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The dealer we purchased from did not have the configuration we wanted and had to trade with a dealer quite a distance away.
Our RDV is the CXL in Pewter/Graymist w/ the luxury package, towing option, captain seats in the second row, third row seating, GM rooftop cargo carrier w/special carrier bars, and a dealer installed tow hitch.
When we arrived at the dealership they were finishing the installing the cargo carrier. The RDV looks very cool with the factory carrier.
The dealer spent quite a bit of time helping us program the various features of the vehicle. Very helpful.
Just some demographic info. on us. We are a family of six. My wife and I our in our early 40's and the children ages are, 17, 14, 10, and 7. I believe this is the market segment Buick was hoping for with the RDV.
We had owned three mini vans prior to our RDV. IMHO the RDV is THE only rational replacement for families with similar requirements to ours. We looked at the Toyota Sienna, Toyota Sequoia, (loved this, poor mpg though), Acura MDX, Chrysler T&C, and the RDV. We never would have gone to a Buick dealership if it were not for this vehicle. Great job Buick.
iswaidz - Since the RDV is essentially a minivan, I don't think SUV tire/wheel combinations would work well with it. I doubt that the wheel wells will accomodate a tire much wider than 225. IMO, a +1 upgrade would probably work well, but a +2 upgrade would adversely effect the smooth ride characteristics and add a lot of road noise. Besides, the Buick really doesn't like to corner, and it would take a lot more than upgraded rubber to transform it into a sporting machine.
Fedlawman- my name is Lswaidz, no I ;-) it's part of my email address at school any my initials...
~Lance
~Lance
I remember checking out a few tire store web sites and being unable to find a perfect +1 for the RDV. It seems the 215/70R16 tires we have now are quite rare, and a +1 will introduce some degree of error to the tire size.
I am somewhat interested in upgrading my wheels/tires but, because the RDV is really just the family wagon, and the stock 16" alloys are attractive enough, I probably won't ever go to the trouble.
BTW, I called one tire store before it closed on Saturday and was quoted $112.00 for a new Firestone Affinity! I had assumed that it would be a $60.00 tire. Of course I will call around and do some wheeling and dealing on Monday...I'm sure I'll get someone to go below $100.00 before the day is done.
The thing is, even if you were to put some glitzy 20" or higher rims on the RDV (which I considered for all of 13 seconds one day...) you'd just have to take them off when the weather gets cold and go back to the 16's with snow tires... so in my opinion it wouldn't even be worth it...
The way I see it, is that once my Tiger Paws go out I'll put something nice on there, a good mud/snow all season tire and run those down... but until then, I have a feeling I'll be sticking w/ the stockers and saving my money for my 350Z.
~Lance
Anyone hear about a rebate extension yet ?
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
But try riding in the third row of both vehicles, RDV is adequate and I am 6', 200lbs. MDX is unacceptable , no much room for kids either, and an adult, forget it.
Granted, I personally will not be spending much time back there, but it's nice to know that when you need to, you can actually use the third row.
Obviously there are many other factors to consider, but to us, a usable third row was important.
Went with the RDV and very happy about it.
BTW, for anyone considering a dark colored RDV, the chrome rims look really sharp. I initially didn't want them and intended to delete them from the luxury package, but I forgot to. I'm glad I forgot.
CWJ
P.S. when comparing the Rendezvous to the MDX and their ilk, don't forget cargo capacity. I've needed it far too often to pooh pooh the extra cubic feet.
This is a Buick, I expect higher quality from this division.
I am in the market for a vehicle like this (I like the RDV) but cannot plunk 30K for an underacheiver years behind the competition, even behind some of GMs other SUVs.
Sounds to me like you want something for nothing.
You claim the RDV is an underachiever years behind the competition, even behind some of GMs other SUVs. I am not sure what you are smoking but it sounds like it could be very serious and harmful to your thinking process. It would be very hard to find a better value ( about 32k with all the toys ), or ride quality at any price, or the size of the RDV ( bigger then the RX or ML320 ) If you can purchase ANY SUV with a NAV system for 30k do it.
Ken
Thanks.
tidester
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SUVs
IMO, it is much better looking than the Z, and has the added benefit of a small back seat.
If I was in the market for a $30K car to share the garage with my Buick, that would be it...nothing else comes close.
NO Kenym...I am not going after the overpriced competition (BMW and Mercedes). However within the few thousand swing for a better warrantied and performing MDX or RX. Or maybe a GMC Envoy. I sway away DISAPPOINTINGLY from the RDV until GM gets a real clue on what it wants this car to be....NOT smoking anything and never have and a hopeful RDV owner soon....
I think I'm going stick with the Z though. I'm working all summer at Woody Buick in Bensenville, IL selling Rendezvous and all their other fine (i'm such a salesman) vehicles. It looks like we'll have another man on the inside on this board now, and it'll be me.
But that's besides the point... the G35 is a fine coupe, but I think right now, based upon the budget I'll have, the 350 is my next ex-wife. Haha. Even though I haven't had one yet. I won't be getting it until the '04 model it looks, so hopefully they'll have the T-top model out by then... that's the main reason I'm getting it.
Thanks for the input though, and I'm glad somebody agrees with me about these being nice sports coupes.
~Lance
IF I decide to buy a first year vehicle made in Mexico with (IMO) not so good gas mileage, am
I better off waiting, as the price seems to be dropping by the month ? Or maybe even waiting for the second year, 2003 RDV ? wait, a minute .... am I asking a saleman if it would be wiser to wait to purchase ? SLAP !
