Getting Rid of the Rendezvous.

Four years ago almost to the day, I used the money I was going to spend on fixing my beleaguered 2003 Dodge Intrepid and bought a 2004 Buick Rendezvous CX, with the 3.4 liter, 2 wheel drive. The paint scheme still is a champagne over brown with neutral interior that seats five. From the day I've owned it, I've replaced:

1. 4 tires
2. 2 batteries
3. Front struts
4. 2 sets of rotors front and back.
5. Steering rack and tie rods.
6. Control arm bushings in front and rear.
7. Air conditioning compressor.
8. Radiator and hoses.
9. 2 Starters.
10. Too many ignition switches to count.
11. Relamped the dash and radio.
12. Heater control.
13. Heater fan and resistor.
14. 2 straps for the back door.
15. Rear wiper motor.
16. Rear carpet.
17. Stabilizer links
18.  Muffler
19. C/V shaft and bearing.
20. Windshield
21. Headlamps
22. Front bumper
23. 3 remotes
24. Key
25. Liftgate switch and support rods.
26. Power steering pump. 

When I got it, this beast had 129,000 miles on it. And now it has close to 169,000 and still runs. I've driven it to Kentucky, Ohio and Mackinaw City and it has never stranded me, not once. The air conditioner still works but has a leak at the compressor. The stabilizer bar on these cars are prone to cracking and breaking apart and this one is no exception. There is a pronounced noise when turning the wheel and some hesitation when turning the wheel. The front brake rotors are chewed up again, and the tires have had it. Thus far, the body is still in good shape, but this car gets 18 miles to the gallon and only seats five. Despite its generous size, there's not enough room for a 4x8 sheet of plywood, and if we need to shuttle more than five people, we need to take separate cars. The seats in the front are falling apart and have never cleaned right. To get the immediate issues fixed on this will cost more than what the car is worth. Even though the engine and transmission have never given me a bit of trouble, it's only a matter of time before these will start to cause me grief. This Saturday will be the day of reckoning for the Rendezvous, which has served me very well, even when the steering rack broke on I-96, it still got me home. I will write about my new vehicle soon enough, giving a preliminary review first. It won't be brand-new of course, but will be something five or six years old at the most. Maranatha!