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I had this dealer called me from Dodge that I left my name for a minivan. He was inquiring whether if I had made a purchase already and he was the super macho type of guy. Told him I already about a car and it was the Rendezvous. He's like never heard of it and said it sounded like a fancy dance But I like "Rendezvous"...it makes a presence unlike "Rainier".
A volcanic peak, 4,395.1 m (14,410 ft) high, of the Cascade Range in west-central Washington. It is the highest point in the range and the highest elevation in the state.
Or a city in Washington and Oregon states.
So is the Bravada totally gone after 2002 then?
Quality of the triplets has been ok, but not as good as the Rendezvous. Hopefully Rainier will be better now that production at that plant has been going for a while.
Ken
Compared to other SUV's and minivan's, no.
A test drive would be a good way to find out.
not back breaking like a jeep. Reviewers aren't fair when they claim, it has bad handling, compare apples to apples, not Lamborghinis to Station Wagons.
It's a Buick, through and through. The Rendezvous' fat ugly sister, is probably easier to handle, but who wants to be seen riding an Aztec.
Jeff
Also I sometimes feel the terms reviewers and critics can be used synomonously. By the way I also agree with some earlier posts that many reviewers believe Japanese cars can do no wrong and American brands must be inferior. Just one of my opinions.
I took my RDV out to the NJ Six Flags Great Adventure and had a interesting time. I decided to drive through the safari to look for some dirt or muddy roads but instead got cracked/broken asphalt and many twisty and hilly roads. A giraffe came up for a close and personal visit. He ended up completely licking and biting my driver side window and windshield and places on my roof (thanks to the family up front who decided to feed him potato chips!) We made up the roads easily. Then went into the monkey area and was given a warning slip before entering. Upon entering I saw why - the place was littered with antennas, wiper blades, and all sorts of body pieces. Backing out to escape was out of the question so I was forced to proceed. Monkeys attacked every car in front of me. A female sees me and runs and leaps up onto my driver side outside mirror. She gets comfortable on the large mirrors and urinates - all over my mirror and windshield. Finally I make it out (no missing pieces) and park for some fun. I return and there's a huge spot of bird dropping on roof. Went home to clean off all these nasties.
~Lance
Here's the link to the article: http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/55745/article.html
If anything is different after I check I'll let you know
~lance
I am considering purchasing a Rendezvous CX awd but am a little leary in that I have to tow 3000lbs.
I presently tow with a Pontiac montana 2wd and that is just adequite. Since the RDV weighs more than the Pontiac and also has awd and since I can't test drive it while towing I need some info.
Thanks in advance.
I don't think you'll notice much difference...
IMHO, if I were more than very occassionally towing 3000lbs I'd get something else more HD. How about the Envoy or Trailblazer? That would tow like crazy. Imports IMHO usually lack the torque to really tow well, so I'd stick to the big three and the envoy would be a good choice. Love that motor.
DD
victorfsl - You should seriously consider the towing packing if you plan to tow that much.
The supercharged 3.4 should get between 15-18 MPG. It shouldn't be much different than the 3.4L V6 itself. A supercharger realistically only takes away 1 MPG or so.
And as far as the Rainier looking like a Santa Fe, keep in mind that was at first glance... I spent about 10 minutes really looking at that picture, and it just reminds me too much of it... I had hoped they'd do an all chrome grille and I was REALLY hoping it would have portholes, 4 on each side... I don't know about you guys but I'm crazy about that new Park Avenue, the 2003. I'm not a huge fan of the new chrome wheels they gave it but I love the portholes on the side of the hood, I think that's a trick addition to that car. My dad has a 99 Park Avenue and I really think it's an underrated car... hopefully all of this will help it's following grow...
~Lance
Dragontamer - My sons forward facing seat has done the same thing. I don't worry about it, and I think it's possible that it will correct itself given time to heal. I wouldn't place wood underneath the seat as it could have an effect on safety. Maybe some kind of dense foam mat would distribute the pressure? Sears sells a mat to place in between a home treadmill and carpet that serves the same purpose...cut into a one foot square, it might do the trick.
So... My dealer locates one a few hundred miles away but says it has been in stock 277 days. That puts the build date during the first 2-3 months of production.
Being an Auto Supplier I know that new vehicle launches sometimes have bumps and it takes a few months to fix all the bugs.
