2005 Buick Terraza CXL Review - The Luxury Minivan That No One Asked For...

[@The_gear_head_]

As an 04 kid i used to see these 90s-2010 cars on the road all the time now i rarely see them. Such is evolution, nice to see a car from those times

[@sampik2003]

And it's only get crazier! I'm from 94, and there is cars that were everywhere that just disappeared. Like the cavalier/sunfire, they are rare now, especially in the rust belt

[@stoneylonesome4062]

@@sampik2003 I think stuff like that needs to be preserved, especially the performance trim levels (Chevrolet Z-packages)

[@scott8919]

I was born in 1989. There are so many cars I don't see anymore that still seem so modern.

[@stupidvideos1449]

Because they're unreliable lol

[@frankfarago2825]

In California back at the very early 1970s, there were tons of cars on the road that were built in the 1950s, and a good number of them 1940s models. Loved watching those babies flying by on the Hollywood Fwy. The came 1973, when Prez Nixon had lwoered the national speed limit to 55 MPH. A long time after that -- came COVID.

[@weegeemike]

The Cadillac of Minivans. The only reason Buick ever got a monivan was due to the death of Oldsmobile. This was originally slated to be the next gen Silhouette minivan, but when Olds was killed, GM decided to give Buick a version of its corporate minivan platform. If i were to own one of this era of GM minivan, my choice would be the Buick. #2 would be the Pontiac Montana SV6. I always pronounced it as TER-OZZA but theyre probably isnt a -wrong- way to say it since its a made up word as far as i know 😂😂

[@markhealey9409]

It means 'terrace' in Italiano

[@G-Rated]

My mom had a 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette Premier in this burgundy color. She bought it off the showroom floor and I’ll never forget when she brought it home how everyone in the neighborhood loved it, not just us. It had a tv that came down from the ceiling and a power sliding passenger rear door. I used to love riding in it because my Nintendo 64 was hooked up to it in the back. It was very reliable as far as I knew, and that sliding door was powerful - still worked fine 20 years later. My mom always talked about how amazing her fuel consumption was too. Never realized this Buick van was the successor to it. My parents bought a 2004 Nissan Quest afterwards which actually became my first car. I wonder if Mom knew this was the newer version of her van, she absolutely loved her Silhouette. I think it’s the reason I love *gm* til’ this day.

[@969thewhip]

The Saturn Relay was another rare one on this platform. Just like this Buick, you didn't see too many of them when they were new.

[@Karmy.]

I always get excited when I see one for that reason lmao

[@chynacash3138]

Yeah I only saw the Chevy version and occasionally the Pontiac.

[@lordmaul3]

The Buick Terraza CXL, Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac Montana, and Saturn Relay were produced in the same GM assembly plant located in the Metro Atlanta area of Doraville. The Doraville assembly plant shut down in 2008.

[@chynacash3138]

@@lordmaul3 Most random comment ever lol.

[@lordmaul3]

@@chynacash3138 My comment is related to subject at hand. It's nothing random about it.

[@dforrest4503]

I’m always amazed at how many different V6 engines GM had in the early 2000s. 3100, 3400, 3500, 3800.

[@OhPhuckYou]

I love that you listed them in order of reliability. All decent engines in my opinion, albeit the two former tend to spring internal coolant leaks.

[@jacobyo99]

3900 also

[@issuesexplained681]

Also a 3.0 lol

[@dforrest4503]

@@issuesexplained681 what used the 3.0? Now I think I do remember a 3300 maybe?

[@ATRichard]

@@issuesexplained681 The 3.0L V6 was used in the 2010-2012 (?) Buick LaCrosse, Chevy Equinox/GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX/Saab 9-4x. It was eventually replaced in all of these cars, minus the Saab obviously, by the 3.6 V6 that GM still uses to this day.

[@wr1ght939]

That column shifter is actually really nice with the wood knob lol.

[@puscaovidiu1]

We need more minvans.God save the minivan.

