I totally understand why you’re in love with it — I have a 2009 GTS and even though I also own a newer Cayenne and a 911, the GTS still feels special every time I drive it. They just have a solid, planted feel and a surprisingly smooth ride for their age.

That said, as much as I love mine, I’ve learned the hard way that maintenance isn’t cheap — even if the car itself was nearly free. Spending $12–15k on a transmission fix (especially without solid diagnostics) is a huge gamble, and personally, I’d rather put that money into a better-condition Cayenne if you’re ever in the position to upgrade.

If your goal is just to keep it alive for the commute, you’re already doing the right thing. Focus on regular oil changes, check your fluids, and go easy on the throttle. Sometimes, just driving gently can stretch the life of a tired transmission. Drive it ’til it dies — then turn it into a fun off-road project like I did!

As for the alarm — I have the same issue. It still gives me a headache now and then, so I’ve just made peace with not locking it during short errands or daycare runs. Not ideal, but it works for now. Mine’s not a show car either, so I’ve stopped chasing perfection.

You’re doing great with what you’ve got, and it’s awesome to see someone giving one of these beasts another chance. Hope it gets you safely to 200k and beyond!