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In the 4 weeks we have had our RDV, my family and I have learned to close the back hatch with more pressure than we origionally did - this has worked well, and we don't have any more problems with hatch closing or the light going on, and it doesn't bother us. I am short but do not have difficulties with closing the hatch. The hatch has been great for my kids' backpacks and school needs, and my 14 and 10 year old boys close it independently. Hope that's helpful!
While we were in Orlando visiting a relative's new home we got the chance to test out the cargo capacity of the Rendezvous. The workers at Lowes were laughing at us as we attempted to load one full buggy, a flatbed cart and a garden cart loaded with goodies our relatives purchased. One of them asked if we rented a U-haul and when we said No - we have an SUV they just laughed. We loaded up 5 ceiling fans, a chandelier, 3 wall sconces, 4 patio chair cushions, paint, a 50 gallon storage container, 6 plants, 4 bags of dirt and various small items. We got it all in there and the hatch closed just fine. Did I mention that we also had three passengers? I won't deny that we probably couldn't have fit one more item in there and if we had gotten into a bad accident the mother-in-law probably never would have been found in the second row but I am more than pleased with the cargo capacity.
Coming home the winds were A LOT worse and we averaged only 16.9mpg. Considering the mpg of other SUV's even the 16.9mpg is better than the other SUV's out on the market.
Rendezvous is a hit with us.
(1) Does anyone know whether seat belt buckle placement on the bench and captains chairs (and contour of captain's chairs) can easily accommodate 2 child seats?
(2) Also, can anyone tell me whether an adult can get to the 3rd row by going between the two captain's chairs? If not, it would be a bit of a hassle to have to remove a child seat and fold down the 2nd row seat if someone were trying to get back there.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
I attribute this in part to the relatively high (vanlike) ceiling of the Rendezvous. The position of the cupholders on the captain's chairs may make it look as if it might prove difficult to get through, but in practice it is not. This ease of access is one reason we're happy that we purchased the captain's chairs. The other is that they're just cool.
CWJ
Your posts have been invaluable, thanks. I've read the last 200.
RDV - Pros :
1) Height
2) Solid feel - Like the Looks !
3) Good Deals out there right now
4) Cargo room - it's a bonus, we already own Van
5) Buick - Good Quality
RDV - Cons :
1) The Recalls
2) Rattling noises
3) Leaking during windy rains - Big problem here
4) Gas MPG do not appear to meet the Dealer Specs, which are much lower than Altima already
5) Buick - New Model Quality ???
My move to Buick for quality seems to not stick in the case of this RDV - being that it's new. Is it going to be the luck of the draw, (some of you love yours , others don't seem to be having much luck ???!!!
Notes:
1) Due to my height, well over 6 Foot, my car shopping starts with Headroom Dimensions.
2) MPG / CARGO trade-off - I'm willing to forgo some MPG for the Cargo room, but not if the diff is over 10 as some of you seem to be getting.
Someone mentioned June production RDVs as a possible issue, but more definite was a VIN list provided to the Dealers with the problems.
By the way - is the production date posted anywhere on the vehicle, driver door ?
As for the question from "viking22" concerning child restraint systems in the Captain Chair version, I can tell you that my Grandson who lives with us along with mom & dad rides in the back with his child seat with no problem. There is plenty of room for another child seat in the other chair and still be able to get back to the rear seating area. My daughter hopes to be able to buy an RDV in the future because she loves the safety features of this vehicle for her and Bryan, in fact she borrows the SUV all the time to run errands. She currently owns a Saturn.
meanolddad:
1. - very reliable, no problems beyond a slightly slow clock
2. - in good weather, I get 19-20 mpg. In icy weather with more versatrack usage, I get 18-19 mpg.
3. - my dad calls the ride pillowy. My husband says it's like floating on a cloud. We live on a dirt road that doesn't get much maintenance. So I'd say the ride is pretty soft.
4. - There aren't many steep grades where I live, but I haven't had any problems with power.
5. - no trailer experience yet
6. - I have a 2 yr old and 4 yr old as well. Car seat installation is a snap (no locking clips required, and the latches are easy to access), and the seats are very secure.
cfocfo:
RDV cons
1. - The majority of owners are not affected by any recalls
2. - the only rattling noises I hear are if I have the middle row cup holders extended but empty. Remember, I live on a dirt road, so if anything rattled, I'd hear it!
