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Comments
I called Buick (866)515-5115 (it's the number in the pre-sell package). After about ten minutes with the two seperate customer service reps, I requested to be handed off to the manager. I asked the manager to locate one of the pre-sell games that Buick sent out and explaned my particular situation. For review, I am interested in purchasing a CXL AWD Premium Versatility (PV) Package and adding the tow/trailer package. The pre-sell package lists the tow/trailer package as a standard feature that comes with the PV. I am told by the dealers that it is an option that I must pay for.
I did not get off the phone until the Service Rep Manager got his hands on the pre-sell package and looked at the same card I was looking at (orange with print on both sides). Then I asked him to read the PV standard equipment listed on the card and compare it to his source (which he did out loud). The light went on! He confirmed the card is misleading, that it appears as though the trailer/tow package looked like it was standard equipment on the card when in actuality, it is an option I must pay for.
The Manager offered this conclusion (and likely HIS conclusion):
The pre-sell package was created before the final decision on the packaged equipment was finalized. It is likely that, to stay competitive, the price for the vehicle was lowered by deleting some of the options in the various option packages. In my case, the tow/trailer package was deleted from the PV package. The manager said he would discuss this discrepancy with other managers and staff in the unit.
CWJ: Trust the equipment that is listed in the option packages at Car & Driver and KBB.com. All of the dealerships I have dealt with come up with the same MSRP as those web sites and all must add the trailer/tow package as an additional option. I am concerned that you are dealing with a dealership that is trying to make you add equipment that you don't want so that they can increase their profits. Please call Buick and do the same thing I did. Get the name of the person you talk to (preferably the manager). Then give the phone number to the dealer and make them do the same thing. If the dealer doesn't back down, go to another dealer. Good luck to you.
FYI: My lowest quote to date is $520 over invoice.
Go Raiders!
Please check out #245 of this thread. That gives the four options in addition to 1SE for which the I have a $32,500 quote. The MSRP is $35,132. Please keep in mind that if you get 1SE on a CXL, you do NOT get the third row seating as you do with the "Versatility" package. This is in conflict with what KBB says but is consistent with the caranddriver site and what came up at all three buick dealerships I've tried.
General comment to everyone: Apparantly some of us got actual cards in the mail showing various presell options. I did not. All I received was an E-Mail with a link to the Buick Rendezvous Presell promotion page that gave me a PIN number to use and a Presell order blank. This blank lists a grand total of 3 packages from which to choose, and when I click on the details of each so-called "package" it gives me a list of what's included plus an MSRP total. The so called "luxury package" gives an MSRP of $35,152. The list of items included in the package indicates that what's included is what I listed in #245 above. Is this consistent with what everyone else believes or are there major inconsistencies between my information and what others think is the case.
Please forgive my numerous posts, but my source of all info is www.buick.com/promotions/presell/. When you go to this site you find a "packages and pricing" button to click and this will take you to the site with the three presell "packages," what's included in each and the MSRP of each. All my posts have been based upon reverse engineering these MSRP's and listed features in order to figure out which regular option groups and individual options make up each presell "package." I hope this helps everyone figure out what's what. (Ra1der5, I think that you'll find the the MSRP listed for the Premium Versatility Package is consistent with a CXL with straight "Versatility package" plus the towing package added on as an additional option.)
Yours, Chris Jacobsen
P.S. I go to ink the contract tomorrow morning at 11:30 so wish me luck. If all goes well, I'll have quite the story to share with you all afterwards. I don't quite believe what I'm being offered, so forgive me for staying quiet about it until the ink is dry.
I still haven't ruled the CXL out completely, but here is my thinking. If I get the CXL, I pay an additional $3,600 and get: AWD, leather, OnStar, alarm, rear audio, power passenger seat, memory seats and mirrors, dual zone auto A/C, and more colour choices. I just don't think I need that stuff, so I might as well save the money...although, I do think that white over light sandrift would look great!
I'll check on the option and colour choices with my wife today. If she concurs, we'll order the car tomorrow or Monday.
I've now joined Tony Bertoli in having ordered a Rendezvous. I went 180 degrees from Fedlawman and even though I complained about the extra options ordered the totally loaded CXL luxury package. Couldn't pass up the offer.
