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It appears the SR is related to the TR.
The Affinity's are very loud driving on concrete-surfaced highways, producting a loud roar. But on asphalt, they're much more quiet. I was thinking of swapping tires but don't see much choices for 215/70R16 on the market.
Getting in the 3rd row seat is kind of a pain with the captains chairs, but I just set my exit seat memory to push the driver seat way forward and then the captain chair tumbles fine. I'm waiting for my rear cargo cover.
Does anyone else have the steering wheel audio. On the Tek it would change the CD in the 6-disk changer by pressing the pre-set button (scan), but mine doesn't do it on the Buick. Just curious. Also, the preset (scan) button does not function on XM so you have to hit the presets manually. Not really a problem since you can't program all your desired presets anyway. Just curious if mine had a bug or if this was normal operation.
Overall I'm really happy with Friday and she's just a much nicer car than Maxx (my tek).
However, I did discover if you press and hold Seek ('til it beeps), you can do an intro scan on all the songs on a particular CD. Obviously, pressing seek also changes it from track to track (on the same CD).
It's a great vehicle and a great group of owners.
Enjoy!
My wife and I are of diffent sizes and I have to readjust the seat quite back after she uses it (reverse for her).
I remember the "luxury package" version I had tried before had two memory buttons in the door for his/her setup. As I wanted the third row seat, I could not get this function.
I think this is the only thing missing to make my car as good as it can get.
I have been asking in speciality shops, without success.
the 3rd row-seat in Canada was only in the Versitality package not the luxury one- in any case the Luxury package did not have the value and I was loosing the third row.
Can I ask you to find the part number of your seat motor? if it matches mine, if might just be that I need to fing a remote memory modure/control that would plug into it.
I would much appreciate this.
I have a towing package on mine too. This problem has just started happening for me. Through out the long hot summer, I never had that problem. Next time I bring my car in for service, I will mention it to them and see if it is really a problem.
We also each drive it a fair bit and that feature is priceless. We also have the HUD which has already saved me from a couple of speeding tickets as I drive along otherwise oblivious to my excess speed. A condition called lead-footitis.
Later.
Other questions of interest if I knew about the MY GMLink websites for Buick and frequency I visit the site.
WE HAVE YET TO GET 20 MPG,(HIGHWAY ), ARE ANY OTHER OWNERS EXCEEDING THAT, OR DISAPPOINTED WITH THEIR MILEAGE ?
I ALSO EXPERIENCE A GREAT DEAL OF DOWNSHIFTING BY THE TRANSMISSION WHEN ON THE INTERSTATE AND ENCOUNTER HILLS. NO PREVIOUS AUTO ( ALL NON-GM )I'VE OWNED HAD THAT TENDENCY OVER THE IDENTICAL HIGHWAYS. MADDENING
it's a neat option, but I don't think I would give up our sunroof to have it.
Jeff
I have noticed some Qulity issues. The A-pillar plastic cover on the passenger side doesn't fit perfect and you can see inside it. For a luxury car seeing the support beams isn't very becoming. There's also a screw missing that holds the plastic outboard covering on the rear passenger side captain chair. I haven't had time to get those fixed with being in medical school and all.
I have to say though, that by this time the Aztek was having major mechanical problems. The RDV seems to be a few steps up in that department.
I've used her to go home (1.5 hrs) a couple of times and it's a very pleasant drive with XM, comfy seats, and decent mileage.
I am adding the Owner's Corner and would appreciate any input or ideas anyone would like to make for this section or any other section on the web page.
If anyone has any accessories they added to their RDV and would like to add the vendor to the accessory page just drop me a line and I will add it to the page as soon as possible.
Thanks
~Ken
thanks
Spiritman
Mostly raves about the Michelin Cross Terrain and the Bridgestone Dueler H/L.
Of course, we'll be interested to hear how your new tires perform once you get them.
FWIW, My wifes new CXL came with the Affinity tires. Not particularly impressed with their handling in the hills around here (N. California.) And note they are B-rated in both traction and temperature. Needless to say, when the time comes, I'll be looking at those Pilots.
