You can buy the Porsche that towed a plane for the price of a budget Hyundai
The average American now has to spend more than $50,000 for that new-car smell, with luxury buyers paying even more. However, on the used market, you can take home a high-end luxury SUV that will exceed most expectations and only cost around $20,000. And we’re not talking about an SUV with 300,000 miles that’s been sitting at the bottom of a lake for six months.
A clean Porsche Cayenne Diesel with around 100,000 miles and no accident history can be purchased for around $20,000. That’s about the same price as a new Hyundai Venue.
The Cayenne Diesel sports one of the most prestigious automotive logos on its hood, but the luxury SUV is much more than a fancy badge. It is efficient, spacious, powerful, efficient and reliable. It’s probably all the SUV you’ll ever need.
Porsche’s diesel chapter has a long history
125,000 Porsche tractor buyers can’t be wrong
Porsche introduced the Cayenne Diesel to the US market for the 2013 model year. It may have been around longer, but thanks to the Volkswagen “Dieselgate” scandal, 2016 ended up being the last year for the Cayenne Diesel in the US. Although the 2015 and 2016 models, known as the 958.2 generation to Porsche nerds, are preferred by some because of their updated styling, you can’t go wrong with any of them.
When most people think of Porsche, the image that comes to mind is the 911 and an impressive list of racing victories. A diesel-powered Porsche might seem strange at first, but the brand’s connection to diesel goes back much further than many think.
As early as the 1930s, Dr Ferdinand Porsche was working on the concept of the “People’s Tractor”. This concept finally became reality with the Porsche-Diesel Junior, produced from 1952 to 1963. In total, more than 125,000 Porsche tractors were built. If this seems surprising to you, remember that Lamborghini also started out as a tractor manufacturer.
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The Cayenne Diesel can do more than expected
Like towing the largest jet plane ever built!
The Porsche Cayenne Diesel can do everything the gas version can with its official towing capacity of 7,716 lbs. That’s more than a new Ford F-150 with the 2.7L EcoBoost engine and a 3.55 gear ratio.
A production Porsche Cayenne S Diesel has already towed an Air France Airbus A380 weighing 314 tonnes, earning it a new Guinness World Records title for heaviest aircraft pulled by a production car. I don’t know how often you plan to tow an Airbus A380, but it’s good to know that your Cayenne Diesel can act as an aircraft tug if the situation demands it.
The diesel Cayenne and its great towing capacity are only part of the story. In daily driving, its performance is surprisingly close to that of its gasoline sibling. For example, a 2013 V6 gasoline Cayenne hits 60 mph in 7.1 seconds with a top speed of 143 mph. The diesel Cayenne is close behind with a 7.2 seconds to 60 mph and a top speed of 135 mph. The performance numbers are so close that most can’t tell the difference.
Diesel is efficient
More profitable than the gasoline option
When it comes to fuel economy, diesel has a significant advantage. The gasoline Cayenne has a combined rating of 19 mpg, compared to 23 mpg for the diesel.
According to AAA, the current national average price for premium gasoline is $3.74 per gallon and the average price for diesel is $3.60. If you drive 10,000 miles a year, you’ll spend $1,968 to fill up your Cayenne with gas each year. The diesel Cayenne will set you back $1,565. That $403 annual savings is much more noticeable than a tenth of a second at 60 mph. You also won’t have to stop as often, not only thanks to the improved efficiency, but also because the diesel fuel tank is four gallons larger than the gas tank.
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Porsche’s reputation for reliability
As reliable as a Lexus, but watch out for expensive maintenance and repairs
Year after year, Porsche ranks at or near the top of the JD Power rankings for vehicle reliability. In the 2017 study, which ranks vehicles from the 2014 model year, Porsche tied with Lexus as the most reliable brand overall. Meanwhile, the Cayenne has been ranked among the best models in the premium mid-size SUV segment. If you buy a used Porsche, you are buying a generally reliable vehicle. The Cayenne Diesel is no exception.
However, it is important to keep in mind that although the Cayenne Diesel is reliable, it is no longer under warranty at this point, so any repair costs will be your responsibility. Porsche parts and dealer salaries are expensive. Do your due diligence when shopping to ensure you’re getting a well-maintained model. Then find a good independent shop and stick to scheduled maintenance.
There is no substitute
The keys to a Porsche can open a world of possibilities
Buying a Cayenne Diesel puts you into an exclusive club. You are eligible to join the 172,000-member Porsche Club of America. You get the same access to all the big events and other privileges as someone who just spent $400,000 on a 911 GT3 RS. They might be able to set a faster lap time, but you can tow a sailboat with your Porsche!
I have been a member of the Porsche Club of America for 23 years. I have met some of my best friends through the club and have attended many amazing events. You can do the same thing for less than half the price of the average new car.
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Maybe the best $20,000 you’ll ever spend
It’s hard to find another vehicle at this price point that offers such an alluring blend of luxury, capability and reliability. You get all the benefits of owning a Porsche with an SUV that should last you for many years. The Cayenne Diesel can take you and your family on countless adventures in style and comfort.
A Porsche is a dream car for many and people tend to think that this dream is out of reach. This is simply not true. You can own the car of your dreams and no one needs to know that you only spent $20,000 on it. This can be our little secret.
