Just looking to hear how you are finding your new ride, and especially if anyone has towed (heavy) with it yet. Im still on the fence about one and could use alittle pushing
I'll be watching this thread too. My wife wants one BAD :Brow: Unfortunately, I just checked the money tree.... and it's looking kinda bare today. ou:
Guys, Loyd and Shari have one, dont know if they've towed with it yet but I think that was the plan when they bought it. D.
Send Brad Conley a note......he has one as well, but I'm not sure that he's towed anything with it either..... o No:
my next one I will be watching this thread also - not sure if I am going to go with a Rainier or a Rendezvous Ultra next
Love mine!!! Yep, got one...V8 with Nav package. What a wonderful vehicle. I have towed the open band trailer with a John Deere "gator" on it (about 2500 lbs total weight) and didn't know it was there. I have not hooked up anything larger, mainly because I don't have a brake controller in the Rainer (we have the Excursion and if I tow anything big, we use it). With the open band trailer/gator combo it was wonderful, like I said, didn't even know it was there. I get 16.7 mpg knocking around town...about 22 on the highway if I keep my foot out of it. NOTICE: that is with the 5.3 liter V8. It is very, very quiet, just the right size for me (it's my business vehicle and do lug around some "tools" of the insurance trade as well as my emergency amateur radio "go to" case). I didn't need a 3rd row seat as if we need that, we take the Excursion. It drives like a dream, not truck-like at all. Has a firm but not harsh ride. I have 8000 miles on it without one single problem. Nothing. Nada. I do have a few suggestions for Buick: Why in the world to you build a luxury sport utility and instead of gas shocks to hold up the hood, you use a cheap prop rod? That is stupid in this class of vehicle. Also, where did you hide the glove box light? Oh, there isn't one? WHY NOT??? I hit the reset button for the exit feature on the power seats all the time with my wrist...it needs to be moved or disabled when in drive. Did it twice today. Poor ergonomics (sp?). The dash has about 4 different textures...something on the pad, something different on the passenger air bag, something else on the vent surrounds...they need to get one type of grain pattern and stick with it. Would I buy another? In a hearbeat. It is one of the best new vehicles I have ever owned. Sorry I haven't towed more or heavier for you guys looking for that info, but the V8 version is rated to tow something like 6500 lbs...more than a GS on an open trailer. It does have self leveling rear shocks, so that should help with getting everything level. It is not a heavy duty truck. Don't try to use it like one and you should be OK.
I agree with Brad. Loyd won't be able to post until tomorrow night, maybe. We've not towed - don't have a trailer yet - but I love to drive it! Loyd has it every day for his hike to work, but I love to take it grocery shopping and such. Handles like a dream. Gas mileage is improving with age, too. But Loyd knows more about that. I think Loyd's favorite feature right now is the heated seats, on these chilly mornings. More later.. ShariB :TU:
My parents have a Trailblazer EXT with towing equipment and it handles a GS with an open car hauler with no problem.