1. Extremely noisy (loud roaring sound) on concrete-paved highways (60mph+). Even loud on weathered asphalt (60mph+), but not as much as concrete. At lower speeds, they are quieter.
2. The front tires fold-over when I turn moderately from a stand still.
3. During a few heavy rain falls, they felt like they hydroplaned slightly on turns even at reduced speeds.
4. They tend to turn brown in the sidewalls quickly with only 3500 miles on them. I had to buy some tire cleaners to restore them.
Those are my personal observations on the Affinity's. Of course each individual will have his/her own feel for the tire. I intend to sale my entire set after I get my replacements. I have Michelins on my other car so I could be biased.
The Michelin Crossovers are not available in the size for the RDV. The other tires I was considering were the Yokohama Geolander H/T Y816. They are cheaper and got equal review as the Michelins and slightly better in some categories and were only 2/3 the cost. But they are extremely sort in supply. The Bridgestone Duelers was ranked much lower in feedback.
Personally, I want a tire to be quiet on the highway (that's the RDV forte, after all) and offer excellent wet weather traction, so I'm leaning away from L/T tires and will shop passenger car tires when the time comes.
I like Dunlop and found their SP Sport A2 in 235/60-16. It's an awesome tire (check out Tire Rack reviews) and a bargain at $85.
Nextmoon, let us know how your Michelins work out, especially in the area of noise compared to the OEM tires. I'm anxious to hear your observations.
> is this a personal preference issue?
Probably. I've tried other tire brands over the years, but keep coming back to Michelin.
As for the LTX M/S, I have a set on my Suburban. They ride well, handle well, and are quiet. And after 40k miles, still look like they could go another 20k miles. Main negative is that they are a bit pricey. Nextmoon: Please be sure to report back with initial impressions on your RDV!
BTW, overall we are extremely pleased with the RDV. Buick did a good job.
The thing is, our lease isn't due until June, and the other car (paid off) is working well.
So, buy it now? or wait? Anyone's thoughts on the future pricing/rebates for next year would be?
Even without discount, the price would be lower as the 2003 have less included in the base price, I understand.
Sure, it is last year's (in Car talk), but notwithstanding, the same vehicle.
I got mine in July with $2500 discount +cargo mat.
Good luck in your choice.
Someone suggested mounting the tires with the white lettering inside in another forum since this is not a directional tire. Not that I want to, but is there a reason not to do the sidewalls inside mount?
~Ken
Craig
I have a link to Thule roof rack system
www.geocities.com/myersworld2001.
~Ken
Initial impression when I had the two tires off the rims side-by-side at the garage was the Affinities are awefully flimsy compared to the LTXs. Meaning the material looked and felt inferior to the LTXs. Most surprising was hold stiff the sidewalls of the LTX were compared to Affinities, which depressed so very easily with a light finger poke!
So let's get to the good stuff - the driving impression. Getting out of the garage I could feel the difference right away. I could "feel" the grip on the group much more that before. Going home I'd pushed her more than I normally do in city street driving under 40mph. Let me tell you the ride is buttery smooth with noticeably less tire noise. Making turns from a complete stop several times, I could not feel any tire flex like on the Affinities. I actually caught myself turning my body according to the direction of my turn, bracing for that body roll, but it was much diminished to my surprise. Going over rippled asphalt with small dips and square pieces of depressed surfaces (settled road repair spots)
was more controlled and with much less vehicle motions. Stopping distance was the same as before. The ride was not any harsher then with the Affinities. The response to steering wheel changes is definitely more quicker.
Asthetically, the tires are slightly more aggressive looking from the side view which is a plus IMHO. I opted to turn the white lettering inside and have the black side outwards to kept her more classy looking. She also seems to stand more athletically since the LTX doesn't bulge as much as the Affinities in the sidewalls.
Over the weekend I plan on hitting some highways. I can only think they will perform better than the Affinities.
I have close to 30k on my Affinity's and they look and ride like new tires.
If you don't mind me asking what did the LTX M/S set you back?
