Love them, indifferent, or hate them, the Cayenne was really good for Porsche. They resulted in a significant cash boost for the company that allowed them to really invest in development of the 911 and basically everything else since these SUVs were launched in the early 2000s. So the next time you see a 997 GT3 RS 4.0 driving along, think to yourself, “Thanks Cayenne.” Okay, so maybe that isn’t the first thing that will pop into your head, but you get where I am coming from.
Today, I wanted to look at a Cayenne that isn’t the lease special V6 but also not the insanity that was the Cayenne Turbo and Turbo S. The GTS trim on any model always was, and still is, that sweet spot for those who want something a few notches up from the base model but aren’t spending $200,000 on a Turbo or GT car. The Cayenne GTS was a really nice spec Cayenne that had some different body work, 21″ wheels, and a 400 horsepower 4.8 liter V8. Even better, it was offered in a 6-speed manual that was completely off the table for any person who was married. This 2009 up for sale in Texas has the standard automatic that is significant other friendly, but at the end of the day can still do 0-60 in 5.7 seconds. The best part? They are getting cheap.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2009 Porsche Cayenne GTS on eBay
Year: 2009
Model: Cayenne GTS
VIN: WP1AD29P59LA63318
Engine: 4.8 liter V8
Transmission: 6-speed Automatic
Mileage: 114,917 mi
Location: Austin, Texas
Price: $17,500 Buy It Now
ACCIDENT FREE GREAT CONDITION 2009 PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS Tiptronic AWD 4dr SUV With 114K MILE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Cold AC Clean title nice condition. 20 Inch Plus Wheels, 4WD/AWD, ABS Brakes, Air Conditioning, Alloy Wheels, AM/FM Stereo, Automatic Transmission, Auxiliary Audio Input, Bluetooth, BOSE Sound System, CD Audio, Cruise Control, Leather & Suede Seats, Memory Seat(s), Navigation System, Overhead Airbags, Power Liftgate/DeckLid, Power Locks, Power Mirrors, Power Seat(s), Power Windows, Rear Defroster, Side Airbags, Sunroof(s), Tow Hitch, Traction Control.
On the outside, this 10 year-old Cayenne isn’t too bad. The looks aren’t totally dated and would still pass for a new-ish vehicle, but unfortunately the same can’t be said about the interior. Because this is still the first generation Cayenne, it carries the same tech from 2003 and oh goodness, does it show. The gauge cluster screens have the same resolution as an original Game Boy and some of the interior materials give you flashbacks to the Touareg. None of the buttons have peeled yet, but don’t worry, it is coming. The mechanicals of these cars have almost been curious with random coolant leaks and drive shafts that always seem to need replacing, and the massive brakes aren’t all that cheap to service as well. The 21″ tires are about due for replacement, but thankfully as the years go on the price of tires seem to fall thanks to 20″ inch wheels becoming standard on minivans now.
This one priced at $17,500 is one of the cheaper examples I’ve seen for sale, but I do wonder if they still have some room to fall. Believe it or not, the GTS models do seem to have some kind of following for the really clean ones and even more so if they have a 6-speed manual. I’m not ready to gamble on them just yet, but if they fall into the low teens, maybe. I think this could be a fun SUV, although in my case maybe kind of useless in the winter. A GTS with off-road tires? It’s been done.
– Andrew
Interior on these cars were done on the cheap, like Dodge cheap. Whenever I ride in my brother’s, I can’t get over the flimsy plastic parts that are all falling off the dash/doors/seats.
And then, just to remind the world that Porsche really doesn’t remember how to engineer a front-engined car, they put a motor mount ON TOP of the valve cover????? What the heck?
If you think those are off road tires in that example, well….I ain’t going off roading with you.
I still can’t comprehend that people can offer a car for sale–much less any kind of Porsche–without even a wash and vac….
And with 114k, no, this ain’t one of the cheaper ones….
I think calling them cheap might be a mistake, at least when equipped with the optional manual transmission.
Go take a look at the last few GTS sales at Bring A Trailer..
https://bringatrailer.com/auctions/results/?search=cayenne+gts
The last 3 with over 100,000 miles on them ALL sold for over $30,000 – one of them for $37,207.
If you can find a 6 speed manual GTS for less than $20k it might make a darn fine investment, since these have really started taking off in value.
Good catch Don. I think those BaT examples are probably the best of the best, but still very interesting to see. One sold this week for over $33,000.
Andrew – there are many Cayennes owned by people who maintain them fanatically (I’m the Cayenne moderator on Renn List). The only ones bringing these sort of prices (which would put someone in a newer 958 Turbo with less miles on it) are the manual transmission GTS’s.
I know there is some cache’ to the GTS ownership, I’d assume because it was probably the smallest production variant of the 957 series. And the 6 speed an even smaller production variant.
What I can’t quite understand is why anyone would pay more money for less performance. Most GTS’s aren’t as well outfitted as a comparable year Turbo, and they certainly are slower. The body styling is simply borrowed hook line and sinker right from the same year Turbo.
Nice enough Cayenne, but still a puzzle to me why they bring these prices, roughly twice what a rational person would think of paying.
About 2 hours of detailing would make this much more presentable. I’m baffled why you wouldn’t at a minimum clean the wheels and polish the headlights. It would look 5 years newer instantly.