No Reserve!

∙Porsche handling with SUV practicality
∙Brand new MoT
∙Alloys refurbished and power coated
∙Tiptronic auto

All eyes were on Porsche at the 2002 Paris Motor Show when it launched its first step into a brave new world – one that has since seen it build all manner of cars from small off-roaders to luxury saloons.

But back in 2002, the idea of one of the world’s best-known sports car makers building anything but a coupe or roadster was unfeasible. Porsche had never been there before, and it wasn’t aligned with the brand’s heritage. 

The car market was evolving, though, and the launch of the BMW X5 two years previously had shown that it was possible to build an SUV that had car-like dynamics. The new Range Rover L322 in 2001 brought more of the same, and Porsche wanted a slice of the action. 

Enter the Cayenne – the first Porsche SUV, the first with a V8 engine since the 928 and the first with off-road capability since the company built tractors in the 1950s. It was initially offered only with those V8 engines, normally aspirated and turbocharged, to ensure that it lived up to Porsche’s performance promise. It also differentiated the Cayenne from the Volkswagen Touareg, with which it shared much of its chassis architecture. 

It was quite well received, but criticisms of its pricing structure led to Porsche introducing  a new entry-level model in 2003, still with four-wheel-drive but fitted with (whisper it) a Volkswagen engine. 

In fairness, it wasn’t just any old VW unit – it was the 255bhp 3.2 from under the bonnet of the Golf R32 and Audi TT V6, and thanks to its affordability it soon became the best-selling car in the Cayenne line-up.

And that’s what we have here – a Cayenne 3.2 Tiptronic S, with a six-speed automatic transmission and full leather trim. It’s an early 2005 example in Basalt Black with dark tan upholstery. 

This Cayenne was first registered in January 2005 and was maintained by an independent VW/Audi specialist for much of its life – one would assume because the 3.2-litre engine was VW-derived and servicing was therefore more affordable than using Porsche main dealers. 

The service book is stamped up to 78,897 miles, with the current mileage at just over 100k, and it is being sold with a major service carried out by the vendor before sale. 

Not a huge amount is known about its more recent history, but as well as a major service the vendor has just carried out some cosmetic repairs including power coating and refurbishment of all four alloy wheels.

The Cayenne comes with a book pack containing a handbook, service book with six stamps, a dealer directory and an original price list, where the purchase price of this car new (including options) is highlighted as £42,500, which would be around £58,000 in today’s money. 

It also has a V5C that shows it as held ‘in trade’ and a CD-ROM for the sat nav, along with a user manual for the infotainment system.

Finished in Basalt Black, the Cayenne wears one of the most popular colours for the model, which is in contrast to its dark tan trim. Overall, the body presents well – there are no notable areas of damage and all of the panels are straight and true, with no dents. 

There are some stone chips around the front end and one piece of plastic exterior door trim is loose, while one of the rear lamp lenses has an internal crack, though these are minor details. The distinctive ‘fried egg’ headlights have recently been restored so exhibit none of the milkiness commonly seen on cars of this era. 

The wheels have just been powder coated and re-painted, while the tyres are all quite recent but are of a budget brand. There’s also a small piece of plastic rim missing from the rear wiper, and no Porsche badge on the rear.

Overall, though, a very smart car. 

The dark tan leather in in good condition with minimal wear, though some of the cabin plastics have scratches and scuffs on them from 100,000-miles of use. There’s also a blanking plate missing from the very edge of the dashboard on the driver’s side, along with some worn leather on the automatic gear selector. 

The radio and infotainment system work, but the screen is a bit flickery and dim. 

All carpets are good and the dials and gauges work as they should, as does the air conditioning. 

We were able to take the Cayenne for a short test drive and can confirm that all of the controls work as they should – the steering is sharp (much more so than on comparable SUVs) and the ride firm, making it an interesting fusion of sports car dynamics and family car practicality. 

The 3.2 V6 is pretty responsive and sounds good – refined, but with a resonant V6 depth to it that sounds quite fruity when you open it up. It holds a steady temperature when idling, shows good oil pressure and there are no warning lights on the dash.

If you’re buying an SUV then there are a couple of options. A modern Japanese or Korean family car with a jacked-up ride height, or a Porsche that will depreciate far more slowly, be a lot more engaging to drive and will make the neighbours think you’ve won the lottery. Yes, that’s where the Cayenne sits in the market at the moment and as a result it’s quite a difficult option to ignore. Forget the PCP, buy a Porsche instead, and keep some money in your pocket. Surely we don’t have to repeat that? 

This is a great value way into Porsche ownership and should prove to be a reliable, enjoyable and satisfying premium car to own. 

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