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And I drove the family 1953 Buick back in the 60's so I don't think you've got too many years on me. Either way, no offense intended.
Steve
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Ken
I'm almost 50, so I must be gaining on you pretty fast ;-)
That '53 Buick ran great, btw. My dad used to race Caddy's at the stoplights and enjoyed leaving them in the dust.
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I still have a little over two years remaining on the GM warranty so I dont think it would be wise to purchase it just yet. But here are the Platinum Warranties Sites I found.
http://warrantydirect.com/index.asp?^
and
http://www.1sourceautowarranty.com/
I just came from reading posts at ....... Town Hall SUVs SUVs -- "unsafe on any tire?"
Is this going to be nothing to worry about or another consumer safety secret ?
As to using the spare tire, I know there are several posts here that say it's not the easiest spare tire to get unhooked from the car and that it's tough to get the jack back in place when you're done.
The jack comes in two pieces - the base and an arm. You use the arm to lower the spare tire by turning a bolt hidden in a cut away piece of the cargo floor. It's rather simple to lower the spare. Then you have to remove the plastic lug covers on the wheels with the arm piece - quick twist takes them off. After that just quickly attach the arm to the base of the jack and you're ready to do your business.
Now that's Fear Factor !
Just wanted to share my excitement. After waiting 8 weeks so far my dealer let me know last night that my RDV has been built and is shipping to my location. Hopefully a week or 2 will see me in my new pewter metallic RDV CX!
Thanks to all posters for a great forum. I have learned a great deal from this site.
-Sean
CWJ
I get the GM employee discount because my wife's father is a GM employee. The invoice price for the RDV FWD CX with the value equipment group (sorry I don't have the code) is 32,115.00 CDN.
We are paying a few thousand less + all of the usual additions and tax.
I found the RDV very well equipped in it's base configuration. Perhaps next time I will step up to leather and AWD.
- Sean
<http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2002/03/18/mercedes.htm>
Step-in height of the Rendezvous is lower, which is a big plus for my wife. But ground clearance is still high enough to go through water and snow much better than any car I've owned. Serious off roader? No way!! But neither is the Lexus. But who cares? If that's what I had wanted, I'd have gotten a truck-based SUV.
No plood in the interior? Though others will disagree, personally I say Amen to that. I'm SO tired of plood. Is the Rendezvous a "minivan in a funhouse mirror" as Automobile Magazine calls it? Yep. Then again, I'd say most minivan design could use a little streching and tucking here and there. I know Automobile meant it as an insult, but funhouses are fun, and Gamera has proven to be the most versatile and best fitting vehicle (for our needs) that we have ever owned.
CWJ
3000+ miles and loved every minute of them. Not to mention everyone else in this small town. They all want one! I am a heavy footer so my mileage is not always the best but never under 19 in town. Went to Texas 2 weeks after purchase (8 hour drive) and made myself keep it steady at 75 (oh so hard) and my mileage stayed around 22 to 24.
On the heater problem-try running the vehicle at idle for five minutes with the defrost or defog on - on high full. At 18 degrees here recently (Louisiana - this is not the norm) this worked just fine. It mentions something about this in the owners manual.
I have the CX with leather seats ISC package. Was weary about the leather living in the hot south but everyone said they stay pretty cool. My problem with the seats was you had to have the upgrade to get the memory seats which was one option I HAD to have (hubby is foot taller).
Some of the teachers and kids have said it is the BOMB (which apparently means VERY GOOD). Also the students think the design is real cool and classy-Cadillac styling-LOL (their words). So I think even the younger generation likes this vehicle as much as I do.
Debbie
Much appreciated,
Craig
MAK
I know Edmunds complained of rattles in their test Rendezvous, but that has not been the case with Gamera. He has been rattle-free and I think his build quality is the best I've seen in any post-sixties domestic vehicle I've owned.
Reviewers have bashed the fake metal-look(?) trim in the Rendezvous and this has left me puzzled, since I think it's a great and different look that works well with the rest of the interior. That it doesn't actually try hard to look like something it's not, unlike plood, I consider it more honest.
