This year has been a lot of things, but it hasn’t been boring. Even if we focus only on the car world, there’s plenty to talk about, from microchip-related new vehicle shortages to the wave of new electric vehicles hitting the market. That leaves us with a question for all of you: What was the best or most memorable car moment for you in 2021? I’ll get the conversation started.

My SoCal Cayenne śaw snow for the first time in its nearly 200k-mile life last week.Chris Teague

I’d spent a good portion of 2021 wanting a new-old car to drive when I wasn’t testing a new vehicle. That’s harder than you’d think for someone who thinks, talks, and writes about cars all day, because there are so many interesting, risky, and downright funky options out there in every price range. The added headache for me was that I’d chosen to shop for a “fun” car in one of the most volatile car markets ever seen. Even the extremely high-mileage “untouchable” European cars I wanted to buy were commanding ridiculous prices.

After a solid few months of waffling between various rattletrap Mercedes-AMG, BMW M, and Audi S/RS cars, I landed on an option that had escaped me before: The Porsche Cayenne. First-generation Cayennes are a real bargain now, but the 955/957 (Porsche’s internal code for the SUVs) can experience major problems that occur with or without regular maintenance and care. I was determined to buy one, and wasn’t overly concerned about mileage, as long as I could count the number of owners on one hand. There was a beautiful 2009 Cayenne GTS with 90,000 miles but nine owners, a gorgeous 2004 Cayenne Turbo with a concerning engine tick, and many more just like them. Finally, I decided to risky-click a 196,000-mile Cayenne GTS in Southern California. It had one owner and one dealer-owner for a month or two prior to sale, its condition looked decent in photos, and I was able to negotiate a reasonable enough price that shipping it from San Diego to Maine wasn’t a huge problem.

The pics look great, but hands-on tells another story.Chris Teague

I had two traveling Euro mechanics check the car out, and both confirmed that it was well-worn but mechanically sound, so I jumped. Ten days later, on a snowy, icy, dark Maine afternoon, the Cayenne arrived. Cosmetically, there were a few things the dealer and mechanics failed to mention, but overall, it looked good. The SUV passed Maine safety and emissions testing without problem, got a new set of Michelins, and I was on my way.

I’m in danger, but thankfully this should be a reasonable fix.Chris Teague

A few days of driving revealed what I was really in for. A check engine light revealed a camshaft position sensor error and the Cayenne displayed a nasty vibration at idle. A new sensor and motor mounts, and I’m on my way. I’ll update you as more things break or miraculously work, but I want to hear your memories from 2021.

Email me at chris@yourtestdriver.net, and I will compile the best and most interesting stories for a story on New Year’s Day. May you all have a wonderful 2022.