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2012 Buick Enclave
Any owners on board?
Thinking about test driving one today. Looking for a decent sized SUV for DD capable of pulling a small trailer in style. Suburban is too large. Mid sized crossovers are too small. Checked out the Explorer and wasn't sold as of yet even though I have been driving them since '92.
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Randy '87 911 Targa '17 Macan GTS |
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FUSHIGI
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: somewhere between here and there
Posts: 10,735
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Have not driven the Buick. Would cross shop a bunch before buying anything and would consider used options at equal money.
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: North of You
Posts: 9,160
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Drive and Edge. Or the Lincoln.
Then do what Eric says to do.
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"A machine you build yourself is a vote for a different way of life. There are things you have to earn with your hands." |
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I have been in several Edges although never actually driven one. Doesn't seem like it would pull a trailer filled with a couple yards of gravel very well.
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Vaccinated and Boosted
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,584
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We have the GMC Acadia Denali, which is the Buick Encave in GMC badges. We have had it for about 18 months and it has performed flawlessly. Which really has surprised me! The interior is extremely quite at highway speeds and the ride is fantastic. One constant complaint comes from my sons who do not like the second row seats...they do not recline! Other than this it has been good.
Drive one! PS; we didnt buy the Buick because my wife said we are not old enough for a Buick....I am in my early 50's! ![]() mg
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2013 911 Turbo S 2025 Lexus TX350, 2024 Honda CRV Hybrid 1930 Cadillac V8, 1991 Ford F250, 2023 Chevy Colorado And some garage space.... |
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 7,482
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I've put thousands and thousands of miles on the GM Lambdas (Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave). I've got a few clients that have them, including my uncle.
They are the largest of the crossovers. If you need, or prefer, that size you won't find too many that compete. It's larger inside than a full-size Tahoe. The rear doors are very large, giving good access to the middle and rear seats. They've got a long wheelbase for a nice ride, good stability, and good towing characteristics. The 3.6L Direct Inject motor is powerful enough but they are heavy vehicles. Still, the overall performance isn't much different than a 5.3L Suburban (similar power/weight). Towing a car trailer really taxes the powertrain. A smaller trailer like a pop-up camper works very well. Quality-wise, the 2011 and 2012 models have done pretty well. But they're relatively mature now as they've been around since the Fall of 2006. ![]() The Explorer is a little bit smaller, but I really like it. I drove a friend's Limited round-trip from Minneapolis to Knoxville, TN and a few cities inbetween. I think they drive nicer than the Lambda's, and if you're into technology the Ford kicks GM's butt with the Explorer. Edge has no third row, neither does the Lincoln MKX. Or Nissan Murano, or Touareg, or Lexus RX, or.... Also consider the Flex, especially the 3.5L EcoBoost model. Wow. It's bigger than the Explorer. But also.....ummmm.... controversially styled. You either love or hate it. But it is bigger. So is the Lincoln MKT that shares the Flex underpinnings. Certainly less boxy, and fancier. I'd give the Enclave a huge advantage in understated styling, inside and out. But that's subjective. Other large crossover considerations include (in this order IMHO) the new Infiniti JX, Toyota Highlander, Mercedes GL, Dodge Durango (built on MBZ GL platform!), Kia Sorento, Audi Q7, Honda Pilot, Acura MDX. If towing is a serious consideration, the Durango, GL, and Q7 are head-and-shoulders above the rest. Bang for the buck? I just went through all of this with a client who started out looking at Highlanders and Pilots and ended up with a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse LTZ AWD with heated/cooled leather, center row buckets, huge panoramic moonroof, backup camera, factory remote start, 3-zone climate control, etc, etc, etc. Only had 19K miles and we bought it for $29K in Colorado. So two years and 17 miles of bumper to bumper warranty, and four years and 81K miles of powertrain warranty remain. Originally had a $41K+ MSRP. His thoughts were that the Chev had more horsepower, more torque, better freeway fuel economy, performed better in crash tests, better engine/trans warranty, and was significantly larger with more features for several thousand less. Can't fault him. And he's no dummy (engineer) -- also has a 997 Turbo. YMMV
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I love you guys outside this forum ![]() -Eric |
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Minneapolis
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Quote:
If the Buick didn't have Buick badges it would be the most attractive of the Lambdas But the new 2013 GMC Acadia re-style is fantastic. It's now the best looking, IMHO, if you don't love the Buick's curves (and old brand-image)
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I love you guys outside this forum ![]() -Eric |
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Join Date: Jan 2005
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Quote:
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I love you guys outside this forum ![]() -Eric |
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Did you get the memo?
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 32,353
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If it were up to me I'd probably have one for our family car, but my wife said they look too much like a minivan.
![]() I had a Lincoln MKT for several days as a rental, I was generally impressed. I would consider an AWD Ecoboost version as a daily driver.
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‘07 Mazda RX8-8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Baton Rouge
Posts: 1,039
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I drive a Traverse, company car. Its OK, very roomy. My dislikes, the front bottom seat cushions are too short and can you say torque steer at highway speeds?? If you go to pass another car and there is even a slight variation in the road you better hang on to the wheel.
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B58/732
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Hot as Hell, AZ
Posts: 12,313
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Rounded corners on a rectangle? I though Apple already patented that?
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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ I don't always talk to vegetarians--but when I do, it's with a mouthful of bacon. |
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Own an '10.
I think it can tow 5500# with tow package. i've pulled about 4000# with my non-tow package without any issues. I added a hitch and electric brake control. My wife loves it -- except for the Buick badge. We've had a couple older Explorers. Night and day -- Buick way better. Better than the Volvo XC90 (except for the V8 we had :-) The DFI 6 is decent -- but it doesn't mimic a V8 in the get up and go department. We've had some issues (WP failure, steering rack replaced, exhaust rattle) all under warranty. Each time we have been given a rental. A couple times its been an Acadia. The Enclave is way nicer than the Acadia based on our experience. Quiter more responsive ride, and much better interior quality. YMMV, Mike
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2015 Panamera Hybrid, 2008 Cayenne Twin Turbo 2001 996 GT2 1999 Spec Boxster, 1996 993 Cabriolet 1992 964 Cabirolet, 1975 911 RSR Replica Race Car |
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Long Beach CA, the sewer by the sea.
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Eric, you're not taking much of a break. Or is that just from PM's?
Your information is always a benefit to PPOT. |
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: houston, tx
Posts: 7,261
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Eric should be called epic, his posts are always welcome.
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the unexamined life is not worth living, unless you are reading posts by goofballs-Socrates 88 coupe |
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Vaccinated and Boosted
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,584
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Holy CRAP! I will try this tonight!!
I guess we should read the manual!!!! Thanks!!!! ![]() ![]()
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2013 911 Turbo S 2025 Lexus TX350, 2024 Honda CRV Hybrid 1930 Cadillac V8, 1991 Ford F250, 2023 Chevy Colorado And some garage space.... |
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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I'll second the 2012 Durango suggestion. I've put almost 10k on one in the last few months, mostly pulling a trailer. It pulls well, has plenty of power, comfy, nicely styled on the inside, plenty of tech goodies, sat radio and iPod hookup... And the middle row definitely reclines...
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Vaccinated and Boosted
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,584
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Quick update on the 2nd row seat recline....it does definitely recline....about 2 inches. Still not so comfortable.
Thanks mg
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2013 911 Turbo S 2025 Lexus TX350, 2024 Honda CRV Hybrid 1930 Cadillac V8, 1991 Ford F250, 2023 Chevy Colorado And some garage space.... |
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