Any major problems w/ '03?

Are there any major problems with the 2003 Rendezvous? Or any minor problems. Things you like best, etc. Thanks.

Well, I raved on and on about how reliable our '03 has been and charma slapped me for it :evillol: . As we speak, our '03 is sitting at the shop with the #4 cylinder gone bad (69K miles). We're waiting for the extended warranty folk to do the final approval on the repair :banghead: , which will include a remanufactured head on that side. According to our mechanic, he saw evidence that the same side had been torn apart before and put back together prior to this teardown.

Aside from that, and the passenger side mirror, which seems to work erratically, even after having it replaced, our Rendezvous has been great.

This is the wife's car and she loves it. She has wanted one for years and we finally got one. Honestly, had I researched it better prior to buying, I would have gone for an '04 or later, as I hear they have better reliability than the '02-'03 models. Ours is the CX (front wheel drive, not all wheel drive), pretty basic. Wife loves the cloth seats (we hate leather...too hot in summer, too cold in winter, not comfortable anytime), but wishes for the head-up display, which our Park Ave has and we love that. She'd also rather have the 3rd row seating, too. I like the ride...mushy for an SUV, but I like mushy. We added a reverse parking sensor, which is invaluable for downtown parking and backing up where there might be small children, especially since the rear visibility could be better. That was another feature the Park Ave has that we fell in love with.

We're thinking that in another couple of years, we'll go for an '05-'06 model with front wheel drive, the 3rd seat, HUD and reverse sensors (and try to one with all that, but with cloth seats in it). We do love the Rendezvous and will definitely get another.

Hey, thanks a lot for the reply. My parents just got an '03 w/ 61,000 miles. It seems to be doing well. And deffinatly get the 3rd row seat, I think it gives more room in the back than out dodge caravan (for people sitting back there).

My parents have an '03 that they bought brand-new. It's the most basic one you can get (CX model IIRC?), no ABS, no power seats, etc.. at ~65Kmi it's been an excellent vehicle for them. The only typcial GM odd-ball repair so far is both front wheel bearing hub assemblies have had to be replaced. One side went about 40Kmi, the other at 60Kmi. It's about $500 a side to have a dealer do the repair, half that at an independant shop. An important thing to watch for on the 3.4L V6 is intake manifold gasket failure. You will notice coolant loss which if not caught can cause engine failure. IMG replacement is about a grand at a dealer, half that at an independant shop. IMO- rondy's are ugly as all get out with certain color schemes, others look ok. They are a very practical, versatile, economical vehicle.

Joel

Hey thanks rodeo02. Good info.

Hey Rodeo, when you are talking about the Intake Manifold Gasket, is that the same thing as the big problem GM cars with the 3800 are having? My Park Ave just had something like that replaced (thank God for extended warranties) and my mechanic was saying that it was the same part that I was reading about (on the Park Avenue section), which GM is being sued for, because it fails on just about every car.

And I agree about how the Rondy's look. For most, it's a love-it-or-hate-it deal. I have found that with certain color schemes, it looks very nice and with others, it is awful. I've always been on the fence about our silver w/dark gray lower accent. Sometimes, I like it, other times, I don't.

BTW, when I was researching into some of the problems with the '02-'03 models, it seemed to me that more times than not, the problems (especially with the BCM) were on the All-Wheel Drive models and also on the highly optioned models (CXL). I did not see as many people with the Front-Wheel Drive or CX models posting problems, although I'm sure there are plenty.

just called the dealer to have them due mantince on mine for Wednesday. the i asked about these problems and he acted like he did not know any thing about that. you begin to wonder. I’m glad I have the extended warranty on mine plus the original factory one. But I am coming up on 32,000 on an 04.

Hey Rodeo, when you are talking about the Intake Manifold Gasket, is that the same thing as the big problem GM cars with the 3800 are having? My Park Ave just had something like that replaced....

Hmmm... I'm not aware of too many issues with the 3.8L. IMO- that's one of the best V6's GM ever made. Some were prone to intake warpage from excessive heat from the EGR system. The typical IMG failure occurs on the 3.1/3.4L engines. You get coolant leakage into the combustion chamber and crankcase & eventual engine failure if let go long enough. It's been a problem for something like 10-12yrs! Get the gaskets replaced and you are good to go, they are otherwise very reliable engines.

Joel

Thanks for the info, Rodeo. Our Rondy's still in the shop...we're hoping to get it back this evening or tomorrow...been there since Wed, 8/2/06.

Scratch that...while I was writing this, my mechanic called. Now, they've discovered a problem with the other side and the Rondy needs a new head on the other side, as well and now we have to go through the whole process all over again. The warranty people are fighting it, they have to send the adjuster on Monday or Tuesday, then they have to get a used head, have it resurfaced and put it on, so we're looking at another week w/o the car (maybe we'll get it back on 8/18). And the warranty people don't want to foot the bill for any more rental time.

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Good news is that we're getting new IMG's. :rolleyes:

Before we got ours the head gaskets were replaced, so thats a plus.

..the Rondy needs a new head on the other side, as well and now we have to go through the whole process all over again...

Hey the good thing is you will be all brand-spanking new from the top end up! Especially those pesky (leaky) intake manifold gaskets! The aftermarket gaskets are better than OEM, so you will be good to go, basically a new engine. As long as you keep good gaskets in them these are great engines IMO.

Joel

The wife and I were talking about it last night. I was explaining to her that we have the new IM gaskets, head gaskets, etc. I figure it's a good thing, too.

I had to go get something out of the car and saw the engine compartment w/ practically nothing inside and a workbench full of little parts :eek: . What I'm afraid of is that now that the engine has been torn down, it is going to be problematic. I've heard from people that some engines are great engines, but when you tear them down and put them back together, they are never the same and seem to have problems with all sorts of little things that were better left alone. Have you heard if this is going to be one of those engines? We have an extended warranty that will last for another 3.5 years or another 90K, whichever comes first...so I know that problems in the future should be covered financially, but don't want to have to deal with a very unreliable car that breaks down every second. What do you think?

I wouldn't sweat it topher. This series of engine has been around for a loooong time. Parts, service and knowledge are plentiful.

Joel