Then let me ask another question..

What do you guys think about a MY05-MY06 Cayenne S? They are tad more expensive than the RR but seem pretty nice.

Do they have reliability issues as well?

 

I had a 2005 S for 3 years. Not one bit of trouble. Earlier in the run they evidently had electrical/electronic issues to sort out, but that was done (I believe). It's a fantastic SUV. Handles well, can be driven hard, sounds amazing, reasonably quick for its weight, nice interior, feels solid. Of course, I only put 10,000 miles on it, so not a long term workout by any means. The only negative is the method of putting the rear seats down - it's the same as in a Honda Passport from a decade ago! Takes way too much time and effort. Oh, and getting mocked by people in this forum who don't understand sporty SUVs...

 

All of the high maintenance threads about the Range Rovers just make me laugh. The 03-05 Rovers are essentially dressed up X5's....same engine, trans, and much of the electronics. So unless you would hesitate to put 100k miles on a BMW, you shouldn't hesitate to drive your Range everyday. For the record, I have over 60k of problem free miles on my Range, and I routinely (>2x year) will drive it half way across the country.

 

The transmission is very different. No locking 4wd on the X5s. And a LOT more electronic gizmotrometry on the RR.

That's nice that your RR is ok up to 60k miles. Let me know when you get to 100k.

There's a reason why LR is ranked almost dead last in reliability.

And there's a reason why an 03 RR is only $28k on trade in....

Anyway, I wouldn't hesitate to drive a warrantied RR everyday... but I'd trade it before it expired.

But the thread was about selecting a cheapy beater, not a new $60k daily driver.

I think a Cayenne is a good choice and for all my teasing of "sport SUVs," I'd really consider getting one as the replacement beater.

Cayenne S's can be had all day for $30-35k and Cayenne Turbos for $40.

Although when they start putting the 335 engine into the X5, that'll be hard to pass up... especially with a 7-seating option.

 

Not quite sure.

But for <$15k and for my intended limited usage (<5,000 miles per year), I didn't want to pay for something to sit around and depreciate. If I bought a new 4runner, I'd still lose $10k in two years for depreciation.

Picked up the Rangie for beater duty. Not afraid of shopping carts and door dings. I can park anywhere and get through Midwest blizzards. Requirements were comfy seats, full-time 4WD with locking differential, >10 inches of ground clearance, and an interior I'd want to spend time in.

Not the most economical choice, but I'm enjoying it as much as any other car I could have purchased on the market (until it breaks).

 

Any reason why you chose the RR over the Cayenne S? Was it just due to pricing?

 

I wanted something that I wouldn't mind bashing boulders (and grocery carts) with. And I knew that off-road tires would be going on the vehicle as soon as I purchased it.

They don't make All-Terrains for 20" rims....

I like the Cayenne S, but for the "truck" that only gets driven in crappy weather and snow... I have no use for summer tires on it. And a Cayenne with All-Terrains kind of defeats the handling purpose of the vehicle, IMHO.

Plus I didn't want a truck that looked and sounded fast, but was slower than a Camry. I think that's a little embarrassing.

So I opted for a beater Rangie. I think that if I got a Cayenne, it'd have to be a Turbo (blacked out and debadged). But didn't want to waste the money on something I wouldn't use.

Maybe in a few years, though.

 

These shoes would look silly on a Cayenne, I'm afraid.

 

Point well made.

(And Cayennes with their original Pirellis are completely useless in the snow or muck.)