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I hoping maybe someone that's either seen/driven one or has actually got there hands on theirs can answer a couple of questions I have after looking through the brochure.
I'm pretty sure the third row seat eliminates the rear cargo storage system, the brochure states it's not available with the seven passenger seat configuration, which makes sense, but I also would think the captains chairs with 3rd row seat, (ie... six seater), would not have the storage area either?
It also looks like Buick screwed up the color chart on the brochure. I assume that the chart listed for the CX mistakenly shows the greymist exterior accent color, while the CXL chart actually shows the storm grey lower panels is this correct?
Other than the lingering powertrain issue, I like what I see in the brochure.
I finally drove the Rendezvous and I really liked it. It was the CXL versatility pkg with 3rd row seat and full leather. It had a very smooth car like ride and the road noise was very quite especially since it was really windy today when I drove it. The power was okay, but it's no V8 and it doesn't pretend to be. I'd rather have okay power and 24 MPG then the inverse.
The interior was oak which I thought was nice but my wife didn't care for it to much. The 3rd row seat was very impressive! I'm 5'11 210 and I fit easily into it and it rode real comfortable. I'm waiting for our dealer to get four more in next week so I can see the other interior options.
The AWD option in my opinion is not necessary for most of my driving and with the traction control I feel pretty good with front wheel drive. The price was just over 30 K which I feel is very nice when compared to other 7 passenger vehicles. If you axe the AWD you can get into one for the high 20's. NOT BAD...
All you that pre-ordered, I think you'll all be very pleased. I know I was.
Later,
Another curious point is that the Aztek mpg is listed at 16 city - 22 Hwy by Edmunds. I really doubt the heavier Buick will get any better then that, the physics are against it. Buick is claiming 18-24 for the 4-wheel version. Not really any better then something like the Lexus RX300 which is 18-22. If you want descent mileage in a SUV you probably have to go to the RAV4 or Honda CRV. Otherwise I wouldn't expect more than 20mpg on ave. with the Buick 4-wheel drive. The 3.8L would be welcomed, but the dealer told me it wouldn't fit (if you can believe them).
Some one asked about the rear cargo storage system. It was on the model I drove and it had both captain seating for 2nd row and had the 3rd row jump seat.
Once back at the dealership, we tackled the financing and there definitely seems to be a big difference on lease rates between pre-sell packages and normal orders. The lease interest rate on the pre-sell was 5.25%, and for normal orders they quoted me 9.49%. And the residual with 15K miles for three years was 52%, whereas normally it was 46%. Seems like a rather big difference, and the dealer is hoping they'll start incentivizing the normal lease rates soon. They also had the new brochures there, and from looking at that briefly, Buick has gotten rid of the silver color previously shown on the website, and now has a new Silverleaf Metallic coming later this year.
The salesman then went over the options on the vehicle with my wife, and she kept saying, "Cool!" She loves all the personalization you can do, and she likes the 6 CD changer radio a lot. We also didn't get the 3rd row seat, but she liked the rear storage system enough that it didn't concern her. (We don't have any kids yet, so the 3rd row isn't a necessity.) And, of course, she loved all the storage space, especially the cavernous storage in the center armrest. Not that she'll stick a laptop in there any time soon, but it could easily fit her purse if she so desired.
Now, I'm looking forward to tomorrow when I get to drive it to work and really check it out, then we're going on a trip this weekend and we will get some good road time with it then as well.
Buzzbo99 - Thanks for the congrats. We're very happy with it so far, however, you might want to drive by the dealer to see if they already have it. I found out our RZV had actually come in Tuesday, but they were a little slow to call us as it was their first one and they had set it out in front to generate a little traffic in their showrooms with it. (They did call us Tuesday, but it was a half hour before our salesman left for the day and I wasn't able to get back with him in time to find out it was there)
That's all for now!
To sum up this vehicle...
I personally own a 99 Grand Cherokee Limited. Had the RZV been out when I leased mine, this Jeep would still be on the lot.
The only problem I have is that no one listened to me at the store. We got 2 in (driftwood and pewter). We also delivered 2 yesterday. Now I don't have any to show again =( Next batch won't be here for at least a week.
