to go and drive a 3.0 and an S to get a feel for them. Had read the S needs the revs more which might not be entirely suited to the way you’d normally drive a big SUV. But as a petrol head, hard not to see the attraction of 400+ bhp.
Have you put a warranty on yours?
I am sure you wont be disappointed with either the base or the S.
We didn't bother with a warranty. It had previously had 2 main dealer serviced and we have serviced it once at an independent specialist locally which was under £500. We have had no mechanical or electrical problems in the 18 months of ownership.
We didn't bother with a warranty. It had previously had 2 main dealer serviced and we have serviced it once at an independent specialist locally which was under £500. We have had no mechanical or electrical problems in the 18 months of ownership.
Mr Micawber said:
I bought a 2019 Cayenne 3.0 base model around the start of last year for family duties - it replaced a Lexus RX which we had owned for over 7 years.
Like you, we have 2 kids and a dog. The car has been my wife's daily driver and has performed flawlessly. It was a one owner car bought at auction with around 45000 miles on it, having been traded in at an Audi dealership.
We have serviced it once at an independent and have done around 10,000 trouble free miles.
The car feels robust and hasn't given us any trouble whatsoever.
It is good to drive, although if I was doing it again I would probably seek out an S model - the base car doesn't ever feel that quick, but is a comfortable, quiet and refined place to be. I also think they are ageing well and still look fresh despite being 6 years old.
Good options are the air suspension and pan roof.
We certainly haven't regretted ours. Good family car.
Would be interested to find out how you compare the Lexus to the Cayenne, especially regarding comfort and refinement.Like you, we have 2 kids and a dog. The car has been my wife's daily driver and has performed flawlessly. It was a one owner car bought at auction with around 45000 miles on it, having been traded in at an Audi dealership.
We have serviced it once at an independent and have done around 10,000 trouble free miles.
The car feels robust and hasn't given us any trouble whatsoever.
It is good to drive, although if I was doing it again I would probably seek out an S model - the base car doesn't ever feel that quick, but is a comfortable, quiet and refined place to be. I also think they are ageing well and still look fresh despite being 6 years old.
Good options are the air suspension and pan roof.
We certainly haven't regretted ours. Good family car.
At that price point the hybrids are also an option:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508285...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509025...
S:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509206...
Spec is always the key on these but they're a great choice.
X5 40i:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509266...
leftfield
3.0 Levante, these will be inside Maserati's warranty which can be extended:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509136...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508155...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508285...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509025...
S:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509206...
Spec is always the key on these but they're a great choice.
X5 40i:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509266...
leftfield
3.0 Levante, these will be inside Maserati's warranty which can be extended:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509136...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508155...
The Lexus was a very smooth refined thing to drive.
Totally boring and didn’t encourage you to push it in any way, but good at what it was designed for.
The Cayenne is more interesting to drive and certainly more engaging. I actually enjoy driving it, where the Lexus felt like a vehicle designed for those who were not interested in cars, but wanted a luxurious fuss free 4x4. Refinement levels are not far apart - but worth pointing out that the Lexus was 10 years older.
We might have been lucky, but neither have ever thrown up any big bills at all.
Totally boring and didn’t encourage you to push it in any way, but good at what it was designed for.
The Cayenne is more interesting to drive and certainly more engaging. I actually enjoy driving it, where the Lexus felt like a vehicle designed for those who were not interested in cars, but wanted a luxurious fuss free 4x4. Refinement levels are not far apart - but worth pointing out that the Lexus was 10 years older.
We might have been lucky, but neither have ever thrown up any big bills at all.
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