3. - I was not aware of any leaking problems. Is it related to the sunroof?
4. - No doubt a car will have much better gas milage than the RDV. However, I seem to be within the specs for mpg.
5. - I understand your fears! But I have found it to be one of the best built new models I've ever seen. I've been very impressed.
Basically, it will come down to the purpose you are looking to fill. The only things the RDV and Altima have in common is that they are both 4-wheeled modes of transportation.
It came from reading about 200 posts from this web site of RDV owners. I hope I have not misrepresented them. Obviously it was not conclusive, (ie clock), but I really like the RDV and if posters are presenting detailed experiences, (again, ie - fedlawman's running clock test) - I like to listen and learn. If there was a web site like this for my wife 12 years ago, I ..... well nevermind.
There is good and bad for every vehicle ; ) right ?
Compared to almost every other SUV on the market right now, the RDV has been relatively problem free and has demonstrated outstanding initial quality and very few problems. If you want to read some horror stories, just read some boards for the other "near-luxury" SUV's like the Lexus RX300, Mercedes ML320, Acura MDX, and the BMW X5. They have all had surprising quality problems that should be unacceptable to anyone owning them...and their owners consistently rationalize them away.
We RDV owners make a point of sharing all of our experiences, both positive and negative, to keep each other informed and let others know about the pros and cons of the vehicle.
Personally, I have found the clock to be slow and I did have a minor glitch with the passenger mirror memory recall...which was promptly repaired.
I haven't experienced any rattles (a real acheivement for a vehicle of this size) and have not had any water leaks. After almost 8000 miles, I would still choose this car again against all of it's competitors. And still, everywhere I go, strangers walk up to me and complement me on my RDV.
The Altima is a fine choice if you don't need AWD or the cargo space of the RDV. IMO, there isn't a quicker, nicer sedan on the market for the money.
I wonder if the Pilot will see showrooms in time for you to consider it...it's looking awfully nice!
I also called Lexus and Acura, who have no plans for adding voice recognition systems or hands-free phone options in the near future.
Two nights ago I had fifeen minute pickup intervals for my eldest son (at his high school library), my middle son (at a basketball scrimmage) and my daughter (at childcare). My husband was going to get my son playing basketball, but couldn't get out of work on time. He knew how to get there, but didn't bring street names. I called Onstar, who looked up the address by just the name of the church, located me in the satelite computer, and got me through some complex street configurations ASAP.
The microphone in the RDV is first-rate; my kids can have conversations with my husband from the second row, occasionally the third. We use virtual advisor for sports scores and weather. For families with a hectic lifestyle, Onstar is fantastic! We soon may be using the email reader technology -
For any family considering a long term purchase who wants this technology we highly recommend Onstar GM cars. The only midsize 7 seater SUV comparable to RDV with this option that we knew of is the Envoy, which got SUV of the year award (from Road and Track, I think). We preferred the RDV, and are glad we did!
Ken
Except for that one attempt, we have never even considered pushing that little button near the sunroof. I think we can live without OnStar once our free trial ends.
Presently, I use the 4x4 on my pickup for the bad weather here in the Buffalo, NY area along with hunting at my family's farm. This is light off road stuff. Muddy farm access roads, driving in dry fields to go shooting or hunting and the like.
If any of you use your RDV's in this manner please post how the AWD performs. I am concerned because I have always had a "real" 4x4. OTOH, my brother-in-law usually has no trouble negotiating these spots with his minivan. But then again, he does not try and tackle the off road stuff once the snow has fallen.
Bottom line- how does the AWD on the RDV perform in these light off road scenarios.
I REALLY like the RDV I drove yesterday.
Thanks.
I'm sure you've seen the recent posts from people in cold weather climes testing out the versatrak so I'll let those stand for themselves. Under certain conditions, we always end up with a large ice patch in front of our house. We had one of those recently (with the tracks of someone who hit it across our front lawn to prove it), so I repeatedly took Gamera out onto the road to try to outgun the versatrak. I couldn't do it. I couldn't make the Rendezvous spin its wheels or lose its composure. I was stunned at how quick the AWD kicked in. Now this isn't a a muddy field or rutted farm road, but FWIW, it is evidence at how well this system responds to conditions.
