Please help me gather some data for my sister.
She is looking to get a SUV and I am helping her.
They are looking between the v6 Cayenne, the Volvo xc90 and MDX. Of course I would say the Cayenne.

but curious to how reliable are they? beside regular maint. such as oil change and brakes etc. Any electrical issues? or transmission? etc.

Please advise.

Raja

ps. I think the Cayenne is the best SUV i have ever driven. Nothing compares...

Raja,
if u ever consider a Cayenne V6 u might just get a VW. IMO, a Cayenne at least has to be S.

Stay away from the 2003-2004 Cayennes, get a 05 (less electrical problems

I only have minor problems so far and very happy with the car, never give me so much headache in the last 8k miles. It really sucked in the first 3thousand miles because of the minor problems. But they are all gone and I am a happy customer.

Arling is right, get a V8 Touareq, I think it is more worthed and costs about the same

04 and only minor issues, other than that it's all good!

I agree get the more expensive Toureg if you are looking at the Cayenne V6

so i would assume the Cayenne S is pretty reliable then?
thanks!

The steering wheel might come off some times if you hold it too hard. But other than that and a few others its a pretty reliable truck. lol j/k

Is it true that you have to the battery in an electric outlet if you leave the car idle for few days? I heard from someone that a cayenne v6 was left alone for a week and the battery is dead...just out of curiousity...

I left my car alone for 2 months when I went on summer vacation, when I came back it started without problems

no problems on my car too, 2 months never started it

My 04 S has 21000 miles and the comfort module and stereo amp have been replaced which I consider very minor. There are no squeaks or rattles. I find the vehicle to be stupidly good.

I own a new Range Rover that I'm disatisfied with (my other car is a C4S) and I'm considering replacing the RR with a Cayenne or AWD wagon (Volve, Audi, or MB). As for your sister's options, the Volvo and MDX are very nice but soulless. Does your sister care? The MDX is nearly perfect, but has all the personality of a ... dare I say the M word? ... minivan. The Volvo similarily. IMO the Volvo XC90 is esthetically challenged. If your sister favors sex and personality, then the Cayenne. If she is more of a Toyota Camry / minivan kind of person, then I know lots of people who are very satisfied with their MDX. And, of course, the Cayenne cost 2x the others, so depends on whether $$$ are a consideration.

BTW, I'd welcome any comments on my Range Rover, Cayenne, Volvo XC70, Audi A6 V-8 AllRoad, Mercedes E500 4matic wagon decision. I'm leaning toward getting rid of the Range Rover and buying the M-B or the Cayenne. Am I the only one who thinks that a good AWD wagon is in the same class as a SUV for what most of us use these things for (family ski trips, hauling bicycles and scuba equipment, etc.)? My wife and daughter spend a lot of time in the back seat on family trips, so back seat comfort is key.

The Land Rover service department drives me crazy. They had my Range Rover for more than two months during the first year. At each visit they only fix 80-90% of what is broken and then cause a couple of new problems. The car is finally essentially perfect, but you know how it is when you fall out of love. (True, no other car combines luxury car comfort with SUV capabilities.) In contrast, my C4S has been nearly perfect -- the best car I've ever owned (not counting my wife's Toyotas and Lexuses).

I have been driving my S for six months on a daily basis and with 8,000 Km thus far and it has performed beautifully. FYI : In Hong Kong we do a lot of stop and go driving with comparatively (to US) little milage. Hence, it has proven itself from this prespective. Also, knock on wood I have not experienced any electrical problems. The only complaint which I am not worrying abour is the low milage for the gas tank (If you can afford a Porsche, you can afford the gas.) I also agree that if you are considering the V6, get the VW. S is the minimum way to go with the Cayenne, no offense to the V6 friends out there !

I wonder how many turbos are over in hk...