2004 Porsche Cayenne Turbo 4.5L V8 turbo

Summary:

A total waste of money

Faults:

Various bulbs continually burn out.

Blower/heater fan replaced, 85,000Kms. $450.00.

Plastic engine cooling tubes replaced, along with water pump at 87,000Kms. Metal ones are their replacement. $1500.00.

Driveshaft replaced, 92,000Kms. $1200.00.

Xenon light replaced, $300.00.

Continually requires brake parts.

New rotors by dealer under warranty.

New transmission by dealer under warranty.

New radio by dealer under warranty, poor reception still.

Brake switch replaced at 93,000Kms. Could start vehicle without pressing on brake. $100.00.

Ignition key/light left on warning buzzer not functioning. Not replaced.

Front heated seats not working.

Passenger side power seat not working.

Rear seat belt gets stuck when seat put down.

Lever to put rear seat down broken.

Stitching on rear arm rest coming undone.

Seems to miss when hard accelerating, not repaired yet.

Power steering pump leaking, 100,000 Kms.

General Comments:

I should have waited to buy a newer model. I've owned this vehicle for two years and have spent over $10,000 in repairs. What a money pit. I've tried to get Porsche to understand what a let down this year of Porsche is, only to find out that they don't stand behind their products. What a shame.

It leaves you wondering if Porsche wants repeat business. Even though I bought used, I'll never buy another vehicle from them again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th December, 2009

21st Dec 2009, 01:08

The Cayenne is just a fancy Volkswagen Touareg in disguise, so what did you expect?

10th Jan 2010, 14:31

What did I expect? Are you kidding me? It sounds like you work for Porsche. The truck is worth $140,000. What would you expect for that price range? It's got nothing to do with whether you think it's a Toureg in disguise or not. It's to do with what one should get in return for the price. Why would Porsche think it's acceptable to install such inferior parts on what is supposed to be a prestige automobile. I just wish Porsche would step up to the plate and admit they're wrong and recall my vehicle. But that's not going to happen any time soon because it would break them. It would be a miracle if they agreed that testing products on the backs of their clients isn't an acceptable practice. They're only scaring away clients. But with past experience with them, they couldn't care less.

21st Dec 2010, 18:57

The Cayenne is Porsche's highest selling vehicle ever, not combining the various generations of the 911. They've made a quick killing on selling that vehicle. But, the car's themselves were not all that great in terms of reliability. It was new technology for Porsche... and VW for that matter. They are not about to take responsibility for their learning curve. For those rich enough, you can buy a new IMPROVED version of the Cayenne and dump your old one. You can pick up used Cayenne Turbos for $35k US all day long.

In reply to 21st Dec 2010, 18:57

7th Apr 2012, 14:10

I am a owner of a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, which I bought as new in 2004 in Denmark. Here the prices are up to 3 times those of the rest of the world because of tax, meaning that the car cost 500.000 USD, and that is the truth.

Unfortunately, I 100% agree with the other guy who also has a Cayenne. I have had practically all possible mistakes on my car, and Porsche has not taken responsibility for anything. Even most people I know with the same car have had the same mistakes, and expensive ones like change of transmission, change of cooling system, and all imaginable electric problems. I think I have changed everything that requires electricity in that car. All in all, a very sad story, even though the car drives like a dream when it is driving.

It is like the old story about Jaguar; you need two, so you have one to drive when the other is in the repair shop.

2004 Porsche Cayenne S 8 cylinder

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.