2008 Cayenne GTS, Thinking about buying one ... Options

[SirAndy]

Anyone here who has a 2008 (or thereabouts) Cayenne GTS?

There's one for sale here locally for $17k and it looks to be a clean and well maintained car. The odo shows just over 100k miles.

Any educated (or otherwise) input from the collective?
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[tygaboy]

I've started looking at Caymans, too. Still learning about them but isn't anything earlier than 2009 subject to the dreaded IMS issue? I may not have that right but assuming I do, it's not something that can't be addressed, just something to consider, if it hasn't been done.

[Rand]

I'd rather have a Cayman than a Cayenne. I know, very different vehicles...But as prestigious as a Cayenne can be among SUVs, my buddy's turned into a serious money pit. Things started going wrong and every repair was major $$$. It sure ran well when everything was working. This is the one that was at WCR in White City.

[tygaboy]

I've started looking at Caymans, too. Still learning about them but isn't anything earlier than 2009 subject to the dreaded IMS issue? I may not have that right but assuming I do, it's not something that can't be addressed, just something to consider, if it hasn't been done.

Oops. He said Cayenne... Ignore, sorry.

[SirAndy]

I've started looking at Caymans, too. Still learning about them but isn't anything earlier than 2009 subject to the dreaded IMS issue? I may not have that right but assuming I do, it's not something that can't be addressed, just something to consider, if it hasn't been done.

Different engine, 4.8L v8.

I already have a 2 seater sports car, which is why i'm looking for something more SUV-ish ...
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[Cody914]

I have a 2009 Cayenne GTS. I bought it five years ago with 52,000 miles on it and I currently have 145,000 miles on it. It has been very reliable overall and after five years I still absolutely love driving it.

I have had most of the standard issues with it like others have but it was all fairly easy fixes. Cardan shaft fix, water pump pulley break, drain plug clog that floods passenger floorboard, and horn needing replacement due to water exposure. You might find out when the coil packs were last replaced, you don’t have to worry about the coolant pipes for that year. Big heavy SUV with this power will wear your tires and brakes. I usually only get about 20k miles out of the tires so account for that in the budget given the 21” are a bit more expensive. Front brakes and rotors need replacement about every 25-30k miles.

2008 and 2009 are my favorite years for these and $17k is a good price if it is in good shape.

[914_teener]

I have a 2009 Cayenne GTS. I bought it five years ago with 52,000 miles on it and I currently have 145,000 miles on it. It has been very reliable overall and after five years I still absolutely love driving it.

I have had most of the standard issues with it like others have but it was all fairly easy fixes. Cardan shaft fix, water pump pulley break, drain plug clog that floods passenger floorboard, and horn needing replacement due to water exposure. You might find out when the coil packs were last replaced, you don’t have to worry about the coolant pipes for that year. Big heavy SUV with this power will wear your tires and brakes. I usually only get about 20k miles out of the tires so account for that in the budget given the 21” are a bit more expensive. Front brakes and rotors need replacement about every 25-30k miles.

2008 and 2009 are my favorite years for these and $17k is a good price if it is in good shape.

Great SUV with stump pulling power.

Take it to an independent and have it checked out. Download the DME to check for issues and a good inspection. I'd go for it if you don't have an SUV. The are great in lieu of a truck. That's a great price.

[scallyk9]

I have a 2009 Cayenne Turbo S (957) since Labor Day, 2016. Before that a 2006 S Titanium Edition (955). The 957 variant (2008 - 2010) finally fixed the dreaded plastic coolant pipe problem. Yes, 955s had a 4.5L and the 957s had 4.8L motors...more horsies and even better, more torque. Does this GTS have air suspension and/or PDCC? 957s were the last models to be truly off-road capable and have lockable four wheel drive.

The next gen started taking the U out of SUV and I'd have to call the brand new Cayenne Coupe an SV.

GTS's command a premium and Hagerty recently listed early Cayennes as becoming collectible. The perfect truck for towing your 914.

[rhodyguy]

Where are you going to store the trailer for the 914?

[JFJ914]

I have a 2008 S, basically it's the same as a GTS. This thing is the best sports car I've ever owned. It is far better than the 911(964) I sold to buy it. It is comfortable, it is quiet, it has incredible handling limits.

It will require maintenance, brakes, tires, oil, money. So far I've not had all the known problems. I bought it at 44,000 mi 4 years ago now it's at x80k. Until last week it has been oil, brakes, tires and gas. I got my first CEL, thermostat failed open. It will require x$400 worth of parts (includes a water pump change) and a day of time to fix.


Comfort, handling, air conditioning, You may never drive the 914 again!

[scallyk9]

Where are you going to store the trailer for the 914?

Haha! That was a huge problem at the Kirkland condo. Not a problem in the new place, next to the 1200 sq. ft. garage/shop. Now, where to find a two 914 trailer?

