2004 Porsche Cayenne S 8 cylinder from North America

Summary:

I hate it. Porsche Cayenne = Constant headache

Faults:

Standard wear and tear... however to the extreme. I have never squealed the tires and have rotated every 5000... but this thing chews through tires and brakes.

The non wear and tear items include a broken wiper support bar, multiple adjustments to the headlight adjustment system, multiple lights being burnt out, latch for rear door broken.

General Comments:

I absolutely hate this vehicle. I picked it up and was excited about having it. The vehicle does perform nicely... much like a car... however the constant things going wrong combined with the arrogance of the dealer has completely ruined the experience of owning a Porsche.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th November, 2009

20th Jul 2010, 18:36

Hi. I bought a 2004 Cayenne S new off the lot. I have enjoyed the car and attest to its durability. I have two boys and dogs who like to put the interior to the test. No complaints. I now have 80,000 miles on my vehicle and have only had to take it in for routine maintenance. I would recommend the car to anyone, and plan to have my oldest son take it over when he gets his license.

In reply to 20th Jul 2010, 18:36

3rd Aug 2013, 13:16

I purchased a 2004 Cayenne S used with 140,000 km. I drove the car for 3 years from -40C to 20C; never had an issue. I did have summer and winter tires, but just switched them out on the same rims.

I just had to comment because so many of these are negative. I put this car through 180km a day of gravel roads and mud in the spring, that some 4x4 pickups would get stuck in, and icy roads. I thought it handled amazing, especially cornering at high speeds.

The car had over 240,000km when I collided with a deer. The headlight, bumper, and hood latch were damaged and the insurance company decided to write it off.

For those of you who think the money is all for the Porsche name, you could not be more wrong. This is such an impressive car, I would live in cardboard box before I'd give up driving a Porsche.

2004 Porsche Cayenne S 4.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Money pit, £90 fill up = 200 miles!

Faults:

Head lamp failure.

Rear washer fluid leaks through head lining.

Engine leaking coolent through head.

General Comments:

Average handling, poor brakes and the worst build quality.

Cheaper running costs with a Ferrari!

First service cost £3800 brakes etc.

One month later in for airbag light staying on and yet more light problems. They ended up finding a coo-lent leek and couldn't find it - out came the engine and gear box, one month later after lending us a mini! I get my car back with a £4,000 bill... Porsche dealer told us Porsche would pay as good will as this had never happend before? Then told us they wouldn't... Got the car back and the final kick in the teeth - my CDs are missing from the changer - Bye bye Porsche!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th November, 2007

2nd Mar 2008, 22:03

This entry I found hilarious. Who buys a Porsche and whines about the cost of petrol? Do you also go windsurfing and complain about getting wet?

9th May 2009, 14:37

I would agree - who ever thought a Cayenne would be cheap to run?

2004 Porsche Cayenne V6 from North America

Faults:

The dealer did not inform me that I needed winter tires.

The steering makes funny noises.

The air conditioning is inconsistent.

The car shifts at the wrong times.

The engine is too small for a 4800 pound vehicle.

General Comments:

The V6 engine is too small for this heavy vehicle. If you go uphill in hot weather, often you have to manually shift to a lower gear to get enough power. Passing speed should be better. With the next model up, the 'S', you get great power, but you cannot modulate pedal effort, so the vehicle tends to lurch from a standstill.

The salesperson did not talk about the tires needing to be switched in the winter. Thus, you need to alternate tires (and expensive rims) because the manufacturer puts high performance tires on this all wheel drive SUV.

There is no separate zone setting for the air conditioning, even though you have passenger settings. The is only one overall setting.

The looks of the vehicle are marvelous, the braking is exact, and the steering is precise. These features are overshadowed by some other glaring flaws.

The dealer was not consistent on how frequent oil changes are necessary.

There is no garage door opener option available on the base model, which is still expensive.

There is no full size spare, only an inflatable mini tire with its own compressor in the trunk.

I have replaced the radio in the first 8 months of ownership.

There are so many factory recalls that I don't know how many items have been altered.

Do not expect to get a Porsche loaner if you are getting service.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st September, 2005

6th Dec 2005, 00:10

Maybe you should have just purchased a regular, well established S.U.V. such as a Toyota or Nissan- far cheaper, and far more reliable! The only thing they lack is "pose" value- and so what! People who buy expensive (and often impractical) vehicles, are kidding no one except themselves. Sad, but very true!

26th Jul 2007, 03:15

Actually I don't entirely agree. This vehicle is highly capable in terms of actual off roading performance. The engineering is simply state of art. I don't think the dealer is SUPPOSED to inform you of putting on winter tires... you kinda know that by common sense.

No automatic transmission shifts at the right time; at least I haven't seen one yet. Use the manual shifter; it's there for a reason.

26th Jul 2007, 09:58

I buy because of performance not posing... Cayenne Turbo, Trailblazer SS offer this. I do not see a Toyota performance SUV.

28th Dec 2007, 21:26

Mate, have you ever tried a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 2002-2005?

I can tell you that It can easily beat your Porsche in any terrain... specially in the Dubai Dunes...

29th Dec 2007, 07:29

I agree with 0:10 you should have bought a nice street SUV such as a new Range Rover with the air suspension. I would go with a Porsche Turbo version or a new Trailblazer SS. Incredibly fast vehicles, great handling and performance. I would take them out on an extensive test drive... I always do that and test new imports and domestics actually quite a few before handing them money. Don't just sit in the seat in the dealers lot or you will be lowering your expectations.

29th Dec 2007, 11:57

Should have gotten a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. The Cayenne is nice, but an SRT8 has far better value.

29th Dec 2007, 16:55

This is top technology, performance and handling territory not just best value.

2004 Porsche Cayenne V6 3.2 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Looks great, wish they can get it right!

Faults:

Non stop problems since owning the car, which has only been 2 months. The AC does not work properly in the front if the rear is on and vice versa, even cheap cars don't do this. The Battery/Generator comes on at least twice a week, it has been back 3 times for this, the last time, the car was scratched whilst in their care - they have put this right. The window wipers screech, and again the car has been back 3 times for this. Love the car, but am very disappointed in the faults. Altogether in 8 weeks of having it, it has been back to Porsche for 17 days, and needs to go back again!

General Comments:

Love the look of the car.

Handles very well, thinks it's a car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th September, 2004

2nd Oct 2004, 14:29

I have purchased a Porsche Cayenne V6 3.2, This has to be the worse car I have owned! The battery generator light keeps switching on, the rear glass (trunk) window won't close, The Central London dealership had gave me false promises and lies from the moment I placed my order regarding delivery times etc, I don't care about the heavy loss of money, this heap is going...

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