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CWJ
Also the government (NHTSA) does give rollover resistance ratings for 2001 models (all types of vehicles) at this site.
<http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hot/rollover/rollover20010620.pdf>
I guess it's a little too early to expect anything on the Rendezvous in this area but I'm sure we'll see it shortly.
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Anyhow, I drove. First impressions are the styling is worlds better than its cousin, the Aztek. I can't stand to look at those, but the Buick manages to be even classy.
We looked at the interior next. The 3rd seats is livable, but it really leaves no cargo space behind it. It was easy to fold up, so for quick jaunts it makes sense. It's just not a substitute for a minivan (which is what we may eventually need).
The first and second rows are spacious and comfy. The front seat bottoms felt a little firm, but it turns out I had a bunch of receipts in my wallet.
The interior felt upscale in general, easily 2 steps above the Aztec. It doesn't feel like the same car from the inside, actually. I only did not like the faux carbon fiber or wood accents. I can't even tell what they were aiming for they are so fake. Radio controls on the steering wheel were cool, but I did not like the long, deep dash, like the Beetle.
So we drove off, and immediately I thought to myself this deserves a better engine. The V6 is wheezy and coarse, without even the forward momentum you expect. Buick should shoe horn the much smoother 3.8l engine in here.
The ride was smooth, not really sporty. I drive smaller vehicles so it felt tall and tipsy to me, but still acceptable for what it is. Understeer was evident, but that's OK. This was an AWD model, but it felt to me like FWD. I have a Subaru and its 50-50 split does not feel like FWD.
We parked and my conclusion is that if I were going to sacrifice small size and nimble handling, that I would just go all the way and get a minivan. In the mean time, I'll keep squeezing into my fun little cars.
But I can see why an image-conscious Buick buyer would pick this instead, especially when you factor the price. The MDX is too pricey for me; the Explorer is a truck.
-juice
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
As it happens, my wife and I just returned from vacation and our friends that we stayed with own a 2000 Honda Odyssey, which the six of us used to shuttle around MA and RI.
The Odyssey swallows people and luggage like a bottomless pit! My wife and I were stunned by how much more stuff fits in the minivan than in our RDV. Of course, we didn't want a minivan, so the RDV fits our lifestyle perfectly. Other comparisons...
1. The Honda had more difficult access to the 3rd row because the 2nd row seats don't flip and fold like the RDV. Once in the 3rd row, however, the Honda has much more head and leg room.
2. The Honda has a lot of storage space behind the 3rd row, especially because of the deep well that contains the fold flat 3rd row when it is stowed. It comfortably fits six people plus luggage.
3. The Honda and RDV have similar acceleration and handling (both rather car-like) but the Honda was noisier on the road (poor wind and road noise isolation). Also, all wheel drive isn't available on the Honda.
4. The Honda (as with most minivans) has a similarly deep dashboard like the RDV. Also like the RDV and other minivans, the dashboard was made of cheap looking plastic.
5. The power rear sliding doors on the Honda were very cool and actually handy...although they sometimes got stuck and didn't function properly. I don't like the inability of the rear or side windows to roll down (the Mazda MPV is a notable exception here). Many times we wished we could roll down the windows.
6. The Honda's headliner was cheap looking and flimsy, the cloth seats were bland looking and unsupportive, and the doors were thin and tinny feeling. There were also numerous interior rattles and buzzes. The RDV is superior in all of these areas.
Overall, if you need the room of a minivan, the Odyssey is an excellent choice. If, on the other hand, you don't need all that room, the RDV is a great alternative.
I was really amazed that they found this!
Just in case you need more info, the id of the technician who worked on this problem is #207 at Plaza Chevy/Olds in Montreal.
Phone : 514-332-1673
(don't worry, they speak English ;-) )
Good Luck!
The Ody got more power and rear disc brakes for this year. It's tempting, but I still think it's a bit pricey for a vehicle that isn't exactly "desirable". It's the type of thing you HAVE to buy, not the type of thing you WANT to buy, know what I mean?
