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Much like the MDX and RX300, the Rendezvous is a car of humble origin that truly is greater than the sum of it's parts. It is roomy, luxurious, well built, and safe. Based on it's popularity and sales success, I expect it will probably have at least average resale value, although if you plan on keeping it for more than a few years, resale value becomes moot. Buick also consistently meets or beats Toyota and Honda in JD Power surveys for initial quality and long-term durability.
The $2000 cash incentive ends July 1st. With it, you should be able to get your CX for about $24,500 + tax and license.
Let us know how you make out!
The power is fine for us. We do not drive fast and like the gas savings. The ride is very smooth and the power is fine. It depends on how you like to drive. We could not stand the chevy trailblazer and other SUVs because the ride was so stiff like a truck. The RDV rides like a luxury car or like a toyota/honda sedan which is something very rare for a SUV like vehicle.
I did not see any blind spots of concerned considering the blind spots we encountered when we test drove minivans. The best thing is to test drive. My wife did not like it until she test drove it. Then she liked it alot.
Flip side: I've read that if a vehicle is driving at 55mph, it's a wash whether you use AC or open the windows (due to increased air resistance). But under 55mph, the AC sucks more gas than opening the windows.
Thoughts?
I haven't posted in a while but I have been lurking about and have enjoyed everyone's comments and advise. Here is an update on my experiences with my CX, 1SC.
I got my RDV in September and have been loving it. I just passed 18K miles tonight and it has been a very good vehicle. I've had some minor annoyances but all but one has gone away. I thought I had an issue with the transmission when cruising, but I only get the sensation of a hiccup when the A/C is on so I think the compressor switching on is the source. The sensation was not there in the winter but I feel it again now that I am using the A/C.
After 18K miles it still feels as good as the day I bought it. I keep reading all the junk about power and soft ride and I always think of those comments when I am slowing down for a BMW or Lexus. The handling is definitely not sports car but it is very predictable and refined. When I was having the transmission checked out Buick paid for a rental and the rental car company gave me a Jeep Liberty. The Liberty had very little body roll compared to the RDV and the suspension felt like a sports car. However, I felt like I could map every little bump in the road with the Liberty and trying to adjust the 3-band equalizer on anything but new blacktop was difficult. I was very happy to get my RDV back. I don't think there is a better value out there right now.
Ken
Grazie...
I am in the process of purchasing a Buick Rendezvous. My wife and I have test driven both models and have discussed the pro's and con's of each. The loaded CX is very impressive for about $1500 - $2K less than a comparably loaded CXL minus the AWD. The CXL has the AWD "Versatrak" and some better color options but in reading some of the issues that people on the owners board have had with the Rendezvous, there seems to be more issues with the CXL. Maybe just my perception and not reality. That's why I ask the question. I do not really need the AWD as I live in a warm weather climate. We do have occasional ice and very low amounts of snow in the winter and the AWD would help in the rain but I think the FWD will be all I need in the southern weather. Also, what is the reality in terms of MPG difference between the two? Any thoughts and observations will be very helpful.
Thanks,
S
I think I've heard of the air filter being a real beast to get as... I wanted to get the K&N FIPK for the Grand Am GT but I don't know if all the plubming and stuff would match up to the RDV... I'll have it out some other time.
~Lance
Per the Buick website, the CXL (vs. the CX) comes standard with dual zone electronic auto climate control, AM/FM stereo cassette w/ 8 speakers, electrochromic rear view mirror, one year of OnStar service, driver & passenger 6 way power adjustable seats, leather seats, heated body-color sideview mirrors, roof rack and aluminum wheels. If you add on all of those options (some you can't), I would think that would definitely be worth $1k or $2k -- especially financed over a number of years. However, it really comes down to whether those things are important to you. We went with the CXL and added moonroof, 3rd row seat and upgraded stereo (WOW! Great stereo!).
Another thing to consider is that some of those things will actually improve your vehicle resale value (e.g., aluminum wheels, roof rack, VersaTrak). Finally, your AWD will also operate in rain and slick road conditions (not just snow), so you may want to factor that in as well. I figure "the safer, the better".