WE also have the V8 and agree with everything that Brad has said. The only trouble we have had is the curb assist mirror not going back to normal position. It took some figuring out, but is now working fine. Lynn works for Turner Buick and said that only 2 have come in with any real problems. One was a noise from what was thought to be the exhaust, replaced exhaust system, noise still there. Finally called tec center and found that the hood prop was missing the piece of rubber and it was vibrating against the fan shroud. One other had what felt like trans slip, finally figured that dirt in the trans, changed fluid and filter, it is now running great. They had a few that had the service stabillity systen lite on, just a reprogram of the PCM took care of it. I have not towed with it, I do not have a brake controller. Still do not know where I would mount one. My enclosed trailer is too heavy for the Rainier. We looked at an alumninum (spell check) trailer when we were in Salem, but 16k is a little more that I want to spend right now. I would buy another one! WELOVE IT! Paul
Envoy vs Rainier I'll be watching this thread like a hawk. Narrowed it down between the Envoy SLT and Rainier for my wife's next vehicle. Don't need the V8. I'm emotionally leaning towards the Rainier (Hey- It's a Buick!! :TU: ), but the Envoy has been out there for a couple years and appears to be a few bucks cheaper. Any feedback is appreciated :Smarty: . Thanks
Thanks for all the replies - looks like everyone is fairly happy :beer I would only consider the V8 and AWD as it would be my wife's primary and mine to use when needed, like towing the GS to Salem next year. Have you seen the FUNKY Oil pan with the front axle going THROUGH it on the AWD version ?? Made me go o No: But i guess its the same system used on the Olds Bravada, which was the only one to have AWD vs. 4x4 in the envoy / trailblazer I'd go for the Envoy XL / Trailblazer EXT with the V8 (wheelbase almost the same as a Suburban !!) IFFFFF they did a better job of interior design on the rear seats - the third row is NOT removeable !! that, and the 2nd row seats flip UP instead of laying flat makes it basically unusable for my needs. We dont have kids and I'd want it to replace the nice HUGE flat area my Wagon(s) provide....and my 90# lab loves Id LOVE to see them drop the LS1 (or 6.0 litre Vortec) into it and make a Rainier GS.....but that would sell too well so they'll never do it :spank: Brad - 22mpg !?!?!?!? thats phenominal !!!
Yea, I couldn't believe it either. That is @ 55 mph on level roads. 65 mph seems to knock it down to around 20-21 mpg. The thing fly's, too!! :Brow: :3gears: :3gears:
Bravada = Rainer Hi Guys... I have the 02 Olds Bravada which, with the demise of Olds, is the Rainier. It's exactly the same truck with a Buick front end and some other minor detail changes, otherwise, it's the Bravada. I LOVE my Bravada. I tow a 3500# pop-up trailer with brake controller. You can feel it behind you as you would with any trailer but the trucks' performance is great. I have the I-6. I run 14 MPG at 70 MPH with A/C on and loaded to the hilt. If you are looking at the Rainer vs the Rendevous, there is no comparison. The Rendevous is NOT an SUV and has a max capacity of 3500# with trailer tow equipment (same as the GM minivans). My Bravada is in the 6000# range and came ready to tow.
I have towed with many types of vehicles, the long wheelbase heavy duty Fords ,Chevys and Dodges are the only way to tow. These "MEDIUM" sized SUV's are Socker Mom cars as far as I'm concerned. If you want Luxury in a tow vehicle spring for a Cadillac Escalade EXT or ESV Platinum Edition, check off every option, then you be the MAN!!!! Now if you got bucks to burn TOW with this....................
Like Shari said we are very pleased with the Rainier. Stepping up from an 86 Regal Ltd to a 2004 vehicle was quite a leap. Have not towed, but plan to as soon as we find the right trailer. The V8 has adequate torque for mild acceleration without downshifting, and the 5.3 loves to rev. Was considering it quick, but one blast in the Turbo Regal put things back into perspective. Was only getting about 14 mpg, in the 65 mile round trip drive to work. Up to work at 6 AM the speed with traffic is 75 mph and southbound in the afternoon it varies from zero to 60 mph regulated by thousands of cars ahead. For instance the 1/2 hour trip in the morning took two hours this afternoon, so that is more like city driving. Thank goodness it is not like that everyday. I've noticed lately I'm getting 4 trips for my $30 worth of gasoline, instead of three so it getting better with 6000 miles on the vehicle. Not one problem with the Ranier, and like Brad says is very quiet and handles well. Really like tossing it around the tight exit ramps. The AWD makes accelerating in the rain a blast. Beats the heck out a RWD Regal. The oil change place pointed out a panel under the engine that has to be removed to change the oil and filter. If this is the type of things it takes to make it sturdy, that is a small inconvience in the scheme ot things. Very happy
Would and Envoy/Trailblazer with the I6 (4.2L) be able to tow a GS? I have and '03 Envoy with the I6 that I use to pull a 3200# enclosed travel trailer. I have a brake controller mounted to the lower part of the dash on the right side of the steering wheel. I sure can feel that trailer behind me (mostly when a tractor trailer goes by :eek2: ). The I6 power seems OK but could it pull my convertible GS with a steel trailer? o No:
