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do both offer seven seats. But the Rendevous is much more the car like vehicle - as Theo says, it is a mini-van without sliding doors. The Envoy is a real truck.
I think very few people heading to their Buick/GMC dealerships will cross-shop the two.
I would definitely agree that people would not cross-shop both or would cross shop both and have strong feeling one way or the other.
We test drove a trailblazer and a rendevous. We hated the trailblazer but we loved the rendevous and bought one (2002). We previously owned a honda accord and a v6 toyota camry. We wanted that car drive with the extra space and convertabilty. That is why we love the rendevous. Drives like a car, with lots of headroom, lots of storage, easy to get people in and out of (kids, older people with leg problems).
The trailblazer lacked the headroom, space, mini-van like features and drove stiff like a truck.
Back to Equinox. The reason we are interested in Equinox as a second car to go along with the rendevous is that I was told that it would ride like a car. That it was built on a car platform. Waiting to test drive. If we do not like it, then another rendevous.
It is not a car platform in the sense GM makes a car with the platform. But the platform shares engineering cues with typical auto and minivan platforms and none with truck platforms.
I like the Rendezvous and it's well priced in CX form. We may end up taking a look because it looks good and has way more cargo room than most SUVs. Have not driven one though.
I got a $750 off coupon in the mail today from GM on almost any 04 model including Saturns and Saabs. Unfortunately it does not include Equinox SO.. if we do decide to buy in the spring (coupon expires April 30) the VUE will have a $750 advantage in this category.
Excludes the NOX, some medium duty trucks, XLR, SRX, Corvette, Hummer and maybe a couple of other higher end vehicles. NOX is an 05.
$750 isn't enough to make me buy before year end clear outs but it can be combined with current offers so if they get a bit better before April 30 I might bite.
We went for a CX with no upgrades when they had the 2k rebate and we got it for 21k. The car has quite a bit of standard features. Not alot of power but its ok because of the decent gas milage for its size plus we don't drive that fast plus we live in a gridlock city anyway.
They then had a 3k rebate later on near end of year (Aug/sept). I would wait until then if possible to give the equinox some time to get the early bugs out and see what rebates show up in the summer. That is what I am going to do. I plan to test drive the Equinox when it arrives. If I like it and the price, then I will wait until late summer to decide. If I do not like it, then I will look around for other cars or might get a second Rendezvous.
Rendezvous has about C$2K in rebates or 0% for 48 right now up here. I would be fine with a base CX, but I must have ABS added since the base does not have it standard. Would probably get alloys also, I'm not a big fan of the bolt on wheels.
Still prefer the look of the NOX and VUE, but who knows. I really like the space of the RDV.
Rendezvous may have space but for style-conscious people like me (yes I am shallow LOL) I'd prefer a nicer looking SUV. That rear end just looks to bloated!!
One issue I have with Detroit's efforts at CUVs is that they don't hide their car or minivan based platforms well. The Toyota Highlander or Lexus RX330 clearly look like SUVs. The RDV or Ford Freestyle look like minivans.
Joey: I took the pix, but can't recall details. Keep in mind I saw hundreds of cars that day. That's what the pix were supposedly for, to help me remember!
Highlander looks like a tall station wagon and the RX looks much like the RDV without the hang at the back. Neither look likes a truck (Trailblazer, 4 Runner, Explorer ect.), they are both crossovers.
Yes, but at least they can hide the fact that they are crossovers in a very nice manner. The RX is one of the nicest-lookingluxury crossovers on the market...Rendezvous isn't. It's a good "SUV", but it just can't change that fact that it is almost like a rebadged Aztek. The rear....UGH! LOL
Unfortunately gives the appearance of having huge panel gaps. Maybe its the big plastic panelling giving that illusion, its probably there to try to disguise its minivan height.
No I have perfect vision. To me it looks like the rear quarter panel and the rear tailgate have a sense of Aztek-ness to it. The hump on the tailgate kind of gives it away for me. To each his own..opinion that is.
I own the RDV. I do not care what others think. I never worry about trying to impress people.
That is the problem. I work with a lot of insecure people who are so worry about impressing people that they will not try something that has not been proven by someone else that its cool. I work with lots of followers.
Anyway, I recommend atleast giving it a try. Our initial thought was that it was very unusual and somewhat ugly. We also almost fell for the stereotype that Buicks were for older people. Almost fell in that trap.
