£9k Petrol Family SUV Cayenne Turbo or Range Rover Sport?

[R4PID]

3 x sports cars doth not a happy family make...

One of the sportscars is about to go and so we want (need) a car with more doors, big petrol engine and 4WD (this is pistonheads afterall).

We've previously had an early T6 XC90 (loved it but although 7 seats is handy it was a bugger to configure) and I've had 2 grand cherokee jeeps.

We fancy something smart from a premium brand with some charisma and bags of poke. We're looking at something around 2003 to 2008 and have a budget of around £9-10k but may spend a bit more for the right car.

The Cayenne seems like a good option the turbo has bags of power, air suspension and PDCC means it has a great ride and they're supposed more reliable than the normal and S petrol versions. Image wise well the mk1 has grown on me over the years and I'm willing to live with and love those googly front lights.

The mk1 Range Rover Sport is a good looking car for sure but it is looking dated and boxy now. I know the 4.2 supercharged version has a Jag engine in it but struggling to find anything with regards to its reliability, how do they hold up with higher miles? Most of them being diesels there do appear to be lots of stories of unhappy owners suffering endless niggles surely there are some delighted owners somewhere?

I know both are a risk, are a bit 2005 footballers wives, will having wallet busting mpg and high car tax but I'm intending to go in eyes wide open, buy right and enjoy a piece of SUV gas guzzling, smooth cruising nirvana for the family.

[davek_964]

Can't comment on the RR, but I've had a 2003 Cayenne S since 2013. I still think it's a fabulous car.

I'm sure the turbo is quicker, and I've heard the argument that they don't suffer the engine problems of the N/A - but I've had no engine issues with mine (was ~80k when I bought it, and is about 104k now) - and mine still feels quick. (For reference, I've had 996 turbo / Ferraris during the same period so I'm used to faster cars).
Mine was bought for one specific purpose - and I expected to be bored of it and sell it once I no longer needed it for that purpose. As it is, I think it's a great car - amazingly, it's really not a boring car to drive and on a twisty road with suspension set to sport and manual gear change it's great fun!

[5678]

Flip side Cayenne experience... A bad one!

I bought cheap, thinking I was prepared for the issues and costs. I wasn't at all!

Several minor issues ended up with a £6k bill on a car that cost me £10k. I px'd it as quick as possible!

It was a great car before the issues occurred though.

Ah, fuel is also comical. I'd run a car that did 18mpg before and thought I was prepared. An average over a year and 13000 miles of 12mpg hurt massively. 100 litre tank meant £120-£130 fill ups and around 250-280 miles from it!

[davek_964]

5678 said:

Flip side Cayenne experience... A bad one!

I bought cheap, thinking I was prepared for the issues and costs. I wasn't at all!

Several minor issues ended up with a £6k bill on a car that cost me £10k. I px'd it as quick as possible!

It was a great car before the issues occurred though.

Ah, fuel is also comical. I'd run a car that did 18mpg before and thought I was prepared. An average over a year and 13000 miles of 12mpg hurt massively. 100 litre tank meant £120-£130 fill ups and around 250-280 miles from it!

I average about 15mpg I think - but the tank range is rubbish. I think I get less miles than that (mostly short journeys). But I guess it's a heavy car that makes a fair amount of power - so although the mpg annoys me, I'd be unwilling to have less power to save petrol.....

Mine has cost me money - especially in the first couple of years I had it. But it's been pretty good for the last 3 years or so. The only thing that stops me trading in for a newer one is...... they still do 15mpg! (At least, the ones that I'd be willing to budget for do)

[MorganP104]

Another vote for the Cayenne.

Whilst not exactly Heidi Klum in the looks department, I would say the Mk1 Cayenne has aged better than the Mk1 RR Sport.

In terms of running costs... Take your pick - both cars will take whatever they want from your wallet, whenever they feel like it.

Hmm, maybe they are supermodels, after all.

[sbk1972]

They are both crap. RRS Mk1 Supercharger has many issues with the engine and of course the electrics. The Porsche again has issues with the engine and electrics. I know 2 people that had a Porsche and had issues, one had to have this engine rebuilt. I know of another mate who had a RRS and it suffered with suspension issues and super charger faults.

