Porsche Cayenne: A Journey from Japan to California

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Justin Leonis

2016 Porsche Cayenne

Instagram: @takaiju.gtr

Photographer: Marvin Recinos

Instagram: @mr2mivin

A Unique Journey from Japan to California

I'm Justin Leonis, a 37-year-old Technical Marketing Analyst based in Fremont, California. When I'm not attending cars and coffee events or pop-up meets, you can find me playing video games or exploring new hobbies. My love for cars began in the '90s, when I was likely one of the youngest loyal subscribers to Road & Track, MotorTrend, and Car and Driver. My shelves were filled with die-cast models of iconic cars like the Dodge Viper (RT/10 and GTS), Jaguar XJ220, Ford GT90, and Ferrari 550 Maranello. I relished reading about the engineering behind these vehicles, forming opinions about cars I wasn’t even old enough to drive yet. As I grew older, my interest shifted towards modified cars, fueled by my dreams of owning something as unique as the rides featured in tuner magazines.

The Transition to My Porsche Cayenne

My journey into owning a modified vehicle began when I sold my MK6 GTI and purchased an R35 GT-R. We needed a car with more cargo space, and I wasn't confident in the GT-R and Altima combo for anything beyond grocery runs. The tuned GTI had become unreliable, and I didn't want my wife to have to deal with a breakdown on her daily commute.

I started looking for alternatives and had a few misadventures along the way. I won a Golf R on Cars and Bids, only to have the seller ghost me. Then I won another Golf R on Bring A Trailer, but it didn’t meet the reserve price. After these experiences, I decided to wait for the right vehicle. About two weeks later, this stunning 2016 Porsche Cayenne appeared on Bring A Trailer, and we knew we had to have it.

Unique Features of My Cayenne

This Cayenne is a base model that was originally sold in California before being shipped to Japan, where it received a ZERO Design Widebody kit, 22" SKY by Forgiato 3-piece wheels, a Frequency Intelligent (Fi) valved exhaust, and a complete custom red quilted leather interior by NEWING. Tracking down information about the car's time in Japan has been challenging, but it seems to have served as a show car before being re-imported to California and auctioned off.

I fell in love with the aggressive look of the widebody kit and the vibrant red interior. My wife has since added a Hello Kitty plushie hanging from the rearview mirror and a Kirby plush on the control stalk, giving the car a personal touch.

I believe this might be one of the few non-supercar vehicles that have been exported and then re-imported back to the States. It’s clear that a lot of effort went into setting up this car, especially considering it started as a base model V6. Owning it has been incredible; it always turns heads, especially amidst the sea of standard Cayennes and Macans in the Bay Area. Honestly, I think it attracts more attention than my GT-R. It serves as my wife’s daily driver, and I frequently receive photos from friends who spot it on the freeway or during our Costco runs.

When I want to draw a bit more attention, I can open the valved exhaust to let out some pops and bangs. I enjoy bringing it out to meets and participating in Euro-focused drives and events.

1996 Porsche Cayenne: Build List

Stock V6 engine with a mild tune, Full custom red quilted leather interior by NEWING, ZERO Design widebody kit, 22" SKY by Forgiato 3-piece wheels, Fi valved exhaust

Who Did the Work?

All the modifications were completed by ZERO Design and NEWING in Japan. Since bringing it to the States, I’ve only done touch-ups and maintenance.

Future Plans for My Cayenne

Looking ahead, suspension upgrades are likely next on the horizon, as the 22" wheels tend to rub, even on some freeways. Due to this rubbing issue, I also plan to repair one of the widebody fenders. Additionally, I’d like to swap the wheels for something more JDM to reflect the unique journey this Cayenne has had. This might require downsizing to 21" or 22" wheels, as there aren’t many JDM options available at 22". I also plan to overhaul the infotainment, speakers, and possibly the steering wheel setup to modernize the driving experience.

Shout Outs

A huge shout out to @mr2mivin for always being fantastic to work with and providing stellar shots, @norcal.gtr for the warm welcome as I re-entered the car community, and @teamoment_fremont and @boberteapleasanton for being two awesome boba shops that embrace the car culture and host great meets filled with amazing people.

Dream Car

My dream cars include all variants of the GT-R, plus an Autech Stagea, and perhaps one day, I’ll own a Lexus LFA.

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UKTM no: UK00003572459