We then test drove it. We then went one dealer over and test drove the trailblazer.
Talking about night and day. The ride, the space, the comforts, .... was so much better then then the TB. I tried to convince a co-worker to alteast test drive it. But he did not want his friends to know he would even consider a Buick. He instead paid for a fully loaded TB at 35k or so, I paid 21k for a RDV. Mine is paid off. He is struggling with payments. My RDV drives well, fits lots of people, has move flexibility, but I think he thinks his is cooler plus he worries a lot more about his getting dirty.
I thought SUVs were for offroad. Not for sitting pretty and clean.
The RDV and Pacifica are good examples of regular 4 door mini-vans. Great people haulers. Big SUV's have towing and off road clearance advantages. Most of the people driving these things never tow or go off pavement. Soccer Mom's just like the ride height. Guys must like to play trucker or think it gives them that outdoor macho kind of look. Mini-SUV's like the Vue, Nox, etc could easily be replaced by small wagons. The only advantage is AWD (for weather not off roading) and the high road clearance/ride height. Again, great for snow and hauling kids in and out of car seats.
Well as far as im concerned. They look the same and most definitely are the same vehicle. However, I never thought the Aztek was ugly. I thought it odd but not ugly. And the RDV looks GREAT.
And for those that still don't get it, you shouldn't compare a TRUCK/SUV against a VAN/CAR and say you don't like the truck because it rides rough. Its supposed to.
Its like explaining to my mom why my G20 does not have a supple ride/feel like here Maxima does. The G20 has a tighter suspension because it was made to be a sports car, not a sunday driver's car.
I think they are different enough that I would consider them 2 seperate vehicles on the same platform and with the same engine. Kind of like the Camry and the Highlander.
I also hope the NOX gets good crash test scores. I hope it fares as well as the Vue since they share the same platform. The Pilot and MDX got similar scores. Hope to see a NOX this weekend at the Omaha auto show.
I realize that crossovers are more car like than true trucks. Although the current Jeep Grand Cherokee, Pathfiner and previous 4Runner were also unibody designs. The current 4Runner and new Pathfinder have switched to BOF. The Pacifica is based on the DC minivan platform...
My comment about the RDV vs. other crossovers like the Highlander, Pilot, RX330, MDX or XC90 is that the RDV:
1. Has no ground clearance above a traditional minivan and small tires.
2. The body design is such that there is a lot of metal between the base of the car and the base of the green house with a high beltline.
3. The position of the hood and leading edge of the windshield is positioned like a minivan.
The best comparison is actually the Pilot or MDX which are minivan based too. They look much closer to a true SUV than the platform donor minivan Odyssey.
Some crossovers do look intentionally more car like ala the Ford Freestyle, Pacifica, Forester which are all more like a tall station wagon.
Odd because the RDV probably has better crash test raitings than the Montana. One of the reasons for the SUV look of the updated GM minivans is to improve their dismal crash test ratings.
I wonder how much of the RDV's front structure they used in these updated minivans? It would be a good cost savings opportunity for them as they clearly didn't want to invest alot of $$$ in the update.
ANYWAY, I'm interested in seeing the Equinox at the Chicago autoshow. I showed a picture to my wife and she said she'd consider driving one.
Granted the sides and back are pure hideous mis-styling by Pontiac, but the front, with those high mouned turn signals, reminds me of it all the time. Dash guages can't be seen unless you wear 20x400 lenses. I LAUGHED at it when it was introed at the Miami Auto Show (not the official intro) a few years ago; a family of six was trying to cram their teenage offspring into the third seat and couldn't get them out. NO joke, they were stuck. The thing is a hideous design.).
Get over it and let's move back to the Equinox/VUE thing please.
I'll be "outta here" if the Maxx (when and if I finally see one; dindak, let's hope for this weekend. Expect impressions in the Maxx discussion) ends up being acceptable.
Rendezvous, never. See a 100 a day, though. (Grandies and Grannies from Canada and NE US all over the place with their CXL Versatracs). THEY put the seats all down to shlep stuff.
And they'll through in all that bear-proof camping gear and hatch attachment thingys that will be so useful when camping with the kiddies next summer. Plus he can use his Olds loyalty rebate.
Go for it, dindak.
Extra intake manifold gaskets, anyone, to through in?
hey man, stop. those simple GM pushrod v6's are reliable because they have fewer parts. Less stuff to break down!
