Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to learn more!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
DD
years. I had been in lots of popular culture foreign cars and wondered why the owner
believed they bought something better than American branded cars. Good advertising
methods, I guess. If your car is under warranty, take it to the dealer for repair.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Agree with you that it's stupid the trailer package doesn't include a hitch.
Dealer quoted me about the same price to install one.
I ended up going to a local hitch place instead. They installed a DrawTite class III and wiring plus insert & ball for $259.72.
Couple comments -
1) Installing the hitch actually involves removing the back bumper. I thought this was odd but verified it with the Buick dealer, DrawTite, and another hitch place before going ahead with it. The reason is the hitch bolts to the back of the car behind behind the bumper. In the words of the local hitch place, it's not as complicated as it may sound. However, if you're a do-it-yourselfer, be prepared for a little extra work.
2) When checking local hitch places, the choice came down to a DrawTite class III or Reese class II. I had heard some horror stories about the Reese class II. Specifically, that it isn't "perfectly" designed for some of the bumps / indentations in the body of the car. As a result, you need to push in some of the car body bumps. I think Reese might have adjusted their hitch but still could never get a consistent answer from both Reese and the local hitch places on what part number should be installed. Made the decision to go with DrawTite real easy.
Good luck!
I use my '03 RDV (with trailer towing package) to pull a 1,000 lb pop up camper. The car tows it pretty smoothly. There are only some real minor tugs when accelerating, going over bumps, etc.
We are considering upgrading to a larger pop up that would weigh about 2,000 lbs. I am concerned that the car will tug more and that I'll now know it's back there.
I know I'm well within the 3,500 lb limit but am interested in some practical, real-world experience.
So... Does anyone use their RDV to pull about 2,000 lbs and how much do you know the trailer is back there with tugs, etc?
Thanks!
I decide to place an order for the GM hitch, I felt more comfortable. It does not mean it will be better but I hope so. It was like passsing a blank check to GM. Hopefully I will like it and the assemble can be easier.
P.S. Maybe it was psychological, but I truly believe my mileage increased after I put in this synthetic oil.
From Automotive News
The 2004 Buick Rendezvous Ultra, which will start production in the first quarter of 2004, will have an all-new aluminum 3.6-liter, V-6, variable valve timing engine.
The engine, which will first appear on the 2004 Cadillac CTS, will produce 245 hp, which is 65 hp more than the current Rendezvous engine.
The Ultra, which is a new version of the Rendezvous, will have a monochromatic exterior and a body-colored grille. The interior will feature chrome accents on gauges and dials.
They also indicated that there are lots of problems with power equipment (if I remember correctly). So what types of power equiepment are people here having problems with?
No complaints electrically on my '03 to date....some have problems with the key fob distance.
Two early well-reported problems (from both of which gamera suffers) were clocks that steadily lost time, and the memory in the side view mirror motors. The time loss in the clock is very slow (about two minutes a month) but just fast enough to be noticable and thereby irritating. The side view mirror motors work just fine, but the memory positions are not exact. I have the right hand mirror look down in reverse feature turned on. When I put Gamera in drive the mirror goes back up. Apparently the mirror each time returns to a position just barely above where it had been previously because over time I eventually notice that the right hand mirror has to be readjusted downward. I assume that these might be classifed as power equipment problems.
I guess I should get these fixed before Gamera's warranty runs out.
CWJ
The RDV is high on my list to replace my Camry. I am planning on waiting for the 2004 with the new engine. Maybe they will add a flip up glass in the back too.
I thought I read the 2004 will be at the autoshow later this month.
As for CR, I think it is a good guide but not gospel. My Camry is highly rated and is a great car. However I had a number items fail during the warranty (clutch, water pump, oil seal, brakes...) Must have been a Friday car...
The hitch looks very good in the RDV, without the truck look. It is very well integrated.
