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Talk Me Out Of It: discount 911 Dakar?

The Cayenne GTS isn't quite the Turbo model - but you can get one with a manual. I find a rare stick for sale.

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92% of you are able to look beyond the badge and declare the Audi e-tron GT a good deal. I agree. This week, it’s another Porsche, but a true unicorn. A Cayenne GTS – with a manual.

The 2009 Porsche Cayenne GTS vs 2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo

See the 2009 Cayenne GTS here

See the 2012 Cayenne Turbo here

Porsche. They make 1,049,240,340 versions of the 911. One came out last year called the 911 Dakar, and the concept is pretty neat – go off-roading in a sports car. Too bad it costs as much as a lung.

How many do you think will be used as intended?

But what if we found a Porsche that could go off-road, and be just as much fun? A Cayenne with a stick? Yes, they made one, and it’s available. Can’t say the same for the Dakar.

Problem is, it’s not the almighty “Turbo”. Those are a dime a dozen, and actually deprecate a significant amount. Here’s a 2019 for $60k. Remember, this is the big boy, with over 500 horsepower.

Which is the better option?

The 2009 Porsche Cayenne GTS

cayenne-gts
The 2009 GTS with manual. Photo: ebay

Let’s head to ebay for this one. They don’t come up for sale very often:

  • 4.8 liter V-8 with 405 horsepower
  • 144,646 miles
  • Clean record
  • Listed at $31,999 – yes that’s ridiculous
  • Full maintenance records – everything is up to date, not an easy (or cheap) feat on this car
  • Probably the ugliest gen Cayenne, right? Strong fried-egg look in the headlights, and the unfortunate cheap interior typical of early 2000’s Porsches
  • The interior isn’t really in bad shape, considering the age
  • It was the most powerful version of the Cayenne without a turbo bolted to it.
Porsche Cayenne GTS
The interior is very 2000s Porsche. Photo: ebay

Porsche doesn’t publicize production numbers because Porsche, but the rumors about how many of these were actually built involve less than three digits. The GTS was only made between 2008 and and early 2010 before the better second generation came out.

Remember the hate when the Cayenne arrived? And in six-cylinder guise, it was really more fancy VW than cheap Porsche. But the V-8 was true P-car. True P-car problems too – especially the air shocks. This one claims to have had them replaced, and “drives like new”. We’ll see…

2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo

2012-cayenne-turbo
The 2012 Cayenne Turbo. Photo: Cars & Bids

We move onto the second generation Cayenne here:

  • 93,500 miles
  • Eight-speed automatic
  • The same 4.8 liter V-8, now turbocharged with 500 horsepower
  • Involved in a “minor” accident in 2020
  • Complete maintenance records
  • Only bid to $9,400 so far
  • They sell for under 20k – I guess Cayennes deprecate like the mom cars they are
  • The interior is slightly worn, but not bad, and built better than the first gen
  • Some cool kit like 20-inch RS Sypder inspired wheels

This is no doubt faster and more refined than that 2009, plus you get to point and say “Fetch me my Porsche Turbo” to the valet.

But can you pass up the chance to own a true unicorn in the GTS manual? I bet you’ll have more fun in it than a Dakar, and you won’t need to worry about scratching it.

Want your car reviewed?

If you live in the tri-state area and want me to check it out, send me an email! 

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