And if you DO need to get it fixed, you can fix it yourself! Throw the tv in the garage with NASCAR on the tube and get out the wrenches! Any high life in the fridge?
building them since Harvey Earl was really still alive and not some stupid marketing campaign. Sometime in the mid-90s, they finally got all the bugs worked out after 50 years of production.
I could not believe my eyes this afternoon when I saw a white Equinox driving on the other side of the street about 2 minutes from my house. It looked very cool and really stood out. At first I thought it was a custom Trailblazer or something but then I realized what I was looking at. They must have some early production models out and about the area. FYI, I live about than an hour from the NOX plant. Anyway... all very exciting. I will keep my eyes out for them now.
chevyguy : RDV is mostly a family wagon around here. I wish it had a touch more power. Perhaps they will drop the 3.5 in next year as the base. Ultra with the 3.6 is too pricey. Aztek is a nightmare. Too bad because it was a cool concept. Great deals if you can stand to live with one.
Well I for one haven't seen any of Chevy's new "AMERICAN REVOLUTION" cars on the road yet. Haven't seen a new Malibu, Bu MAXX, or SSR. Still seeing the same wave of new Pilots, big SUVs, Camrys, Accords, Altimas, and the rest of the reliable flock.
lichtronimo : My only concern with the NOX is the 3.4L. So long as it's ok I could very well own one later this year. The NOX is the best looking small SUV, no doubt about it.
Hmmmmmmm...interesting you say that just because I prefer a car that is REFINED compared to your so-called "perfect" Malibu. FYI - I live in Dallas and there are still Malibu's at the Chevy dealers here. Just because it may be selling in your Canadian town doesn't mean it's selling everywhere else.
rctennis3811 : Where did I say the Malibu was perfect? Have seen a new Malibu about 7-8 times, I never said they were everywhere either. Stop making things up.
chevyguy : Perhaps I am more just more observant when I drive around. I find it hard to believe there are no Malibus sold in your area.
Why are you guys are talking Malibus in the NOX forum anyway?
"I find it hard to believe there are no Malibus sold in your area."
dindak: Chevyguy never said that Malibu's weren't selling in his town. He meant he hadn't seen one. Metroplexes are big you know.
logic1: What does cities have to do with anything?? Everyone has their own opinion which is a good city and which is not. You're just upset whenever someone makes a comment AGAINST GM because you are such loyal GM fan.
Comments
I think very few people heading to their Buick/GMC dealerships will cross-shop the two.
We test drove a trailblazer and a rendevous. We hated the trailblazer but we loved the rendevous and bought one (2002). We previously owned a honda accord and a v6 toyota camry. We wanted that car drive with the extra space and convertabilty. That is why we love the rendevous. Drives like a car, with lots of headroom, lots of storage, easy to get people in and out of (kids, older people with leg problems).
The trailblazer lacked the headroom, space, mini-van like features and drove stiff like a truck.
Back to Equinox. The reason we are interested in Equinox as a second car to go along with the rendevous is that I was told that it would ride like a car. That it was built on a car platform.
Waiting to test drive. If we do not like it, then another rendevous.
I got a $750 off coupon in the mail today from GM on almost any 04 model including Saturns and Saabs. Unfortunately it does not include Equinox SO.. if we do decide to buy in the spring (coupon expires April 30) the VUE will have a $750 advantage in this category.
$750 isn't enough to make me buy before year end clear outs but it can be combined with current offers so if they get a bit better before April 30 I might bite.
They then had a 3k rebate later on near end of year (Aug/sept). I would wait until then if possible to give the equinox some time to get the early bugs out and see what rebates show up in the summer. That is what I am going to do. I plan to test drive the Equinox when it arrives. If I like it and the price, then I will wait until late summer to decide. If I do not like it, then I will look around for other cars or might get a second Rendezvous.
Still prefer the look of the NOX and VUE, but who knows. I really like the space of the RDV.
-juice
The RDV looks nothing like the Aztek. I think you need some new glasses if you think so.
That is the problem. I work with a lot of insecure people who are so worry about impressing people that they will not try something that has not been proven by someone else that its cool. I work with lots of followers.
Anyway, I recommend atleast giving it a try. Our initial thought was that it was very unusual and somewhat ugly. We also almost fell for the stereotype that Buicks were for older people. Almost fell in that trap.
We then test drove it. We then went one dealer over and test drove the trailblazer.
