[shvr007]

First off, I recognise that this question may not be the most accurate as Lexus RX330 and Cayenne are clearly not in the same category; but would appreciate thoughts and facts based on your real time Cayenne ownership experience.

As most of us would agree, Porsche is all about the Brand. And if not all, most of you have bought a Porsche as, by default, it commands a second look and raises eyebrows among friends & enemies.

I am fairly financially stable guy who will be streching to buy a used Porsche Cayenne. Until recently, I was considering buying a used Lexus RX330 but knowing that if I streched a little, I could afford a 2008/2009 Cayenne V6, am considering it seriously.

I know maintaining a used Lexus RX330 is like maintaining a Toyota - maintenance is cheap, resale value is good and ofcourse the RX330 is dependable. What I really would like to learn is what I am signing up by going for a 2008/2009 used Cayenne V6 - Am I going to bury myself in too high maintenance costs, especially since I am planning on a 3-4 years old Cayenne (assume 60K miles)? What kind of costs should I expect on a 60K miles Cayenne V6?

And, lastly, are there any of you who would advise me to not consider Cayenne V6, but go with Lexus RX330.

 

[PorschePower]

Owning a Porsche isn't for everyone. My first question to you would be, are you financially stable but you've answered that!

I don't own a 08/09 Cayenne, but from friends that do own them. So far it's holding up, but parts are expensive and dealership charges a lot for labor. As long as the car has a clean title, has been maintained well, it should last you a while before parts need to be changed.

RX330 is a nice option, because of obvious reasons.

 

[shvr007]

Thanks PorchePower.

Are you aware of what maintenance may typically be required around 60K miles - Brakes/Transmission/Alternator/Engine-tuneup? etc. And what the cost of these could be around. Realizing that you do not own a 2008/2009 Cayenne, your best guestimate would be helpful too. [This is a subjective question but let's for discussion assume that the vehicle had a clean title and has been through regular maintenance].

 

[jcollins91106]

costs

The best thing I can tell you call your local porsche dealer and ask them what they charge for a 80,000 mile tune up. This tune up is standard from what my dealer says. It cost me almost a grand, I have a CTT though. Look at the post about buying a used cayenne turbo. I replied about maintence cost...granted it's for a turbo model but alot of the problems and cost are very close to being the same. What I can offer to say is with the lexus, parts will be much cheaper and for the most part any experienced mechanic can work on it...the porsche however, expensive to maintain and around here most people wont even touch it unless they are certified techs from porsche. In the end if you have the extra money for the tune ups and known problems the porsche is definitely far superior.

 

[shvr007]

Thanks jcollins. I read your other post on the Used Turbo and agree that one has to Pay to Play. Although I wonder if these maintenance issues are mostly one-off in year or two OR are more common?

And knowing what you know of Cayennes, which model is less prone to problems or in other words, which Cayenne model has fewer number of known issues?

 

[jcollins91106]

Sorry it took so long to respond but, the main recurring matinence cost is the oil and filter. My dealer says every 8,000 miles so it depends on how much you drive. Tires should last quite awhile and the 60,000, 80,000 and 100,000 tune up should come around every two years. Other than that the cayenne is a reliable suv, but like any vehicle...things happen. As far as the model I would gor the cayenne s . It has the upgraded styling and interior and in my opinion has the least amount of issues. Hope this helps!!!! anything else just ask!

 

[Cayenne_fan]

Sorry it took so long to respond but, the main recurring matinence cost is the oil and filter. My dealer says every 8,000 miles so it depends on how much you drive. Tires should last quite awhile and the 60,000, 80,000 and 100,000 tune up should come around every two years. Other than that the cayenne is a reliable suv, but like any vehicle...things happen. As far as the model I would gor the cayenne s . It has the upgraded styling and interior and in my opinion has the least amount of issues. Hope this helps!!!! anything else just ask!

great advice, i know some people on this forum are potential cayenne buyers and will find this useful.

Doesn't the Cayenne S have a big difference in price from the base model Cayenne?

 

[jcollins91106]

Doesn't the Cayenne S have a big difference in price from the base model Cayenne?[/QUOTE]

The s does have a much higher price tag but in "my" opinion the differences are worth the bigger price tag. The interior is night and day from the base model to the s thats the biggest thing to me and also the s dependeing on the year has better styling options and better curves to the body. For me I looked at all three...the cayenne base, the S and the CTT. The base was just like any other interior and if I was gonna pay to have a "porsche" I wanted to be happy everytime I sat in it,lol. The S and the CTT had the attention to detail all the way down to the stiching in the leather dash. At the end of the day for me its worth 4-5k more to have something that I am happy with. My next suv will be hands down a "s".

 

[shvr007]

Sorry it took so long to respond but, the main recurring matinence cost is the oil and filter. My dealer says every 8,000 miles so it depends on how much you drive. Tires should last quite awhile and the 60,000, 80,000 and 100,000 tune up should come around every two years. Other than that the cayenne is a reliable suv, but like any vehicle...things happen. As far as the model I would gor the cayenne s . It has the upgraded styling and interior and in my opinion has the least amount of issues. Hope this helps!!!! anything else just ask!