[windforfun]

I've started looking at Caymans, too. Still learning about them but isn't anything earlier than 2009 subject to the dreaded IMS issue? I may not have that right but assuming I do, it's not something that can't be addressed, just something to consider, if it hasn't been done.

What's the IMS issue?

[JeffBowlsby]

I hear the Macan is sportier.

[Tom_T]

Anyone here who has a 2008 (or thereabouts) Cayenne GTS?

There's one for sale here locally for $17k and it looks to be a clean and well maintained car. The odo shows just over 100k miles.

Any educated (or otherwise) input from the collective?
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Andy -

It will depend on what you want to use the Cayenne for - DD/around town, some or a lot of towing, a hot rod SUV, Off-Roading, etc., because for around town and occasional towing, the base V6 3.6L is a great SUV that you can easily find newer &/or less miles for about the same money, cuz the GTS & Turbos still get a premium used (& have the air susp. to think about maintaining long term).

I've been looking for a 2008-14 Cayenne S with the normally aspirated engine & no air suspension as a tow vehicle for big vintage trailer & my 914, & as an extra car for us. Here are my thoughts & what I've found from my research, test drives, other owners, etc.

The GTS is essentially a lowered Cay S with a few more options included in its base price - including the Air Suspension (same AS with Turbo/Turbo S), & a "tweaked" normally aspirated DFI V8 with a few more HP/TQ (400 HP vs 385 IIRC), but otherwise the same as an S - which may be fun when it works, but a PITA when not & trying to get adjustments right (talk to SoCalAndy/Andy T. about what their shop sees in Cays & Panameras with AS).

There is also issues with coolant leakage & failures with the "horseshoe" coolant distributor up front where the aluminum lines are glued (there is a screw/bolt fix), & at 1-2 remaining plastic return lines which can crack/fail/leak with age/heat/miles & get coolant into the starter, trans, etc. This is on both the 2008-2010 957 & 2011> 958 body styles.

Earlier 2003-06 (no 07's) also have expensive embedded rear hatch struts to replace, endemic headlight failures - either of which can be $2K+ fixes, as well as a full plastic coolant pipe system which was the subject of a pre-recall settlement, but you'd be on the hook to replace them at this point, & it had the same leakage issues but worse (you can find them with the aluminum pipes fix done in 03-06 MY CayS/GTS/Turbo). So I was advised to stay away from them - although we really loved the 2006 Titanium Edition in Iceland Silver (Light silvery blue color), which were the "fill-in" for 2007 MY for Aug 06 to March 07, when they did an early release of the 08's.

The Gen 1/1.5 2003-06/2008-10 955/957 Cayennes are more SUV like, while the next Gen 2/2.5> have gone more Crossover like. Both are capable SUVs which largely drive like a Porsche, & even the base 3.6L gas V6 is a good performer, compared to the competition out there. All have superior towing capabilities too - especially compared to the latest crossover unibody mid-sized SUV competitors (Nissan Pathfinder 2013> for example with only 5000 lbs rating vs Cayenne's 7700).

We have a few PCA members in SoCal with the GTS who love them, but I don't know that they've kept them long enough to be in that 100K mile & age range anymore. They liked them with the AS, but I doubt that they had to replace anything or work on it back a few years ago, since most were still under warranty &/or CPO.

Also - at a 2008 - it's now 11 MYs old & at the end of the time where Porsche is required to maintain adequate replacement parts by US law (15 in Euro-zone), so parts may become scare in coming years.

As for GTS ("tweaked" normally aspirated V8 with AS), vs. Base V6 (3.6L VR6), Hybrid (3.0L V6 + Elec), 3.0L TDI, S (normally aspirated V8), Turbo/Turbo S (turbo V8 with AS, latter tweaked turbo) - you'll find that they all drive pretty well in any flavor - the V6 & Hybrid will get best mpg, but only a couple/few more than the N.A. S V8, & the GTS & Turbo/Turbo S will get lower mpg for a bit or a lot more HP & hot performance.

If you're thinking about towing the 914 etc. - then any/all of them are rated to tow 7700+ lbs with 770 lbs hitch wt. (except the Hybrids are a bit lower due to extra battery wt.) - so they would be adequate for occasional towing of your 914 or a mid-sized travel trailer or toy hauler with 914 etc inside (within those wt. ratings), but the V8s will pull better on grades & run at lower rpms on flat freeways. For long trips towing, the real world towing mpg flips - with the V6s & turbo V8s getting worse mpg in the 12-14 & 10-13 range respectively, the tweaked N.A. V8 GTS around 12-14, & the N.A. V8 Cay S getting the best gas at 14-17 mpg.