Talking about night and day. The ride, the space, the comforts, .... was so much better then then the TB. I tried to convince a co-worker to alteast test drive it. But he did not want his friends to know he would even consider a Buick. He instead paid for a fully loaded TB at 35k or so, I paid 21k for a RDV. Mine is paid off. He is struggling with payments. My RDV drives well, fits lots of people, has move flexibility, but I think he thinks his is cooler plus he worries a lot more about his getting dirty.
I thought SUVs were for offroad. Not for sitting pretty and clean.
FWIW, the Pacifica is *not* based on a minivan platform, in fact it uses suspension bits from the Mercedes E-class. It's just a bit heavy, that's all.
-juice
And for those that still don't get it, you shouldn't compare a TRUCK/SUV against a VAN/CAR and say you don't like the truck because it rides rough. Its supposed to.
Its like explaining to my mom why my G20 does not have a supple ride/feel like here Maxima does. The G20 has a tighter suspension because it was made to be a sports car, not a sunday driver's car.
-juice
My comment about the RDV vs. other crossovers like the Highlander, Pilot, RX330, MDX or XC90 is that the RDV:
1. Has no ground clearance above a traditional minivan and small tires.
2. The body design is such that there is a lot of metal between the base of the car and the base of the green house with a high beltline.
3. The position of the hood and leading edge of the windshield is positioned like a minivan.
The best comparison is actually the Pilot or MDX which are minivan based too. They look much closer to a true SUV than the platform donor minivan Odyssey.
Some crossovers do look intentionally more car like ala the Ford Freestyle, Pacifica, Forester which are all more like a tall station wagon.
These are the 'L-o-l-a, Lola'days of car and light truck design.
It's interesting how for example the Rendezvous which is based on the Montana has higher insurance though maybe not as high as say a Trailblazer.
I wonder how much of the RDV's front structure they used in these updated minivans? It would be a good cost savings opportunity for them as they clearly didn't want to invest alot of $$$ in the update.
ANYWAY, I'm interested in seeing the Equinox at the Chicago autoshow. I showed a picture to my wife and she said she'd consider driving one.
-juice
Vans always seem to have cheap insurance. I guess it's profiling by the insurance industry.
Get over it and let's move back to the Equinox/VUE thing please.
I'll be "outta here" if the Maxx (when and if I finally see one; dindak, let's hope for this weekend. Expect impressions in the Maxx discussion) ends up being acceptable.
Rendezvous, never. See a 100 a day, though. (Grandies and Grannies from Canada and NE US all over the place with their CXL Versatracs). THEY put the seats all down to shlep stuff.
Go for it, dindak.
Extra intake manifold gaskets, anyone, to through in?
hey man, stop. those simple GM pushrod v6's are reliable because they have fewer parts. Less stuff to break down!
And if you DO need to get it fixed, you can fix it yourself! Throw the tv in the garage with NASCAR on the tube and get out the wrenches! Any high life in the fridge?
chevyguy : RDV is mostly a family wagon around here. I wish it had a touch more power. Perhaps they will drop the 3.5 in next year as the base. Ultra with the 3.6 is too pricey. Aztek is a nightmare. Too bad because it was a cool concept. Great deals if you can stand to live with one.
Glad to see some pre-production Equinox's are showing up now. I'm looking forward to seeing it at the Chicago Autoshow in a few weeks.
lichtronimo : My only concern with the NOX is the 3.4L. So long as it's ok I could very well own one later this year. The NOX is the best looking small SUV, no doubt about it.
Apparently, the new Chevys are all over "au canada", but finding one in the lower states is the needle in the haystack bit.
I have seen 2 Aveos on the road, though.
dindak in one, on vacation, and reg in the other.
Seriously, I have seen 2 but not a single malt Bu.
Yes, very true!
chevyguy : Perhaps I am more just more observant when I drive around. I find it hard to believe there are no Malibus sold in your area.
Why are you guys are talking Malibus in the NOX forum anyway?
Hey chevyguy what color was the aveo i was driving? was it a hatch or sedan? Memories of old chevettes dancing through my head.....
dindak: Chevyguy never said that Malibu's weren't selling in his town. He meant he hadn't seen one. Metroplexes are big you know.
logic1: What does cities have to do with anything?? Everyone has their own opinion which is a good city and which is not. You're just upset whenever someone makes a comment AGAINST GM because you are such loyal GM fan.
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