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 1 through 10 of 171.00-
wheel bearing eater - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
By jetsetser - March 15 - 12:32 pmWe bought it new, 2 wheel bearings first year went out,under warranty.over the next few years we have replaced 8 wheel bearings total,and now we need 2 more! the air ride leveling sys. went out at 125,000 miles so we had to put air shocks on. the latch for the back went out and the pull handle broke off and it, only opens with fob. the radio nobs coating is all chipped off .the drivers side heated seat is out,the rear drivers side window is unop. the dash has every light lit up like a Christmas tree.
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Very sorry we bought this vehicle - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
By MomofthreePA - December 16 - 5:38 pmWe 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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Getting rid of soon...not soon enough - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
By lkg112 - September 13 - 8:59 amWhen 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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Dont buy an 03 Rendezvous! - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
By Lani - July 6 - 7:07 pmHave had this car for a year, replaced engine, battery, power steering hose, engine belt, brakes, tires need air every month, needs new rear shocks and oxygen sensor. AWD DISABLE light is on, who knows how much that will cost. Exhaust Manifold in these cars leaks coolant into engines causing engine problems, so will probably have to have manifold replaced.
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I am buying a Honda - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
By aj - June 2 - 7:55 pmI bought this with 45000 miles on it and loved it the first 2 years I drove it. So far I have replaced the brakes 3 times (1 front 2 back) then some wire that cost 1.50 but took the dealer 3 days and hundreds of dollars to figure out why it only started when it was cold.The air compresser in back ran all the time and finally I disconneted it. Coolent problems head gasket problems and now front and rear end problems. After 70000 miles this car was getting fixed every other month. It has "nickel and dollared me to death"
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Wont do that again - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
By charlie_m - March 9 - 11:16 amBought in 04 with 25K miles - needed something that would fit a 63 teenage boy. It was great the first year or so, then started nickel-and-diming me. At 125K miles, and nickels and dimes are now up to $1000 repair bills. Poor mileage - gets about 20 mpg average. Cheap interior - coating chips off of radio and climate control knobs No interior release for the rear hatch. Now the exterior release doesnt work. Back seat fold-down handle slips. Cant find replacements anywhere. Replaced both front wheel bearings last year, just replaced rear wheel bearing and cylinder head gasket. Should replace rear suspension knuckles, but Im still recovering from the head gasket replacement.
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Run away as fast as you can! - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
By Alconik - December 1 - 5:30 amMy wife and I loved the Buick when we got it. Great for our 3 boys. Very nice inside and out, then it got some mileage. If you plan on putting more than 75000mi on this car, do not buy a Rendezvous! Great car up to 75k after that: ABS-Traction Control( caused accident as it went out during hard braking), driver window, door locks, power mirrors, switches and engine blew at 103k. Replaced engine and now it is totally impossible to fill coolant at home. Also, it gets horrible gas mileage, worse than my 94 Mustang Cobra! Do not buy a Rendezvous!
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What a mistake - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
By jb - April 12 - 8:50 pmMechanically the worst car I ever owned. The only saving grace was that I purchased the 100K mile warranty. Otherwise it would have cost me thousands in repairs after 60K mile warranty expired. Front wheel bearings (known issue), intake manifold (known issue), excessive inside tire wear (alignments did not help), heater blower (3 times), sheared bolts and head replacements.
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Engine Reliability - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
By JM - February 16 - 10:42 amPurchased used at 33k. Head gasket replaced at 40K at dealer expense. Since then a number of catastrophic failures - 3 different rocker arms and one cylinder head have been replaced. Afraid to drive other than locally. GM needs to stand behing their cars that have these sorts of problems
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Wheres the Power - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
By Bigjoneeee - April 2 - 10:00 amWith most MFGs installing engines of well over 200 HP in there vehicles. the Buick is horribly under powered. Shame on GM.