Here are the numbers:
Vehicle/Options MSRP Invoice
Vehicle $27,452 $24,844
Destination 575 575
1SE Luxury Option Grp 5,015 4,313
UC6 CD disc changer 395 340
AJ2 3rd row seat 750 645
AQ4 Captain's Chairs 250 215
CF5 Sunroof 695 598
Total $35,132 $31,530
Add-ons to arrive at price quote
"advertising" (whatever) 205
"Profit" 100
Total Price to CWJ $31,835!!!!!!!!
That's over $1,200 less than MSRP for the 1SE luxury option group alone without the four other options.
Folks, I don't care what trim level you're interested in, if you want one of these vehicles and have a PIN for the presell program you've GOT to get out there and take advantage of it.
Fedlawman, sounds like you're getting what you want at a good price. Good luck down the home strech.
Ra1der5, I wore my Packers sweatshirt to the dealership in your honor ("wink"). Go Raiders!
How's your negotiating coming along?
Tony, Now that we're in the same boat, anything new on YOUR Rendezvous?
I must admit, I wasn't to crazy about Buicks pre-sell promotion at first. I mean who really buys a new production vehicle sight unseen? However, after keeping up with the progress of the Rendezvous as it neared production and liking what I saw, I went back and took a look at the promotion package. After asking a few questions here on the town hall and talking to the dealer, I realized that Buick had actually made ordering a Rendezvous through the pre-sell program worthwhile.
Buick gave the pre-sell customer a pretty good negotiating position by giving us the opportunity to order a Rendezvous which didn't count against the dealers allocation. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I consider that a win for both the customer and dealer. I'm still keeping my option open to take a pass if for some reason I end up being disappointed in the Rendezvous, but right now I just believe it's going to work out.
My only regret is not getting my order in earlier, my dealer says I've three to five weeks left to wait, order went in 4/10/01.
Tony, this dealer is in a small town twenty miles away from Fort Wayne, IN where I live. I had a $750 over invoice offer from an out of state dealer, and the big Fort Wayne dealer copped an attitude with me negotiating against the out of state offer rather than simply making his best offer. He's the one who gave me the $32,500 quote ($971 over invoice)and must have figured that I wouldn't shop it for a "measly" $221 difference. If he had just matched it, rather than try to play the "how much is the difference worth to you" game, I'm almost certain I would have taken it.
Instead, I was a little mad and took my PIN number out of town to the littler dealer in the small town. I was surprised to find that he was far more knowledgeable about the program than the in-town dealer, and he said that I wasn't first to come up from Fort Wayne with a PIN number to sell. I would have been happy if he had just matched my out of state offer, so I couldn't believe it when his offer ended up only $305 over invoice. Perhaps he's seeing this as an opportunity to stick a thumb in the eye of his big city competition. As he said to me, "just tell some of your friends to make the drive up so I can show them what I could do for them."
Over in the Coupes area townhall they had topic titled "Cougar Support Group" where the unifying theme was those who had their Cougars consoling those who merely had them on order. No one to console us, but if a few more of the others activate their PINs, we may end up retitling this topic to Rendezvous support group. I'll let you know when I get a VIN and build date. I know we know each other's options, but what color scheme did you order. I went with Sedona Bronze, dark bronzemist, oak interior.
Choosing the color combo was the hardest decision I had to make. I don't know how many times I mixed and matched the colors on the Buick/Rendezvous web site before deciding. I also looked around on the dealers lot to get a feel for what most of the colors would look like on a vehicle. Pewter seems to be a pretty common color that GM is using at the moment. Its shared among the the new Bravada/Envoy/TB and others.
I know I'll like it. The wife *says* she'll like it, but then again she doesn't think we even need a new car...I know in most ways I'm lucky to have a frugal wife, but sometimes she can really squash a perfectly good impulse purchase..:).
I'm sure you know the "advertising fee" is a legit charge, so don't feel bad about paying it. That means you really are getting the car for $100 over invoice. Nicely done!
On a side note, I hope the Rendezvous arrives soon for my wife to see. Our neighbor just bought a Dodge Durango with all the trimmings and my wife LOVES it. Dodge is offering 1.9% financing for 60 months which makes it very affordable. Maybe I'll have her read the www.edmunds.com Durango forums to help talk her out of it.
I'm also hoping to see one at the local dealer, (not where I ordered from), soon. In fact, I stopped by there yesterday just to see when they thought one would show up. One of salesmen told me in about three weeks...he was probably clueless and I didn't feel like pushing the point to try and get a more accurate date.