[@trumpet12345]

highly agree. minivan defender for life here. even broke it off with a girl in college when she said no minivans ever or to eve drive/ride in. Gotta draw my line on that one. I'm still quite happier with the van now than I was ever with her lol!

[@mattc9875]

​@@trumpet12345😂😂😂 you had to draw that line!

[@ATRichard]

We had a 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette and a 2006 Buick Terraza AWD. “Cadillac of Minivans”. This was going to be the Oldsmobile Silhouette had it not died with the Olds brand in 2004 (Buick also got the Rainer due to the Bravada going away - I have an 04 Bravada now and love it). I have great memories of going to school and other trips in these vans, long live the 2000s! And long live the minivan.

[@Ben-jz3mt]

Had a gold 05 CXL for my first car. Aside from the AWD not working, it never let me down. Had 194k and still ran and drove good.

[@davinp]

Did you know Buick currently makes a minivan which is only sold in China

[@1985toyotacamry]

And it look super luxury for business folks. And it's rival is the Toyota Alphard.

[@doug6191]

And it's built on the same platform as this piece of trash, dating back 35 years.

[@celsovera91]

The gl8

[@gian3248]

@@1985toyotacamry It is probably more closely competitive with the Lexus LM.

[@1985toyotacamry]

@@gian3248 true I forgot Lexus now have a MPV

[@ronhoover5516]

Man, for an almost 20 year old vehicle, that one is in great shape!

[@JasinMac]

I hate vans but a Buick van with the chrome roof rack.... I'm in love!

[@kevlarazalea]

“this is what they came like” (plastic piece tumbles away)

[@samuelsabo9493]

Call me crazy but I think this is a pretty attractive van

[@bid84]

You are loco

[@lugented]

it looks like a durango, if that's your kinda thing

[@samuelsabo9493]

@@lugented I do like the Durango, but I just like the grill and front end Buick had in the 2000s

[@computernostalgia6293]

@@lugented the 1st gen Durango is pretty bad ass. 5.9 L V8 with 4 x 4. Put some big beefy all-terrain tires on and go off roading. Now I’m in love with the first gens and they look pretty sweet or at least I like the styling of them 😂. I don’t like any Durango’s after the first gen though lol

[@doug6191]

11:44 - "luxury" minivan existed before this. 🙄 2005 was the first year because GM killed Oldsmobile the year prior. The Silhouette was in this same space, along with the Town & Country and Ford's Freestar Limited, all of which had similar features. This particular Buick probably never had anyone use the 3rd row or DVD system because Buick's buyers were predominantly empty nesters.

[@chynacash3138]

The Mercury Monterrey version of the Ford Freestar would have been considered the "luxury" version of those lol.

[@doug6191]

@@chynacash3138 Fair. I didn't consider Mercury as any kind of luxury, but I guess Ford did.

[@damilolaakanni]

Toyota had the Sienna Limited as well which could compete in the luxury minivan segment. It even offered AWD and a power tailgate.

[@crouchb15]

My favorite minivan at the time

[@cameronlovesevolve]

I had a 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette and i can confirm - luxury minivans are the vibe.

[@blautens]

That thing you thought was a bungee cord was not a bungee cord. It was an air compressor hose. It came with the vehicle.

[@themccarthyproject8654]

I own one of these lol, I am 21 and use a wheelchair, I found a good one for 2k 3 years ago, just took out the middle seats and it’s nice and easy for me to easily transfer my wheelchair in and out. I love it, it only has 119k miles as I don’t drive too much and previous owners didn’t drive too much either.

[@themccarthyproject8654]

Well, I didn’t realize this was a 2005, mine is a 2007, but they aren’t THAT different.

[@jeffshadow2407]

​@@themccarthyproject86542007 has the better 3900 V6.

[@chaospxl_]

This aint the Terraza, this is the Buick Zaza, except there is no zaza, only depression

[@mattc9875]

😂

[@scott8919]

I don't get it

[@GregsAutomotive]

This car is fckn great..

[@SoosRamirez1]

💀

[@GregsAutomotive]

@@chaospxl_ i dont understand, this van has nice power to it and nice looking body. Stronk motor tooo. There is literally no reason for depression.

