Cayenne loaner

equ · 05-25-2010, 05:04 PM

I got a 2010 base model to drive around while my cayman is in for an oil change and some minor complaints (warranty will be up soon). I don't drive this class of car much (SUV and/or slushy) but here are some tidbits:

Pros:
-steering (nicely weighted and somewhat responsive)
-handling (for the class)
-brakes (the usual german stuff that's nice overkill for the US streets)
-Tiptronic fairly smooth & responsive (again for a slushy)
- would be a good ski/bike trip car and not much else
- it does seem to have controls for locking center and rear diffs

Cons:
- driver seat is uncomfortable to me, my thighs don't fit between the bolsters (like in e90 ZSP's)
- ride is so-so (even with somewhat low PSI's)
- with a v6 engine it just doesn't move (my a4 2.0T is way way faster than this)
- sounds harsh when thrashed (thnks small animals in pain, you learn not to do this much)
- pain to pull in to my garage (no rear-view camera even though it has nav)
- climate control bits feel super-cheap

I seem to get around 17-18mpg's. It is a lot better than the Lincoln version of the Edge-thingy that was last year's service loaner. It's been a while since I've driven it, but my memory of the Q5 is that it is much better on tarmac. It's also a lot smaller, but the Cayenne is supposed to be shrinking for '11 as well (losing 400lbs apparently, as well as the diffs).

The vw/audi/porsche overlap/cannibalization is interesting. There is so much redundancy, yet they probably make more money this way... for now. Sort of like a German GM.

Mr. The Edge · 05-25-2010, 10:54 PM

We test drove a Cayenne for my wife a few years back. Gutless. Not impressed at all.

wdc330i · 05-25-2010, 11:09 PM

Plus, I think they're especially heinous to look at.

Edit: But I have to admit, I didn't even test drive one. When we were in the market for one of those things, the third row--however cramped--was a prerequisite. Why have something that big, if it can't do more than what a comparable wagon can do?

equ · 05-26-2010, 08:51 AM

It really is big, but I'm kind of liking the solid feel and unexpectedly good handling. A set of giant michelin latitudes must be a contributor. The 2010 (outgoing generation) must be the rare SUV that has pavement performance and true off-road skills (lockable diffs). It feels better than the x5's in my distant memory (but I haven't driven the new gen and it really has been a while). I could almost see myself having one, eye openingly large, it would be so easy to put bikes/skis. But I do find it very hard to notice all the little people (peds/small cars) running around. It would be stressful in these dense parts. I'd probably run over somebody without noticing.

The engine is the downer. It's such a heavy truck, it needs low-end torque, not thrashy rpm's. Perfect diesel candidate.

wdc330i · 05-26-2010, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by equ

It really is big, but I'm kind of liking the solid feel and unexpectedly good handling. A set of giant michelin latitudes must be a contributor. The 2010 (outgoing generation) must be the rare SUV that has pavement performance and true off-road skills (lockable diffs). It feels better than the x5's in my distant memory (but I haven't driven the new gen and it really has been a while). I could almost see myself having one, eye openingly large, it would be so easy to put bikes/skis. But I do find it very hard to notice all the little people (peds/small cars) running around. It would be stressful in these dense parts. I'd probably run over somebody without noticing.

The engine is the downer. It's such a heavy truck, it needs low-end torque, not thrashy rpm's. Perfect diesel candidate.

I have the Latitudes on my X. They feel great, even in RFT form. Yes, you should try the new gen, maybe in a diesel. Definitely with sport package/anti-roll. It's a darn good vehicle. Back-up camera is a must. With it, and the truly great visibility through the large greenhouse and and big mirrors, you have no problems seeing everything.

lemming · 05-27-2010, 06:26 PM

betcha it'll be even better when they rid it of some this gen's weight.

a cayenne v6 is a safety hazard because it'd be so slow to merge in traffic at speed.

SARAFIL · 05-27-2010, 06:47 PM

I took a Cayenne V6 on a trip from RI to Jersey a few years ago.... ugh, what a bad decision I made. Super slow is an understatement... it was like the fat kid in gym class that always ran out of breath when trying to run laps. Handling was pretty good for an SUV and it was comfortable enough, but that car needed the V8. Hopefully the new-gen will be a noticeable improvement now that it has been on a diet.

lupinsea · 05-27-2010, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by equ

The 2010 (outgoing generation) must be the rare SUV that has pavement performance and true off-road skills (lockable diffs).