I was also hoping to grab an actual sales brochure for the Rendezvous but alas they don't seem to be at the dealerships yet. Isn't that a bit strange since it appears they should be arriving in a week or two at the most?
If the AWD drive Saab is ANYTHING like the FWD Saabs, this new Saab turbocharged SUV will handle mountain driving a Mountain Sheep.
Anybody knowing a little about high altitude comparisons between turbos in Audis and turbos in Saabs will know what I'm talking about. You don't want to drive a wheezer in the mouintains.
We ordered today. Our CXL is bright white with light sandrift, dark oak interior, premium versatility package with trailer/tow. Although the Buick reps tell us that we have to add the trailer tow package (see previous post), there is still confusion as the "PREMIUM" Versatility package says it is included. So I went back to the dealership with the cheapest quote and told them I will accept it if they include the trailer tow package. The final documents include it as a seperate item.
Glad THAT's done. Now, back to the Raiders draft. Oh wait... that's a different board!
Go Raiders!
bertoli - I ran the color choices by her and she prefers the red to the black (impossible to keep clean in the Pacific Northwest). If only I could get white/grey exterior with the oak interior on the CX. I hate myself for being indecisive but, I am really tempted to plop down the extra $80 per month and go with the CXL. I have good justification for AWD up here, the leather adds value and eases cleaning of chocalate milk spills, and I could order white over sandrift with oak interior (my wife likes that combo best), which would help sway my wife away from the Durango.
ra1der5 - Congrats on your order. You picked my favorite colour combination! Now I'm jealous and may need to go with a CXL too. I noticed that the MSRP of the PREMIUM Versatility package is $32,402 and MSRP of a CXL Versatility is $32,057. Add $325 for the tow/trailer package and they come within $20 of each other. If you want the package, you pay the same amount either way.
I really wish I could see a Rendezvous (or even a brochure) before I order so I can decide on the colour and seating materials. I think the "upgrade" cloth interior of the CX is supposed to be a leather/cloth, two tone combination...which sounds nice. What I don't know is if it has those silly "Buick" emblems stenciled all over it like the pre-production photos show.
Am I the only one so frustrated by Buick offering a vehicle for sale without providing a clear picture of what they are selling? The dealers don't have all the facts, and the customers don't even know what the car really looks like! Some examples: What does the "Storm Grey" lower cladding of the CX really look like? What do the cloth seats look like? What about the upgrade cloth? If the CXL has a four spoke steering wheel, what does the regular wheel look like? Which model has the white instruments and which one has black? Does the "Premium Versatility" package include the Tow Group (thanks ra1der5)? A simple brochure would answer my questions.
Any comments? I am planning to by one or the other in August!
Thanks!
I assume there are two sides to every story, but I find it passing strange that Woodybuick appears to have made no effort to give us the straight dope on the pre-sell program. We know he's still monitoring this thread because of his quick response to Studenut's suggetion that the Rendezvous might be a "Tahoe with chrome."
I agree with your comments to Ra1der5. Buy the Versatility plus towing package, or buy the Premium Versatility including towing package, and you end up at the same place, both in terms of dollars, and the three digit option codes that his dealer will be using to build the vehicle. (Curiously and as you noted, the MSRP's of all three buick presell packages on the buick website are exactly $20 on the high side.)
You asked me my color scheme. I ordered the Sedona Bronze with Dark Bronzemist and an Oak interior. My dealer had a copy (only one) of the 2002 Buick color chips and I'm happy to report that the website coloring page doesn't do these colors justice. Finally, you mentioned the "advertising" fee as being "legit," and I'll grant you that one. I'd only add that I've found that, unlike destination, no two dealers claim the same "advertising" number. It may be legit, but if your comparing "over invoice" prices to determine the best deal, it better be part of the "over" amount rather than "invoice" amount otherwise you may get a nasty surprise when it comes time to determine the "total" amount.
Once again, good luck!
We called the Dealer Service Center and got some answers:
1. The pre-sell package variations are simply due to the fact that it is old information. The information found on the various web sites and at the dealer ordering computer is correct. Example #1: Although the pre-sell package lists the tow group as included, it is not included and need not be ordered. Example #2: The tire inflation monitor is no longer listed as included in any of the packages because it is not yet available.
