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Comments
CWJ
Dealer - Malouf Buick Pontiac GMC, North brunswick, NJ 08902
I am disputing the deposit with my Credit Card Co.
Please advice me about my rights what can I do to make compliant
Also, check the Smart Shopper board for discussions that may be helpful for your situation.
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
I bought my Rendezvous on October 18th, so I've had it a while. I already have 5500 miles on it.
I bought a Black/Dark Bronzemist CXL with all options except the towing package.
My wife and I are hoping to start a family in the next year and the Rendezvous seemed like a good choice for a family vehicle. I wanted something with lots of seating room but didn't want a minivan. Wanted lots of cargo room but most SUVs only offered seating for 5 at most.
I looked at the Mountaineer, the RX300, the Mercedes M series, the Mitsubishi Montero and a few others. The RDV seemed to offer the most for
the money.
I got mine for $200 over invoice w/0.0% interest for 36 months (buying not leasing).
I researched my [non-permissible content removed] off before buying (with much of it done here at Edmunds) but somehow never found this owners' area until today. I really wish I had found it back in October, I would have been even more confident in my decision.
I'll post some pics of mine in the Gallery section of this club soon. I also plan to post about some of my problems/concerns in that section.
Great to find other enthusiastic RDV owners. I have only seen a handful on the roads around here. It's kind of cool being one of the only people driving it around.
Go Illini and Go Sixers! (University of Illinois and Philadelphia)
As your family grows, I'm sure you'll see, as I have, just how functional and well designed the RDV is.
Regards,
Brian
Our #1 priority in any new vehicle was comfort and this one has it over anything else in it's $$$ range, at least for us. I'm 6'2" and Jen's 5'4" and it fits us both equally well.
Hope everyone enjoys their RDV as much as we are.
Douglas
My wife and I ordered a pewter metallic Rendezvous CX (Canadian Base model 1SD?) with a gray interior. We put in the order on January 18th and we hope to take delivery of our new chariot in a few weeks.
It has been great to read all of the posts in this forum, very helpful! One item that I have not seen discussed is if there is a tent attachment coming out for the RDV. I would really like to be able to set up the RDV like the Aztec when we go camping. Does anyone know if there is a tent available for the RDV or if the Aztec tent fits the RDV?
-Sean
If you have some time, we would really appreciate Town Hall members writing a review of their current auto, or a favorite make/model. It takes approximately a week for your review to appear on that make/model.
If you have any questions, please let me know!
Thanks!
KarenS
Host
Owners Clubs
Purchased a Black RDV CX with 1SC and Towing Package last week. My wife and Decided that our 97 Nissan Pathfinder was getting a little long in the tooth. I had been researching and looking at the RDV since October 2001 and really liked it but could not get the Dealer closest to us to deal with me. I finally decided to use GMBUYPOWER and found what I wanted on a competing Buick dealers lot(Orange Buick). What a pleasant surprise it was going to this dealer. Walked in and had the deal done in two hours, got what I wanted for trade in and Dealer knocked off 1900.00 more from invoice plus the 2002.00 back from Buick. I love the RDV and it's looks and can only hope it will be as good to us as the Nissan was. We live about 20 minutes North of Orlando and have two children ages 12 and 10. Hope to be an RDV owner for a long time (First G.M. product owned).
Sean
CWJ
Were from ottawa as well and purchased our RDV on jan 15/2002 already have 10000 Kms on it!
I`m an automotive installer and sell after market dash kits...etc... and have instaled a real carbon fiber dash kit in my own RDV. Factory GM installed and knock your sox off looks..... watch for my picture postings ..No luck on the tent!E-mails welcome. More Mods Underway just takes time.Any picture postings here?????????
My wife and I just bought a Indigo Blue RDV CXL with gray interior. We got the car fully loaded (I love the HUD). My wife has always wanted a sunroof in our car, but being 6'4" my head usually hits the sunroof liner. Not in the RDV, it has plenty of headroom with the power seat adjusted all the way down. We are really loving this car having traded in our Chevy Venture mini van. We have 4 kids and our RDV with captain chairs and 3rd row seat comfortably fits the whole family. I love the styling of the car, both inside and out. It has a real car like ride, much more so than any mini van that I've ever driven. I highly recommend this car as an alternative to anyone looking at a minivan or small SUV.