~Ken
CWJ
P.S. What's up with the folks with badly trimmed A-pillars? Sorry, and a little concerned, to hear about that. I had noticed badly trimmed components in other Buicks, but Gamera was put together as tight as any car could be.
Island Pete, I don't sell tires for a living, but have bought many many sets. Go into a Wall*Mart or a Pep Boys and look at the cheapest tires they sell. Handle an unmounted one and you will see that the sidewalls are very flimsy. Handle one of their higher priced (Michelin) and you will notice an incredible difference in quality.
If you can make a tire flex with your weight, imagine what a Rendezvous could do in a hard corner.
I am an admitted Michelin fan. I have put over 300,000 miles on Michelins (different vehicles) and I am notorious for ignoring them. I don't check my tire pressure more than once or twice a year, and Michelin's have never ever failed me. I have only ever had one flat and that was because I was behind a vehicle that dumped a load of scrap metal.
All of that said, I am too cheap to replace new, if somewhat mushy tires with Michelins until they are worn out.
Does anybody remember when Michelins came with an extremely narrow pinstripe whitewall ? I wonder how this might look on our white Rendezvous.
Ok I will shut up now
Jeff
nextmoon, enniskillen, islandpete - I am basically satisfied with the Affinities too, although I concede that I will replace them with a "superior" tire when the time comes...especially because the Affinity is so expensive! I have used Dunlop D60A2's on my Miata and Accord for years and love that tire. I learned at Tirerack.com that the SP Sport A2 is Dunlop's replacement for the D60, and I am pretty sure I will go with it if I decide to "Plus 1." The "Plus 1" combination that "kermitek" has (Aztek forum) are exactly what I've been thinking of:
http://www.mwshowgo67.com/kermit/images/P09220225.jpg
These are the same wheels that Pontiac introduced for the Aztek and Vibe this year. They really fill out the wheel well and make the car look more muscular.
If I stick with the 16" wheels, I'm sure I'll steer towards Michelin.
Oh yeah, I like the Kia Sorento a lot. I haven't seen it in person yet, but I think it's going to single-handedly turn Kia into a real player in the NA auto market! Looks like a muscular Lexus RX300 to me.
However, in fairness to the Affinities, I did check our tire pressures a few days ago. They were in the 28-29 psi range, so the dealer probably delivered them at 30. The door decal recommends 35, and were therefore underinflated by a significant amount.
Nice having the on-board air compressor to top off the tires. But with the open chuck design of the air system, it is hard to get a good reading using the guage that is built into the hose. One has to fill it about 10 apparent psi higher than you want, turn off the compressor and remeasure. It will then be just about right. (The in-hose gauge values are about 1 psi off from my Accugage when the compressor is turned off. So that is pretty good.)
If you guys are satisfied with the Affinities then that's cool. I'm trying to be scientific with the comparisons.
Then it's off to the several winding curves. Normally I stick with the other minivans and SUVs that need to slow down to take these curves so as not to impede traffic. In these turns I can feel the tires "squat" down and the body roll becomes more noticeable - my passengers always remind me with auditory notes. It's the same with getting off the highway onto those 360 degree tight off ramps. The difference with the LTX is much less body roll doing these everyday maneuvers - not to mention no more passenger sounds Also, the vehicle tracks better - it will not drift slightly on the curves and require a steering correction as I've experienced with the Affinities.
Finally came the weathered concrete stretch of road. Riding the Affinities, I literally cannot hear my radio set at half way or my front passenger yelling at me due to the extreme rumbling tire noise. It came as a big surprise at the difference of tire noise this time with myself and my passengers. I can easily hear the radio set on low (2 bars) and speak at a normal conversation level.
The negatives? Cost is definitely one and the other is I can hear the engine more since the tire noise is down alot - my girlfriend made this observation.
Note: Both sets of tires were running with 35 PSI.
I think you're better off taking the original tires and driving with them for a while before deciding on upgrading tires. You may like or find the them acceptable.
"I see no reason to upgrade from these tires (until I wear them out). "
~Ken