.

*Plaz* · 05-27-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemming

a cayenne v6 is a safety hazard because it'd be so slow to merge in traffic at speed.

The awful slothlike HHR rental I'm driving scares me daily on onramps.

equ · 05-27-2010, 09:21 PM

I guess I must have low standards. I really think the cayenne is a perfect match to the mindless flow of traffic around here. And the v6 (08+, the 290hp version) has enough pep. Not fun, but it's a stretch to call it super slow.

05-25-2010, 05:04 PM	#1
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,583	Cayenne loaner I got a 2010 base model to drive around while my cayman is in for an oil change and some minor complaints (warranty will be up soon). I don't drive this class of car much (SUV and/or slushy) but here are some tidbits: Pros: -steering (nicely weighted and somewhat responsive) -handling (for the class) -brakes (the usual german stuff that's nice overkill for the US streets) -Tiptronic fairly smooth & responsive (again for a slushy) - would be a good ski/bike trip car and not much else - it does seem to have controls for locking center and rear diffs Cons: - driver seat is uncomfortable to me, my thighs don't fit between the bolsters (like in e90 ZSP's) - ride is so-so (even with somewhat low PSI's) - with a v6 engine it just doesn't move (my a4 2.0T is way way faster than this) - sounds harsh when thrashed (thnks small animals in pain, you learn not to do this much) - pain to pull in to my garage (no rear-view camera even though it has nav) - climate control bits feel super-cheap I seem to get around 17-18mpg's. It is a lot better than the Lincoln version of the Edge-thingy that was last year's service loaner. It's been a while since I've driven it, but my memory of the Q5 is that it is much better on tarmac. It's also a lot smaller, but the Cayenne is supposed to be shrinking for '11 as well (losing 400lbs apparently, as well as the diffs). The vw/audi/porsche overlap/cannibalization is interesting. There is so much redundancy, yet they probably make more money this way... for now. Sort of like a German GM.

05-27-2010, 06:26 PM	#6
lemming Western Anomaly Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: White Orca Posts: 16,594	betcha it'll be even better when they rid it of some this gen's weight. a cayenne v6 is a safety hazard because it'd be so slow to merge in traffic at speed. __________________

05-27-2010, 06:47 PM	#7
SARAFIL I like BMWs Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: X5 M50 / M550 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,786	I took a Cayenne V6 on a trip from RI to Jersey a few years ago.... ugh, what a bad decision I made. Super slow is an understatement... it was like the fat kid in gym class that always ran out of breath when trying to run laps. Handling was pretty good for an SUV and it was comfortable enough, but that car needed the V8. Hopefully the new-gen will be a noticeable improvement now that it has been on a diet. __________________ 2020 X5 M50i -- Alpine White / Coffee Leather 2020 M550i -- Carbon Black / Beige Leather

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05-25-2010, 10:54 PM	#2
Mr. The Edge Don't worry, be happy Join Date: Mar 2004 Carmudgeonly Ride: AW '05 645Cic & '11 Infiniti QX56 Posts: 1,382	We test drove a Cayenne for my wife a few years back. Gutless. Not impressed at all.

05-25-2010, 11:09 PM	#3
wdc330i dogged Join Date: Dec 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC Posts: 13,283	Plus, I think they're especially heinous to look at. Edit: But I have to admit, I didn't even test drive one. When we were in the market for one of those things, the third row--however cramped--was a prerequisite. Why have something that big, if it can't do more than what a comparable wagon can do?

05-26-2010, 08:51 AM	#4
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,583	It really is big, but I'm kind of liking the solid feel and unexpectedly good handling. A set of giant michelin latitudes must be a contributor. The 2010 (outgoing generation) must be the rare SUV that has pavement performance and true off-road skills (lockable diffs). It feels better than the x5's in my distant memory (but I haven't driven the new gen and it really has been a while). I could almost see myself having one, eye openingly large, it would be so easy to put bikes/skis. But I do find it very hard to notice all the little people (peds/small cars) running around. It would be stressful in these dense parts. I'd probably run over somebody without noticing. The engine is the downer. It's such a heavy truck, it needs low-end torque, not thrashy rpm's. Perfect diesel candidate.

05-27-2010, 09:21 PM	#10
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,583	I guess I must have low standards. I really think the cayenne is a perfect match to the mindless flow of traffic around here. And the v6 (08+, the 290hp version) has enough pep. Not fun, but it's a stretch to call it super slow.