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After being a Merc man/fan since 1980, with either my wifey or I having owned an SLC450, SEC500, SL500, CE230, CLK230 amongst various other breeds, I finally jumped ship and traded my last car, a boring but reliable ML320 for a Cayenne Turbo, my first ever Porsche. My wife has just received a 500SL for her 50th & I also own an X5 4.4i that I use in of all places, Romania where I have business interests and where an odd tenner keeps the local police happy too, whilst I break every rule in their book. So I guess I could have as much to say as anyone about each of the German marques but I'll keep it to my new Cayenne.
Yes I agree, it does look like someone's mother-in-law but then so will all your wives one day! Remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder and you have to admit it does look somewhat Porschelike. I first test drove it last year when I was desperate to shed the ML... I need a large vehicle for the dog and my wife's bad shopping habits hence my continuing search for the perfect compromise. The salesman let me have the wheel of a turbo and I soon found the A1 looked different at 135MPH. Nevertheless the price tag and odd shape put me off, so despite being pestered for the next few months I decided to wait for a new X3 ordered from a brochure but finally cancelled when I saw it in the flesh...ugh!) I called Porsche Reading this April (they were very nice to me, by the way) to enquire about a used car, to be told that Leipzig had just advised them that one more would be made before the summer closure.... I recalled my amazing test drive and having druelled over the web site for many evenings, I impetuously confirmed an order deciding to collect it from the factory too. I had recently gone to Bremen to collect the SL but found that somewhat disappointing.. a short factory visit then here are the keys and we were seen to the door.
After reading the Porsche litreature about their collection programme I decided to go for it.... I thought it would be the best way to be truly converted to become Porsche owner... I have several friends with Carerras, turbos, etc who all scoffed at the Cayenne for not being a true Porsche but they are wrong, so wrong... its just like theirs but on stilts and with room for the dog. We had a dedicated member of the factory allocated to us for the whole day who really knew his stuff and history too. A fascinating visit to the factory floor to see the assembly of the vehicles and rub shoulders with many of the team... the quality and efficiency of their operation just oozed out of every corner as did the food and wine in their restaurant. Then the good bit... an instructor handed over a demo turbo to take me around the track... it was raining but the turbo didn't notice - then it was my turn and I pushed it so hard but the car handled like nothing else I have ever driven..... it was completely awesome and seemed to be guessing my every move and compensating for my mistakes (and the rear view mirror was devoid of flashing police cars too). Then we went on to the off-road track, an ex-army testing ground for tank engines.... we climbed 60% hills, sideways on 45% banks, mud up to our armpits... I knew this would be the last time I would push a Cayenne to such incredible limits unless I came here again. If you have the chance to visit Leipzig then its a must... a nice town too. But to collect your new Porsche and drive out their gates towards Calais, knowing your are invincible is something else. Yes, my search is finally over, I love, no ... I adore my new car, my Cayenne Turbo because its a Porsche and its all MINE!
Stephen
Yes I agree, it does look like someone's mother-in-law but then so will all your wives one day! Remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder and you have to admit it does look somewhat Porschelike. I first test drove it last year when I was desperate to shed the ML... I need a large vehicle for the dog and my wife's bad shopping habits hence my continuing search for the perfect compromise. The salesman let me have the wheel of a turbo and I soon found the A1 looked different at 135MPH. Nevertheless the price tag and odd shape put me off, so despite being pestered for the next few months I decided to wait for a new X3 ordered from a brochure but finally cancelled when I saw it in the flesh...ugh!) I called Porsche Reading this April (they were very nice to me, by the way) to enquire about a used car, to be told that Leipzig had just advised them that one more would be made before the summer closure.... I recalled my amazing test drive and having druelled over the web site for many evenings, I impetuously confirmed an order deciding to collect it from the factory too. I had recently gone to Bremen to collect the SL but found that somewhat disappointing.. a short factory visit then here are the keys and we were seen to the door.
After reading the Porsche litreature about their collection programme I decided to go for it.... I thought it would be the best way to be truly converted to become Porsche owner... I have several friends with Carerras, turbos, etc who all scoffed at the Cayenne for not being a true Porsche but they are wrong, so wrong... its just like theirs but on stilts and with room for the dog. We had a dedicated member of the factory allocated to us for the whole day who really knew his stuff and history too. A fascinating visit to the factory floor to see the assembly of the vehicles and rub shoulders with many of the team... the quality and efficiency of their operation just oozed out of every corner as did the food and wine in their restaurant. Then the good bit... an instructor handed over a demo turbo to take me around the track... it was raining but the turbo didn't notice - then it was my turn and I pushed it so hard but the car handled like nothing else I have ever driven..... it was completely awesome and seemed to be guessing my every move and compensating for my mistakes (and the rear view mirror was devoid of flashing police cars too). Then we went on to the off-road track, an ex-army testing ground for tank engines.... we climbed 60% hills, sideways on 45% banks, mud up to our armpits... I knew this would be the last time I would push a Cayenne to such incredible limits unless I came here again. If you have the chance to visit Leipzig then its a must... a nice town too. But to collect your new Porsche and drive out their gates towards Calais, knowing your are invincible is something else. Yes, my search is finally over, I love, no ... I adore my new car, my Cayenne Turbo because its a Porsche and its all MINE!
Stephen
]Nice story almost had me reaching for my cheque book 
