GMTruckGuy74

Thanks for the advice so far. The two I'm looking at are both 2005 MY Rendezvous; one is a CXL, the other is an ULTRA. Not sure if either are FWD or AWD, but that won't factor into the decision either way (ours was a FWD model). Both have heated leather seats, though the ULTRA has suede inserts and memory settings. Both have the HUD (head's-up dislay) option, so that makes me very happy. The CXL is listed with a rear seat DVD system, which will make the wife happy, but the ULTRA has a NAV radio (can anyone tell me how this option works?). The CXL is Black/Gray with Gray interior (just like our '03), the ULTRA is Cappacino Frost with Beige interior (I prefer this color combo more). The best part is both dealers are GM Certified Pre-Owned, so there's reassurance from either Rendezvous. The wife has not yet responded to my e-mails about whether or not she wants to look into either of these two vehicles, but I think she'll want to. The big problem is we're going to the NYIAS next week, so I'm sure she'll feel tortured looking at the cars she really wants to get (Enclave, CTS, S40/V50).

The wife anad I are currently reviewing our financial status and trying to decide what is the amount we are comfortable paying per month for a new vehicle when the Envoy lease expires soon (August). Of course small and cheap would be best (a loan amount not exceeding $20K), but there isn't much out there she likes at that loan amount (she really wants a 2008 Enclave, CTS, S40/V50, or a VUE, just so you know). We don't have a large enough down payment, so even looking at a $23-$24K MSRP would be stretching it. She's not fond of the Malibu ( ), so don't suggest that, and we already are leasing an AURA, so that's out of the question. Anyway, as we were talking yesterday, she brought up looking into a used vehicle. She really liked her 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GT Sedan and her 2003 Buick Rendezvous CX FWD (both were leased). I haven't found too many GP's (2003) that I'd consider, but have found two 2005 Buick Rendezvous CXL models with just under 30k on the odo, pretty well loaded, and both a tad under $20k in asking price. So my question is here, how are the 2005 Rendezvous? Our '03 had problems with the sunroof and the tires wearing out around 28k, but other than that it was good. I didn't care much for the 3.4l V6, but the wife was happy with it and this would be her daily driver. Would you recommend a '05 Buick Rendezvous as a used purchase? I need as much input as I can get. A big thanks in advance to all that come to my aid.

PCS, you need to make a correction on the date - it is scheduled for Friday, May 9th. If all goes well, I will be there again this year (by "all goes well", that means if my employer grants me a personal day, seeing as how I will be at a conference on the 7th and they've already granted me that day off - otherwise, I may just have to call out "sick" ).

You stole my answer! While I would also go back to 1956 to get my hands on a '56 GMC Suburban Carrier pickup and a '56 GMC factory-issued 4WD 100 stepside pickup, 1957 would satisfy many of the GM love affairs I have - '57 Pontiac Star Chief and Bonneville Convertible, '57 Pontiac Safari (Nomad), '57 Chevy Bel-Air Sport Coupe, '57 GMC Suburban Carrier/Suburban Carry-All/'57 100 Deluxe trim 2WD Stepside/'57 100 4WD stepside pickup, '57 Buick Caballero/Century Station Wagon, '57 Olds 98 Sport Coupe/88 J-2 Convertible/Fiesta Station Wagon I'd be a happy collector for sure!

Okay, I guess I'm in the minority here, but I really like the looks of the '99 Concept GTO. I will say that some aspects of it are too cartoonish and outlandish, but you have to remember that other Pontiac concept vehicles from the '90s followed the same formula (look at the '97 Pontiac Rageous and the '98 Montana Thunder for proof). If you toned this Concept GTO down a bit, gave it more production-like exterior features (a real front bumper, for example), then it wouldn't be as bad as many of you think. I definitely see the '68-'72 A-body in it's design, with the '66/'67 GTO showing up in the rear design (namely taillights). This would have been one Pontiac I would have desired to won if it was produced.

