Welcome to What Could Possibly Go Wrong, our series where we take a gander at the premium — and probably problematic — exotic used bargains that sit on the used car market at temptingly cheap prices. This week, it’s time to look at affordable SUVs.
We’ve long championed the Skoda Yeti as our affordable used SUV of choice. Early examples may be approaching 16 years old, but it still stands firmly as our go-to used SUV for less than £5,000. They’re reliable, durable, and practical – but we know it’s far from the coolest car on the road. That’s why I’ve found a used SUV with a bit more badge kudos for the same price.
The cheapest Porsche money can buy
The first-generation Cayenne (codenamed 955 or 957 post-facelift) may share its foundations with the Volkswagen Touareg, but it’s a game-changing performance SUV. It’s heavy but the Cayenne hides it well with engaging, car-like handling. Interiors blend premium materials with plenty of luxury and the height of 2000's tech. Expect to find examples with built-in sat-nav, electric memory seats and even a Motorola carphone.
The entry-level Cayenne uses a V6 from Volkswagen which was nice enough, but takes nearly 10 seconds to reach 62mph and is quite thirsty. As illogical as it may sound, the best Cayennes to buy used will use the larger V8, either with or without a turbocharger. Our pick of the bunch is the 514hp Cayenne Turbo S with its twin-turbocharged 4.5-litre V8 and top speed of 167mph. That’s a lot of power for as little as £5,000.
Parts supply is excellent compared to other aging luxury cars, but they all come with a hefty price premium if you want new pieces. A servicing kit with filters and spark plugs for the V8 Turbo S will be £200 while front brake discs will set you back £550 for the pair. A single, new genuine Porsche headlight will set you back £1,000, over half the price of cheapest Cayenne I came across.
The Cayenne needs a minor service every two years, followed up by a major service every four years. We found a Porsche specialist that charge £350 for a minor service, and £440 for a major service. That big, powerful V8 engine is also thirsty, you’ll be getting 19mpg at best. The V6 isn’t much better either, expect 20mpg as a top line figure.
As for contemporary rivals, the Cayenne was a trailblazer when it launched, and while every performance marque makes a fast SUV these days, they weren’t that common back in the 2000s. The Range Rover Sport is an obvious contender, a quick and worryingly cheap used SUV with lots of fancy features that have a reputation for going wrong.
Squint a little and the original Volvo XC90 can fit the bill. It's an SUV with a decent badge and posh interior like the Cayenne, albeit with seven seats. It’s nowhere near as accomplished to drive, but Volvo did a 4.4-litre V8 version which put it more on the pace with the Cayenne. These V8 examples are rare and thirsty though.
With a rational hat on, we’d obviously point back to a Skoda Yeti or a used Mazda CX-5. While neither have the barnstorming power or luxury of a Cayenne, both will obviously prove much cheaper to run and maintain.
To find out more, read our full Porsche Cayenne (2003-2009) review
Pros
- Great performance from V8 examples
- Car-like handling
- Top-notch build quality
Cons
- Expensive running costs and repairs
- Avoid the slow and thirsty V6
FAQ: what you need to know about a used Porsche Cayenne
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How much does a used Porsche Cayenne cost?
Be fearless with your used Porsche buying and you can pick up a tired but roadworthy Porsche Cayenne for as little as £1,500. The mileage will be high, the interior tattered and baggy, and it'll more than likely be a V6 example but it is possible.
For £5,000, you can find V8s in roadworthy condition, but the best examples will be double that. The nicest, well-loved GTS and Turbo S models can command upwards of £15,000. -
How much did a Porsche Cayenne cost new?
Back when the Cayenne launched in 2003, a brand-new example started at around £35,000. Our pick, the Turbo S, cost £81,000 when it was introduced in 2006.
Don’t forget though, optional extras weren’t limited to nicer floor mats and a branded first aid kit. There were all manner of add-ons available for the Cayenne, which rapidly inflated the list price. I’ve come across used examples listing close to £20,000 in optional extras alone.
How to buy a used Porsche Cayenne
Here are five crucial things to look for if you do want a used Porsche Cayenne:
1 – V8 engine
Our engine pick of the Cayenne range is fairly robust but early examples faced an issue with plastic cooling pipes, which are known to fail and burst. Later examples were fitted with metal coolant pipes, and conversion kits are affordable and relatively straightforward to install.
2 – Brakes
The Cayenne is a big, heavy car and requires big brakes to slow it down, especially with the faster V8 models. As you might expect, that puts a fair bit of strain on the discs and pads, which can wear out quicker than you might expect.
3 – Air suspension
Air suspension was standard fit on the Turbo and Turbo S models and does offer exceptional ride quality. Problem is, over time the system is prone to leaks and eventual failure. The telltale sign is a sagging car and a lumpen ride. If so, expect big bills for the suspension airbags or compressor.
4 – Water ingress
A sunroof may be a desirable option in the summer, but the drainage channels are known to become clogged over time and eventually seep water into the interior. The seals for the boot are also known to let water in, so be sure to check for damp smells and mould.
5 – Interior
Interiors are built to a very good standard, and even ropey examples shouldn’t be the sea of broken trim and ripped leather you’d find in some lesser rivals. The headlining is known to sag with age and don’t be surprised to see some dead pixels on the instrument cluster though.
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