Buick Rendezvous

enniskillen

Hi
Our 2002 Rendezvous was built on june 11th of this year, and it is definately bolted in. But I am curious since it folds flat, why would you want to remove it ?
If you want to permanently remove it, I bet you could sell it here in an instant, as I have read that one fella here priced buying one in pieces, to install in his that didn't have one. He was quoted almost 6000 dollars Canadian for it.
I bet you would get 500 U.S funds for it easily.

Good Luck

Jeff

hfdad

My first choice was to by a Rendezvous without the 3rd seat, because we felt it was not needed by my family of 4. But, the 3rd seat comes packaged with the aluminum wheels which I have to have. I thought that if the 3rd seat came out I would pick up a little more space for taking my daughter to college. I read about this removable seat on the Kelly Blue book site.

enniskillen

That's too funny, I had to have the third seat but was forced to get a package that included the aluminum wheels. This option grouping stuff is got us both.
I have had rotten luck with aluminum rims and would much prefer hubcaps, but was forced to get them in order to take our kids friends out with us.

Thanks for the reply

Jeff

90mercsable

I just got my EZ pass. I ordered the windshield model. I have the heads-up feature(is that windsheild different?) The rep said the RDV wasn't on the "exterior" pass list, but she didn't seem all that sure.

Will I have any problems? I'd rather not have any problems on the road with it.

nextmoon

3rd row seats - I believe they are removable but haven't tried it. But before you remove the 3rd row seat, there's a storage compartment that must be removed first but unscrewing two readily accessible bolts.

EZ Pass - there were some posts about this a while back. Think there was a good place to put the Pass for the best communication. You should try a search on that topic in the RDV areas.

islandpete

90mercsable - had all kinds of problems using the window tag. Sometimes it would work and most times it did not. RDV is definitely one that does not support the window version. It's on the list on the ezpass web. Converted to the license plate tag and it works like a dream. My advice, you can knock yourself out trying to find the right spot on the windshield if you can or else just go for the plate tag. Keep in mind, the equipment at each of the toll plazas is different. Some of the scanners are more sensitive then others. The plate tag works every time. How's your RDV doing. Have not heard or posted in awhile. My RDV is approaching 6000mi. Trouble free so far. Just love it :-) ~~

fuzz6

I`m the dude looking for the third row seat, also would like to post my interior mods and exterior mods with pictures but dont know how worth seeing for all.

beach15

Here's a new 2003 CX AWD with the 3rd row seat option ($465) and leather/cloth seats ($250):

http://www.starcars.com/Buick/3B128.html

Also, here's a 2003 CX FWD with roof rack crossbars ($175):

http://www.starcars.com/Buick/3B121.html

fedlawman

What is that disc on the roof? It looks like an antenna.

drlawrence

I just came back from browsing a dealer lot and found a 2002 FWD CX with full leather seats. These weren't the two-tone leather seats of the CXL and they weren't the cloth/leather seats of the CX 1SC package. This was a CX 1SB and the seats were single tone with a single 4-inch Buick logo embroidered in the seatback just below the headreast.

The window sticker of the vehicle did not make any note of the leather seats. The VIN ended in 585019 and the MSRP was $26350.

Does anyone know what seats these are an how/if they can be ordered?

I thought they looked much better than the other leather options for the RDV. Perhaps they were aftermarket?

drlawrence

I wonder if that is an antenna for the XM radio option, or a new location for the Onstar, GPS or FM antenna?

lswaidz

That is the XM Radio antenna GM is using... I'm assuming the RDV will also have the new "mini" onstar atenna isntead of the old-school cell phone style antenna on the rear glass... just an assumption but pretty much every other GM car that has onstar has the mini antenna.

~Lance

beach15

It's most likely aftermarket, dealer-installed leather. Dealers do this all the time for just about any car, as it comes in a sort of pre-made kit. As far as not being listed on the sticker, the dealer probably either forgot or is just going to add it on later.

fedlawman

Last Saturday I drove to my local Buick dealer (where I purchased my car) to see if the parts department was open so I could get a GM oil filter to take to Jiffy Lube.

When I arrived, I was greeted by the service manager who reminded me that their service department is open on Saturdays for oil changes and misc. services.

I sat in the lounge and had a cup of coffee (complimentary) and watched Blue's Clues for about 20 minutes. When my car was ready, it was brought to the front, freshly washed. The service manager reminded me that they send mailings with service coupons, then gave me the $5.00 off coupon price anyways, and sent me on my way.