While the TDI V6 will get the best mpg overall both hitched & not, but diesel has been more than premium gas of late, diesels require higher cost maintenance + blue fluid, & the "fix" for the EPA/CARD Diesel-Gate problem detuned them a bit in terms of HP/TQ & mpg & IIRC it also "lost" the downhill engine braking function, & after the prescribed settlement warranty coverage period end, Porsche/VW/Audi will wash their hands of them & their parts/support/service according to my long tie P/VW/A tech Hans (he advised me not to look at them, even after the settlement). However, you can get some very nice 2013-16 TDIs with the settlement's extended warranty out to 100K or 120K & 10 years from new IIRC - so many folks are buying them anyway & planning to sell when no longer supported or take their chances.

Also, the 2011-12 958 V8s of all types (& Panamera V8s) have an AH08 Recall on defective cam adjuster bolts which can fail, lose Power steering/brakes &/or fuel pump (depending on which/both side fails) & basically destroy a $30-35K engine. So you'd want to check that any of those have had the AH08 done, if you look beyond this GTS.

I'd say that at 100K miles it's getting ready for some major work to be needed, but they can go $200K+ with ongoing & expensive maintenance. Try looking at sub-70K mile ones. Also, the 08 GTS you're looking at could be built in late 06 & sold early 07 - so it would then be older than a typical 2008 car FYI, due to their early 2007 release.

I used to be a disbeliever in why a Porsche SUV when they first came out, but they did such an overall good job with them, & they're so capable for a DD/Street SUV & family Porsche, Off-road vehicle, & great towing - that I've long since been won over. Because we do NOT want a black one, & we only want the Cay S with the N.A. V8 & no AS, but with the back-up camera & factory tow hitch options under +/- 60K miles in non-salty roads states & well maintained - our window is small, & I don't always have time for the search.

If this one is close, fits your needs & likes, you're okay with the AS & future maintenance of it, & it checks out mechanically - then go for it. But check prices with options as-built against both NADA & KBB online valuation tools (you can use the VIN to get the Cayenne factory build sheet for options) - & come to a reasonable price given condition & market, & know that they're depreciating assets going down in value +/- $500 - $1000 per month (upper is at newer/higher price ones) - so don't over pay!

Whatever you do on this or any Cayenne - get a PPI done by a shop that knows them whom you trust, & have them look at everything! You might also want to talk with Eric Shea about his experiences with his CayS too.

That's my Cayenne 101 run down, & hopefully it helpful to you.

Cheers! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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[Tom_T]

I've started looking at Caymans, too. Still learning about them but isn't anything earlier than 2009 subject to the dreaded IMS issue? I may not have that right but assuming I do, it's not something that can't be addressed, just something to consider, if it hasn't been done.

What's the IMS issue?

Intermediate Shaft Bearing failures on all 986/987 & 996/997 flat 6's up to the mid or late 2000s 911s & Boxsters/Caymans. Google it & you'll get all you need to know - including fixes.

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Tom
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[Tom_T]

I hear the Macan is sportier.

Yes - but smaller & much more than $17K Jeff! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

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Tom
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[Tom_T]

I have a 2009 Cayenne GTS. I bought it five years ago with 52,000 miles on it and I currently have 145,000 miles on it. It has been very reliable overall and after five years I still absolutely love driving it.

I have had most of the standard issues with it like others have but it was all fairly easy fixes. Cardan shaft fix, water pump pulley break, drain plug clog that floods passenger floorboard, and horn needing replacement due to water exposure. You might find out when the coil packs were last replaced, you don’t have to worry about the coolant pipes for that year. Big heavy SUV with this power will wear your tires and brakes. I usually only get about 20k miles out of the tires so account for that in the budget given the 21” are a bit more expensive. Front brakes and rotors need replacement about every 25-30k miles.

2008 and 2009 are my favorite years for these and $17k is a good price if it is in good shape.

All good info, as I didn't include the Cardan Shaft, Cowl drain, water pump/pulley (always do pump with other coolant related work - good insurance against broken blades into the engine), coil packs, tire wear.

You do have to worry about the 1-2 plastic coolant return pipe(s) in the "Vee" (aluminum replacements are available), & the adhesive pipe-to-"horseshoe" & return coolant distributors - so check them & have the screw/bolt/pin fixes done so that they can't pop our (know an 08 CayS owner who lost theirs at the horseshoe on the 405 grade to the SF Valley - call Tom Gould at Pelican for their fun on that one).

On other thing on the 955/957 (& maybe 958s) is that when the front suspension's upper control arm bushings go at about 60K miles, you'll have to replace the entire upper arm, cuz Porsche doesn't supply the bushings & tools (ask Eric Shea about that one).

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Tom
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[Superhawk996]

You guys are killing me.

You do realize that Porsche once was exclusively a sports car company right?

My opinion only at the risk of offending the faithful:

Porsche SUV = (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif)

I know the other cool kids like Ferrari, Maserati, Bugati, and Lambo are all doing SUV's too.

Mama always said "just because everyone else is doing it doesn't make it right"!

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[Front yard mechanic]

I bought and still own the frist year cayenne great car,truck,suv but it still is a chicks car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif)

[rhodyguy]

These vehicles sound swell. For the first owner that is. What lurks in these things at 150k miles?