And what exactly is the applicable date for rebate eligibility--the date I wrote a check for $1000 for a RDV my dealer had located for a swap at an out-of-state dealer; or when I picked it up two weeks later (at my dealer), gave him a cashier's check for the balance, and drove it away?
Everything great so far with our red CXL AWD. Replaced a 17-year old Volvo 240 with 250K miles; hadn't realized how much things had changed in all these years! Looking forward to taking it from New England to NC next week.
I got 3000 rebate PLUS $500 Golf rebate. TOTAL $3500.
In addition I got a flat 10% discount from the total MSRP (including Tranportation) $35K, another $3500.
Total discount $7000.
In total I ended up at about $31, 500!!!! for a luxury crossover vehicle! It really isn't a pure SUV. It is just what it is advertised as, look of an SUV, cargo space of a minivan, and ride and feel of a luxery sedan. If that's what you are looking for wait for the right deal and the RDV is fantastic.
Some people don't like the looks, but every co-worker who has gone out to lunch with me in it has fallen in love with the interior (beige). They all also say how deceptive the interior space is when looking from the outside. It's so roomy.
Going from my 2000 Blazer, our young family loves the RDV.
Anyone else with rebate info on a recent purchase (Feb '03) will be very much appreciated.
Your information may be very helpful in a dispute with a dealer over the rebate I think I should have received on our new AWD CXL, which so far is even better than we'd hoped for.
Many thanks. -Wampanaug
CWJ
http://www.velocityjrnl.com/jrnl/2004/vmd9540ml.html
Looks Sweet!
A loaded Rendezvous AWD CXL Plus stickers for $36,500, give or take a $100, so the Ultra should come in at about $38,500 to start and $40,500 fully loaded.
Don't get me wrong, my point is that for the price I paid compared to any other luxery crossover SUV, I got a hell of a deal and am driving in style. The 185 ponies seems very lively and excellent in the city. Even loaded with four adults it doesn't feel sluggish around town. But if I'm gonna pay $40,000 for an SUV the Murano and lexus are much better overall.
I like the new Ultra look, but I kinda like the bit of rugged look my driftwood and greymist combo has.
philly88 - I agree with you. MSRP is about $35,500 for a CXL with 1SD and moonroof right now, which translates to a street price of about $29,500.
Personally, I don't think the new engine is going to add much to the bottom line since it's one of GM's new universal engines, which will be mass produced and used across many platforms.
My guess is the new engine, imitation wood trim, and a couple more bells and whistles will add no more than $1,500 to current pricing. So a fully loaded, 2004 should have a street price of about $31,000 or $32,000 (depending on incentives).
Any more than that and the imports start looking more attractive...
http://www.autonews.com/page.cms?pageId=306
I noticed that the dashboard panel lacks a rear hatch release button (normally next to the rear wiper button)...could it be that the RDV finally has a handle on the rear hatch?
The interior of that model looks like a light parchment colour...very attractive.
The wood dash appears to me moulded around the edges...an improvement over the aftermarket stuff, but it still looks tacked on (openings around the radio, HVAC, and headlight controls).
Overall, a very nice package. Now that the RDV has a powerful, high tech engine and fake wood, there is nothing to distinguish it from the MDX...except of course, value.
Can't wait until the specs are out and the "authorities" drive it again. Hopefully, GM will put some better tires on the Ultra too.
IMHO, the fake wood looks okay, but still fake looking. Better than the plastic brushed nickel though.
Saw the bait you left on the other board for our friend. He was actually smart enough to not take it. He really does like getting a rise out of people.
---Loving my '03 RDV, only wished it had a back latch opener!
CWJ
I test drove one like that, and it is very awkward. But the color and model I wanted was scarce, and I had to get it shipped from another dealer. Only one around like I want for 1000km. When I got it it didn't have the electric release, just the keyfob and dash release. I think my RDV was made very early in the 2003 model year, and all newly asembled ones have the electric release in the rear hatch.