My family has owned 5 Honda's since 1982, and we've never been treated so well.

islandpete

fedlawman, Just goes to show you how one dealership differs from another. I had called up my dealer to request an oil change and was told I would have to drop the car off and wait on line to sign up for the service with all the other folks getting service and leave the car. I told them "no thanks" and did the oil change myself. Picked up an AC Delco filter at Auto Barn and some pennzoil 5W/30.
Your dealership knows how to treat customers.I should print out your post and send it to my dealership, :-)

nextmoon

How much did they charge you relative to what Jiffy Lube would have cost? If the difference is minor than I would go with the GM service. Also is the service charges posted and fixed? My last oil change I took her to my local express oil change place which I normally do for my other car. They usually do a good job cuz I've been using the same guy for over 4 years. This time he jumped in my RDV and got oil all over steering wheel and interior door handle area. Plus he was reluctant to pull her in the service bay because the opening was very tight and I ended up doing it. I'd like to avoid this the second time around. I was quite impress with the service I got last time when I brought it in to the GM service center. They put a plastic cover over the entire driver seat and a paper cover for the floor. After they finished, it was moved to a garage for save keeping and they brought it back to me even though it was only a street over. They service other GM brands so I don't know if the treatment is different for Buick customers.

And they had the free coffee, mini-donuts, and van service (5 mile radius?).

fedlawman

It was $24.99 after the $5.00 discount.

I am impressed with this dealership. As I was waiting, I looked at a poster on the wall outlining the community mentoring program they participate in.

They mentor high school kids interested in automobiles, give them summer jobs, and groom them for careers in the industry. The service manager and a few other service employees grew up in town and worked at the dealership washing cars back in the 60's. Some others used scholarships to attend college.

I appreciate a business that is part of the community and isn't just about making money. That is the spirit that made our nation great and in the long run, it's good for business too.

nextmoon

That price doesn't sound too bad. What brand of motor oil do they use? Thanks for answering my questions, twice even.

jdks

Last month, I had to change my BCM unit and it was in the shop for three days. Fortunately, they provided me with a rental. It seems that there are a lot of defective BCM units out there - I would like to hear from guys who had similar experience. Is there any one out there who has that problem more than once?

Daniel

nextmoon

That price doesn't sound too bad. What brand of motor oil do they use? Thanks for answering my questions, twice even.

netnerd

I've been going to my dealership for oil changes, too. My dealer (Armen Buick in Ardmore, PA) charges $29.99, but I got a sheet of coupons for $4 off oil changes when I take it to the dealership, so it's really only $25.99.

They're pretty good about keeping things clean. I'm pretty sure they have guys whose only job is to drive the car back to the service area and back to the front again when they're done working on it so that the cars stay clean. They offer shuttle service and coffee.

dindak

Oil changes are expensive down in the U.S. My GM dealer charges $29.95 Canadian (About $20 US) and the Jiffy Lube charges me C$22.99, less than $16 US. Walmart does it for $19, but I would let those clowns touch my car.

theduke

Just picked up my RDV. A CX with Versitaliy packate (3rd row, leather/cloth, electric driver seat, aluminum wheel etc) and towing. The color is Opal blue.
Just love it so far.
I have been looking for over a year and the RDV was the winner. Best value, least compromise and extras.
The only thing I would have liked for my wife is the ultrasonic rear sensor that was not available in this package.
Does anyone know of a similar after-market sensor (internet site?) that would work with the RDV?

Thanks

fedlawman

No, I don't know what brand they use. I'm sure it's bulk 10W-30 dino oil. Since I change it every 3-4K miles, it really doesn't matter whether it's Quaker State or Wesson.

I don't believe there's any difference from brand to brand, as long as it's got the proper viscosity and additives.

fedlawman

There are several aftermarket backup sensors. Unfortunately, I don't know who makes them or where to find them.

Check out the RX300 forum, they were discussing it some months ago...

Good luck, and welcome to the club!

theduke

Thanks fedlawman.

I found this site that has a few models. Pretty cheap prices too.

http://www.autotoys.com/New_Tech/DIY/ML_BACKUP_SENSOR/ml_backup_sensor.htm is one model.

Thanks

drlawrence

For a 2002 CXL over 36 month, 36,000 miles they were offering .56 residual with a 3.5 lease rate in july.

Anyone know what the 2003 GMAC lease rates are for Michigan (36/36k)?

theduke

I purchased my RDV 2 weeks ago with the towing package. Now I have to add the hitch.
I know that the maximum towing is 3500lbs so that a 3500lbs capable hitch should do it, but I am tented to put a 5000lbs-capable hitch for good mesure (such as bick racks which would give me a 500lbs tongue weight capability - good for bumbpy roads).
As anyone installed either? what about clearing the spare tire?