[@computernostalgia6293]

We had a 2008 Chevy Uplander LS. It had the 3900 V6 with a four-speed automatic. It was a great van and still is. We sold it back in 2020 to my aunt because we didn’t need it anymore. My mom got an equinox and my aunt was driving a 2008 dodge grand caravan with over 240,000 miles. It overheated all the time and had a lifter tick as well. So we sold her the Uplander and at that time it had a little over 100,000 miles. Was a wonderful van and it continue to do the same for her! It currently has 194,000 miles on it and is doing perfectly fine with no warning lights!!

[@vinnybruce2874]

I remember this Buick minivan. Enterprise Rent a car it was a fleet van they made the Buick Terraza mini van along with the Buick Rendezvous cross over. The Terraza lasted only 2 years it faded after 2007 along with the Rendezvous and got replaced with a full-size Chevy Treverse that came out a yeal later with a full size suv marked for family called the Buick Enclave in 2008..

[@jeremiahallyn4603]

I never heard of this model until now. I don't know how I missed this one, but I did. Not too shabby for a minivan.

[@jmr1441]

This was a continuation of the Oldsmobile Silhouette, which Buick inherited.

[@G-Rated]

How many of y’all knew this and just never told anyone? Lol. I did not know this. However I’m very familiar with the Oldsmobile Silhouette, that van was ahead of its time!

[@WakkoYakkoDot123]

When i first started watching this channel, i thought the big friggin' bottle was silly... and yet i was glued to my seat for this test! so many twists and turns in 30 seconds! Loved the video, always fun to see the goofy cars

[@ryanfoster9863]

The red coiled thing in the seat back looked to be the hose that went with the rear air compressor. Common to the fancy U-Vans with rear air shocks from the Dustbuster era. The van is very similar to the previous generation, and shared many parts. The distance between the rear hatch and the front console on the floor is 10 feet, and 12 foot items will fit if you put them on the dashboard. Not many vehicles can do that. Still lotsa these and Uplanders running around outside the rust belt. Doraville quality.

[@Jack_Stafford]

I love the idea of a luxury minivan, makes SO much more sense than a "luxury" RV that is hard to see out of, hard for women and children to get in and out, and look more like work trucks than luxury , smooth riding vehicles. That being said, this was the redesign of the uber futuristic "dustbuster" minivans from GM, but you didn't mention if it was plastic? I thought they retained the non rusting, non denting plastic until the end of their minivans (another luxury feature sorely missing from trucks, some which have been shown to literally start rusting while brand new on dealers' lots). Cheers, keep up the great reviews of COOL and unique cars and having the enthusiasm and interest to share them with us other car guys!

[@iluvcamaros1912]

As people have already said this existed partly to replace the Oldsmobile Silhouette, just as the Rainier replaced the Bravada. The 1990s Chrysler Town & Country was also marketed as a luxury minivan but it got dumbed down a bit over the years. GM called these things "Crossover Sport Vans" or CSVs. Which is their term for a Chevy Venture with an SUV like brick nose. The press gave these a hard time for lacking certain Odyssey/Sienna/Chrysler features, like the 3rd row doesn't really fold flat it depends on that package tray to create a pseudo flat floor. The door track isn't hidden below the window but slices across the body. Just small things that made them seem dated even when they were new. I feel like if GM had combined the Buick nameplate with a minivan a decade earlier it might have made a some kinda dent in the market since vans were pretty popular with older buyers who liked the "just right" step-in height and space for grandkids etc.

[@PearComputingDevices]

I owned a 2005 Saturn version of this van, the level III with leather. It was alright, kind of a sleeper. It was ok on gas... at the end of the day it was just ok. For a minivan it very underwhelming and narrow but everything worked. It was definitely a reminder of why GM doesn't make minivans no more but it did as it promised, not much more.

[@lordmaul3]

It's nothing more than a rebadged variant of the Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac Montana, and Saturn Relay. All variants were produced in the same GM assembly plant located in the Metro Atlanta area of Doraville. Several people I know personally worked at the Doraville assembly plant until it shut down in 2008.

