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SUVs Buick Rendezvous Buick Rendezvous Maintenance and Repair
2196 messages, Last post on Nov 28, 2009 at 1:37 PM
You are in the Buick Rendezvous Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Hi, I am considering to buy a 2002 RDV CXL AWD and I would like to know what you think about it. It is hard to make a decision based on the testimonials on this forum. Most of you say that you are having many problems with the cars and the dealerships, but besides that the feeling I have is that you don't regret for the choice because of the features, the comfort, etc. Is that right? I drove the RDV for about 20 minutes and I loved it! The mirrors are huge, but I think I can get used to it. But 20 minutes is not enough to make a decision about an investment like that. The price I got is pretty good (around $7500), one owner, I have the maintenance history and the autocheck. It has about 97000 miles on it. On the maintenance history there are some things that is hard to know the meaning ( I don't know anything about cars). For example: 116 miles - NC PDI RECHECK  4656 miles - BODY-ELECTRICAL, BODY-ELEC. MISC1, BODY-ELEC. MISC2 and there is a message "DO NOT USE!!"  11208 miles - BODY-ELECTRICAL 19387 miles - BODY-TRIM, CAMPAIGN 26000 miles - REPLACE PCV VALVE 31544 miles - INJECTOR SERVICE, DECARBONIZE VALVE, BODY-TRIM, BODY-ELECTRICAL, BODY-ELEC. MISC1 36628 miles - BODY-ELECTRICAL 41376 miles - BODY ELECTRICAL 44964 miles - BODY-TRIM 48637 miles - REPLACE PCV VALVE, BODY-TRIM, BODY-TRIM MISC1 49105 miles - BODY-TRIM 52422 miles - ATF FLUSH 57309 miles - ENGINE--COOLING, BRAKE-RELINE/REPAIR 66856 miles - INJECTOR SERVICE, DECARBONIZE VALVE, ENGINE--COOLING, BRAKE-RELINE/REPAIR 73976 miles - BODY-TRIM, BRAKE-RELINE/REPAIR 95386 miles - ENGINE-ELECTRICAL, A/C REPAIR 96584 miles - CHARGING SYSTEM 96799 miles - ENGINE--MINOR, REPLACE PCV VALVE, U.C. SAFETY/LOF , DETAIL-USED, CHIP REPAIR, WINDSHIELD REPAIR. As you can see, electrical and trim are there several times. The same with PCV valve. There are more things that I didn't describe... I have the last owner's phone but I couldn't find him at home yet. I'm sorry for typing all the details, but I really need to know if it is a good idea to buy this car and I can't afford to spend money on repairs all the time  . The dealership will give me only 3000 miles / 3 months of powertrain warranty. And I have the option of paying around $1400 for an extended full warranty for 3 years/ 50000 miles. I would appreciate any advice from you about that. KtS1 |
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Replying to: kts1 (Jan 15, 2008 7:48 am) The "BODY-electrical" could be anything, wiring problems, BCM, etc. BODY-TRIM is probably a piece of molding or insulation that wasn't quite right, and the fact it was a "campaign" means probably nothing was even wrong with your particular RDV, but GM decided to update that part on all RDVs. Replacing a PCV valve every once in a while is normal. So is flushing the Automatic Transmission Fluid, decarbonizing the throttle body, FI treatment, brake job, etc. Nothing on there really scares me. I would insist the dealer do an ATF flush and a cooling system flush, they're both due around 100k miles. I hope the brakes and tires are in reasonably good shape. Does the $1400 warranty really cover everything for 3 yrs / 50k miles? At what deductible? That seems like a good deal, if it's full warranty and low deductible. If it's powertrain only, it's still probably worth it. How many miles a year do you drive, and, how long would you want to keep this car? Brian D. 07 RDV CXL
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Replying to: bxd (Jan 15, 2008 8:02 am) My budget will be really tight with the car payment and full coverage insurance, so I don't want surprises. And I'm new to the US so It is kind of hard to get good rates on financing. I want to keep this car as long as I can 3 to 5 years. I don't think I will drive even 1000 miles in a month. I have the best references about the dealership. They are HUGE here. But sometimes cars are just bad... I have a 97 Pontiac Grand Am and one day I drove to work and it was working great. When I was leaving 8 yours later the car simply didn't start. The mechanic said it is the timing belt tensioner. It is expensive to fix and I don't want to put more money on it. The car itself worth about $500 in a trade-in (if it is working fine). It is time to get a good car. I would feel better about this car if I hear from owners of the 2002 RDV that it is a good buy.
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Replying to: kts1 (Jan 15, 2008 9:45 am) Im glad you have taken the time to do research before purchasing a new vehicle, very smart move. It sounds like a good buy, and I agree with bxd. The the things listed are nothing to worry about. But just in case I would take the car for another test drive and go to a local mechanic that has a good reputation and have him check it over very from top to bottom. If you do take the vehicle to a local mechanic and it turns out that every thing is in proper working condition and I mean every thing. For example: Rotors, diagnostic, Brakes etc.. It might cost around $150 or so to have this done but it would be worth it. I would also consider purchasing the 100k powertrain warranty if you plan on keeping the vehicle for 3 to 5 years, since it has close to 100k on it already. When I purchased my 02 RDV, I only took the 50k extended warranty, and after reading all the problems many people have had I wished I would have purchased the 100k. My RDV had 79k when I purchased it. Im at 94k and I have owned it for only 8 months, and before the year is over I will have put 20k on it. I realize that you wont be doing that much driving but, you never know whats going to happen 6 mo to a year down the road. Your curciumstances could change considerably like mine did. |
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I own a 2005 RDV CXL with the 3.6-liter DOHC engine. It is the fourth time that the engine looses power to a point that the last time i had to have it towed to the dealer. Nobody seem to be able to find the problem.. Can you help? Thanks 
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LEFT FRONT BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACE AT 33940 MILES. RIGHT FRONT BEARING IS MAKING HOWL NOISE WHILE DRIVING 45738 MILES. HAS ANY ONE HAD THIS PROBLEM
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Replying to: lbatche (Jan 15, 2008 7:22 pm) |
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Replying to: kts1 (Jan 15, 2008 7:48 am)
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Replying to: ray80 (Jan 16, 2008 9:17 am) Kts1 is correct that intake manifold gaskets are a problem on these cars, BUT even a powertrain warranty would cover that. And frankly... even if I had those gaskets checked out and they were good, I wouldn't own the car without the warranty. That's not really a knock on the car, but, any car over 100k will need some repairs and you said you did not want any surprises. Buy enough warranty to cover you during your ownership and I think you will have a good experience! Brian D 07 RDV CXL |
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I posted this in the parent folder, but I didn't get a reply. I hope you don't mind me posting it here again in case no one saw the other one. I need to buy 4 new tires for my 2004 Rendezvous CX with 65,000 miles on it. Does anyone have any recommendations on a good tire under $100 bucks? Thanks again, --jason |
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