I prefer the MPV's interior. The 2nd row seat slides side-to-side even with someone in it. I'd have a child seat in there, so to tilt and move it to the side in an Ody I'd have to remove the child first!
The MPV is a bit small though. At least it's getting more power, and those side windows are unique. It actually outscored the Ody in reliability (CR), but not in crash tests. I still like them, overall.
Yeah, no AWD, I know. We do have a Subie for the snow and stuff. When we eventually buy this will replace my wife's Mazda 626.
-juice
Has anyone cross shopped the RDV to the new Envoy and siblings? I'm curious about ride, handling and comfort. Not in the market - just interested.
God Bless America
Ken
-juice
The Windstar seems to have more incentives than the other minivans. I don't ever remember seeing any deals on the Odyssey.
Steve
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Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Since we took the delivery I have been driving it as much as I can and boy it feels good driving it around. I just do not understand why people are concerned for power on this vehicle. My thought is that a lot of people are so used to having too much power that anything less now seems not enough for them. This is my first GM vehicle and I am pleasantly surprised that it is not requiring as much scheduled maintenance as my other car ('90 Mazda 626) did - oil changes when the oil life is used which can be 3000 to 10,000 miles (even though I intend to do it every 3000 miles), timing belt change and tune-up at 100,000 miles, Coolant change every 150,000 miles.
One thing which I beleive can be improved is the manual. It has so much information so it would be nice to have quick reference especially for the DIC and seat memory.
And to end the message, as usual Buick has not included the spare tire extender and the tire pressure indicator.
On the way back, I drove 100% on the highway and recorded 26.5 MPG with a average speed of 62.2 MPH. This was without using cruise (still babying him).
I don't want to re-start the debate, but on the hills between Akron and Mansfield, the engine lost it's breath about two thirds of the way up the steeper hills and I had to downshift each time to maintain speed. Once I made the flats between Mansfield and Columbus, he ran like a breeze.
I am wondering if anyone has tried a K&R Filter replacement? I have one on my S-10 (165 HP 4.3L) and it seems to make a good deal of difference in acceleration. I call it my cheap baby-turbo. This is because the filter allows more air into the system and boasts of a 5HP or greater increase. Has anyone seen a difference with using one on a RDV or GM mini-van (3.4L)?
Also, I have heard that the MOBIL-1 synthetic oil increases fuel economy. Does anyone think that using it could increase engine HP or torque?
I am still extremely happy with my RDV and am willing to trade a few downshifts for the great fuel economy.
It's all Good!
How many people and gear were you carrying in your RDV for that trip? That could effect the engine losing it's breath.
Here's a question for anyone: How much more does the RDV weigh over the Aztek? Since they both use the same engine, I would suspect the Aztek would have a slight advantage here.
CWJ
Interesting, given the Buick is more pricey. Still, those numbers are a drop in the bucket compared to Explorer, at 38,270.
It may improve as supply increases.
-juice
Nextmoon - Good question. The Rendezvous is more heavy (2 to 3 hundred pounds I think) than the Aztek, so you would think that the Aztek would have the edge. And yet, I seem to recall someone who had driven both vehicles saying that the Rendezvous got the nod in their opinion. So I just don't know. Likewise, while I can't think why'd they do it, the gearing and final drive ratio could be different between the two vehicles which would also effect how they felt under acceleration at different speeds.
CWJ
CWJ
-juice
jp614, Is your RDV front wheel drive. Your gas mileage is better than my AWD Aztek. When I drove this car to Florida and back to NYC, the computer recorded 22.4 mpg. My speed, most of the time on the highway was 75-80 mph. My city driving averages 17.6 mpg. I am using the Mobil 1 synthetic oil and the AC-Delco PF47 oil filter.
exzur: how's the Aztek holding up in the NYC's horrible streets and highways? Some of these potholes are getting bigger by the minute
To my knowledge this two cars has similar platform, the RDV is four inches longer. These two vehicles has the same engine and transmisson. Are the gearing and final drive ratio different??, that the RDV will get a better acceleration at different speed. I doubt it very much.