As far as the wood grain goes, I never liked wood in or on cars ever. Luxery or not, I just don't like the look of wood. I would much prefer metallic accents and would actually not buy RDV Ultra just because I couldn't live with the wood inside.
cwj - I agree with you on the external similarities (especially the flanks and C Pillar area). As I understand it, it is a completely different platform (it is RWD biased)...but I'm not certain.
CWJ
2004 Buick Rendezvous Ultra
Steve, Host
If Buick wants to enter the next level in luxery, they better come out with a whole new vehicle that better compares to the imports. Leave the RDV for those of us who can see the value of an entry level luxery vehicle that says quality and style while being affordable to those who don't want to spend $45,000.
The RDV still has one significant shortcoming that prevents it from stealing sales from the imports...namely, advanced safety features like VSC, force limiter seatbelts, side curtain airbags, etc.
At $28,000 well equipped, it's a tremendous value for entry-level luxury shoppers, but it is not state of the art enough to sway folks with $40,000 burning a hole in their pockets.
No way without the safety features will it compete with the Lexus/BMW/Mercedes/Volvo crowd.
I believe that if they wanted to extend the RDV line to that, rebadge it in Cadddy clothing and soup up the safety features. That division still needs a crossover design.
I'm still shopping, and AM looking at the Ultra alongside the XC90 (Volvo) and the SRX. Am in the mood to wait, so I can drive an SRX, get all excited, decide that I'm just too cheap, and then buy the Buick.
Am really glad to hear from happy RDV drivers. Buick has gottan a bad name over the years, but I thought this vehicle was a good idea. Obviously, it is, as Volvo, Cadillac and others are taking aim at this "segment." And look at all the success the wagons seem to be having (Passat wagon, Subarus, etc.)
Then, my wife went and had a baby on March 12th, so I was a little preoccupied.
But now, I (and the wife and daughter) and my Rondy are back with our bookmarks fixed. Just caught up with all the chatter.
Glad to be back.
What is it?
Visit that link to see the GM Canada's SRX site. Its a new model SUV.
I don't like the new Cadillac style. I think it will loose its trendiness quickly. You don't see many CTS's on the road, and they've been out for a while now, are affordable, and were supposed to launch the new style. And the cost of an Escalade is silly! Buy a Yukon istead and save $20,000. Same truck and the Escalade does not say luxery design.
I am also getting very comfortable with the ride. This is my third SUV in six years and the RDV is the most comfortable SUV I've owned. Who needs to feel the pavement?!? If I wanted to feel the road I would buy a sports car.
So what are you planning on using your Rendevzous to do this spring and summer?
I'll be needing my RDV to hit the local IKEA. My girlfriend is moving and in need of some things for the new place. Looks like I need to carry a full-size bed frame, a chest, tv stand, folding and tray table. Will all that fit with the 2nd and 3rd rows folded down? I think so - will find out :P
Also have some camping trips planned so the hatch will be jam full of gear. When the fruits ripen, I will be heading out to some farms for hand-picking pears, apples, strawberries, peaches - making full use of my cargo mat.
If you need help removing the 3rd row just let me know... I only had mine in for about 2 weeks and I keep it out permanently now with just the captains chairs in the 2nd row... makes for an interesting combo but gives me TONS of room for my audio equipment and still enough room to fit golf bags for 4. All you need to do is remove 4 bolts... it's that easy. The seat does weigh a bit though so maybe do a few reps on the bench before you take it out.
Good luck...
~Lance
I'm a desk jockey in my little prison at work so I may need the few reps Maybe go move some big monitors around. How heavy would you say the 3rd row bench ways?
The seat itself probably weighs about 50-75 lbs. so it's a pretty heavy thing.
~Lance
lswaidz - I will look into it, thanks.
One thing about the RDV, you don't see them all over the place. I feel like I am driving a unique vehicle. And for the first time in many years my vehicle is again turning heads. Nobody noticed my Blazer or Jeep. Call it superficial, but I am one of those who likes their vehicle to say something about the owner. The first coat of wax on it this weekend also made it look even slicker!