2. The dealer service person e-mailed us a picture of the uplevel cloth/leather seats and they match the samples in the book...obscene Buick logos stitched into the cloth portion of the seat. The all-leather seats look nice with two-tone leather surfaces.
chrisallen1 - Actually, the ML320 has been plagued with quality problems since it's introduction, although as a Mercedes, it is still a beautiful truck and holds value very well. BTW, my wife and I loved the truck but disliked the Mickey Mouse designed 3rd row seat.
buzzbo99 - I hate the emblems too! I think Buick made a big mistake...or did they. CWJ made a good point about marketing the CX to reach a certain price point and tempt customers to move up to the CXL. It worked on me too! Please let us know when you take delivery...we are anxious to hear all about it.
cwj - I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. I convinced the fleet manager to let me take his binder pages home. My wife and I went to dinner and decided that we want our SUV to have AWD for the Seattle rain and mountain snow traction. We like the leather and the additional colour choices so, we decided to go with the CXL. Tomorrow I will place our order for a CXL with moonroof (where does the overhead console go?). White over Sandrift with Oak interior (thanks ra1der5). Can you say Buick Eddie Bauer Edition? I realize now that I wanted the CXL all along and just needed to be pushed over the hump to spend the extra $ (which will be well spent and enjoyed). Thanks all!
I went back over a lot of these posts, and noticed that almost everyone who has seen the vehicle in person or had the opportunity to sit inside and check it out for comfort has had good things to say or at worst said it was better in person than in pictures. I can only agree. I know second hand recommendations are no substitute for first hand experience, but it's got to give folks like you "Fed" some small comfort.
There's only one more day for the presell program (until Buick embarrasses me by extending it) so for the last time I can only recemmend people with an interest in this vehicle to get out there and see what you can do with your PIN numbers. If your dealer doesn't play ball, you've lost nothing.
Congrats, Ra1der5. and Congrats to you Fedlawman. Let's all keep one another abreast of the progress of our orders. I'm really very excited. This should be fun.
Best to all, CWJ
Also, I noticed that Edmunds has some info for the Rendezvous under the Options and Colors tab, and for the 1SE package, it mentions a sliding rear cargo tray. Has anyone heard of that? I know the Aztek has one, but hadn't heard it mentioned for the Rendezvous. And the Detroit News review mention some plug in cooler that will be available as well (they called it the Coolatron), and I hadn't heard about that either. Anybody have any info on those?
Thanks!
The dealer said they are getting their first Rendezvous on the 30th...he promised to call me when it comes in so my wife and I can drive it.
bymclaugh - We called the Dealer Service Center and the representative said that there are two sliding rear cargo trays. A large one for cars without 3rd row, and a short one for cars with 3rd row. Still not sure what it is however. Also of note, the pre-sell packages are not even in the GM computer anymore. I did a regular factory order.
I'll go check out the new Rendezvous info at Edmunds now.
Also, driving home last night I was behind a Sedona Bronze Rendezvous for about 10 miles. Kinda nice to see the vehicle in action (even if the lady driving was a pretty poor driver).
Congrats again fedlawman! Now we're both waiting for that call from the dealer saying its in!
Sedona Bronze is the color I ordered. So how did it look on the actual vehicle? Don't worry, I'll still respect you in the morning if you say it sucked. You certainly won't offend the "White" and "Pewter" buyers if you do. Thanks, CWJ
I saw the model at the dealership... same color. My 2 year old's bottom lip started quivering when he understood he had to give it back to the sales lady.
I am thinking that some of those who ordered early are getting the model. My other thought was that perhaps all of us who order with the pre-sell package will receive one. When did you order?
Go Raiders!
buzzbo99 - If yours is in transit on their status, that's pretty cool. Our dealer saw that for ours, and then a couple of days later they had access to the whole invoice, showing an anticipated arrival data of April 26th (tomorrow!), with an actual ship date of April 10th. If you're able to, see if they'll print out the invoice for you. My dealer did, and the invoice prices on ours are all less than the invoice prices on Edmunds, kbb.com, etc. I'm not sure which one is in error, but I'm hoping the websites are wrong.
fedlawman - Some might consider it cheating, but I live in Michigan and work for the General here in Pontiac. Even so, I've had little exposure to the Rendezvous as I actually work for what GM used to call the Truck Group, and the Rendezvous was done by the car group. (And, of course, the two groups didn't have much to do with the other) Luckily, however, some Rendezvous (gee, whats the plural of Rendezvous? Rendezvouses? Rendezvi?) have begun to show up as company vehicles in the area. I haven't gotten to drive one yet, but its still cool to see them start popping up.
