For the last couple of years I’ve been driving a 2006 Porsche Cayenne S. It’s been a reasonably reliable car in that period and a very comfortable place to be when driving long distances. Around town, however, it just guzzles fuel, the ride is a bit harsh thanks to its steel spring suspension, and I’m a bit over the whole SUV thing. While gritting my teeth over one particularly crunchy road surface in my neighborhood I started to wonder what cars might offer a more comfortable and isolated experience. I like coupes and I’ve never had a grand touring car, so in this week’s Market Monday, I am taking a look at which Euro GT coupe from the 2000s could be a good replacement for my Cayenne.

For this somewhat hypothetical comparison, I put together basic criteria from which to choose 3 finalists. Non-negotiables include a very compliant and comfortable ride, a sub-$20,000 purchase price, grand touring coupe body style, premium materials and interior fittings and an automatic transmission. Bonus points are awarded if the car can be obtained with under 100,000 miles and has relatively good parts availability.

Some might be wondering “where’s the Aston Martin DB9” or similar vehicles. Lots of cars were omitted based on current asking prices. Yes, first-gen Bentley Continental GT prices can easily reach $30,000 today, but 2 or 3 recently sold for under $20,000 at auction (including buyer’s premium).

A word about maintenance costs: they are a consideration, but for this exercise I’m considering parity with the costs of maintaining the Cayenne S as acceptable. With those rules established, let’s see what I narrowed it down to.

The Mercedes-Benz CL600 was unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show as a replacement for the C215 platform. This grand touring 2+2 coupe is based on the W221 S-Class and was built from 2006 to 2010. Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 5.5L V12 putting out 510hp and 612 lb-ft of torque mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Probably the only semi-active suspension available on the market at the time of its introduction, the active body control system reduces body roll in aggressive cornering situations. 

Being based on the S-class, the CL600 is a big car yet the back seats aren’t really very comfortable for adults per a review from Car and Driver at the time of its introduction. Reviewers were impressed by the punchy performance from the turbo-charged V12 engine, however, which propelled the weighty coupe to 60 mph in under 5 seconds. The COMAND interface used to access the vehicle’s various systems was said to be mostly intuitive, with some stumpers such as how to control the adjustable lumbar support.

While it may not have the sportiest demeanor, it was generally praised for its ability to isolate occupants from imperfect surfaces such as potholes and expansion joints. In short, it embodies the Mercedes-Benz ethos of comfort and prestige taking a front seat over pure performance.

Average prices for the C216 generation CL600 have decreased almost 25% from highs reached during Covid. A flurry of sales in the $30,000-$50,000 range from mid-2020 through 2022 caused prices to peak, after which cars started selling routinely in the sub-$20,000 space. For the last 2 years, the vast majority of cars sold have sold between $10,000 and $20,000, making these cars an attractive bargain.

Being a flagship vehicle packed with technical complexity and engineering sophistication, repair costs can be pricey. The Active Body Control suspension that provides the car with its supple ride and road-holding prowess when shoved is also a costly repair if it fails. When shopping, one should look for a car with an excellent service history showing regular maintenance.

The first new Bentley offered after Volkswagen Group’s takeover, the Continental GT was unveiled at the 2002 Paris Motor Show to very positive reviews and would go on to be a major part of the brand’s turnaround. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder engine putting out 552 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, the Continental GT could hustle its 2.5+ tons to 60 mph in just under 5 seconds. Where the Bentley really distinguishes itself among its competitors in this roundup is its luxurious interior appointments. Volkswagen had educated itself on how to produce high-quality vehicles in this era, and the Continental GT was described as having been built like a bank vault with outstanding craftsmanship. Wood trim, the finest leather, and those iconic polished metal vents and controls are lustworthy.

The Bentley was criticized for the lack of room behind the front seats, which is fine by me as I have no offspring to lug around. What reviewers loved was the power delivered by its W12 engine and the agility with which it managed its hulking mass. Road and Track noted that it “glides over broken surfaces with remarkable stability at speed”. This feature is what made the Continental GT top of mind when craving a car with a more comfortable ride.

Like the Mercedes, the Bentley Continental GT is worth significantly less today than it was 10 years ago. Prices today are 49% lower than they were in 2016, and the trend line has been a pretty steady decline, with barely any bump during Covid. This might be due to a positively huge volume of sales clustered in the last year or so that are helping to bring average back down. Today, the vast majority of cars are selling between $20,000 and $40,000, but quite a few deals can be had in the sub-$20K space.

The beautiful interiors on these cars can age pretty quickly, especially the leather surfaces. The Bentley’s air suspension can be a headache, mostly due to age and mileage. That said, in this case it might be better to find a car that’s been well-driven, as it has likely had issues like coolant leaks, electrical gremlins and the like taken care of by previous owners. A car with lots of miles with a long service history and single-owner history seems like the sweet spot for getting a solid bargain.

The S5 was presumably built to compete directly with the big coupe class automobiles on offer from BMW and Mercedes. Yes, the brand had the Audi TT, but the S5 reintroduced rear seats that could actually accommodate a human being of moderate size. Powered by a 4.2-liter direct injection V8, this car differs from our other candidates in that it has 4 fewer cylinders. The S5 makes up for this, however, as it weighs far less than its competitors. Thanks to the weight advantage, the S5’s meager (by comparison) 354 hp engine is able to propel the car from 0-60 in around 5 seconds. Unlike the other two cars here, the S5 is the only one offered with a 5-speed manual transmission as an option.

Though technically sophisticated, reviewers felt the car was merely competent in performance relative to its competitors like the BMW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz CLK. Road and Track also noted that the car was “less emotionally luxurious than Bentley or Mercedes.” This is a little unfair, given the car was less than half the price of the Bentley when new.

In its day, the Audi was cheaper than both of the other cars in our round-up, so it stands to reason that it would be priced lower today. Steady depreciation can be seen when looking at average values over time. Today, the average price of an S5 is around $17,000.

The direct-injected 4.2-liter V8 is susceptible to carbon buildup, but that’s unsurprising and a typical maintenance item. The chassis is more conventional, but even without an air suspension bushings can wear quickly and high mileage cars may need attention. The Audi is likely much easier to live with and repair than the Bentley or Mercedes options in this list.

The Audi S5 is a tempting proposition due to my general affection for Volkswagen Auto Group automobiles and familiarity with working on the brand’s other products. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’d get the smooth and supple ride I’m seeking with the Audi. The Bentley’s opulent cabin and 12-cylinder powerplant have always been very compelling attributes, but If I’m worried about parts and repair costs for the Cayenne over time then acquiring a 20-year old Bentley probably isn’t the right answer. While I love the oh-so early 2000s styling, it’s a bit flashy and attention-getting.

I’ve never owned a Benz and this seems like a solid place to start. Prices are nicely in-between the Bentley and Audi for a decent car, and I think my wife would appreciate the creature comforts. I wouldn’t say I’m in love with the styling, but at least it’s understated. The AMG variant of the car — the CL65 AMG — addressed this with a more aggressive look that I rather like, but those cars are averaging $40,000 these days.

While the Cayenne will remain in the stable for a bit longer, I now have some potential replacements to consider. Have a great week, everyone.

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisals, and auction services for buyers and sellers of collector European cars. If you’re interested in acquiring an overseas car, give us a call or drop a line!