I really like the classic iron in that picture - the '57 Chevy pickup - even if it's jacked up way too high

Both Saab's are very good looking, but I like the 4-door one better. I could see myself owning the Hummer Hx (H4) without any reservations Thanks for the pictures and posts to date. It's helping me be patient until I can get there next Tuesday!

I found the '69 Cadillac Sedan DeVille by Matchbox the other day when I picked up the "I Am Legend" DVD at Target:

TED, I too have always liked the Achieva design (btw, the '92 Achieva SC coupe has the distinction of being the very first "new" car I got to take out on a test drive!). The purple one is nice, and for $500/CAD isn't a bad deal, BUT the blue one is so much nicer looking. The aluminium rims, the sportier styling (spoiler, front bumper w/ fog lights), and the color would make me want that one. But you don't want to through your money to waste, and if the seller isn't willing to certify it, must mean that he knows it won't pass. Buyer Beware! I have a small amount saved up that the wife doesn't know about I've been casually looking at each week's Auto Shopper magazine, just browsing. Seeing as how it's extremely unlikely I won't be getting a new 2009/2010 Sierra Crew Cab Z71 4wd, I started looking at early '90s Sierras for sale (I figured one in good condition that I could use for local driving and occasional long-distance runs might work out, while having a family hauler for most of my daily needs). I found a '93 Sierra SL regular cab with 59k on the odo for under $2k. I went to look at it and unfortunately it was 2wd, V6-powered, and was a very base-equipped truck. Though it was nice looking and the dealer was willing to negotiate on the price, I knew if I drove off in it, next week a 4wd/Z71 regular cab SLE would pop up! Patience does pay off in the end, as my dad would say. Get the one that you truly want is my advice.

I for one love this vehicle, but when it comes down to it, I'm not the "target market" since I need a vehicle that can handle at least 5 people at one time. If I had the luxury of financial bliss, this car would join the stable in no time. So far I really like the G8 Sedan, LOVE the G8 ST, and really LOVE the Sportwagon that we're unfortunately not getting So I'm all for the G8 ST, but because I don't have the cash to justify a 2-seat vehicle purchase with my family transporting needs, my admiration of the ST means absolutely nothing to GM. However, if the Denali XT concept were to be produced, I would do what I needed to do in order to park that in my garage ASAP. :AH-HA_wink:

Well, I'm in the same boat as you (needing 4-doors for family hauling), but I'm praying that GMC comes through and offers a production version of the Denali XT concept. However, if I could manage with a 2-seater I'd be all over my own G8 ST in a heartbeat!!!

I really love this trucklet very much. Camino, I will be jealous when you get yours! I'm hoping GMC comes through and builds the Denali XT concept, as I need the extra row of seats (family hauling). If I could manage with a 2-seater, I too would be finding a way to get my hands on a G8 ST.

I love how the media, and most (not all) auto enthusiasts, say you are less of a man should you not be changing your own gears.

Okay, I've followed Pontiac's concept cars throroughly throughout the '90s and into this century, have many books on Pontiacs and Pontiac's concept vehicles, but I've NEVER heard of the Tomahawk before. Can you provide some additional info, like year it was shown, and/or a link??? TIA

I have to ask, and I am truly not trying to start any trouble here by saying this, but will Saturn get a coupe version of this for the SKY???

Yeah, unfortunately, I can too...

I submitted "Trans Sport", as a couple of others here did too. That was the Pontiac "people-mover" and while it wasn't Pontiac's hottest seller, i'd bet not too many will remember it as a minivan, as "Montana" (stupid name btw) was used more since it's '97 re-introduction. And even though the G8 ST is not a people-mover, I think the name "Trans Sport" fits it well... being able to transport whatever you need (in the bed, within reason) and being able to handle and perform well (car-like qualities). Now hopefully someone else (not just here at C&G) is more creative and comes up with a brand new name for this vehicle that represents it well. I think historical Pontiac names need to remain in "history" and not reused while trying to re-image this brand.