[@bradleymeyer9775]

My aunt had a 2005 Chevy Uplander LT, I remember riding in it back in the day with my cousins. The back seat of my aunts minivan was the first time I heard Jason Aldean songs, My Kinda Part and Dirt Road Anthem.

[@OLDS98]

Thank you for the review. There was a Chevrolet version(Lumina/Venture/Uplander), Pontiac version( Trans Sport, Montana SV6), Oldsmobile version( Silhouette), and Saturn version( Relay). You have the Buick version. There were Opel and Vauxhall version( Sintra) too. This van lived on in China as they got it before this redesign. The van is a luxury MPV in China known as the GL8 and Century today in 2024.

[@jish8681]

what i find funny is how this car had i think 4 different versions. the chevy uplander, pontiac trans sport, buick terraza, and saturn.. relay i think..? like why did they need 4 different versions of the same minivan that all looked the same from the outside aside from trim and badges, like aside from buick being the "luxury" model there isn't much distinction in class between chevy, saturn, and pontiac in terms of applying to the exact same vehicle

[@Aaron.Crow512]

And they all sold horribly

[@OhPhuckYou]

​@@Aaron.Crow512They were horrible abominations of a Van. They all had horrible ABS issues, and I find it amusing that this example has multiple warnings for that very issue.

[@jlcii]

I've always liked these vans. It's so sad they were never appreciated. Unfortunately, they were kind of known for various electrical issues.

[@Mr6384]

We owned the Pontiac version of this! The Montana SV6 for Sport Van?!!! While it was very dependable, the dash kept showing me a “low oil pressure” warning light. Ours was the base, entry level van. But that included power everything except seats, the DVD player, cloth, etc. Nice video

[@kevinW826]

Someone I knew in Ontario had three of these all in a row. Each he ran until they rusted out. Here in Canada the Pontiac version was sold as the Pontiac Montana. He bought them as his wife was disabled and they were easy for her to get in and out of. And they were so cheap to get with low mileage. The last one he had was $5000 with 50,000 kms.

[@bwofficial1776]

You never see U-body minivans any more and especially Buick Terrazas. This has to be one of the cleanest GM minivans left even with the wear. GM used to make the most comfortable seats even if everything else was meh.

[@MichaelOKeefe2009]

I remember seeing a MagRack video showing off this thing, back when I first got digital cable for the first time.

[@MichaelOKeefe2009]

It was also in the same exact color as the one in Zack's video.

[@Peaches-N-Mango]

8:58 RIP little black cap that rolled away as you tried to close the box

[@JoshiJosho-mf8oi]

It's the Mercury Villager of the GM world.

[@JDMSwervo2001]

GM was so lazy with their badge engineering they didn’t really attempt to differentiate their models

[@ATRichard]

Like he kinda mentioned in the video, this was back in “pre-recession GM” days. Before they were forced to give a shit about badge engineering or making a truly “quality product” lol. They could just do anything and say, “LET’S SELL IT!” I miss that era because some of my favorite GM cars came out of it…

[@colpitts350]

A summer camp I worked for has a 2005 short wheelbase Uplander. Seats were hard. It sucked fuel. AC was broken. And this was in 2012!

[@juanzingarello4005]

I actually used to like these. These and the Chrysler Town & Country were the only premium minivans out there. And in China, they have a much nicer version called the GL8.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Zack, All these years I thought it was a TerraNza.

[@schnuurtchke]

I remember when these came out I was 5 in 2005 growing up in Ontario Canada 🇨🇦

[@ryanwilliams3369]

I talk my friends into buying one Several years ago. They still have it.

[@jeffshadow2407]

I now have my second Terraza, this time a 2007 CXL painted as an Amtrak Phase 3 SDP40F locomotive. I plan to buy another to convert into a proper Oldsmobile Silhouette!

