Buick Enclave

[SR71]

Anyone own a 2011 or 12 Enclave? My wife likes them - looks like the 2013 will be available in Oct .

Looking for opinions - would you get another? Suggestions for competitive vehicles?

[ROB J]

I've not personally owned one, but I have two friends whom own them, and they like them. They ride extremely quiet, and are comfy. I don't think you can go wrong. Only thing is, they are due for a redesign soon

[pelzerd]

Yes, I owned one and traded it in after 11 months... Mine was a 2010. I had several issues with it, they were all covered under warranty,but it became too much of a hassle taking it to the dealer all the time. Rack and pinion needed replaced first month, then all of the weatherstripping started falling off on doors and needed replaced, chrome bezels around the air vents on front dash were cracking, leather shift knob was peeling, drivers seat sqeaked like an old couch when going over the slightest bump, when i would shut the drivers door the mirror would rattle, the captains chairs in the middle row were very narrow for long trips, the front seats were not 100% leather (fabric on sides) and were separating. Took one trip to the dealer to determine the issue, then another trip to repair, then another trip to the dealer when the issue was still there. Mine was FWD and did not like snowy roads. I bought it new and traded with around 12,000 miles. I did like the power of the motor, space, and styling,but that is about it. Poor service at dealership added to issues. Mine was gold mist with tan leather material. The Enclave was supposed to be their flagship model. First and last Buick.

[pelzerd]

I now drive a 2011 Tahoe LT and really enjoy it

[geoffav]

Test drove several of them and most everything in that class. I now own a 2013 Explorer and love it. Well, it's my wife's car.

[edwardb]

Also test drove all the vehicles in that class, and bought a 2012 Dodge Durango. It's the newest design of the three (Ford, GM, Chrysler) and was re-done from the ground up in just the last few years. Completely different vehicle than the previous generation Durango. We've had it 8 months with zero issues. Check it out. You'll also see it gets very high reviews on-line. My wife's car, so I don't drive it too much, but first class. Got the trailer towing package, and handles my Roadster and Serpent Express with ease.

[bmbuckeye]

We just traded in an '09 that was purchased new, and I wouldnt consider another. The engine is a gem, but thats about it. I had it in for the transmission twice and it never was right, despite new control module flashes both times. Downshifts sometimes wouldnt take (when you stepped on it, it would start to downshift but wouldnt take a gear, meanwhile the engine is about redlined), and often the shifts were poor timed or the car just seemed to be in the wrong gear. The steering rack felt like it was starting to go (which is apparently pretty common; mine had 65000 on the clock when we got rid of it, and I've since read several blogs of people who were on their 2-3 rack, PS pump, steering box by then). It wasnt especially quiet, by comparison my '10 F150 was/is notably quieter, and honestly, rides more plush. Additionally there were alot of nagging trim issues, broken buttons, and hatch issues (I replaced the hatch struts and the outside hatch release....twice). I liked it at first, but after 3 years and 60,000 miles, it just wasnt wearing well for a $40,000 SUV. Like pelzerd, most of my issues were covered under warranty, but the hassle of returning it to the dealership every other month became a pain in the a$$. Maybe they've adressed those issues, but like I said, I'll never find out. I've lost faith in GM, so I've moved back to Ford and couldn't be happier. Some friends of mine bought a '12 explorer about 6 months ago, and they still love it.

[Blasdell]

Wife owns a 2009 with 56000 miles. Timing chain/sprockets went bad. Dealer had to drop the whole front end from the body, replace all the parts, and re-install the engine. All covered by warranty, but it took them 2 weeks to fix it.
I'll never buy another GM!

[Hoosier]

Acura MDX - Reliability is always my first concern...



Or an Infiniti JX35

[cwood]

I just got rid of an MDX. Absolute fuel hog. Have to feed premium and sucked it back faster than our wrangler. Have to say it was also a very bland vehicle.

[Hoosier]

Originally Posted by cwood

I just got rid of an MDX. Absolute fuel hog. Have to feed premium and sucked it back faster than our wrangler. Have to say it was also a very bland vehicle.

fueleconomy.gov puts the Buick, Acura, and Infiniti all within 1 MPG of each other. Luxury vehicles are heavy...that's just the way it is.

I agree the Acura is a bit bland and I would give the styling nod to Infiniti for both interior and exterior.

I like the Buick styling, but it's a Buick and the former owners here seem to be unhappy which is of absolutely no surprise to me...

