05-25-2010, 05:04 PM | #1 |
Alphanumeric
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,584
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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. |
05-25-2010, 10:54 PM | #2 |
Don't worry, be happy
Join Date: Mar 2004
Carmudgeonly Ride: AW '05 645Cic & '11 Infiniti QX56
Posts: 1,382
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We test drove a Cayenne for my wife a few years back. Gutless. Not impressed at all.
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05-25-2010, 11:09 PM | #3 |
dogged
Join Date: Dec 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC
Posts: 13,300
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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 |
Alphanumeric
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,584
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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. |
05-26-2010, 09:10 AM | #5 | |
dogged
Join Date: Dec 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC
Posts: 13,300
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Quote:
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05-27-2010, 06:26 PM | #6 |
Western Anomaly
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: White Orca
Posts: 16,614
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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.
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05-27-2010, 06:47 PM | #7 |
I like BMWs
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: X5 M50 / M550
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 5,789
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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.
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05-27-2010, 07:49 PM | #8 | |
Jeeped
Join Date: Sep 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Modified Jeep Tj and '07 Miata
Location: Seattle
Posts: 10,214
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Quote:
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. "Jeep is the only true American sports car*" - Enzo Ferrari * Or something to that effect. |
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05-27-2010, 08:14 PM | #9 |
•••••••
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: '11 1M
Location: Churzee
Posts: 17,741
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The awful slothlike HHR rental I'm driving scares me daily on onramps.
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05-27-2010, 09:21 PM | #10 |
Alphanumeric
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,584
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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.
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