Porsche undoubtedly hit a home run with its Cayenne, with the first generation selling far more than the German manufacturer expected. This SUV was undoubtedly a major success for Porsche and went on to become a firm anchor for the company as it eyed further expansion around the world. Of course, driving purists have always associated Porsche with excellence and love the way that the company's machines perform in the trickiest of environments.And those purists typically prefer to have a stick shift on board their Porsche if they really want to make the most out of that vehicle. However, there’s a problem for those driving geeks if they’re looking for a manual transmission Porsche Cayenne, as there simply aren't that many of them around. But it does pay to be persistent if you're looking for one of these rare beasts, as it'll be unquestionably charming when you find one. Why Finding A Stick Cayenne Is So Hard PorscheIf you enter the keywords “manual” and “Porsche Cayenne” into an automotive search engine, such as our CarBuzz Marketplace, don't expect a long list of results. You may come across one or two, but they may be situated on the other side of the country, as sadly, few of these SUVs exist. The reason for this scarcity is due to Porsche, in the first generation, only offering a manual for its base V6 Cayenne and occasionally marketing the sportier GTS with three pedals as well. It also offered the manual on the second-generation base 3.6-liter V6 before removing the option altogether after the 2014 model year, which means that every manual Cayenne you come across now will be at least a decade old. And remember that manuals were starting to fade out of the picture across the board by then, as most US buyers were simply checking the automatic box when they ordered. So, there’s only a tiny pool of stick shift Cayennes around for you to fight over today. What It's Like To Drive One Every Day Porsche The original Cayenne generations were very popular when they first appeared, and today they look like solid, if older, luxury SUVs with plenty of glass all around, upright seating positions, and sturdy switchgear. In traffic, the Cayenne seems a little heavy but is quite easy to drive, and while the naturally aspirated V6 in manual models isn't a rocket, it is able to deliver its power smoothly and predictably on a normal commute. In fact, a three-pedal Cayenne could even feel a bit like a friendly old 3 Series that’s somehow grown up into an SUV.The gear selection in a manual Cayenne is simple and predictable and when you get onto the highway, you simply slot it into sixth and it’ll hum along. However, you're not likely to impress the bank manager with its fuel economy, even though it is like most other gas V6 mid-size luxury SUVs from that time. You should be looking for combined ratings somewhere in the high teens, in either the manual or automatic versions.The Cayenne really comes into its own when you free yourself from those urban confines and head out onto a twisty two-lane. Now the Cayenne stops feeling like a family hauler that's your all-round compromise and starts behaving like a tall sports sedan instead. You'll find that the steering is very weighty and precise for a vehicle like this and, as you can now choose your own gear whenever you want to, you'll be able to keep the engine right on song as you set up for any corner. Certainly, there’s a lot of fun to be had with this vehicle and even though it's not a track toy by any means, it will perform far better than an automatic SUV that just picks its gears when it feels like it. Space, Family Duty, And Daily Practicality Porsche While the Cayenne is a delight to drive in its manual guise, it remains a mid-size SUV as well, with all that entails. The first- and second-generation models are about 190 inches long, and they have generous width and wheelbase to give you bags of on-board space. There's a lot of rear seat legroom and a big flat cargo area and the Cayenne can transport all your sports gear or swallow the results of a Costco run without any drama. It's also compact enough to make it relatively easy to parallel park, and it's in the same general footprint as many modern two-row crossovers.The cabin reflects an older luxury interpretation with that solid overbuilt feel that comes along with a Porsche badge. The seats are typically firm and supportive, which is good for long highway runs, but the infotainment system looks and feels ancient when you compare it to modern touchscreens. You'll only get basic navigation, and you may need to search for aftermarket solutions for some of those essential smartphone integrations of today.But before you run out and buy a manual Cayenne just because it's there, consider your everyday routines. Remember that if you spend most of your time inching along in stop-and-go city traffic, then you may not be so happy working a clutch so much in a 4,500-pound-plus SUV. However, if you spend a lot of your time in more flowing suburban and highway driving environments, then that's a different proposition. You can drop the kids off at school and take the scenic route home instead for a little extracurricular pleasure. Bad Weather, Towing And Utility Porsche A Porsche Cayenne is a genuinely capable year-rounder and not some kind of quirky collector’s toy. They're all fitted with four-wheel drive so you can get good traction in all conditions, and your Cayenne should work particularly well in the snowy north if you put some winter tires on it. It's got good ground clearance and nicely thought-through off-road settings, and this means that you have a vehicle that can handle muddy trailheads just as easily as it can deal with downtown parkways.The Cayenne also has some serious towing capability and many first and second gen models are rated to tow up to around 7,700 lb. with the right equipment. You’ll also be far more in control if you want to tow with your manual Cayenne, as you should be able to properly manage clutch engagement on ramps and hills. Costs, Age, And Reliability Trade-Offs Porsche As you search for that elusive manual Cayenne, the thought may gradually dawn on you that others are probably doing the same thing. And that's why clean manual examples are likely to command a noticeable premium versus comparable automatics, especially if you find one which is a later-on second-generation example. Some auction results suggest unusually low mileage manual Cayennes are fetching eye-opening money, but there are still some higher mileage, driver-grade vehicles around at more reasonable prices, if you don't really mind about color or options.Mechanically, be on the lookout for issues like coolant pipe leaks, electrical gremlins, and other more serious issues like bore scoring on some first-generation engines. The second-generation vehicles were better in many respects, but there are some documented issues here involving the transfer case or camshaft bolts. Check the vehicle's history carefully and be wary of any deferred maintenance, even if you have already traveled halfway across the country to look at your candidate. Otherwise, your dream of a manual SUV could quickly turn into a financial nightmare.Expect to pay average running costs for what is essentially a premium German SUV. Factor in high-quality oils, the best gas, and the occasional big-ticket item so that you have enough cash to fulfill your dream. This is not necessarily a cheap-to-run vehicle at all, but it can be reasonable if you go in with your eyes open and do a thorough inspection before you jump. Who Does A Manual Cayenne Really Suit Bring a Trailer Those who are looking for the most efficient or lowest-stress crossover-type vehicle should probably pass up on the idea of a manual transmission Cayenne. But those who care about how a car feels every time they get behind the wheel should absolutely get down to their search. Remember that these vehicles are not so new anymore, and you may have to learn to deal with their quirks, but in return, you'll get real utility wrapped around a driving experience that you're never going to get in a two-pedal SUV.A manual Cayenne can be both your fun weekend car and your practical daily driver. And searching for one can be part of the fun if you’re looking for a good blend of rarity, character, and everyday usefulness.