Am I looking for trouble buying a RDV that was built that early?
Thanks
Anyone have one/see one that could comment on the color?
Thanks,
Mike
I can't think of any other major problems I've had yet... but I recommend you go to the NHTSA web site and look up all the service bulletins that have been posted on the RDV as of yet. That will be a tell-tale sign on how they're holding up.
~Lance
If you use some patience and common sense about removing things to get access its not super hard (its been a couple months so I can't remember what the deal was). Just be patient and get the bottom part stuck in through the tabs, clip the top and then re-check it.
Mikez2002- I own a sedona bronze/light driftwood cxl. It was manufactured 7/01. The only problem I have had was the rubber shifter boot that protrudes off of the steering column split in half. It was replaced under warranty at the dealer.
I was set on a light driftwood cxl, but it didn't have a sunroof. The next color choice was the sedona, which had a roof, so I purchased that one. Didn't really need one but all my previous vehicles had one so why break tradition eh?
As for the color itself, its color does vary at different times of the day. In bright sunlight it has a beautiful orange metallic glow to it. In dimmer light it resembles more of a hersheys chocolate bar color, which is also very nice I might add. I don't know if I would settle for having the color "grow on you." Perhaps another color would suit you and your wife. Just MHO
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
In the case of the air filter on the RDV, I don't think patience would help as much as maybe a pair of smaller hands. I do see and understand the tabs need to be aligned first but there's just plain not much room to work with it. Well, every car will have it's little quirks - like my old car had the check transmission stick very well hidden at the rear of the engine and the shops never put it back correctly. I don't plan on going under the hood alot but it will be difficult the few times I do.
P.S. I have the Sedona in a CX and I love the color. Everyone thinks that it looks like expensive melted chocolate!
Thought it was funny that the door would open so far forward and bend the hinge.
Another misfortune happened last weekend when a light wind did the same thing and again bent the hinge. There is no door restraint to keep door from opening beyond a certain point where the hinge would bend.
Buick would not accept the fact that there is a problem other than document it with a case number.
Has anyone else had this problem.
Bob
Ken
Maybe you can get your $197 back?
I just added a 2" receiver hitch to my AWD CX 1SB RDV for a GREAT price! The local UHaul and Cole Muffler shops could not give me an installed 2" hitch (I haul bikes with a Saris Bat Rack) in a reasonable time due to ordering problems. I think that their catalogs, books, warehouses need updated info.
Also, the Buick dealer quoted me $317 plus 2 hours install time for a "GM" hitch. So, I checked with Draw-Tite and their model is the 73158. No local outlets had it, or could get it, and draw-tite does nolt sell direct, so a little surfing hooked me up with
www.drawtite-hitches.com . They ARE NOT associated with the manufacturer. I think they are just a web vendor that buys domains that sound like the real thing. Their site honestly points this out.
They delivered the hitch in 4 days via UPS ground for $128. It is a real Draw-Tite and I installed it in 2.5 hours including clean up and testing. It is SOLID as a rock and the install was just like the instructions indicated. No drilling necessary.
So, if you are looking for a hitch and want to save some money, give them a look. Usual disclaimers apply, yada, yada .....
Still loving my RDV here in WNY and getting 19.5 MPG to boot after switching to Mobil 1 a thousand miles ago.
Good luck,
Mark K2QO
Clarence, NY
Oh, the next job is some ham radio mobile antennas!
Tomcat10--my milage was in the 17 range for the first 1000-1500 miles then improved to 18.5, and now between 3000 and 4000 miles on Mobil 1 it is hovering just below 20.
Mark
It was very roomy and the ride was comfortable. There were lots of nice touches. It was a 2wd model so I don't know how much worse a 4wd would feel.
The car's dynamics were nothing to write home about. The car accelerated averagely and required you to slow right down on turns or else feast upon the tire's vocal displeasure.
It's strictly an A to B type car.
My strongest dissatisfaction was with those guages. Do they really expect anyone to read that during the day?
Or find yourself a nice 2 year old explorer and slam and it into a corner, and as it's rolling over and over, you can express your own Vocal displeasure. There are so many accident's in SUV's because some Bozo is always trying to drive them like they are cars, they aren't ! Higher center of gravity comes into play here.
As for the gauges, silver backdrop is a buick tradition, I could live without as well, but it's a small point.