Thanks JCollins. Appreciate the info much! This is very helpful.

 

[Cayenne_fan]

Awesome info in this thread! I have a friend in the same situation and wasn't sure what to tell them. I will be passing this information on to my friend or email them the link to this thread and have them sign up to Cayenne Forums!

 

[Shaolin]

I'm also in the market for a used gts, and hopefully Porsche is as reliable as Lexus regardless if it cost a bit more for standard maintenance.

Does anyone know if 2010 gts have any major issue drive train issues, or electoral issues? If so, what kind?

Friends don't recommend buying out of warrant BMW; will this statement mean the same for used cayenne?

Thanks!

 

[PorschePower]

Something I would like to add, not trying to shoot down Lexus, but being a previous Lexus owner I can tell you guys that Lexus vehicles are at the moment directly based on Luxury and not so much sport. Also they lack a lot of technology Cayenne's have and a lot of other German vehicles do. You don't get the same driving experience and pleasure from a Porsche in a Lexus.

Breaking it down.

Lexus - Luxury

Porsche - Luxury & Sport

Personally I'd rather have the luxury and great mix of german sportiness.

 

[Jim's]

Anyone help me find a rear cover to place on top of the rear bumper to prevent scratches, from dogs and golf clubs

 

[Gymkata]

I don't mean this in a negative or jesting manner...if you are seriously considering both of these vehicles I would advise you to get the Lexus. Basically if you are cross shopping the two then I don't know if the price for performance would be important enough to you.
Also, while Porsche has the highest reliability of any luxury brand behind only Lexus, repairs (none if you are lucky) will come at a very premium price. I would never recommend somebody stretch their budget to buy a more expensive used luxury vehicle that could potentially cost them an arm and a leg if it breaks out of warranty. Just my thoughts.

 

[hashem2013]

Lexus is a good brand but maybe I am biased towards the used clean title 08/09 Cayenne preferably S or GTS as my own (had & sold 06 CTT with high oil consumption) . just my opinion

 

[selvedge]

The thread is old and but I feel like adding to it might help future or first time owners.

Is the Lexus more reliable than the Porsche? Not really. Reliability depends on many things when referring to used cars. The history or maintenance and luck have much to do with it. I've actually owned a RX330 and it did give me some problems with the interior rattling often and I had issues with the transmission but it was covered under warranty. It wasn't a perfect ownership experience but at least the repairs weren't as expensive as the Porsche. The Porsche will for sure cost more to maintain. If you put aside the maintenance cost, there is no reason to get the Lexus over the Porsche unless you really like Lexus. Is the Porsche ownership experience perfect? Of course not. Every car has it's flaws. Some of the problems that persist happen without any control from the owner while most long term problems persist because of negligence from the owner. The Cayenne is a great car according to many but maintenance of anything not Japanese + performance is important.

With that aside I have much more fun driving the Cayenne over the RX330. Put the badge aside the Porsche is still more fun to drive.

And it's not fair to assume that everyone buys a Porsche because of the badge. I understand that many do. But anyone who has knowledge of the auto industry and of performance and racing heritage can understand why there are many more reasons to buy a Porsche rather than the badge.

 

[Cayenne_fan]

The thread is old and but I feel like adding to it might help future or first time owners.

Is the Lexus more reliable than the Porsche? Not really. Reliability depends on many things when referring to used cars. The history or maintenance and luck have much to do with it. I've actually owned a RX330 and it did give me some problems with the interior rattling often and I had issues with the transmission but it was covered under warranty. It wasn't a perfect ownership experience but at least the repairs weren't as expensive as the Porsche. The Porsche will for sure cost more to maintain. If you put aside the maintenance cost, there is no reason to get the Lexus over the Porsche unless you really like Lexus. Is the Porsche ownership experience perfect? Of course not. Every car has it's flaws. Some of the problems that persist happen without any control from the owner while most long term problems persist because of negligence from the owner. The Cayenne is a great car according to many but maintenance of anything not Japanese + performance is important.

With that aside I have much more fun driving the Cayenne over the RX330. Put the badge aside the Porsche is still more fun to drive.

And it's not fair to assume that everyone buys a Porsche because of the badge. I understand that many do. But anyone who has knowledge of the auto industry and of performance and racing heritage can understand why there are many more reasons to buy a Porsche rather than the badge.

That will definitely help future owners decide.

With anything Porsche makes, they always try to keep it as sporty and performance focused as possible. So with that being said the Cayenne is sports car in a SUV shell, while the Lexus is your typical mid-range priced luxury SUV without anything too crazy going on with that comes cheaper maintenance unlike the Cayenne.

How I see if, IF you are financially stable and have a good income....Cayenne, if not, get the Lexus.