[@roryj625]

I like these buicks, they're ultra rare

[@loganc1999]

My mom had an 06 Montana SV6. The transmission would always slam into gear either making a turn or going up a hill. I always mentioned it and my mom would follow up with “ITS FIINE!” After 280K miles with absolutely no transmission fluid changes whatsoever it eventually gave out. It took a beating lol I miss that van.

[@Dankcatvacs]

5:40 composite

[@Hobotraveler82]

This replaced the Oldsmobile Silhouette minivan. I believe Saturn had one too. Drove a Chevy version. Its ok for a minivan. 😊

[@Noreed5]

This reminded me a lot of the Pontiac Montana my family had a while back

[@howebrad4601]

Looking at the independent rear suspension im thinking that may have had the versatrak all wheel drive system, which usually came with that suspension in gm products of that era?

[@Vex-zz7br]

maybe some day you'll review a Mercury Monterey. Rare just like this one

[@redneon06]

If Oldsmobile had continued…what would they have called it???

[@ATRichard]

The Terraza wouldn’t exist - it would be the Silhouette. Nor would the Buick Rainer likely have existed. Buick only got those two cars because Oldsmobile was discontinued and the two brands were already so similar in clientele. All they had to do was slap on a Buick badge and grille vs. Oldsmobile and call it a day. I’m willing to bet that the Buick Enclave (or maybe the Saturn Outlook) would’ve been an Olds SUV alongside the Bravada vs. those other brands had Oldsmobile survived. “Oldsmobile Outlook” has a catchy ring to it…

[@DaRealRoachDoggJr]

This is a pretty rare car considering sales numbers and how many are still on the road

[@RERM001]

These were highly successful in West Taiwan. They even made a new gen called the GL8.

[@eddjones9230]

Dude I can’t find a video of driver side door handle replacement

[@celsovera91]

They sell a similar minivan in China called the GL8, which is still being made to this day

[@masonchase085]

The Montana was just like this. Same body, drove a SV6 Fwd sadly not awd. Was 1200$ with very nice GM leather. The dvd player worked but my friend shoved a frozen cd in there & it broke. 2020 was an era. Power steering went out & would lock up like the traverse problems. Was best at 80mph

[@masonchase085]

The air compressor would go off randomly & we were all confused on what the noise was. Then I saw the rear go up & down. It was really nice for the money then sat for a year & went to shit. It had almost 200k though it seemed strong. The Pontiac version seemed the best & the 3.5 should have been the active fuel management 3.9 that was in the 06-09 impala

[@TarmenAmzarian]

"A sleeveless winter coat" - isn't that just the down vest of every finance bro ever?

[@denvera1g1]

How is this compared to the HHR, i always thought the HHR was just a gen2 of this with a slightly updated platform.

[@damilolaakanni]

Not quite related to this video, but the Pontiac Aztek was based on this platform, as well as the Buick Rendezvous. Strange that GM would use a minivan platform to design two SUVs.

[@vicarod]

So glad I said "no" when we had the opportunity to buy one. Wound up with a Rendezvous instead. Looks aside - the Rendezvous was a great car

[@lifetimestuff1016]

I own a Chevy Uplander and my headphones have never come out of the wrap too

[@IceTheFanDude]

That rosewood trim is so beautiful for a vehicle I’m not the biggest fan of!

[@theconfused_fisherman]

Never thought I'd see a review for one of these 😂

[@dave11686]

Very interesting

[@semectual]

Seems like the Buick Terraza is one in a million compared to the Chevy Uplander of that time period (2005).

[@thechriscollection9983]

I had a '06 Buick Terraza CX. It was nice but had all the problems and issues that plagued GMs at the time. Like paint issues, wheel bearings, etc

[@DMETS519]

An odd looking Buick here indeed: The Buick Rendezvous has now entered the chat: "Am I a joke to you?"

[@IceTheFanDude]

I can tell you the rendezvous would never go on a rendezvous because of how ugly it is

[@PayDro007]

We had the Chevy counterpart, a 2007 Uplander and it was the biggest POS we ever owned. I will give it credit that it lasted for 150K miles before we traded it in but it had throttle response issues, leaky power steering pump.