QFT. Before my wife and I were married, I was the one picking out the cars we'd buy/lease. At first, she didn't really mind, but then she had to go and develop a taste on her own! She really liked her '00 Grand Prix GT Sedan, and then when that lease ended, she got a '03 Rendezvous that she really liked too (I liked it, but not the tires nor the 3.4 V6). In late 2003, due to plans to move the following year that would add to her commute, we decided to share our leased vehicles to balance out miles. When the Rendezvous lease ended, she wanted a Terazza or Montana SV6, but the leases plain out sucked on them. An Envoy was more in our lease price range, and it was what I really wanted anyway. She was okay with it for a couple of months, then the truth came out - she really didn't like driving it at all. So she drove the '04 Malibu more, and to-date drives the '07 AURA more. Since the Envoy lease is up this August, and we can't agree on which vehicle to lease ("share"), we decided to go back to "his" and "her" vehicles again and I told her she can get whatever she wants as long as it's not a Toyota/Lexus/Scion product ( ). Our problem now is that her tastes lean more to expensive cars, and due to our financial situation she needs a dose of reality and look at lower priced vehicles ($26-$27k MSRP is the range we should not go over; what's she looking at? The Volvo S40/V50 at $29-$30k, the CTS at $35-$36k, and the Enclave at $36k). Since GMAC is not offering a great pull-ahead offer (only waiving 2 months of payments until 3/31) and I won't pay to get out of my Envoy lease, we've only test-drove so far the Enclave, VUE, and S40/V50 and didn;t get prices. I will say though that I don't feel that the S40/V50 are worth more than their MSRPs, and that's what she really likes overall. Maybe some more GM vehicles will appease to her at the upcoming NYIAS next week, especially since we get the GM Supplier Price discount and other bonuses that go along with that program. And I agree with empowah and The O.C., $6k out-of-pocket for a lease is throwing money out the window that you'll never see again. At least with financing, you're aiding your equity in the car with that kind of down payment. The most I've ever put down on a lease is $1500, and that includes about $500 or GM Card Earnings. It's money you'll never see again, better rethink about leasing and go with financing, especially if you're going to keep the car over 3 years. Just my :twocents:

Olds Guy, your posts are very valuable. I look forward to seeing what new collectibles you've found, that way I know I need to go out and look for myself. If you've been holding back on posting other GM collectibles you've found, please post ASAP And I've been trying to find out what new releases are coming from both Hot Wheels and Matchbox for 2008 with no luck. Any help?

While out running some errands tonight, I took the little guy to Toys R Us and I ended up finding my own '73 Chevy wagon, and a really cool new series by JL called "John Deere" - I picked up the '50 Chevy 3100 Panel Truck: It seems there's a new Truckin' America series... have to keep a look-out for those now too

Thanks for the info Chris! So, what can we expect to see from GM?

Cool find! I'll have to keep my eyes out for that one. Thanks for keeping us in the loop

Drew, I'm going to stand out here and say that you should have all the woodgrain siding removed. This generation of Buick B-body wagons look so much better without the woodgrain IMHO. With the sedan's frontend, I think it would look hot.

I'm liking that red/maroon '89 Pontiac Trans Am. My sister came very close to buying a new '88 Pontiac Firebird Formula (I was 14 y-o at the time), and I spent quite a bit of time in a T/A parked in the showroom similar to the diecast model here. Off subject, the dealer wouldn't "deal" well, so my sis and dad left and my sis got a new '88 Ford Probe SE!

That's a cool purchase. I'd love to build models, but just don't have the skill at painting nor the patience to deal with small parts. I used this one kid/guy back in the early '90s to build me three professional-looking model kits - still have one of them with me today (ERTL's 1955 Chevy Cameo). I've bought some kits over the years, hoping to one day find someone else who does this work on the side. Last summer, I bought resin GMC kits to make the ERTL 1955 and 1957 Chevy Cameo's into '55 & '57 GMC Suburban Carriers. Now I just need someone to do the work for me!