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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

#2792 of 2869 Re: new features/ van [vince730] by writer Sep 02, 2007 (7:52 pm)
Replying to: vince730 (Aug 22, 2007 2:55 pm) "GM really is falling behind the other minivan makers. The minivans need to add features that are normally standard liking power roll down second row windows and power rear vents STANDARD on ALL models."   No. You are assuming that everyone is "just like [you]" and I am not. I will comment on the power stuff later.   "The safety ratings are unacceptable and side curtain airbags MUST be added. Even if it costs more, its for the safety of our kids. . . ."   What kids? I have no kids. I bought a minivan mainly to carry cargo. If you are just carrying kids, why not just buy a passenger car? Now back to your desire for "power roll down second windows."   I thought you wanted your vehicle to be "safe for kids"? If you want to put kids in the second row seats, then do you want them falling out of open windows?   I buy vehicles with air conditioning and rarely open windows at all. My car (yes I have both a car and a minivan) does not have power windows. You might not know this, but just about every testing group as confirmed that there is no significant energy saving if you turn off your AC and open your windows. In fact, depending on the vehicle, at higher speeds, you are probably getting worse mileage with the windows open.   Also, they are a waste of money simply buying the vehicle in the first place -- yes, you do pay for "standard" stuff like power windows if they are included.   Lastly, they just add more bits and pieces to go wrong. In our family we have had some cars with power windows and just about every car with power windows (even Japanese cars) has eventually had problems with them. Usually it is the little switches in the doors to control the windows that go bad. True, not all the switches go bad. Usually it is just one. But that one is enough of an annoyance.   The same applies for "power rear vents". I have 1 power rear vent in my minivan. I have opened it exactly once, to see if it works. It does. So now what? Am I supposed to turn on my air conditioner and then open the vent to let the cool air out? Is that what it is for? Or maybe I am supposed to play with it until the motor breaks so I can pay to get it repaired. Is that the point? Or is the point to add unnecessary weight which wastes fuel to show off that I have money to burn? (No, I do not.)   So you want all GM vehicles to be the same? Good. Get rid of all that nonsense. Put the money into better construction, better built motors and transmissions, longer warranty coverage. If all GM minivans should be the same, then *that* is what they should be like. Replies to this message: monty8 (Feb 16, 2008 2:07 pm)
#2793 of 2869 Re: GM Vans [ppadpat] by gclemm Sep 06, 2007 (8:17 pm)
Replying to: ppadpat (Jul 07, 2005 9:52 pm) Does anyone else out there know about the Sit and Lift option for the Uplander/Montana/Terraza? I saw it on a GM parts website. It's about $4k. Just wonder if it's easy to install and worth the price. Thanks Replies to this message: schwang (Sep 11, 2007 11:15 am)
#2794 of 2869 AWD or FWD? by gclemm Sep 06, 2007 (8:29 pm)
I'm thinking of purchasing a 2006 Uplander/Terrazo/Montana and wonder if anyone out there views the AWD model as worth the loss of power from a smaller engine vs. the increased power of the engine that comes with the FWD model.   Also, does the AWD perform well in the snow and wet weather as far as traction around curvy roads and on hills? Replies to this message: schwang (Sep 11, 2007 11:18 am) tmannisi (Sep 15, 2007 9:37 am) jpf (Sep 15, 2007 5:04 pm)
#2795 of 2869 Re: GM Vans [gclemm] by schwang Sep 11, 2007 (11:15 am)
Replying to: gclemm (Sep 06, 2007 8:17 pm) I am assuming this is in US $$. In Canada it is $7550   https://www.acc-acc.ca/acc/main/accdetail.asp?partid=2303&orgpartid=544510.    Don't know about installation but it should be simple enogh to figure out. The only part would be getting the electricity to the chair for operation.
#2796 of 2869 Re: AWD or FWD? [gclemm] by schwang Sep 11, 2007 (11:18 am)
Replying to: gclemm (Sep 06, 2007 8:29 pm) I have only owned FWD vehicles and never had a problem in the snow. AWD just means more money when it comes time to repair etc....   As for the traction control in the rain it might be a worth while investment depending where you lived. If you live in a constant rainy city live Vancouver,BC it would pay for its self .... lol
#2797 of 2869 Re: AWD or FWD? [gclemm] by tmannisi Sep 15, 2007 (9:37 am)
Replying to: gclemm (Sep 06, 2007 8:29 pm) We own a 06 Montana AWD. We previously owned a 99 Olds Silhouette FWD. The difference in the ride and handling alone is worth the AWD model. Although the Buick Terraza has the independant rear suspension on AWD/FWD except on 07 models. As far as performance goes, there is not a lot of difference because the AWD has an axle ratio of 3.69 versus 3.29 on FWD. We tow a boat that weighs 3,000 pounds, and I feel the higher number axle ratio does a better job. The 3.9 V6 with AWD would have been the ultimate, but GM did not offer that. We had a mild winter in St. Louis last year, but just playing around the AWD was certainly reassuring!
#2798 of 2869 Re: AWD or FWD? [gclemm] by jpf Sep 15, 2007 (5:04 pm)
Replying to: gclemm (Sep 06, 2007 8:29 pm) AWD is a waste of money for most winter driving conditions. Also, there are additional maintenance costs (e.g. service to rear drive train) that can get very expensive when the vehicle is out of warranty. Invest in 4 Blizzak snow tires and 4 steel rims and you'll be fine in the winter with FWD. Just my opinion.
#2799 of 2869 Re: Warped front rotors on 06 Montana AWD [uplanderguy] by badsaturn Oct 26, 2007 (12:20 pm)
Replying to: uplanderguy (Aug 06, 2007 6:05 am) I have a 2005 Saturn Relay FWD. It is a piece of junk!!!! I've tried to work with Saturn to get me out of the vehicle....no luck, all they do is offer an extended warranty. The van has been in the shop at least 10 times since we purchased it. Nothing major, just a bunch of annoying problems including: brake issues, sliding door problems and other numerous problems. They never have the parts in stock so it requires a return visit to the dealership. It has been one hassle after another! Do yourself a favor and AVOID the Saturn Relay!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Replies to this message: badrelay (Oct 28, 2007 5:06 pm)
#2800 of 2869 Re: Warped front rotors on 06 Montana AWD [badsaturn] by badrelay Oct 28, 2007 (5:06 pm)
Replying to: badsaturn (Oct 26, 2007 12:20 pm) I feel the same. I owned a Saturn SL2 and was so excited when I heard they were coming out with a minivan/crossover. I have a 2005 Relay 3 AWD that has been nothing but problems. It has been in the shop for the past 6 weeks for transmission/transfer case/transaxle fixes, 3 times I've gotten it back and brought it back the same day- 1 time it was towed, this last time it had to be put on a flatbed. Most recently, the car completely seized up going 35mph with both kids in the car- 3yrs and 1yrs old. spun around and came to a stop facing the wrong way in the opposite lane. GM must be INSANE if they think I'm putting my family back in this car! I can't understand why GM would risk a multimillion dollar lawsuit to buy me out of a $35,000 car. THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE I CAN IMAGINE! STAY AWAY FROM THIS CAR!
#2801 of 2869 Not tracking straight by rawiri Nov 10, 2007 (9:03 pm)
Our 05 Uplander consistently pulls to the right and has done since day one. Has anyone else had this problem? Our dealer has done numerous wheel alignments but it hasn't worked. Replies to this message: lilolbrenn (Dec 28, 2007 1:11 pm) morewasabi (Jan 10, 2008 12:16 am)

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