My family has owned a 2006 Porsche Cayenne since November of 2016. Owning a Porsche was a bit of a gamble and an experiment for us. I would characterize our family as an average “middle class, working family.” On our pursuit to get out of debt, we sold our 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan and opted for the used Cayenne. It was well owned by a nice gentleman from Leawood and since I am an avid home mechanic, I decided to take a shot. The true test of our German SUV took place in May, when we headed to colorful Colorado for a family vacation.
The weather was quite warm as we travelled through the western part of Kansas and then headed southwest from Oakley on Highway 40. There isn’t much in this neck of the country, besides some of the greatest roads I have ever driven! The Cayenne was an absolute dream to drive on the two lane highways that stretch through the vast plains of Eastern Colorado. I highly recommend these roads if you enjoy driving. No, there aren’t many sporting curves, but the tarmac was fresh and as straight as a knife with almost zero traffic. Already loving the touring capacity of the Cayenne, I was in heaven as I kept exclaiming to my wife, “I am loving this drive!”
After staying a few nights with family in La Veta, CO, we headed to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Close to the park is a rubble road that heads to Zapata Falls. At first I was very leery about taking our main driver up the road that consisted of softball sized stones. But, after a grueling three mile, slow going bump fest we made it to up the road to the falls. I thanked the Cayenne for making it (I also thanked the almost new Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires!)
After leaving the hot and sandy park, we headed to Denver. Again, the Cayenne easily impressed. Highway 25 through Colorado can be a dangerous place for drivers. Traffic can be at a standstill or moving at 90 mph+. It can be flat or going over mountain passes. This is where I praised the 4.5L V8 engine. It kept up with all traffic, never overheated (which has happened to me in other cars, including a Cadillac), and handled rapid accents over mountains with ease. The more I pushed the Cayenne, it seemed to yell back, “That was easy, what else do you have!”
We also decided to cruise to the top of the mountains and see Estes Park. I have struggled in the past with other cars trying to maintain horsepower in the oxygen depleted altitude. Again, the Cayenne had zero issues. Highway 36 to Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park was a joy to drive. Although not a Boxster or 911, our Cayenne was quite nimble on switch backs as we looked up through the open sunroof at the mountain cliffs. I am always concerned with hot brakes coming down mountains, but we had no issues.
Our first lengthy family trip ended with us leaving Denver in a blizzard! Of course, the four wheel drive handled the sloshy snow with ease. The Cayenne had seen hot temperatures, desert, high speeds, high altitudes, snow, and some rough terrain. It felt like an honor to have driven it. It definitely laid in stone my new found respect for Porsche. The best part is it made our trip stress free with no accidents or breakdowns. I think the Cayenne is the perfect sports car in case you need to take a long trip with a spouse and two children. Not bad for an 11 year old car on a budget.