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CAR REVIEWS AND RATINGS
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| Ratings |
( Maximum score is 100 ) |
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| Overall: |
  ( 80 )
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| Comfort: |
( 80 )
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| Performance: |
( 80 )
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| Quality: |
( 80 )
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| Appearance: |
( 100 )
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| Comments |
Favorite feature: |
Never thought I'd use it, but the OnStar communications system is a great feature AND it's free for 2 years! |
Least favorite feature: |
For the price you'd think they would throw in a cargo cover. Mine didn't come with one, but I'm going to call the car dealership to see if it was supposed to. |
Advice to buyer: |
Even with the inline six cylinder engine this car is fast, real fast. Make sure you test drive the Rainier before you buy it. |
Detailed review: |
Wow, rock solid! That's how I rate the 2004 Buick Rainier.
After researching all of the luxury midsized SUV's I reduced the list to the following five; the Lexus RX330, the Toyota Highlander Limited and 4Runner Limited, the Infiniti FX35 and, to my surprise, the Buick Rainier.
I test drove all five again. The Infiniti FX35 drove like a car, and that's exactly the problem. I felt I was in a station wagon. The interior was cramped and not to my liking. Then there’s the price. I wasn’t going to pay a premium for a fancy station wagon. Bye, bye FX35.
The 4Runner was the biggest disappointment as it rattled and lacked the quality Toyotas are known for. Bye, bye 4Runner.
The Highlander reminded me of the RX300 I was trying to replace but the exterior design of the Highlander is so dull that, at the price Toyota was asking, I couldn’t give it any serious consideration. Bye, bye Highlander.
The list was down to two finalists. The RX330 and the Buick Rainier.
The RX330 is comfortable, luxuriously appointed and well constructed. But again, to my surprise, the Buick Rainer matched the RX330 in every category except the interior of the Rainier is not as luxurious as the interior in the RX330. The Rainier handled as well as the RX330 and outclassed the RX330 with its rock solid feel. With both finalists nearly tied, it came down to value and there was no comparison. The Rainer’s rock solid construction, luxury amenities and GM’s financing make the Rainier a true value.
Trust me, I’ve owned foreign brands like Toyota, Nissan and Lexus and things go wrong on their cars too. |
Also considered: |
2004 Lexus RX
2004 Infiniti FX35
2004 Toyota 4Runner
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Vehicle purchased: |
2004 Buick Rainier
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| About This Reviewer... |
Email address: |
Nrund2000@att.net |
Location: |
Coram, New York |
Other vehicles owned: |
1999 Honda CR-V
2002 Nissan Maxima
2001 Lexus RX 300
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Review submitted: |
December 23, 2003 |
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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