[1fastsedan]

Originally Posted by edwardb

Also test drove all the vehicles in that class, and bought a 2012 Dodge Durango. It's the newest design of the three (Ford, GM, Chrysler) and was re-done from the ground up in just the last few years. Completely different vehicle than the previous generation Durango. We've had it 8 months with zero issues. Check it out. You'll also see it gets very high reviews on-line. My wife's car, so I don't drive it too much, but first class. Got the trailer towing package, and handles my Roadster and Serpent Express with ease.

Another vote for the Durango here. We got a 2012 R/T in March and we absolutely love it. We got it with the tow package also and it does great with the 33 and trailer. Not a single problem so far.

[ROB J]

Originally Posted by cwood

I just got rid of an MDX. Absolute fuel hog. Have to feed premium and sucked it back faster than our wrangler. Have to say it was also a very bland vehicle.

I agree, the MDX's are as bland as woman from Montana. (Sorry Montana guys)

[Steven K]

I am a little surprised at the comments on the Buick. I thought GM had turned the corner, but I guess they still have some work to do.

[edwardb]

Originally Posted by Steven K

I am a little surprised at the comments on the Buick. I thought GM had turned the corner, but I guess they still have some work to do.

Not to be an apologist for GM, but keep in mind the Enclave was originally released in 2008, so it's design roots go back several years before that. It's one of the older vehicles in GM's product line. It's due to be refreshed in 2013, but still the same basic design. It currently has a J.D. Power quality rating of "average." There are better, but there are also worse.

There are much newer vehicles in GM's product line, and depending on the model, have much higher quality and are competitive in the marketplace, and probably a better representative of the "new" GM. Look at the products and quality ratings for Cadillac, the newer Buick sedans, etc. One could argue they should have the same quality across their whole product line, which ideally should be true. But they don't, and I would argue every auto mfg. has similar challenges. There isn't a car made by any manufacturer that doesn't have certain weak points. Just ask any mechanic that works on all of them.

But, like I said, I'm not an apologist for them. Actually haven't bought a GM in some years now. Not interested in getting into the whole bailout politics or discussion, but as an American company, we should be interested in them having good products and being successful. They have a huge global footprint.

[joyridin']

Originally Posted by edwardb

Not to be an apologist for GM, but keep in mind the Enclave was originally released in 2008, so it's design roots go back several years before that. It's one of the older vehicles in GM's product line. It's due to be refreshed in 2013, but still the same basic design. It currently has a J.D. Power quality rating of "average." There are better, but there are also worse.

There are much newer vehicles in GM's product line, and depending on the model, have much higher quality and are competitive in the marketplace, and probably a better representative of the "new" GM. Look at the products and quality ratings for Cadillac, the newer Buick sedans, etc. One could argue they should have the same quality across their whole product line, which ideally should be true. But they don't, and I would argue every auto mfg. has similar challenges. There isn't a car made by any manufacturer that doesn't have certain weak points. Just ask any mechanic that works on all of them.

But, like I said, I'm not an apologist for them. Actually haven't bought a GM in some years now. Not interested in getting into the whole bailout politics or discussion, but as an American company, we should be interested in them having good products and being successful. They have a huge global footprint.

The funny part is after that many years in production, you would think they would have fixed the problems instead of just riding them out and letting the consumer worry about them.

[Steven K]

Originally Posted by joyridin'

The funny part is after that many years in production, you would think they would have fixed the problems instead of just riding them out and letting the consumer worry about them.

That's what I would have thought too.

[Big-Foot]

Doncha gotta have white shoes, knee highs and pants pulled half way up to your arm pits to drive a Buick?

[Hoosier]

Originally Posted by Big-Foot

Doncha gotta have white shoes, knee highs and pants pulled half way up to your arm pits to drive a Buick?

Apparently, because that's exactly what Rob J looks like.

[Steven K]

Originally Posted by Big-Foot

Doncha gotta have white shoes, knee highs and pants pulled half way up to your arm pits to drive a Buick?

I know it was that way a few years ago, but some of the new models are pretty sharp looking. GM let me down several years ago and I doubt I will be buying anything from them ever again, so when I do wear white socks and pull my pants way up I will have to search for an appropriate brand to fit my style.

[ROB J]

I don't wear my white pants when I'm driving this baby.





Don't you guys know Buick made the fastest muscle cars!!!

[SR71]

thanks for all the feedback guys (I think).....always good to hear different experineces / opinions.