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Chevy Uplander/Pontiac Montana SV6/Saturn Relay/Buick Terraza

2869 messages,  Last post on Nov 29, 2009 at 11:25 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac Montana, Saturn Relay, Buick Terraza, Pontiac Montana SV6, Van

#2297 of 2869 Re: 2006 Terraza - Here We Go..... [dirkwork] by jk27 Nov 30, 2005 (1:27 pm)
Replying to: dirkwork (Nov 30, 2005 10:45 am) Dave:   I, too, would love to hear any compare/contrast comments you have between the Terraza and the Rendezvous. I currently own a 2002 AWD RDV CXL but I'd like a bit more cargo room. How does the ride/handling compare? Acceleration (I'm assuming with the 3.9, you have a lot more get up and go)? Creature comforts? Visibility? Usable cargo room? Thanks!   Can you share with us what you paid for your 06 Terraza?   I was doing some research and I was bummed to read this snippet from Consumer Reports on the Terraza:   "The Terraza is one of four freshened GM minivans. As with the Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac Montana SV6, and Saturn Relay, the Terraza is powered by a coarse 3.5-liter V6 engine. A more-powerful 3.9-liter is optional. The heavy second-row seats can be folded and removed, while the third-row seat folds flat on the floor when not in use. It drives very similarly to the Saturn Relay we tested, with a stiff ride and noisy interior. Handling is reluctant. The interior trim is insubstantial. The new snout can't disguise the fact that these are essentially outdated minivans that are not competitive in their class. First-year reliability has been much worse than average."   Thoughts? Other cross-over alternatives with a car-like ride? Replies to this message: dave_justdave (Dec 02, 2005 9:03 am) dave_justdave (Dec 02, 2005 9:08 am) cla1 (Dec 03, 2005 8:24 am)
#2298 of 2869 RE: JK27 - by dirkwork Dec 01, 2005 (10:31 am)
What you are driving now is a good vehicle, and similar to the vans as you noted. The new vans have somewhat improved ride and features but are similar to the older models. Your Buick Rendvs has a better rear suspension design for a smoother rear ride than you are likely to get with the van. But there is a ton of room, and with the new motor, they are not a bad choice. Some people think the sun rises and sets with Toyota and Honda, but they have issues too. Personally I think the Toyota is too mushy riding and pedestrian for my taste (sort of like a big camery, tells people you really don't care your vehicle has the personality of a rock), my Olds seems bolted to the road (rims & tires make a big difference though) and can handle turns beyond what the passengers wish to experience! The GM vans are typically somewhat less costly (watch the options) but have a steep depreciation curve. If you do buy new, hope you keep it a long time. Otherwise, perhaps lease or buy a used one - as the recent deals on new vehicles have hurt used resale to the point you could score big. Replies to this message: jerrywimer (Dec 02, 2005 4:24 am) dirkdaddy (Dec 10, 2005 7:54 pm)
#2299 of 2869 RE: JK27 - [dirkwork] by jerrywimer Dec 02, 2005 (4:24 am)
Replying to: dirkwork (Dec 01, 2005 10:31 am) Are you sure the Rendevous's rear suspension is better than the Terraza's? I know all Terraza's have the fully independent rear suspension. The other GM minivans only get this if they are AWD. Replies to this message: dirkdaddy (Dec 10, 2005 7:54 pm)
#2300 of 2869 Re: 2006 Terraza - Here We Go..... [jk27] by dave_justdave Dec 02, 2005 (9:03 am)
Replying to: jk27 (Nov 30, 2005 1:27 pm) Well, I loved my Rendezvous but with three kids, on long trips there just wasn't enough room. This new 3.9L engine is fantastic - nice smooth acceleration and yet very powerful. I drive on the highway every day and I do not notice the constant up/downshifting that others seemed to notice with the older engine. The ride is quite similar to the Rendezvous - perhaps a bit softer, easier on the bumps etc. Handling is great, the sight line for driving is excellent, there is much more room for cargo, and passengers yet the handling is good and parking isn't much more difficult, which my wife likes. The CXL Terraza has all the creature comforts of the Rendezvous except for the HUD. As one final note, I made sure they took off those Goodyear Integrity tires that came standard, they were horrible on our camry - the new Continental tires seem fine. Dave Replies to this message: dave_justdave (Dec 02, 2005 9:08 am)