Jeff
BTW, both had the HUD and tire inflation monitor on them. Both were FULLY loaded except for the middle seat. One had bench, the other quad.
On captains chairs - I have two carseats installed in my back seat. If I were to install 2 carseats in the 2nd bench row of a RZV, I'd never be able to get anyone into the third seat without uninstalling and reinstalling the carseat every time someone got in and out of the third seat, especially with a 50/50 split (depending on the width of the seat, it might have worked with a 60/40). So that's why I would get them. Not sure why your dealer ordered a majority of them equipped that way, though.
If Buick had advertised the special financing way back when, I would have pre-ordered a long time ago. As it stands, now I have to wait who knows how long, and pay regular interest rates (I didn't use my PIN). Why is there no information on these incentives?
Does anyone have specific information on the special financing incentive? Is it available to GMAC purchases as well as leases? Did they extend the pre-sell period through May? It might still be possible for me to apply my PIN to my order!
"BY" - Congrats on your Rendezvous. It's great that you're excited and not feeling any buyer's remorse. I think you're essentially right on the disappearance of the 3rd row seating from your vehicle. However, I don't think that it was restricted to "presell." It just looks like once upon a time they were going to include the third row in the Luxury package and now they don't. I know I had to code the 3rd row as an option separate from and in addition to the luxury package in order for me to get it on my CXL order. Your order must have gone in under the "old regime," and when they got around to building it the 3rd row was no longer included in the luxury package, but your order had no 3rd row option code to compensate for the change. My concern for others is that the last time I checked, admittedly quite some time ago, both KBB and Edmunds were still incorrectly including the third row seating in their descriptions of the 1SE luxury package for the CXL. I'm glad your wife thinks so much of the Rendezvous is "cool." I'm sure my wife will react the same way. Please forgive my curiousity, but what exactly about the 6-disc radio did she like so much? Is it the radio itself, the sound quality, etc. or is it specifically the disc changer? Since this is the one option in my order with which I am least thrilled, I'm honestly trying to pin down what value I'm getting for the extra $395 MSRP over the standard CXL (not CX) sound system. Thanks for your help.
"Buzzbo" - Man you've got to be aching after getting your order in so early. I really hope your's comes in soon. I thought for sure you'd be the first. By the way, I'm envious of everyone whose cities have some Rendezvouses in already. There are still none to be seen yet here in deepest darkest N.E. Indiana.
Tony - Thanks for the heads up that the brochure is out. I picked one up, and you may be right that they flipped the Storm Gray and Graymist colors on the chart. If not, the Storm Gray certainly looks nicer than the supposedly uplevel Graymist. It's a pretty good brochure, but like you've said earlier confusion (or at least uncertainty) still reigns in the availability department. While you have to order a "package" to get a CXL, note that the brochure lists no packages on the data page where they list optional equipment. So there's still no definitive list of package contents. I also note the the "touring" tires are nowhere to be seen among the options and that they have "late availability" for the optional "self sealing" tire. How do you have late availabity on a tire for Pete's sake?
"Wcammack" - With regards to chrome rims, I'm assuming that means you ordered a CXL with the luxury package. If so, chrome rims are one of the (not many) items that are included in the luxury package but not the Versatility or Security packages. I hope you don't mind my asking, but since you're now switched your order to the standard CXL rims, how much of a price break did your dealer give you? Thanks.
"Johnl5 and/or jlschmidt" - In what way was the Rendezvous' speedometer confusing? I mean, it looks like a round dial with a needle and MPH around the outside. What am I missing? P.S. you appear to be the same person, and I thought Edmunds frowned on people having more than one townhall ID.
"Jaynedough123" - If the MSRP on the loaded Rendezvous was $32,700, then it wasn't a loaded Rendezvous. A CXL with Versatility package and a sunroof gets you to $32,750, and we haven't even begun with the memory package, heated seats, chrome rims, cd changer, and head's up display. Nonetheless, I would be the last to say that a Versatility/Sunroof Rendezvous wouldn't at least "appear" to loaded.
Last but not least,
"Ruski" - Why would you want a floor shifter in a Rendezvous? I just love that guy.
CWJ
CWJ
If Motor Trend found that confusing, well I guess they have to write about something.