Paul in North Carolina
rjc
The Town Hall will be looking quite different soon, but we hope you will find the changes beneficial. Your subscriptions should not be affected by this change. I'm sure there will be a discussion in News & Views created to address your questions. Once it is available, I will let you know.
KarenS
Host
Owners Clubs
So far, so good. Only about 400 miles on it, so taking it easy on the accelerator/brakes and keeping the speed down.
I'm psyched to have an AWD vehicle for the ice/snow we get here in Milwaukee (about 60" per winter). My son is especially psyched that he gets his own reading light, armrest and cupholder (we went with the middle bench seats). I'm especially psyched about the awesome stereo (speed sensitive volume? How cool is that!) and the Heads-Up display. My wife now wants a second Rendezvous!
Anyway, we're pleased with the deal we got, the dealer was great and now I just have to read the 1" thick manual! Thanks for all the posts on here; it made our decision easier.
Btw, the second choice vehicle with the Toyota Highlander, with a distant 3rd choice being the Honda Pilot (but availability problems eliminated it from the competition).
Happy trails!
We've had our CXL for one year and have logged over 14,000 miles. Even for trips to the corner market, we use it instead of our more economical Honda Accord...it's just more pleasant to drive.
I haven't heard anything about any lawsuits or recalls on the rear seat... it seems fine to me... I would recommend you spring for the CXL if you're going to get the RDV honestly. Your kids will like the upgraded sound system (it's really good... I mean REALLY good) and I don't think they'll mind driving it if they need to and you will be in total luxary when you drive it.
A lot of guys criticize me for drive an "eggplant" as they call it - but I don't care because I love my RDV and I wouldn't give it up for anything (except maybe a Porsche... hehe)
~Lance
1. Unsafe rear seat. To my knowledge, nobody tests the rear-end crash worthiness of cars. Some press has recently been directed towards the possible dangers to rear seat passengers of mid-size SUV's, which I'm sure is the reason for the caution. The Rendezvous 3rd row seat is close to the rear end, but not significantly different in design or distance to that of any other mid-size SUV with a 3rd row. Even short wheelbase minivans have the same potential. If you want the 3rd row (it's great, by the way), the only way to avoid this issue is to buy a full-size SUV (Suburban/Seqouia) or extended wheelbase minivan (Odyssey/Windstar).
2. 5 MPH crash. There are vehicles that performed better than the RDV and some that performed worse. Overall, the RDV did well, but not the best.
3. Power. It is no sports car, but it is peppy around town. With 210 lb ft of peak torque, it has good acceleration off the line, and overall, performance is completely typical for the SUV/minivan class.
4. Price. A CX with Versatility, upgraded stereo and New Jersey surcharge invoices for $25,175. Add $625 destination charge and perhaps $500 (my best guess) for the roof rack, mud flaps, etc. and I come up with $26,300 + tax and license. Don't forget the $2000 cash incentive...
The Rendezvous is a great car. Good luck!
I recently helped convince a neighbor to purchase one, too.
Kathy, good luck with your decision.
P.S. How do you get a flag to show up next to your name when you make a post?
You're absolutely right. Once I put in a hometown and country, all my posts showed up with a US flag. Thanks!
You can probably fit a couple lightweight grocery bags (I'd opt for the plastic bags) in the netting, but you'll have better luck, I think, with putting them behind the third row (asuming you have one). If you do have the third row, you'll notice that in addition to having the seat folded down flat and in the seating position, it can also be put in a more or less vertical position by pulling the handle and pushing forward just slightly.
We looked at quite a few vehicles, including the Vibe (what I wanted), Envoy/TrailBlazer, Pontiac Montana, Saturn VUE. My wife hated the looks of the Vibe and wouldn't even get in. She then drove the Rendezvous and commented on the how smooth the ride is (her words). Then we drove the Envoy but the trucky ride and lack of room didn't measure up. She had an Explorer before and vows never to drive a truck-based SUV again. She liked the ride of the minivan almost as much, but the lease payments would have been higher than the Rendezvous for a less loaded model. The VUE didn't have enough cargo space.