I get it though, you want a 4x4 V8 with power. I was the same. I was tired of diesel shoguns and had a v8 inch. I also need a 4x4 for my kids and their endless crap.

You have the following choices . Mecedes ML, BMW x5, Volvo XC90 T6, Landcrusiers.


Volvo t6 has a well know gearbox issues, 80/90K the gearbox will go and transfer box issues. Well know. I did like these and was prepared to buy a blown gearbox model and fix it up.

BMW x5 4.8. I liked these, I liked the E60 ?? E63 models. These engines have issues. coolant pipe running down the middle of the V goes, leaks around headers, water cooled alternator issues. Not a case of if, but when. you will get these issues

Landcruisers. Hold their model. I like the Lexus 430 model. v8 petrol, better lights but much more money and old now.

I then looked at the Ml63, loved it. However 2007 - 2009 engines had head bolt issues, then cam issues. Also suffer from pumps / leak shocks.

I ended up buying a Ml55. engine and gearbox are reliable but the rest of it is pure electric nightmares :-) I went out to buy a £17K ML63 but saw my car for £4K. cheap potatoes. I brought it, spent a year sorting the electric issues via the US forums and at the moment it gives me 90% of the fun of a Ml63 for low money.

You need to do your research on these 4x4 v8s. RRS look good but are too problematic. Porches, again the engine oil issues are well documented.

I can see myself going back to the Mitsubishi road, Shogun SG4. 3.2 diesel, chipped to 240bhp and ultra reliable.

SBK

[Maracus]

Volvo XC90 with the Yamaha V8?

[ZX10R NIN]

Neither car isn't without issues & both aren't the most reliable, so the thing to do is try to find one that's had some of the prevalent issues taken care of & receipts to back that up.

Cayyenne

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

RRS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

An alternative is the 4.8is X5 these can have gearbox issues as well as valve stem & timing chain issues, so again do your homework.

X5 4.8is

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Unless you need the 4WD then one of these are a good option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Saying that if you don't mind buying cars with the potential to throw out a big bill every now & then I'd go for one of these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[R4PID]

Thanks for the input. Already done an XC90. Quite fancying a dabble with the 4WD Pork at the moment. Poll results seem pretty conclusive.

[Badger71]

Cayenne all day. Considered one myself in the past.

Much nicer inside, better image (IMO).

It will cost money though, both to run and maintain - even with an independent garage.

As long as you're happy with this and go in with eyes open, get a decent example with low miles, full service history etc. then the good times should outweigh the bad :-)

[sbk1972]

What is your budget ? That should influence what to buy.

SBK

[DSLiverpool]

R4PID said:

Thanks for the input. Already done an XC90. Quite fancying a dabble with the 4WD Pork at the moment. Poll results seem pretty conclusive.

I would look at a later GTS with air if in budget (about £15k) - my 4.8s with 380 BHP is plenty fast enough the GTS has about 405 My Cayenne in a year has had
Stat - £450
Prop and Gbox oil change - £800
Service - £400 (at OPC)
It needs a backlight (LEDs going) and the lack of bluetooth is a pain but otherwise its great.
I really like the way it feels solid and just gathers speed.

[R4PID]

sbk1972 said:

What is your budget ? That should influence what to buy.

SBK

R4PID said:

We're looking at something around 2003 to 2008 and have a budget of around £9-10k but may spend a bit more for the right car.

[R4PID]

DSLiverpool said:

I would look at a later GTS with air if in budget (about £15k) - my 4.8s with 380 BHP is plenty fast enough the GTS has about 405 My Cayenne in a year has had
Stat - £450
Prop and Gbox oil change - £800
Service - £400 (at OPC)
It needs a backlight (LEDs going) and the lack of bluetooth is a pain but otherwise its great.
I really like the way it feels solid and just gathers speed.

Yeh, I love the look of the GTS, the shape of the seats and the decent colours they come in. Just a little bit of a stretch.

[sbk1972]

Spooky, yesterday I watched an old Top Gear on Dave Channel which showed Clarkson test driving one of those 4x4 Porsches. He was impressed but felt it was so ugly. I have to say I do like the idea of power etc. 440+ bhp. impressive.