Thanks for checking out "every other car on the planet." That's one more thing I can take off my to-do list.
CWJ
Tell me - what are advantages of a steering column mounted shifter (other than allowing for a front bench)?
I too like a floor shifter in a Jaguar or 300M or Grand Prix to mention cars we've both owned. But in a SUV or crossover vehicle or whatever you want to call it, why bother? I'm not shifting this puppy, and once I've thrown it in drive that's the end. Goodness knows, a floor shifter is not fooling anyone that this is somehow not a van or geezmobile if that's what they want to think.
There's no bench seat, that's not the point. But there IS one fantastically huge and useful center console that would not have been possible if they had used a floor shifter. You should check out how much storage space they've created. I'm serious, it's storage not a bench seat that makes a floor shifter unattractive.
Thanks for responding and keep on lurking
Your pal, CWJ
As for the Rendezvous, I was surprised how good it looked in person compared with the pictures. It's a bit quirky, but I like it. I am just waiting for a test drive now. I guess everyone has their own tastes.
1) In regard to color schemes, it appears the color combinations you don't like are on the CX models as the CX only comes with gray trim. If your looking for an SUV, you are likely looking for the AWD. As a result, you most likely would step up to the CXL where the exterior paint and trim have several color combinations.
2) Either reference similarities to a van or similarities to the Aztec. Since the Aztec looks NOTHING lika a van, you can't have it both ways. For people who don't like the styling of a mini-van, this is a perfect alternative... including the option of a third row seat.
3) While the RZV is definate compitition for the Lexus and Mercedes, IMO I don't think the designers were TRYING to make it look like every other SUV on the road... and the Lexus looks pretty much like every other SUV.
JMO, but the styling is not an issue for me other than the fact that I'm not driving a box-car (AKA mini-van). But, like Dindak, I guess we've all got our opinions.
R5
BTW, could you have been a little harder on the Sedona Bronze color?
I'm a fan of the Mazda Tribute ad campaign. You've probably seen the TV spot or even better the print ad where the Tribute is "Zoom Zoom(ing)" surrounded by Miatas with the tag line "What if an SUV was raised by a family of sports cars?"
OK, now the effect is best in the Rendezvous brochure, but the cropped photo on the www.buick.com home page works as well. Go to page 38, look at the photo and complete the sentence, "What if an SUV was raised by a family of -------------?" Forgive me but my first thought was "...geezmobiles"
CWJ
I didn't think much about the possibility of receiving the scale model but now that it's here I really think it was a nice gesture on Buicks part. For those who bravely ordered well in advance, it must have been nice to see what you had ordered.
Now that they're showing up in dealerships it's not such a mystery but I'll say this, my three year old loves the model and my wife, who didn't think we needed a new car to begin with, actually called the dealership and left a message asking for info on when ours might be arriving.
For that alone I'm grateful...
Finally, he told me that there is no special interest rate for traditional financing...only leasing.
Anyway, with such a good lease rate, it might be financially advantageous to lease the RDV and then decide to buy it or not after three years. Even if it costs a little more to lease, I could think of it as insurance against excessive depreciation.
Time for me to get into anal mode and crunch some numbers...
As for the third row, I think you're right that they've pulled the option as included in the luxury package. And, of course, when we put our order in, it was the first one our dealer had ordered, and neither of us knew exactly what was going to be included in what package. We just trusted the pre-sell stuff that said we'd get the third row seat. No big deal for us, but the dealer has a few coming in that now won't have the third row, and he's pretty upset about it. (Oh well, at least we got the chrome wheels before they got put on hold)
And as for my wife's reaction, she still likes it a lot. She's a bit on the short side, so she likes having a bigger vehicle that doesn't make her feel like she has to climb up into it, and,yes, she does like the radio. Of course, you have to understand that, unlike my couple hundred CD collection, she currently has 6 CDs that she has bought on her own, and she loves having the CD changer in the RZV so she can listen to her favorite music without having to swap CDs. What she really likes is the random play option, where it will play random tracks from all 6 CDs. Of course, there are other options on the radio, like the ability to program in a favorite track list for the six CDs, and then just play those tracks, but I don't know if she'll ever use it.