Fedlawman is the only person I recall having taken his Rendezvous out into a field, so if he reads these posts, I'm sure he'll share his impressions as well. Hope this was of help.
CWJ
....no leaks, no rattles, rear gate closes well, mirror doesn't return well cause I'm too quick on the jumping out of car.
Spiritman
Other vehicles in the running are CR-V, VUE, Escape/Tribute and maybe even Vibe/Matrix. I suspect the Pilot will be a lot more than a base Rendezvous so I doubt it will be in the running.
THEY WONT WORK WELL BELOW THIS LINE. TRY THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER
We have recently moved from NC to New England and plan to replace an aging (210K mi) Volvo wagon with a 4WD or AWD. Close to $6000 accrued on our GM Card has narrowed our search from the outset, and the RDV is emerging at the top of the list--mainly over the very nice but more truck-like TB/Envoy. Definitely seems to combine the best features of car/SUV/van engineering (though no consensus on the 3.4L's power), and it does look very cool.
Four questions:
-Why does Buick say the roof rack is available only on the CXL if the CX comes with the tracks and you can order the crossrails from a dealer?
-How much better is AWD than 'FWD with Traction Control'? What is 'Traction Control' anyway?
-Why does everyone think the HUD is the best thing since sliced bread if it is no more than redundant information you can read on the dashboard? I like it, but not sure it's worth $800.
-If we are ordering a model not in stock--and will take off the dealer's hands as soon as he gets it, how much over invoice should we reasonably offer?
Thanks... and look forward to joining this group.
IslandPete must have his mounted above the foil....Pete? EZPass was aware of the problems that the new windshields pose to the transmitter in the interior tag.
By the way, my remote works up to 200' away....tested it in a parking lot in Albany with it partially hidden behind another car ( the nose was showing) when I went to look at the new iMac at the Apple store.....most cooool and classy!!
What a great forum....thanks all
Spiritman
You get a gold star for persistence and determination after reading all those posts.
tidester
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I do not have the HUD but would gladly pay the $800 if I could go back and get it. I just love being able to operate the radio/cd/tape from the steeringwheel and never take my eyes off the road. It would be so great to never take my eyes off the road to check speed and other readings.
I have no ideas on the price.
Hope my opinions help.
Anyway we really liked driving the RDV and my wife loves the interior. We weren't really even considering the RDV as an option and kind of went to the Buick dealer on a whim. We've had a Jeep Grand Cherokee, Olds Bravada and our current SUV is A Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer so we have some SUV's to compare the RDV against. The RDV is certainly more comfortable, quiet, and more luxurious than the others and has cargo capacity even equal to the Expedition. I think Buick's done a good job with the RDV.
Comments on your questions:
1) Roof rack on CX, we want a CX also, I don't know why the tracks on are - yet no cross bars either, I just figured it meant I pay another $100 for them or deal for them.
2) We live in Suburbia, so the FWD with traction fits for us. The weight of the engine over the FWD has worked for us 12 years on last car.
3) re: HUD - if I can read the sports and business pages on the way to work, I can glance down to the speedometer for a second. But of course, options are preferences, so ........
4) Regarding Invoice - Sounds like "nferr" # 2044 says Go For Invoice !
Is this true and if so, did it concern any other buyers of the RDV ?
Thanks
I have been agonizing between the RDV and Chevy
Trailblazer for a week now. Drove both back-to-back twice. The RDV wins hands down! For the once per year I need to go the extra 100 yards to collect a deer on the farm I will get way more comfort and useability. The RDV has more and better space, better seats, better everything except that whopper of an inline 270HP six. But the power is totally adequate for me and my family as proven in the test drives.
As for Mexico, welll, I think that the auto companies know how to get the same ultimate quality. The RDV looks as well made as the Chevy and I critically examined many samples of each. Did I mention that I am a professional engineer?
So now it is time to pick a color. It sure will be funny tossing deer and turkeys into an RDV out in the field!
IMHO
Best of luck to all ! Thanks