Used 2004 Buick Rainier Consumer Reviews
Used Rainier for sale
2...
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Buick Rainer V-8
shadav, 12/11/2011
2004 Buick Rainier CXL Plus AWD 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
20 of 22 people found this review helpful
I have owned several Buick's and this is by far the worst one I have owned. The one I traded in had 143,000 miles on it and was still running perfectly. With the Rainier, I began have trouble around 60,000 miles. The instrument panel had to be replaced, then the air conditioner blew hot air on the passenger side. Then it was the transfer case, then the air bags used in the suspension area began leaking. At this very moment, it is parked in my garage with a broken water pump. I haven't driven it in 4 months. Instead, I bought a used vehicle that I paid cash for to get around town in. It has been much more reliable than the Buick.
2004 Buick Rainier 5.3 V8 - Great Car
DC-in-MD, 06/13/2017
updated 06/15/2020
2004 Buick Rainier CXL Plus AWD 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
** Update - RIP - at 255000 miles. Well Rainier finely made his last trip. at over 255000 miles it still had the original engine and transmission. Never had to touch them. But keeping it on the road just get to be too expensive. Not that it needed any major repairs, but the repairs it needed were expensive. Like Motor mounts... a new fuel pump, valve cover gaskets, and a main seal. The cost of repairs was just more than the car was worth. SAD because she still ran well and everything worked as it should. so RIP old friend I purchased my Rainier back in 2007 with 40K miles on it. It was a Dealer certified used car. I have put nearly 200,000 miles on it to date and other than a few issues I have to say its one of the best cars I have ever owned. Other than normal maintenance items, unexpected repairs were a catalytic converter at just over 100,000 miles (thanks Baltimore for all the potholes) and a failed A/C compressor clutch mechanism. The compressor was working great but the clutch would stop working after about 20 minutes of driving. Other than those 2 unexpected repairs I have only had to do normal maintenance items and repairs for wear and tear. That's to be expected on a car with over 200K miles. ** Likes** Comfortable, quiet and handles like it's on rails. Lots of power and the AWD will not leave you stuck in the snow. **dislikes** wish it had more headroom for the driver. At 6'2" my head is almost touching the ceiling. Wish it also had a manual AWD lockup switch. **Final thoughts** It's a great car, fun to drive and for a V8 AWD SUV I get an average combined MPG of about 17 commuting in Washington beltway traffic which I do not think is bad. One last comment: After 13years of salt and winter driving the car has No RUST. Paint still shines and the body is in great shape, other than a number of rock chips on the hood. Well made car :-) Would definitely buy it again if I could. In fact, I am keeping an eye out for a lower mileage one now. The V8's are hard to find.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Don't bother with this one...
rknack, 10/18/2013
2004 Buick Rainier CXL AWD 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
18 of 20 people found this review helpful
My Rainier is a piece of garbage. Parts are expensive, and labor even more so unless you are like me and do your own repairs - and even then, it is so poorly designed that it is a major undertaking to repair. As an example, the front differential blew up recently and I had to remove the steering rack, axles, AND the engine oil pan (the passenger side axle goes THROUGH the oil pan!) to remove it. Many of the bolts are difficult to get at. It would have cost me $2500 in labor alone to have a shop repair it for me, plus parts cost. I will NEVER willingly own another vehicle in this series again, and if I could afford to buy another vehicle I would. At least it's fully paid for...
LOVE MY BUICK
LOVE MY BUICK, 05/16/2009
2004 Buick Rainier CXL AWD 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Absolutely love my Rainier! I tow a 5,000 pound camper every summer with no effort and no problem. The only thing I dislike is the heat system. Can't figure it out! Love everything else about it. Will be disappointed when have to replace and cannot buy another. Mine is loaded with every imaginable extra. Have read the owners manual more than ever in any other vehicle! Would recommend this vehicle highly.
What an amazing vehicle!!
LAUGH1969, 08/31/2003
2004 Buick Rainier CXL Plus AWD 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
I narrowed my search down to the GMC Envoy SLT, and the Rainier. I decided to go with the Rainier, and I am so glad I did. It is so much more luxurious, comfortable, classier, and sooooo much quieter then the Envoy. Buick did an outstanding job, I would recommend anybody that is in the market for a "Refined Utility Vehicle", as Buick calls it, to defiently look at the Rainier. My wife owns a Buick Rendezvous, both of Buicks trucks are so much nicer then the competition. To me, and to others who drive it, will see how it is a smaller, five passenger version of a Cadillac Escalade.
2...