Thanks

enniskillen

Hi Duke

First let me say, I am glad you agreed with what I was trying to say about the Vue, nice vehicle, just not as nice as the Rendezvous and far too close in price to be considered. I will flatter myself, and hope I helped make you a Buick owner.
Apparently you are more diplomatic than I, and I see you managed not to be berated on the Saturn board for making another choice, again good for you.
I put a trailer hitch on our White Rendezvous ( also with the versatility package) within a week of getting our machine. First off they are hard to get. Uhaul doesn't have a unit for them yet, nor does Canadian Tire. I had to go to Van and Truck world here in Oshawa to get one, and one was all they had, because I had to drive to their wharehouse to get it.
I don't believe that you will be able to have find a hitch that is made for the Rendezvous that exceeds the vehicle's recommended towing capacity. First off it would give G.M and exscuse to void your warranty, and second there would be little reason for anyone to manufacture them.
You can ofcourse have a custom hitch built, but the one's made for the vehicle look so nice and fit so well I can't imagine you would want to go that route.
A word on prices the "hidden hitch" that I bought was about 200 dollars at Van and Truck World. General Motors wanted 550 dollars for their version of the same class hitch (Class 2)
I hope that you are enjoying yours as much as we like ours, we have put 5000 Km on it in the 5 weeks we have owned it.
One more thing, the gas mileage goes right in the toilet while towing. We have a 13 ft fiberglass travel trailer ( a trillium, it' s like a boler !) it weighs 900 lbs without our stuff in it.
In other words it is a really light trailer, and on the highway with the cruise set at 110 the mileage drops down to about 13 mpg . Yecchhh
Good luck Duke, I hope this info and what I posted for you on the Saturn board was usefull.

Jeff

dorene1

Some months ago, there was a discussion about RDV's being phased out in the future. Now that I'm on vacation, I had the time to email Buick, and got a response back in one day.

Not only are there no plans to stop production, they are increasing production, as RDV's exceeded sales expectations. They lead most other crossovers, including MDX and Mountaineer, which dominate in our area. The stronghold for RDV's is central US.

When Rainier comes out, it will be a 5 seater, and is not intended to compete with RDV's. It was nice to get the good news!

enniskillen

Hi Dorene

Is their any chance that you could post the text of that email G.M sent ?
I think many of us would be interested.

Thanks
Jeff

dorene1

Hi back to you, Jeff! There were two emails I exchanged with Deborah Silverman, Buick Public Relations and Communications. This one has most of the info.. The increased production info. wasn't from her, but from a trade magazine.

Wed. June 24, '02

"Thanks for sending your message...I've been working on Rendezvous for over three years now, and I think it's a great vehicle..." (re:posts that RDVs would stop being produced)"I don't know where (they) got their information, but it didn't come from us. Rendezvous is an important part of our product portfolio and sales are going great. For 2002 calendar year sales, we've outpaced the MDX, M Class, and Mountaineer, and we're closing in on the RX300."

I hope this helps anyone who was worried, like I was, that Rendezvous was not a serious competitor in the crossover market.

By the way, other fans may want to rate your vehicle under Edmunds new car site - RDVs are currently getting a 7.7 consumer rating - a big dip. I don't know whether that came from refiguring stats for 2003's.

Best wishes to all.

fedlawman

The reason for the dip is because only three people have rated the RDV.

One of those three people scored the RDV a "1" out of "10" for both "performance" and "fun to drive."

Obviously someone who has never actually driven the RDV...

cfocfo

Dorene ...... When you said Buick told you that the RDV would not be phased out of production, I believed you ......... but then you posted the exact verbage from their Public Relation's person. Whoa Boy ! Ms Silverman crafted some "interesting" word smithing there.

(re:posts that RDVs would stop being produced)

"I don't know where (they) got their information, but it didn't come from us. Rendezvous is an important part of our product portfolio and sales are going great."

BTY - Seeing quite a few RDVs around here now - IL

theduke

You were right, the class 3 that I was offered has a 2 inch square but is rated at the same than the class2 with a 1.25 inch connector (3500lbs). As it is $50 more, I will stay with the class 2.

By the way, did you do your own wiring? one shop told me that I needed a converter for the 5-strand wires (from the harness) to the standard 4-stand connector that my utility trainer takes. Another shop says to disregard the 5th wire as it is for the backup lights- I will have to experiment I guess.

