Overview & Reviews

With just one year of production under its belt, Buick is already making some substantial content changes to its Rendezvous model line. Instead of offering standard all-wheel drive on its upscale CXL model, both the lower-level CX and the CXL will now come with front-wheel drive, with Versatrack all-wheel drive available on both models. Other formerly standard items that are now optional this year include: four-wheel disc brakes, ABS, side airbags, all-speed traction control and luggage rack crossbows. On the upside, both models get dual-zone climate control. The CXL also benefits from an optional DVD-based entertainment system and optional XM Satellite Radio for extra enjoyment.

• Usable third-row seats that fold flat, comfortable ride, lots of options available.

• Paltry engine, swell-looking but cheap-feeling interior materials, options add up, no off-road ability, not as storage-space-friendly as a minivan.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 171.00

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  Decent Car for family - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By craerz - December 20 - 7:55 am

  I bought this car brand new and have kept up with maintenance. The RDV is pretty reliable under those conditions. Whats gone wrong so far is battery leak, head gasket leak, and recently (after 6 years) the battery and O2 sensor needed replacing. The first two were fixed under warantee so NBD. There was also a recall on the rear lift gate. Oh, and now my gas cartridges are shot on the lift gate. The gas milage started out at 22mpg city and 26 on the road, but now were about 18 city and 22 on the road. Not too bad for a 7-seater. In 2005 we drove this on vacation from Houston, to Sante Fe, to Denver and back to Houston. No problem. We strapped a DVD player to the wide console.

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  Very sorry we bought this vehicle - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By MomofthreePA - December 16 - 5:38 pm

  We purchased our Rendezvous with just 16,000 miles due to our growing family. At 24,000 miles replaced intake manifold (it was out of warranty because 3 years had passed since it went into service). This cost $1,200. 12,000 miles later it had to be replaced again, the dealer charged a "discounted rate" of $800.00. Then a window would not come up, and the cost came to over $400.00. At 51,000 miles the first of two wheel bearings went, now the AWD Disable light is on and we are waiting for an estimate for repair of it and yet another wheel bearing. What a nightmare. The car has 52,000 miles and has cost us thousands in repairs, wrote to GM with no response.

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  The most comfortable 4X4 in its class - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By MikeP - October 22 - 8:37 am

  I purchased this pre-owned car recently and Im completely satisfied with the ride, handling and comfort level. The heads-up display and backup sensors are great Buick features. Luckily, I also purchased the GM Major Guard protection plan. The dealer warranty was 60 days bumper to bumper. Within the first 60 days I had 3 wheel hubs (which includes sensors and bearings) replaced by the Buick dealership and a rear differential switch and fluid replaced. You have to be realistic when purchasing a used car (any car) that parts may need replacement and that the previous owner may have neglected problems due to trade-in etc. The 3.4 car can last at least 300,000 miles if maintained.

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  worst carEVER!!!! - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By janet - October 12 - 1:10 pm

  I was very happy w my rendevous until April-2007. After only having the vehicle 1 year EVERYTHING:brakes,minifold,alternator, starter,sensors,motor for the windows on 2 doors,knock sensor,battery,gas tank,door handles,wheel bearing,transmission started jerking, EVERITHING started going wrong,the worst thing is that the warranty had already ended. Finally in October 6,2008 the suv turned OFF on me while making a turn in a busy intersection causing me an accident (Thank GOD my kids were NOT w/me).

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  Like it... - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By mkp53081 - October 12 - 11:52 am

  We owned a CXL 2 years ago and traded it for a Scion xB (BIG mistake!). We have two growing boys (7 & 4) so the Scion was just too small. We got rid of it and bought another Rendezvous. We went back to the Rendezvous because its comfortable, gets decent gas mileage, and has room to haul stuff. The only things we are dissapointed about so far on the CX model is that it is missing a lot of the features that the CXL had. No backup sensors, cloth instead of leather, no third row seat (but it has the option to easily install an aftermarket one), and FWD instead of AWD. We love having a Rendezvous--even without the CXL options--and are glad we bought another one!

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  Big Mistake - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By MP - September 21 - 7:37 am

  Purchased this vehicle with 35,000 miles on it. It was ok for the first year and then one thing after another started to go on this car. It seems to be in the shop every other month and each time costs range from $300 up to over $1000!!!! I am getting rid of this car and most likely wont buy another Buick any time soon!

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  Getting rid of soon...not soon enough - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By lkg112 - September 13 - 8:59 am

  When we bought ours in 2005, it had 41,000 miles on it. We now have just under 88,000 and its going to go when we get it out of the shop, AGAIN. We average around every 3-4 months in the shop for around a week at a time. Lots of issues, including new bearings, VersaTrak suspension went out, wiper motor didnt work after a month into the purchase. Several big ticket items. We purchased an extended warranty--4 years/100,000 miles through GM. We have gotten our moneys worth out of the warranty. Unfortunately, 4 years expired in July and now we have to have the rear differential replaced to the tune of $1500 out of our pocket. Ouch. Bye bye Buick. Not buying another GM product. P.O.S.

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  A TRUE AMERICAN VEHICLE - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By American - September 9 - 10:00 am

  I chose the Buick because it is an American made automobile and I want to contribute to my fellow Americans, help our economy and keep the money on our soil. As an extra bonus, I also bought a better automobile. It has a bigger engine than the others, better looking, was less expensive, much roomier, has a better ride, is safer, is more luxurious and has better gas milage than most other vehicles in its class. I have had it for several days, only paid 20K plus, have already received many complements, am really enjoying the vehicle and am very happy with my decision to buy another GM product.

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  GREAT vehicle - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By powwowron - August 28 - 5:10 pm

  I have over 176K miles on this vehicle and have only done routine maintenance on it until last month when it was rolling over 175K miles and it overheated and I had to have the head replaced, $4K. Other than that it has been a GREAT vehicle and if they still made them I would buy another.

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  Think foreign - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Theresa - August 18 - 2:12 pm

  I loved my Rendevous but at 97,000 miles I have put 3,000 in repairs, and am possibly looking at another 3,000. I am told the rear differential is bad in this suv and that it is a common problem. I am now looking at spending more on repairs than the vehicle is worth. Very disappointed that GM wont take more responsibility for their design flaws. Might make me consider another American car but not at this point.....EVER!