As for additional problems with the VersaTrak ... I guess that's what I'm going to use my 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty plus the Roadside Assistance Program for (hopefully, we won't have to use this -- but it's there if we need it). Let us know what you decide
;-)
Saw a Honda Pilot for the first time this weekend. Very bland looking. Basically seems like a Highlander with a Honda face on it. I'm sure they will sell out though as people love that Honda name on their vehicle.
Best of Luck,
Mark
Price after negotiations came to 25009, 39800, 28600 before tax for V6, leather, sunroof, 3-rows of seats (Tribute has 2-rows), 6-CD, 4x4, and roof rack.
I liked the Tribute's price and 'zoom'; Wife didn't like Tribute's interior.
We both liked MDX, but it was not in stock and priced at MSRP.
Wife liked the RDV inside and out - she drives it; I liked the 'toys' (rear sonar, HUD, GPS, AWD). Below are brief comments on value, quality, features, and handling.
Our reasons for choosing RDV over MDX:
1) $3700 depreciation rather than $5200 in the first year, assuming typical depreciation of 12% in the first year. *Aside - the best depreciation we've seen was on a '91 Tercel that we had for 8 years and it only cost $680/yr and had no repairs other than a blown engine at 100K miles.
2) Tribute in made in the US, MDX in Canada, and RDV in Mexico. All three had apparently had recalls on early production cars. Since none of the three cars is built in Japan, I estimate the build quality to be the same.
3) Buick has apparently done a better marketing study and put more innovative features into this car. RDV has a heads up display, Onstar, real leather on all three rows (MDX- on front two).
I asked the Acura dealership manager about Onstar but he didn't know if the 2003 MDX would have one. Even without the $300 Onstar Directions service Onstar will tell us where we are (but not how to get to where we need to be).
4) RDV has a bigger rear door (Tribute:44 inches wide x 33" high; MDX:44"x34"; RDV:48"x34") and a seat set high above ground (30", 32", and 32" for these SUVs)
5) Suspension - RDV rides softer over potholes and speed bumps than Tribute or MDX.
6) Handling - in a drag race MDX and Tribute win, but in traffic I can zig in a 2-ton RDV as well as in my Corolla.
7) It just looks nicer, especially in black. Tribute look is aged. MDX look is plain. The only thing is that wheels look kind of smallish for the tall RDV. I hear that there may be little space left in the front wheel wells to put on bigger tires, so these ones will do with chrome. When they wear out I will try the +1 size tires. If anyone did put bigger tires on their RDV - please share the experience.
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Buick Rendezvous AWD uses traction licensed from McLaren (Indy 500 builder) http://www.mclarenperformance.com/services/traction.html
Buick Rendezvous holds the #1 spot as EPA environmentally-friendly SUV http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/suv-02.htm#med
Buick Rendezvous named Truck of the Year by The Detroit News http://detnews.com/2001/autosconsumer/0112/26/eOl-375388.htm
Buick Rendezvous the first 4x4 to finish at the off-road Inca Trail race
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/011207-4.htm http://www.paperdarthase.co.uk/hero/index.cfm/eventID/Inca2OOl/fuseaction/crewbio/EntryID/78/
All cars
Don't wear jeans in heated leather seats - you may get an iron-on effect http://service.gm.com/techlink/html-en/pdf/200110-en.pdf#dstO7
1. Will they increase the HP/engine? 0-60 in 11 seconds seems awfully slow.
2. Will they be offering DVD entertainment? 2 kids now and I like the idea of integrated entertainment system (not a requirement but would be nice). Or do they already have this?
3. Is the 3rd seat a split seat so you can fold down half for cargo?
Thanks in advance!
1) No one here seems to know definitively if they'll up the HP, but I don't think you'd ever find its acceleration too slow. Take a test drive. I merge onto the highway every morning on the way to work and have never had any trouble getting up to 55/60 mph.
2. Haven't hear anything about an integrated DVD system, and I do wish it had been an option. A couple of us have talked about (and someone even did it) using a laptop computer with a DVD player and all its other functions as an onboard entertainment center. There are also lots of aftermarket entertainment systems that can be purchased and either installed or can be removed when not in use (which might be good if it allowed you to watch movies in a hotel room, etc.).
