So I'm in the market for an SUV. My wife mentioned she likes the Lexus RX330, so when shopping around I thought to check the prices for the Cayenne, and to my surprise they are comparable.

So I get that Lexus is very reliable (I've owned GS300 and IS300), but decided to consider the Cayenne.

Has anyone here owned both and can comment on what their experience is?

Any known issues? Reliability issues? Which years are better than others? What options are "must haves" CTT vs non TT?

Please excuse my noobness, since I mostly hang out at the 996tt/996 forums.

Thanks all in advance.

 

I've been there, I wanted to have RX400h, but wife wanted to get Cayenne instead.

Of course, who wins most of times, wifey won, no regret on Cayenne, except the coolant pipe issue, which I haven't yet resolved, have parts on hands but need to find someone to do it or find DIY to wrench in my garage.

 

"Wife wanted to get Cayenne instead"
Lucky guy

 

I've got the RX330 and find it to be very bland. Reliable, yes, but very boring. My wife now wants to trade it for an older Cayenne Turbo S (she loves to drive my modded 996TT, so we're totally Turbo fans).

 

You might do a search as to known problems - it's been covered a LOT of times. Some hints:

1. Driveshaft (center bearing mount)
2. Coolant pipes
3. Ignition coils
4. Less so - fuel pumps

 

^ do any of those affect the V6? I'm thinking about buying a 3.2L V6 for my wife.

 

From my roaming the forums there seems to be limited information on the V6 Cayenne. It's the VR6 from VW so I'm sure if you look at the Touareg forums (clubtouareg.com, etc) you may find more details on it.

There were way fewer V6 Cayennes, so the sample size around the forum is much less than the V8/Turbo versions. It also seems that most of the people the purchased V6 Cayennes are not "enthusiasts" spending time on forums like the V8/Turbo owners. Not saying they don't like them. Just that they are probably just driving them and not much else.

 

The Lexus may be more reliable but good lord is it ugly (IMO).

 

both are pretty boring to be honest

the first gen cayenne v6 is weak. the only cool things about the car is better brakes and less roll than other suvs. if you buy a first gen, get the S at least.

rx is worst. really boring and cheap interior w hard plastic dash.

if you must get an suv, G500 may be another choice.

 

+2, that is one of the ugliest 'crossovers' on the road...Lexus or not...IMO. Plus they are a dime a dozen around my parts. I would get the Acura or Lincoln over that thing (if not Porsche, of course).

 

I have both a RX350 and a CTT , the Porsche is not woman friendly and very heavy truck. Fast it is but you pay your toll in GAS with an 11.5 MPG

Lexus is a very very reliable car an maintenance costs are nothing to worry about , to make story short :

Wife Had Lexus Rx330 , I upgraded her to Porsche CTT , now wife drives a new Lexus RX350 and I drive the Porsche CTT.