CWJ
Compare the Kia Sorrento to the Toyota RV4 or the Hyundai SF. They should be in about the same price and performance range.
Ken
Ken
It has a 192 hp V6 and a top of the line model will have ABS, leather, 280 watt stereo, and other goodies.
I think it will be a great value (estimates are $25K fully loaded) and will compete well with the Tribute, Liberty, CR-V crowd.
The interior looks nice (plood dresses it up) but it won't offer all the features, room, or the serene ride that the RDV has.
However, you could buy a well equiped Sorento for less than $25K, take off the emblems, and your neighbors will think you bought a 2003 Lexus RX300!
Has anyone else noticed this in their lt. gray interiors?
I haven't yet gotten a chance to go to the dealer to look at any they have on the lot.
Buick and the Aztek are great vehicles, and with incentives are great deals!!
I live in Houston and although I do kayaking, mountain biking, soccer, etc, I really don't have a need for 4x4 - so the van works great and they do get very good fuel milage - I avg 23-24mpg commuting in traffic and around town.
The Aztec would be a decent choice if you drive vehicles into the ground and are not concerned with resale value. They are not very sought-after on the new market, let alone the used market. If you REALLY want a deal, look for a used Aztec!
Good luck. The RDV is nice and does a lot, but its expensive compared to the pontiac IMHO from a functional perspective. But if you like to look at the thing, the RDV is much easier on the eyes! The 3.4 is not a smooth screamer, but for mello people (not stop-light racers) it works great because of efficient Torque and the best working automatic in the business.
DD
I obviously didn't think their appearance or durability was enough to keep me from buying it.
And, here's the full digital window sticker:
http://www.woodbridgepontiac.com/Buick/22556.html
As my previous post references, we went with the pewter and storm gray. A close second was Indigo. Until our RDV arrives I WILL read all 2345 posts on this board.
What would you current owners most like to see improved in RDV version 2.0?
I'd like to see a voltmeter incorporated into the drivers information center as well, that would be very helpful.
Also, I don't know if any of you have had this problem, but the lines for the washer fluids are not insulted very well and the rear washer fluid dispenser pulls from the standard resevoir in the front of the car... I've had my lines freeze over numerous times and in fact crack once because of the cold.
Another thing I'd like to see is a switch to 17" wheels with some larger tires, hapers similar to the setup on the GMT360 trucks... they carry a 245/60R-17 setup with Michelin Cross Terrain SUV tires which are very effective. The Uniroyal Tiger Paws on my RDV just have no been up to par for my needs, and although they get by, don't give the car a proper stance or the handling characteristics I'd like to see from a "near luxury" SUV...
~Lance
Frankly, if this is the worst complaint that most of us can come up with, I'd say that it just confirms what a terrific vehicle the RDV is.
As for the wheels, I LOVE the 17" wheels on the new Aztek and Vibe. They would look great on the RDV! Check them out.
I'm perfectly happy with the latch arrangement. Perhaps others are in and out of theirs more than me, though, so maybe if I were it'd be an issue.
The RDV would really benefit from a tire package like that of the Envoy/Trailblazer/Bravada. More specifically the Bravada, which carries a 255/60 setup on 17" rims. It's a very useful setup, and although not a common tire size, has very nice attributes around the corners compared to it's GMT360 stablemates.
Another nice setup can be found on the Isuzu Axiom... which is quickly becoming one of my favorite vehicles in it's class. I recently drove one and was VERY impressed with it. I wish I would have known about it before getting the RDV as it may have swayed my opinion... the axium uses a 235/65R-17 setup on pretty attractive rims that really fit the personality of the axiom, cutting edge.
Anyway, I think it's within GM's reach and ability to at least add a bigger tire option, so hopefully they'll do it... considering the RDV is one of the few GM SUV's and now trucks to not offer a larger or even optional tire/wheel package.
~Lance