Unless proven otherwise, I have to agree with Nextmoon's "I would suspect the Aztek would have a slight advantage here".
I think my mileage is better than average due to the DIC.
Since I can see the mileage readout being updated continuously, I have lost the lead in my foot that I used to have for off line acceleration.
exzur: Thank you for the feedback on the K&N filter. I will probably purchase one next week and let everyone know how it works out.
It's all Good!
<http://www.knfilters.com/>
This may be worth looking into if anyone has any power concerns. I think it would be interesting to feel the difference even though I personally don't have a problem with the RDV's HP.
CWJ
BTW, my DIC has been dead on every time I fill up. The fuel used is accurate to the tenth of a gallon and the mileage computation is usually right on!
My RDV spends 90% of it's life in town (the burbs) and I have been getting about 16 MPG. I am, however, something of a lead foot...especially at stoplights.
If yours is dead on, could there be that much difference between your Firestones and my Uniroyals. Just wondering of course.
CWJ
I've read that the 3.4 Six Cylinder engine "breaks in" at app. 6,000 miles.
Has anyone else had this experience?
I Love the comfort, the "Buick-Type" ride and the room...and am starting to see more RDV's on the road now.
Also does the radio station memory change with depending on the driver 1 or 2?
Thanks for your help.
DP
Anyway, looks like the Rendezvous is a small hit for GM. Quality, reliability and decent sales for a niche vehicle.
The rear driver assist works great on my Rendezvous, Gamera. I think I can explain the results you got for the curb. Think of the sound waves coming out of the four sensors on the rear bumper as cones expanding outward as well as rearward. From five feet out, they would have expanded sufficiently to sense the curb but as you got closer they were now shooting out over the curb rather than into it, so you received the first yellow light signal, but not the second yellow or the red. But I have a question. Is the curb really a full 12" high? I would have thought that you'd get the second yellow as well in the case of something that tall. But this is all just speculation on my part.
CWJ
and includes ground UPS. No sales tax except to
California residents.
Thanks a lot for the information on the Radio and RPA. I just guessed the height of the curb to be about 12". It may have been a slightly shorter than 12", but I was not sure why the RPA signaled that there is something in the rear and than it stopped. I would have guessed that as long as the curb is higher than the road, the ultrasound bounce back should have been able to detect the height difference between the 2 surfaces. May be the RPA is not as smart as I would have hoped it to be. Earlier I thought that maybe the RPA is malfunctioning, but at least you confirmed it not be the case.
DP
I finally have seen a couple of other RDVs on the road here in the SF Bay Area. A Red, Pewter, and a White one on 680 (maybe belongs to our Raider friend), so now I don't feel like the Lone Ranger. If you are in the Bay Area, look for my Driftwood and Bronzemist RDV at a local college soccer game, or very soon at the Shark Tank for Hockey games. Although, our PT Cruiser TEAL CRZ will be our main Shark Attack vehicle.
http://public.fotki.com/slate300m/new_2002s/2002_aztec.html
Ken
I headed up to Y-town for the YSU football game on 9/22 (Go Penguins!).
Before I left, I made sure that the tires were at 35lbs.
The MPG from Columbus to Youngstown at 54.3 avg MPH was 27.6 MPG. That included a stop at the outlet stores to do a little shopping (I hit a few long lights at the freeway exit).
So on the way back, I went for broke and set the cruise control at 65 MPH. I had to go down to 55 MPG for a few highway construction zones, but when I pulled into the driveway, the MPG was 28.0!!!!!
The vehicle has around 1400 miles on him.
Is there an upper limit to the mileage? We'll find out.
To paraphrase a famous quote: "OPEC CARTEL I Spit at Thee!"
I am continually pleased with my RDV and am glad I did'nt purchase an Envoy.
It's All Good!