BTW, I love the Rendezvous, and consider it one of the best values in it's class, MDX is too much $$$.
When you look at SUV owners surveys their two common improvements they demand in this class overall is: More Power and Third Row Seat.
I am very glad to hear that though others just tuning in might have misinterpreted the intent.
tidester
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SUVs
You're right, it is a first year vehicle... there are bouch to be numerous fixes for the second year run. But you've got to understand that with all these updates will come a little more money. The price very well may go up for the 2003 RDV (catchy, almost like 2002 Ron-daa-voooo). Anyway, see what the dealers are offering at the end of the model year, that's usually when you get the best deals as long as you buy off the lot.
~Lance
In reality however, the RDV whole is greater than the sum of it's parts.
The RDV offers a well thought out combination of performance, quality, luxury, space, features, and value. Obviously, I found the RDV "mix" to be perfect for the needs of my family. Others, such as yourself, may be looking for a different mix.
The MDX, RX300, ML320, etc. are all excellent alternatives that offer a different "mix" of pros and cons.
For me, the perfect SUV would be as versatile as a Honda Odyssey, all-weather capable as an Audi Quattro, reliable as a Toyota Camry, solid as a Mercedes S Class, luxurious as a Lexus LS, expensive as a Kia Sephia, and as fast as a Chevy Corvette.
Nobody's done it yet, so I had to make some compromises. The Buick is an excellent compromise.
BTW. A third row seat is an option and available now.
We will be taking a trip next week that will start from upstate New York, stopping outside of Richmond, VA for two days and then onto Orlando FL. for one week.
We purchased our RDV with the factory cargo carrier and had the dealer install a hitch. The hitch will accommodate a hitch mounted cargo platform that will supplement the roof top carrier. Between the hitch mounted carrier and the roof top unit we have plenty of room for our "stuff". For some reason though my wife keeps humming the tune from the Beverly Hillbillies.
I will be sure to post some pics of the RDV once I have everything ready. Also, after we return I'll provide a summary of our experience.
CWJ
P.S. Looking forward to posting my Winter Carnival trip report. (test donuts in the snow, the adult car nut's equivalent of snow angels). Brian's if you want the story you'll say yes to this topic idea.
The photos show the hitch mounted cargo carrier on the Rendezvous.
Also, there are some photos of the roof top carrier that is off the vehicle. Enjoy.
http://homepage.mac.com/rjcap/PhotoAlbum3.html
Spiritman
The pin you see is actually a Grade 8, 1/2"x4" hardened bolt with a nylon stop nut to secure it to the stinger. Inside the aluminum square tube that the bolt goes through is an inner steel sleeve that runs the entire length of the aluminum tube. And yes I have jumped up and down on it. Seems very secure.
I saw you had pix posted on mac.com, I assume you're a Mac user. Me, too! Maybe we should start a discussion for Mac using Rondezvous owners. ;-)
Yes, we are Mac users too. We have a home network set up using four Macs;
two are imacs, a power mac 5500 and an old performa 600. Using OSX on the newest imac.
Don't quite understand what some are saying about not being the fastest off the line at stop lights. I love taking off and surprising the little sports cars. Of course I don't blow them away, but I hold my own out in front. The gearing makes it so easy. The flip side is that I hang out in the low average for mileage by doing that, but sometimes it's just worth it.
I would love to see a trip report section in the Owners Club. We'll be taking up camping this year, plus we might squeeze in a short vacation. Is Brian M. still around? Haven't seen a post from him in a while.
So will our RDV be getting a big or baby brother?
Cadillac is supposed to take the Olds Bravada so not sure what it could be.
After seeing the Envoy XL, I am still glad that we decided on the RDV. The RDV exterior and interior is much classier than the Envoy.
As an aside I have updated my home page with additional photos of our RDV. We are just about ready for our trip.
Here is the link:
http://homepage.mac.com/rjcap/PhotoAlbum4.html
I agree with your assessment of the Yukon XL. I like the added cargo and 3rd row seat room it offers, but it is almost as long as a Suburban, and IMO, the stretched wheelbase makes it look hideous. Quality has also been a problem for the mid-size triplets, and being a truck, it doesn't ride or handle as well as the RDV.
The Buick is still the winner in my book, although I think the Honda Pilot will steal sales from everyone (including Acura) when it comes out this summer. The Pilot won't have all the amenities or the supremely quiet ride of the RDV, but it will be similarly priced and carries Honda's reputation for quality and resale.
Envoy XL - I saw this in person at the NY Auto show. It showed as cut out to show the interior layout. But it looks awfully cramped in there even with the extended length. It looks like the 3rd row passenger will
have there knees up high close to their chests because there's not much depth for legs in the back. Not to mention the thing is monstrous in size!
Pilot - I saw this at the show as well but it was locked up on a spinning platform. It was smaller than I had imagined...almost as large as the previous generation of Explorers. I don't think access and space in the
rear would be as easily reachable or useable like in the RDV.
RDV - There were two loaded CXL's on the display floor and many people approached and sat in them and remarked that it was very comfortable and nice. But the Buick guys stood there like dorks and looking like they had something stuck up there tailpipes (re-edited to please Edmunds.com) and didn't take the opportunity to tell these people more...a lost I say.
Spiritman