Lastly, I have one comment about the engine power. The more I drive it, the more I'm convinced that Buick calibrated the engine and tranny to give a very smooth feel to the power in that you never really get the feeling that you're getting thrown back in your seat, but instead, it just seems to be a steady accel. This might lead some to think that its underpowered, but I still feel that the engine does the job Ok, it just isn't set up at all to try and blow you away. As a matter of fact, on our ride up to the B&B, we were on some two lane roads for quite a while and kept getting behind people doing 45 in a 55 mph zone, so we even got some practice passing with the RZV. Again, it didn't blow anybody away, but it did the job. (Although I must admit that a more powerful engine as an option in the future wouldn't hurt.)
BY
PS. Also had the RZV at the beach this weekend, and the wife was afraid I'd get it stuck in the sand, but the AWD was great and kept us moving even in some relatively loose sand.
Brian
BY
BY
No offense Buzz, but I hope mine takes a more direct route than yours...:).
Now that some of you are actually getting your orders, I'm anxiously awaiting your real world testimonials.
JP
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/firstdrive/46042/article.html
Drew
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BY
I found the RDZ card site and completed the puzzle, but can find no links to "pre-order" or "pre-sell" forms or information.
JMO
R5
Buick has a beautiful vehicle on their hands but not with the current displacment. A few posts back the Lexus numbers were mentioned and there is a difference, the Lexus engine outclasses the Buick. Most reviews have pointed out that the Rendezvous lacks power. Buick should have gone with the best engine GM makes as it is smoother quieter and after all this is a Buick. With the 3800 the Rendezvous can compete with Lexus and Toyota, until then no. Here's hoping that the Rendevous gets the option of a 3800 in '03 or '04, then I am in... till then the Buick is an also ran in this category and will be seen in reviews and customer satisfaction surveys.
If I wanted a $750/month car payment, I might have considered the Acura MDX. I decided instead buy the Buick and invest $167/month into my Roth IRA and $83/month into my children's education IRA's.
I agree that the 3.8L would have been a better choice for the RDV and probably would not have been significantly more expensive to produce. I will say that the 3.4L is a fine engine with plenty of power to motivate the RDV without any signs of weakness. It is certainly not a deal breaker.
BY - Like everyone else, thank you for the real world reports. I had not thought of the mix and match advantage of the CD changer, and some of the things you and your wife mention sound like real benefits. Please allow me one more question. I've stared at the photos on pages 30 and 31 of the brochure and cannot for the life of me figure out where you insert the cassette when you want to go that route. Do you lose the cassette option with the CD changer?
Buzzbo - Good One! I liked your AARP 500 as much as the "family" reference. In fact, it reminded me that they used an Aztec as the pace car at Daytona, so I guess anything's possible. Bummer that you're still waiting.
Tony - Rendezvous' have finally started showing up in Fort Wayne. I've only seen the Pewter which I seem to recall is your color. It looked very nice. Glad you've graduated to "in transit."
My news is that my salesman called to say that my Rendezvous "Gammera" was built this week. So maybe Fed and R5 should check on theirs as well since we three ordered pretty close together.
Wcammack - Unless they pull a fast one on me and replace the wheels without my permission, I guess there was less to the chrome wheel scare than you were told.
dontpanicz - All I know is that I registered on the Buick web site for information and they sent me a pre-sell PIN. I neither asked for it nor expected it. As to extending the program, I have no idea whether it's to give those who already have PINs a further chance to activate them, or whether they are still issuing new PINs.
pacinpelo - Like I said to Jaynedough123, I wish you better luck with your next choice.
Star Pontiac Buick GMC
326 East Market Street, Route 7
Leesburg, VA 20176
star@starcars.com
Here is the Rendezvous
I checked with my dealer on Tuesday. They have not seen the vehicle, don't have the brochures, and couldn't tell me the status of my order.
Personally, I wouldn't mind if they don't get it in until August as that would allow me to accumulate more GMCard earnings. However, I max out in August and would then start to lose some previous earnings.
Actually, I am looking forward to receiving the scale model for my son. : ) CWJ/Fed, Please let me know when/if you receive one.
Go Raiders!
R5
Buzz