I reckon you should just go out and buy one. None of the suggest cars above will be cheap, or without issues, but its an itch that needs to be scratched, so scratch it :-)

My Ml55 has had a ton of issues, it's a car where each day I worry..... will it break down today, but I love it. Mine came with a sports exhaust so the AMG v8 is delicious. It has 22inch black alloys, tinted windows, and is black. Just looks the devils wagon. :-) I'm such a ponce, at 46 I shouldn't be so childish !!!

So, do it, go buy a Porsche 4x4, you will love it. Just try to do some research and buy a model where most of the issues have been sorted.

I read somewhere that when you lock your car and walk away, if you don't look back and think.... I like that, then it isn't a good car. I always look back at my old Ml55.... I love it, I love it faults and all ( I so know I've tempted fate and it will break down today.... bugger :-) )

SBK

[R4PID]

sbk1972 said:

Spooky, yesterday I watched an old Top Gear on Dave Channel which showed Clarkson test driving one of those 4x4 Porsches. He was impressed but felt it was so ugly. I have to say I do like the idea of power etc. 440+ bhp. impressive.

I reckon you should just go out and buy one. None of the suggest cars above will be cheap, or without issues, but its an itch that needs to be scratched, so scratch it :-)

My Ml55 has had a ton of issues, it's a car where each day I worry..... will it break down today, but I love it. Mine came with a sports exhaust so the AMG v8 is delicious. It has 22inch black alloys, tinted windows, and is black. Just looks the devils wagon. :-) I'm such a ponce, at 46 I shouldn't be so childish !!!

So, do it, go buy a Porsche 4x4, you will love it. Just try to do some research and buy a model where most of the issues have been sorted.

I read somewhere that when you lock your car and walk away, if you don't look back and think.... I like that, then it isn't a good car. I always look back at my old Ml55.... I love it, I love it faults and all ( I so know I've tempted fate and it will break down today.... bugger :-) )

SBK

Briliant, this is me all over. Great post. Age is just a number and life really is too short to drive boring cars. The Merc sounds right up my street, murdered out SUVs driven by middle aged blokes just for the hell of it!

Not that I needed it (rarely opt for boring dependable cars) but thanks for the inspiration!!

[davek_964]

I mostly agree. But you're kidding yourself if you think you're going to look back at a Cayenne and think : I like that.

Despite its qualities, it's always going to be ugly!

[sbk1972]

As soon as you buy one get some pics up.

Also prepare yourself for the endless..... bet its awful on fuel... remark. I always get that when i tell someone or people see what I drive. I reply by saying it isnt and between 7 - 14 mpg is impressive

Owning / driving these things is like sticking two fingers up at the low literage, eco driver groups.

Once your married, kids, demanding job, kids clubs, responsibilities.... you forget thst inner nob of a bloke you were back im your 20s when all you lived for was cars and birds. Having a wild car is escapism and reminds me that deep down im still that young wally
EVery man needs a v8 in his life.

Sbk

[R4PID]

sbk1972 said:

As soon as you buy one get some pics up.

Also prepare yourself for the endless..... bet its awful on fuel... remark. I always get that when i tell someone or people see what I drive. I reply by saying it isnt and between 7 - 14 mpg is impressive

Owning / driving these things is like sticking two fingers up at the low literage, eco driver groups.

Once your married, kids, demanding job, kids clubs, responsibilities.... you forget thst inner nob of a bloke you were back im your 20s when all you lived for was cars and birds. Having a wild car is escapism and reminds me that deep down im still that young wally
EVery man needs a v8 in his life.

Sbk

Oh we're well used to that... e93 M3, Evora S, T6 XC90, teens mpg is the norm for us and always has been. Most people know us well enough now to just not bother asking. Meanwhile they're throwing huge sums into horrid new, diesel, Euro eco boxes and then taking a massive hit on depreciation whilst waxing lyrical about 45mpg (*yawn).

[Toyoda]

This beauty's up for sale with change from 5k. Manual too!

https://www.jgmcarsales.co.uk/used-cars/porsche-ca...