#2301 of 2869 Re: 2006 Terraza - Here We Go..... [dave_justdave] by dave_justdave Dec 02, 2005 (9:08 am)
Replying to: dave_justdave (Dec 02, 2005 9:03 am) Just noted the comment from Dirk about depreciation - we leased this Terraza and they do depreciate it heavily over a 3 year period, so if you buy, be sure to get every possible discount going at the time. We had trouble getting a Terraza up here in Canada, but I suspect it would be easier in other cities, esp in the US. I cant share the price as we are GM Family Plan members - my Dad worked at GM for 35 years so we get a slightly higher discount than most could likely negotiate (just my impression - go ahead and negotiate heavily! - GM is still not doing very well these days). Some 06s still come with the 3.5 engine, so be sure you know what you are buying. Good luck. Dave
#2302 of 2869 Re: 2006 Terraza - Here We Go..... [jk27] by cla1 Dec 03, 2005 (8:24 am)
Replying to: jk27 (Nov 30, 2005 1:27 pm) I have read and mostly appreciated CU for years, but have learned to take their subjective assessments as that. We have an 05 Terraza and while I certainly agree that the second seats are heavy and clumsy to remove (my God, who designed these things anyway?)and difficult to adjust fore and aft--I certainly don't find the engine coarse, the trim insubstantial, and the interior noisy. They tend to generalize findings from one "sibling" to all. Plus, after living with this thing a year, we like the "snout" and overall are very pleased with it.
#2303 of 2869 looking to buy an 06 Terraza by nymom Dec 09, 2005 (7:15 am)
Hello,   I test drove an 06 terraza yesterday and overall really liked it. I just have one question? I currently have two children in car seats and have an 04 jeep grand cherokee which i use the tether(spelling?)straps that hook into the roof. Is there a place in the terraza to use this same system or will i have to use the latch system? Any advice would be great. Thank you Replies to this message: dave_justdave (Dec 09, 2005 4:39 pm) nymom (Dec 10, 2005 8:12 am) kcorey (Dec 13, 2005 4:02 pm)
#2304 of 2869 Re: looking to buy an 06 Terraza [nymom] by dave_justdave Dec 09, 2005 (4:39 pm)
Replying to: nymom (Dec 09, 2005 7:15 am) I would confirm with the sales staff but I am using a back seat tether for my little one's car seat (third seat - right behind the seat). There is only one tether location at the back though, but each middle seat has its own location at the bottom of the seat, according to the owners manual. Dave Replies to this message: nymom (Dec 10, 2005 8:12 am) kcorey (Dec 13, 2005 4:02 pm)
#2305 of 2869 NHTSA Investigation by hammy233 Dec 09, 2005 (4:59 pm)
NHTSA Probes Windshield Wiper and Headlight Problem in Some GM Models   December 5, 2005 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a preliminary safety investigation of the Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac Montana SV, Saturn Relay and Buick Terraza because of a flaw that could cause the headlights to go out.   All of the vehicles in the investigation are from the 2005 model year.   NHTSA has received information that the actuating bar of the windshield wipers might cause damage or even cut a wiring harness that results in loss of the headlights.   In a related problem, General Motors issued a bulletin to dealers on February 21, 2005 warning that the wiper motor crank arm could contact an under-the-hood electrical center and "Some customers may report a stall and the no start condition after the wipers are used."
#2306 of 2869 Side Airbags by delirious_car Dec 09, 2005 (7:11 pm)
I noticed that GM decided to add second row seat mounted side airbags on it's Vans's for the 2006 model year, but one thing I saw on Saturn's website was that if you got the side airbags for the second row, you could not remove the second row of seats. This made me wonder, is it really worth it? (put aside the fact that is is a necessary feature for minivans) Replies to this message: jchan2 (Dec 10, 2005 7:57 pm) delirious_car (Dec 10, 2005 9:09 pm) beach15 (Dec 10, 2005 9:56 pm)

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