[@kwaza8574]

I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I’m impressed at the features offered. And, it’s a RCA port.

[@dforrest4503]

My 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander had an RCA port. I mean - what? Getting an aux to RCA adapter to then go to an iPhone lightning cable was challenging. It looks like this van had both types of ports.

[@wayneburbage8900]

I have a 2005 Uplander. It has 270k on it still running.

[@92-SC300]

4 speed on a luxury car from the 2005… only American cars… Lexus was switching to 5 and 6 speeds about 10 years earlier

[@damilolaakanni]

Leuxs didn't have a 6 speed automatic transmission until 2004 when they refreshed the LS430. BTW, they only began to use five speed automatic transmissions in the late 90's, and even then, their SUVs didn't get such until 2003.

[@joebobson6163]

I own a sleveless winter vest, and a Grandma Gold 05 Buick Teraza CX. Call me crazy but I think that they are beautiful used cars. I definitely understand why they don't sell well new though

[@American_Voyager101]

5:34 shame on you American Airlines with no TVs on ur 737 and A320s while this cool van has. Man I wish we got the buick GL8 in the US, what a nice looking van

[@cld2930]

I worked with a guy who had the 3.9 V6 in his I think it was a 2007 it was a bluish gray color he seemed to like it he had it for about 5 years and then trade it for a Chevy Impala because all his kids are out of the house and didn't really have a need for a van anymore.

[@darwinmichel2087]

They still sell this in China. Still running the dust buster chassis but re-skinned but with a G5 in interior. It's fashionable to be the passenger to be driven.

[@omarzowila]

In China, Buick still makes a minivan but the name of the minivan in China is the Buick GL-8

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

looks better than the 25 Enclave lol

[@ATRichard]

And that’s sad, really… But a fact. The new Buicks don’t look like Buicks. They’re trying too hard to be Lexus with that grille. Envista looks decent.

[@arutezza]

speaking of luxury minivans, id love to see a review of the Mercedes R500

[@crbb3099]

Christ those are NOWHERE near in the same category. The R-Class was actual luxury, this is a Chevy with plastic chrome attached to it and leather seats.

[@QuadroNVS]

Sooo, remember the Chevy Uplander ? ....yeah...GM rebadging at its best

[@delixjagman4535]

bro is like the car version of 91tech

[@1voiceofstl]

you could get 3.9 v6 with it.

[@ATRichard]

In later model years, yes. I believe that was the standard engine in the 2008 Uplander. It was the only one of these “crossover sport vans” to live beyond 2007, when the Acadia, Enclave, and Outlook came out.

[@OldFordTaurus]

Zack is such a good looking guy

[@seanmcgivney7631]

The rear seats in my car have been folded since I bought it.

[@GregsAutomotive]

Me amd my fam all agree this was our fav vehicle. We like it better than our 2014 grand caravan😢

[@KatelynRobertson-c7n]

i deliver mail out of the 06 model. great for straddling!

[@blackoutstudio217]

Honestly luxury minivans should be in American instead of china, the closest thing to a luxury minivan is the Chrysler Pacifica

[@ThomasDonofri]

It replaced the Oldsmobile silhouette after the death of Oldsmobile

[@michaeljohnson1877]

Buick Enclave's father

[@walterarroyo5220]

Gotta love the service lights. It’s not an American product if it doesn’t have some sort of service light on specially GM.

[@scott8919]

The Terraza is a dog doodie haphazardly covered in gold leaf. The fact the people at GM thought THIS was luxury should show you how little they think about their customers.

[@42luke93]

Those Crossover Sport Vans are Nice.

[@ryanwilliams3369]

Let's just call it... Tha RZA!

[@jesp999]

if it is the same engine and basic vehicle as the chevy uplander those were actually very reliable.

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Nice 😊

[@gd_4saken827]

GM made a facelift model for this in China

[@rickymack2611]

Chevy called it the Uplander

[@robthad151]

I had an '07 Uplander. Good power (for a minivan) with the 3.9. Other than that, it wasn't great. The handling, even for a van, was scary bad.