$15,000 Question: Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

There is no reason for a 5,000 pound SUV to exist that has 500 horsepower and can hit 60 miles an hour in 5 seconds from standstill.  Unless it's the Porsche of SUVs, which in this case... is a real Porsche SUV.

The 911 purists may howl, just as they did at the idea of the 996 with its water cooled engine 20 years ago.  But the Cayenne exists to make Porsche money.  Chalk it up to the popularity of crossovers, but the Cayenne easily outsells the 911.  In fact, it outsells the 911, Boxster, and Cayman on a regular basis and has provided Porsche with consistent profits since its introduction.  Profits that have funded the resurrection of its factory racing program and constant improvements to its sports car line.

There are a number of models to choose from, starting with the competent, if docile base V6 model, a V8 model, Cayenne S with the V8, a V8 Turbo, and the S V8 Turbo.  Moving up through the range, the V8 thru the V8 S Turbo provide incremental horsepower gains and more features, including adjustable ride height and sports modes.  You can find a base Cayenne, or one of the lower V8 trim levels for relatively cheap money - often under $10,000 and the S Turbo models are starting to drop below $15,000.

Drawbacks to the car are few, but significant.  The Cayenne has a reputation for being stout and reliable, with the exception of the driveshaft, which can need replacement at around 100K miles, or the coolant tubes, which were originally plastic and often crumbled.  Maintenance and repair costs are higher than what you'd expect of a Honda Pilot, and in line with most high end German cars.

Then there's the fuel economy - 18 MPG highway... if you're lucky, live in the flat lands, and drive like a grandmother.  Put your foot into it, and you can watch the the gas needle move in a lazy arc towards empty.  Private jets get better economy.

But if you're not flying by private jet, there's no better way to cover long distances than in a Porsche Cayenne.  It's rock solid and will cover any terrain with unmatched levels of competence, with the speed and poise of a GT car weighing a ton less.  And it's genuinely fun to drive.  Not in the classic sports car sense, but it is engaging and hustles with the grace of a smaller, lighter vehicle.

A few years ago Honda made a CR-V commercial with Ferris Bueller.  But if middle-aged Ferris had the means, I'd highly recommend he'd pick up a used Porsche Cayenne.  It is so choice.