Also, I am ordering an after-market backup sensors kit to install. My wife says she would feel more confortable knowing that there are no kids behind when she backs up. She had like this feature on the luxury package - but not worth the extra 2 grands. Have you looked in installing one?

enniskillen

Hello Again Duke

I had a friend install the hitch for me as I was working, and he wasn't. I am 98 percent certain that no adaptor was necessary and that we indeed ignored the fifth wire. If we had needed and adaptor I would have been the one going out to get it.
As for a backup sensor, no we have no plans to get one. We always back into the garage and our kids know they are not allowed in the garage when the cars are coming.In other words we never back out of the garage. May I suggest a low tech soloution, you can get a back up beeper ( quite loud) from Canadian Tire, they have one that fits in the socket of your back up lites, so it includes a bulb and an alarm. If your kids are old enough to be left unattended in the driveway, they should be old enough to be trained what the beebing sound means.
Our kids are 5 and 7 and they know that if the garage door opens they must stand on the front step untill the car leaves the driveway of is shut off.
Again I hope I have helped.

Jeff

theduke

Thanks for the reply. That might be the solution.

Another feature that I like from the backup sensor is a digital display of the closest obstacle. This might be handy when backing up in a tight spot. I know I scratched a rented Van last summer in the rockies when backing up in a camp site. This would have help - good thing there was little damage.

I figure that it would pay for itself for a moment of inatention.

Here is the site:

http://store.autotoys.com/cgi-bin/wfp53024.storefront

dorene1

I agree, cfocfo, that there is reason to be skeptical - but most convincing to me is the packaging for Rainier. If Buick thought that RDV's weren't cutting it, one would think they'd offer 7 passenger, xl like configuations and phase out RDVs, but they're creating a different class of vehicle for Rainier.

Not that this is totally different, but my local dealer also said that RDVs are selling above expectation.

It would be nice to confirm the sales figures, especially by percentage. Given the MDX is in short supply, Acura may not be able to sell to demand, so their sales figures wouldn't reflect the amount they could have sold if they could keep up with orders. Mountaineer is easily available, and should be a good comparison. I still think the news is much better than I would have guessed.

theduke

Found a better deal on the backup sensor at:

http://www.12voltshop.com/details.asp?prodid=BAT-2W&cat=21&path=1,21

I phoned over to order and found out it was a local shop in Ottawa. I decided to pick it up this Friday.

It is about half the price of the previously quoted and a wireless distance indicator so no need to run a wire to the dash.

Will let anyone know how the installation go.

fuzz6

Can anyone help me ? i would like to post 2 or 3 pictures of interior & exterior mods done to my RDV but dont know how ? Really cool pics for all to see including factory DVD/tv/lcd screen etc...

stever

First you need a place to "host" the pics so you can link to them (a home page or one of the photo album sites). Then check the Town Hall Help in the left navigation bar for the posting code details.

Steve
Host
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fedlawman

If you like, you can e-mail your pictures to me and I'll post them on my web page for you.

Just check my profile for my e-mail address

fuzz6

Thanks fedlawman & steve for the advice sounds simpler to send a few pics to fed,,, looked in your profile fed... but cant see your e` mail can you look me up or do i post my email on this discussion?

stever

Both you guys have your emails marked "private" in your profiles. One of you can change your profile or post it here -- but the spambots may grab it if you post it here, so usual disclaimers.

Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

fedlawman

It used to be public...

There, try it now.

tmakogon

I got an aftermarket navigation system installed and it works well around town. The unit is Visteon Navmate, and has voice instructions and all US on 3 CDs. The antenna was placed in the left rear window (next to the 3rd row) and sees satellites well. I heard that placing both GPS antennas next to each other can cause interference, but the Onstar one sits on the front windshield and is far enough.

Here's the picture that is 127 KB in size and will take 20-30 seconds to load: http://www.geocities.com/makogon/Navmate.jpg

I had to have it professionally installed for $125 because I can't tell a speed sensor wire from an ignition wire. Plus I didn't have a bracket specific to the Rendezvous.

Will tell more about how it worked during our trip to Florida when we return.

Regards,

Taras

tmakogon

Disclaimer : this message is not to be read by residents of Virginia and Washington D.C., where radar detectors are not legal.

I heard that the windshield used in RDV with the heads up display has a metal liner in it for better reflection. There's a little space near the windshield top, where the metal liner stops, but it's hard to mount the detector there, so now I put it on the dashboard.

Please share your experience if you have a radar detector installed in your RDV and you noticed any interference from this HUD-windshield with the radar detection.

Regards,
Taras

lswaidz

My radar works just fine mounted normally on the windshield... the HUD coating doesn't interfere and neither does the PPG UV blocker coating... it's saved me a few times and probably will continue to detect radar, laser, and all other sorts of signals. I have a Cobra 9000 series I got from Best Buy a few years back... it works great for detecting signals from behind the car too.

~Lance

stever

There's also a Radar/Lidar detectors discussion that may be of interest.



Steve

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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

nextmoon

Take a look at the Buick concept "Centurion" at http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5181&sid=175&n=156

It looks like it could be the successor to the Rendezvous. The basic shape is similiar but just more aggressive.