Q&A: Porsche?s Top Execs; defending the ugly Cayenne

[NFS4]

After I did the math with similar options, the price difference between the FX45 and the X5 4.6is is less than $10K

MSRP for an FX45 with the V8 Technology Package has an MSRP of $52,370 and a TMV of $52,148. BMW X5 4.6si with DVD, rear side airbags, and retractable load floor has an MSRP of $70,060. BTW, the V8 Technology Package includes:

Includes power sliding glass sunroof with one-touch open/close, tilt feature, Bose 300-watt, eleven-speaker audio system with two subwoofers and in-dash, single-slot 6-disc CD auto changer, HomeLink Universal Transceiver, auto on/off headlights, steering wheel mounted audio controls, cargo net, Infiniti DVD navigation system, intelligent keyless entry, intelligent cruise control, Infiniti DVD Mobile Entertainment System with ceiling-mounted, flip-down 7.0-inch color screen, console-mounted DVD player with wireless remote and two sets of wireless headphones, rear view monitor and tire pressure monitor. INCLUDES V8 Premium Package.

Plus you can only get 8 way seats for the driver and 4 way for the passenger. It'll be hard to give up the 16 way seats.

Unless you're a contortionist, I'm quite sure that you wouldn't miss 16-way seats

Plus all my passengers like the powered rear seats with heat and climate control systems.

Rear climate controls are pretty standard in this class. As for the powered rear seats, I just read that as "My passengers prefer being seen stepping out of a BMW than an Infiniti." And I'm sure that your rear passengers would enjoy the rear DVD (w/wireless headphones) more than power seats

Other items not available include auto dimming on all mirrors including the outside mirrors. Amazing how much more comfortable it is to drive at night.

Nice feature, also most likley included on the FX45

Taking into account the GVWR, I can't get the huge tax break like I get with the X5 4.6is.

Not everyone can take advantage of that sweet write-off...

Either way, you can't beat the FX45's combination of performance and value*




*with the exception of people that can manage the tax write off

 

[bolido2000]

I dunno why people have such a hard time admitting that they want a BMW because they want to be seen driving a BMW. Sure they are nice, but they are not 20K or 10K nicer than other cars in their class IMO. Would I choose a bimmer if the price and equipment was the same as a japanese? Most likely...but stepping out of BMW would mean the same as stepping out of a Infiniti/Lexus if that was the case.

 

[Windogg]

***SIGH***

It is always easy to talk smack about cars that one has never driven. Before I got the X5 4.6is, I considered the following and actually test drove them. Like computers, I have no brand loyalties like Intel/AMD/NVidia/ATI fanboys. If there is a next best thing, I'd get it.

Cadillac Escalade - Too big
Lincoln Navigator - Too big
Range Rover 4.6HSE (with the BMW 4.4i engine) - Decent but didn't need off-road capability
Lexus RX300 - Too "Camrylike" with poor road feel
Toyota Highlander - Same as above and plus all Toyota dealers in the area are tards. I hated dealing with them when i owned a Toyota.
Acura MDX - Same as RX300 plus I wanted more performance
Hummer H2 - WAY too big
Infiniti QX4 - Decent but handling could have been better
Ford SVT Lightning - Didn't need a pickup truck
Lexus LX470 - Was actually about to sign the papers when i realized I wouldn't fit down the ramp to the garage. I had a 1997 Toyota
LandCruiser and thought the LX470 would be a great upgrade. Oh Well.

I was about t0 skip on getting a new ride until I came across a highly discounted 4.6is that a dealer was desperate to sell. Took one test drive and fell in love. After some haggling, I picked it up.

And why did I get a M5? Well I test drove the following as decided the M5 was the best choice

Porsche 996 TT - Absolute beast but I couldn't afford it.
Dodge Viper GTS - Too "uncivilized" Not as refinied as I like
Acura NSX - Aging design
BMW M3 - Nice but felt "over assisted"
Chevrolet Corvette C5 - Great performance but I didn't like the TCO numbers (maintaince, insurance, resale, etc.)

In the end, I signed for another M5 simply because nothing drove in such a balanced way. Like every one knows, on paper a P4 is "faster" than a Athlon because is has a bigger Mhz number right? Well actually getting behind the wheel and reading a bunch of reviews is a vastly differnt matter.

Windogg

 

[LAUST]

LOL, this is some funny $h!t

 

[Scootin159]

I personally think the new Boxster, 996 & Cayenne are ugly. The 993 however has to be one of the hottest cars out there.

Wonder if the Cayenne's Twin-Turbo v8 will fit in my car

 

[Phuz]

Hey Windogg, why not take one of these atrocities for a ride?

 

[nord1899]

Originally posted by: Phuz
Hey Windogg, why not take one of these atrocities for a ride?

Love the lights on the rear view mirrors. Adds just that perfect touch of being over sized.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: Phuz
Hey Windogg, why not take one of these atrocities for a ride?

Reminds me of a Landcruiser my dad had in the 80s.