cwjacobsen - I thought the Sedona Bronze was nice. Personally, I have yet to see a color on the Rendezvous I don't like, as I've also seen Indigo Blue (our color), Medium Red, Black and Light Driftwood. What I'd really like to see is the Silverleaf, as I think that would look cool. Unfortunately, that color wasn't available in the pre-order, otherwise we'd probably be getting that.
ra1der5 - Yeah, I first saw the model at the dealership too, and thought it was pretty cool. The dealer even said they were supposed to be able to order them eventually. I went home thinking it'd be cool to have one, and probably 2 days later it showed up in the mail. As for who's getting them, I'm thinking the same thing, that maybe people who pre-ordered are getting them, as we ordered ours in mid-March through the pre-sell option. (oh, and for what its worth, Go Lions!
Lastly, anybody got a good nickname for the Rendezvous? Something nice, short and easy to type?
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
What kind of a name is THAT for a Raider?!
R5
That said, I'll open myself up to ridicule by revealing the name I shall give my Rendezvous. (Yes, our family has named each and every one of our vehicles.) When the Ford Excursion came out, we enjoyed the Sierra Club's attempt to discredit it by nicknaming it "Fordzilla." In that vein we've decided to name our Rendezvous "Gammera" after Godzilla's radioactive spinning jet-propelled turtle nemesis. Ours is brown ("Sedona Bronze") and the vehicle is undeniably turtlish. "Mothra" just wouldn't cut it.
Ra1der5, is "R5" acceptable shorthand? Likewise, Will "Fed," "By" and "Tony" do? I don't know who first referred to me as "CWJ" but it works for me. Something tells me we'll all be sharing one thing or another with each other over the next few months. May as well get the formalities out of the way.
All my best, CWJ
Let's see those nickname suggestions!
'76 Merc Capri (worst car I ever owned): "Betsy".
'81 Toyota Tercel: "Patty".
'88 Chevy Beretta (170K and still strong): "Red Bret"
The Rendezvous? We'll see.
CWJ: I am affectionately referred to as "R5" by all my friends on the Raider Board.
Go Raiders!
ok, I'll quit now :-)
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Past:
79 Alfa Romeo Spider
86 Honda CRX Si
91 Nissan Sentra SE-R
92 Pontiac Trans Am (company car)
Present:
93 Honda Accord
94 Mazda Miata
95 Pontiac Trans Am (company car)
Regards,
Brian (aka: Fed)
P.S. There is a passing resemblance to Gammera...but Mothra was the [non-permissible content removed] kicker!
R5
Let's hear if you like it better than Rondy.
Also, regarding the nickname for the Rendezvous, how about Renny? (It may not be great, but its easier to type (and to spell) than Rendezvous.)
Good Day all!
BY
PS. It is okay to call me BY or even BYM, as its just my initials. Of course, now what'll get your goat is what does the Y stand for?
There is some point in between that would provide comfort for kids in second and third rows, and maybe some small adults in second row and kids in third row. Adults in second and third row - forget it, unless third row people have very thin legs.
Car is nicely made, good materials. Engine compartment is clean, but still has distibutor'd ignition with wires to the spark plugs.
Rear windows aren't as funky in person as in pictures - especially if the body is black.
Here are my cars. Try to figure out where the Rendezvous fits in, I can't.
Cars past:
'52 MG TD
'55 MGA (right hand drive)
'60 Rambler American (loved that car)
'61 Plymouth Savoy (400+ cubic inch V8, great "sleeper." I bushwhacked many a 'vette with that car.)
'69 American Motors Rebel (loved that one too)
'74 Mustang II (see R5's comment re: Merc. Capri)
'79 Jaguar XJ12 sedan (5.3L V12, if only they didn't rust, sigh!)
'86 Pontiac Grand Am Coupe (stunning, but disposably shoddy. These would be potential classics compared to the overwrought modern pontiacs if even only one of them had held up over time)
'89 Dodge Shadow (I can only hope the Buick proves as relaible and versatile, had a Neon for a rental and couldn't believe that THIS replaced the shawdow)
'90 Miata (the original, my one overlap with Brian, though I suspect we may be close to soulmates on some or our vehicles)
Current Cars:
'90 Jaguar XJS (also the 5.3L V12)
'97 Thunderbird (last of the cheap big coupes).
Hey guys, thanks for the chance to walk done memory lane.
Brian, Sure Mothra's totally cool but where can we justify the car comparison?
Steve
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