2004 Porsche Cayenne from North America - Comments

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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