The Pros And Cons Of Buying A First-Generation Used Porsche Cayenne (955/957)

• Pros
  • Powerful & Luxurious
  • Off-road capability
  • Affordability
• Cons
  • Poor Fuel efficiency
  • Reliability & High Maintenance costs

Pros of buying a used first-gen Cayenne (9PA)

Powerful & Luxurious

Like the newer Cayenne models, the first-gen Cayenne was offered with a variety of powetrains, including a base V6, a naturally aspirated V8 for the S and GTS trims, and a twin-turbo V8 for the Turbo models. If you’re up for some thrills, both the Turbo and the Turbo S models are the way to go. We’re talking up to 550 horsepower and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of around 4.7 seconds with the Turbo models.

Hey, it’s a Porsche, so even the Cayenne’s interior screams luxury. Think plush leather seats, a driver-focused cockpit, and high-quality materials throughout. You’ll find all the power features you’d expect, plus some cool touches like an air-conditioned glovebox and a Bose sound system to blast your favorite tunes. It might not be as flashy as the newer models, but the first-gen Cayenne’s cabin still oozes class and comfort. Slide into those 12-way adjustable leather seats, grab the leather-wrapped steering wheel with handy multi-function buttons, and feel like royalty.

Off-road capability

The first-gen Cayenne had some serious moves both on and off the pavement. Porsche’s Traction Management (PTM) system and sporty suspension meant it handled like a dream on twisty roads, while its fully adjustable all-wheel drive, generous ground clearance, and optional air suspension let it tackle the rough stuff with ease. It was the SUV that could do it all - from school runs in the suburbs to weekend adventures out on the trails, all while delivering that signature Porsche driving thrill.

The first-gen Cayenne’s robust build and capable underpinnings, also make it ripe for off-road transformations. You can fit chunky off-road tires, lift kits, skid plates, and even roof racks to turn your first-gen Cayennes into adventure-ready machines. Take a look at the 2009 Ruf Dakara, which looks like a buffed-up 911, ready to be let loose on the terrains.

Affordability

First-generation Porsche Cayennes are over two decades old now, and like most mass-produced vehicles, their values have gone down over time. Classic.com lists an average price over the past five years at $21,660. The more affordable trims make for the ideal project cars, but if you want a bit more oomph, you may have to pay a premium for the more desirable Cayenne Turbo and Turbo S models.

While you can snag a 2005 Cayenne Turbo in mint condition for less than $10,000 these vehicles are driven hard and for long miles, which makes them less reliable. It goes without saying that, you want to keep an eye out for the model year and an example with the lowest possible mileage with a good service history.

Cons of buying a used first-gen Cayenne (9PA)

Poor Fuel efficiency

It’s no secret that their fuel efficiency tends to take a hit as cars age. Things like wear and tear on the engine, transmission, and other components can lead to a less-than-stellar MPG rating. So, even though the first-generation Cayenne S was rated at a not-so-impressive 12 MPG city and 17 MPG highway by the EPA when it was new, you can expect even lower numbers on a used model. Something to keep in mind if you’re considering adding this classic SUV to your garage!

High Maintenance costs

A first-gen Cayenne isn’t a Toyota Corolla when it comes to maintenance. These SUVs were packed with a lot of tech for their time, and those fancy features can come with a price tag when they need fixing. Plus, with age comes wear and tear on major components like the engine, gearbox, and especially that optional air suspension.

Then there’s the engine and the automatic gearbox, known to break over the course of the Cayenne’s lifetime. And if something major goes wrong, like the engine or transmission, you could be looking at repair bills in the thousands. Even replacing the air suspension can set you back around $2,500. Repairpal rated the first-gen Cayenne 1.5 out of 5.0 in terms of reliability and a yearly average maintenance cost of around $1,231. When it comes to specific model years, 2004 was particularly notorious with a myriad of issues pertaining to the engine.

Should you buy a first-generation Porsche Cayenne?

So, there you have it! Porsche’s first attempt at a sports SUV. The formula seems to have clearly worked because the segment truly has burgeoned into a substantial one, over the past two decades. So, should you consider a first-gen Porsche Cayenne (I know their price makes them pretty tempting)? Well, you should, but as I mentioned earlier, only if you manage to find a low-mileage example because.

The last thing you want is to end up with a lemon. They may be cheap to buy but are expensive to run and keep on the road. Also, while this isn’t necessarily a con and is more subjective, not everyone is a fan of the way the Cayenne looks. To each their own. The best-case scenario would be for it to serve as a weekend toy or a project car, rather than an outright daily driver, but if you find a clean example, you may just have gotten lucky.