We wanted more room with a 2-year old and another baby due in June. The Rendezvous will let us take family and friends places without taking a 2nd car. I am the principal driver until the new baby arrives. I can honestly say that I like the Rendezvous a lot more than I thought I would. I hear a lot of complaints about power, but I do city driving and there is plenty of power for me around town. We got the leather seats instead of the leather/cloth which my wife liked better. Buick had a "free leather" promo which rebated the cost, so getting the more expensive full leather interior didn't cost any more.
This car has way more options than I need but it's actually kind of nice having all of them. I love the steering wheel radio controls and trip computer. Traction control will be nice this winter. The interior is a lot nicer than I thought in terms of material quality. The headliner material is something I did not expect to find in a domestic car. The surfaces all have a feel of high quality with the exception of the center housing for stereo and HVAC, which feels like the thin, cheap plastic that it is. The grade of leather used is better than 99% of domestic cars out there (very impressive, Buick). I think the gauges are very cool looking. The center console is huge!
I am a bit disappointed with the gas mileage, I get about 17.5 in city-only driving. I don't know if this is what everyone else gets. It's still a new engine, so I'm looking for an improvement on that number. Complaints are few, outside of the grade of plastic used in the center stereo housing. I don't like the daytime running lights. I wish the shifter was floor mounted, and I wish the rear tailgate had it's own release. Looking back, I'd have gotten the 2nd row capt chairs and a sunroof, but that's my fault.
So far, I'm very happy with the Rendezvous.
Reading your comments reminded me of all the reasons I love *my* Rendezvous.
I hope you continue to enjoy it.
I am not a RDV owner yet, but hope to soon be. All of your positive thoughts and comments have influenced me tremendously.
My background - 2 kids under 10, one husband. current Ford sedan owner. I don't want a minivan and fell in love with the ride in the Rendezvous.
My question is, I LOVE the captains chairs, but wonder if the bench would be a better bet (mpre options of more children aboard. However, it seems like a pain to flip the bench to get to the 3rd row. can anyone verify this? Do you have the bench and how many do you usually haul?
thanks so much!
Each half (or both) can also be easily removed for hauling extra large items. There is a ton of cargo room back there.
Thought they'd be a pain to flip back and forth, but they're really not.
Thanks for everyones postings! It helped in my decision making!
I especially like the navigation system,memory system and the heads up display
thx
I'm hoping someone can help with a problem we're experiencing. We've had our 2002 RDV for about a month and it's been in the shop 4 times! There's something very weird randomly happening, so far always at dusk or dark ... After turning the car off, the radio, headlights, and information center cycle back on and off again and again, probably about every 30 seconds or so. It continues for quite a while. The dealer has already replaced the Body Control Module and the Ignition Module ...
Does anyone have info on this maintenance issue? Please share!
Thanks
Rosemarie
You really need to post this on the Rendezvous Problems and Solutions forum and while your at it read thru this forum and you will see that you arent alone with electrical problems.
We once owned a 2002 CXL RDV and it had so many electrical problems that it wasnt funny.We fixed them by trading it off.Good luck with your RDV.
I'm driving in NYC a lot and I need something that won't invite bullies to take my lunch money!
Otherwise....My husband, who has appropriated my '02 Regal loves the RDV almost as much as I do.
Tons of room, yet short enough to park in a Camry-sized spot, while hauling 6-7 people!
We're getting about 20 mpg with this brand-new engine. He says it'll only get better when it breaks in 5,000 miles from now.
Thanks, Buick!
Mine's a leftover '04 and the 3.6 was not an option. I was told the 3.6 needs, but does not require, premium gas. It'll run OK on regular, but with less power and less mpg. Otherwise, I think the MPG would be about the same as the 3.4. Hey, every car's a compromise.
That wimpy horn is #1 on my first service punch list.
Good luck with your RDV!
Thanks for the info. I have about 11,000 miles on mine and have averaged over 21 mpg with a little better on long trips. I am replacing the standard air filter with a K&N air filter based on recommendation from other RDV owners reporting a little more power and mpg. I will find a way to change the horn since I hate it.