3. The third seat is a single seat that folds down. No split.
Wish the 3rd seat was split. Any possibility of that changing in future models?
The only time you shouldn't use recirculate is if you have to use your windshield defogger/defroster. The windshield will simply clear up quicker with the air from outside. Hope that helps : )
I even tried to do it manually by cycling through the various vents. As soon as I selected the windshield vents, the system automatically switched to outside air.
Ah, the wonders of modern science.
So this might be new news to some who never had this feature.
Just passed 6000 mi, and no complaints. I'm very pleased with the Rendezvous overall. Mileage has been averaging 17 mpg lately with mostly city driving.
--jk27--, those Rendezvous' you were looking at with the aftermarket overhead lcd dvd system, by chance did any have the sunroof option as well? I think it would be a difficult install on a model with a sunroof, since the retracting sunshade would seem to limit mounting options.
I use 87 octane (Regular) from Sheetz or UDF(Mobil).
Nothing special except it is 100% gasoline and no ethanol.
So this might be new news to some who never had this feature."
My apologies, then. I have honestly never seen a vehicle without it. I've owned a Ford Country Sedan, Mazda GLC, Mercury Tracer, Nissan Altima, Isuzu Oasis, Isuzu Rodeo and Buick Rendezvous ... all had it and I assumed all cars had it. My bad.
As for the aftermarket DVD/LCD, I believe at least one of the vehicles did have a moonroof. Since the moonroof actually slides above the roofline (and not into the roofline), I can't imagine that mounting such a DVD/LCD would be too difficult.
As for gas, I live in an area where we get at least 10% ethanol and my mileage averages about 17mpg (city and highway combined).
I use 87 octane, mostly Costco.
Now I understand your question. I'm not sure how/where they mounted it (you're right the headliner does slide backwards into the roof). If I am near that dealership anytime soon, I'll stop in and ask.
I thought I might have hit a new AWD model MPG record, but it seems someone (was it fedlawman?) beat me. Over Mem. Day weekend, I took a trip up north, almost exclusively highway with some little jaunts around town once I got up there, and my average upon returning home was 25.5. Plus, I not only had plenty room in the car for all of us and our luggage and the stroller and my son's little bike, I was still able to stop at a yard sale on the way up and pick up a basketball hoop and a set of folding chairs. I love having my cake and eating it, too. :-) By the way, I use 87/89 octane, and usually get 20 mpg with my combination of city and highway driving and a somewhat lead foot.
Someone mentioned their carseat leaving indentations in the leather seats. I had that problem on my previous leather-seated vehicle as well. The leather gets a bit stretched, and I'm not sure what can be done. They did kind of go back to normal in my Bravada after some non-carseat use (my BIL bought the Bravada from me and has no carseat-kids). The indentations don't worry me as much as the fear that it will eventually wear through. I put a thin folded towel under each carseat, which has the added benefit of protecting the front face of the bench from little kicking feet. Perfect use for those now otherwise useless hooded baby towels.
After 9 months and 14K miles, I'm still a happy camper.
You're right, I have seen better mileage, but not over an extended vacation. I have seen over 27 MPG, but only by filling up off the highway, immediately getting on the highway, and not exiting until I get home.
Once I get in town again, my mileage promptly drops back down to 17.
C'est la vie.
I don't know if posting your entire serial number here is a good idea, but I work for an Auto shipping company here in Canada, and am tracking the progress of my ordered 2002 Rendezvous.
So far I know it was built on June 11th and was put on a train in Mexico that day. This week is the last for the build of the 2002's so I know that my serial number will be near the end of the production . Does anyone have a very early model ? I would be curious to see if we could figure out approximately how many were built comparing our numbers ?
I will post my number tomorrow.
Jeff
Not at all interested in anything with that particular GM engine in it though.
However, I just noticed the rear leg room as being around 39". Not much on the market with that kind of space.
If they do upgrade the engine technology for 2003, I will take a hard look at them.
Anyone heard of any plans since they have stopped making the 2002, one would assume they know by now what they are going to do next.
S