Time is coming to think about another daily driver for my wife. This will be my first ever car purchase that is not an Oldsmobile. In about a year (I hope a little more) we have got to get something. We are starting now doing research. We have yet to take one for a test drive but we like what we see so far. We will be looking at 08 or 09 with 75K miles or more to be in our price range. Does anyone have one? If so, what are your thoughts on them?

 

My wife had a 08 and at 33000 miles blew both head gaskets,had it fixed under warranty.
Traded it in on a Acura MDX while we could still get good money for it.

The buick was a nice car with lots of room,drove nice but a bit under powered.
The Acura on the other hand is smaller but handles awesome and with 300+ hp cruises along beautifully.

Do the usual google searches,consumer reports,etc for reliability,resale value,common failures etc.

Hope this helps
Good luck!

 

We have a 2011 and love it. It's got 47k miles and not one problem. It was a former Hertz rental car. We got it when it was 9 months old and had 14k on it. It's a CXL AWD, one option package down from the "totally loaded" one. It doesn't have the sunroof, Nav, or Bose, but it's leather. I like the rear captains chairs. There's more room back there than in the front seats. The third row seating is comfortable enough for me (6'-1" 220 lbs) as long as there are only two people back there instead of three.


They were still working a lot of bugs out in the 08-09 years. Transmission issues, leaky sunroofs, etc.


This is the best forum out there for these cars.


http://www.enclaveforum.net/


You can read a lot about them there


The nice thing is the Buick reps monitor it and if you've got an issue, particularly if you feel you're getting the warranty run-a-round, they'll jump in and make sure you get taken care of right away.


I work with a guy who has the "totally loaded" 2011 and he's had a few issues all covered under warranty. I think most of the issues are related to the time he left the sunroof open in a particularly bad thunderstorm and got about 3" of water in the car.

 

I have it's GMC brother the Acadia. It's a 2009 and I've never had a better vehicle. It is not under powered at all. I have 100,000 miles on it, I hope to keep it until it has 4 times that amount of miles on it. It is a damn fine vehicle. It's big enough for me (6'3" 250 lbs) to be comfortable in it on a cross country trip (my wife's Equinox, while also a very nice vehicle, is just a little too small for long trips for my comfort). It has great acceleration, gets decent gas mileage (17/22), can haul trailers (has the big receiver), has an amazing amount of cargo room (both back rows of seats fold down easily), can hold 5 adults and 2 children (7 adults if it's not too long of a journey). Just all in all, very versatile. I don't like the Buick version because, well, number one, it's a Buick, and number two, I can't stand all that "woodgrain" that Buick uses in their vehicles, and three the Acadia is a little bit less expensive than the Enclave. Good luck with your search.

 

Im in the same boat my wifes daily driver 3.5 Intrigue has 200k and starting to show its age and just developed the dreaded coolant crossover pipe intermittent leak...anyway im watching this thread to see what people say i kind of like the volvo xc90 but would drive a GM there is just so many options out there especially size wise and some stuff is just front wheel drive as oposed to all wheel...mazda has the same vehicle in front and all wheel...its a little confusing unless you know exactly what you want

 

My wife got a new 2009 CXL FWD in November 2008. If you change your own oil, it is messy and my fingers can't get at the filter very well. The original battery crapped out a few weeks ago, but it's been 6 years since it was made. The only work we've had to do is repair a leaking master cylinder, fix the seat heater (wife loves a warm booty, she runs it all the time) and do whatever recalls affected it. The repairs were pretty recently and she went a good five years with no problems whatsoever. Her car has just shy of 80,000 miles on it and she loves it. We have two toddlers and can still haul four adults and those two big car seats around no problem. It handles good, is very quiet, and is moderately peppy. I am not able to haul 4x8 sheets of anything in it though, I think you have to get a minivan or a pickup to do that.

There is a reason Buick is selling the crap out of them. They are well built and look nice.

edit: the transmission does change gears a bit. It bothered me more a few years ago than it does now. I guess I'm used to my G8 which has more torque and weighs less, so the transmission can be lazier. And I've had no trouble with the sunroof or the Bose system. We didn't get the nav because a Garmin is way cheaper.

 

In case you weren't aware you can do the gaskets without pulling the exhaust manifold. It's real real tight but I was to do it on my aurora.

 

Both the Terrain/Equinox and the Acadia/Enclave/Traverse are available in either FWD or AWD. I always thought I would be fine with FWD, but this winter I drove our AWD Terrain a few times and it was amazing in the hell we had that was known as winter last year. If I ever do replace my Acadia with another it will have AWD, gas mileage be damned (and I won't be a cheap-*** again and not get the power lift-gate!).

 

Thanks guys. We are going to keep our eyes open at the local used car lots for one to test drive.

 

I suppose my opinion is a little biased since I'm sitting in the Lansing Delta Assembly Plant that builds the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevy Traverse. I own a 2010 Acadia Denali and we (the wife and I) love it. Not one problem at all from day one. I can get my family in it and still have room for the dogs too. Plenty of room and very comfortable on long trips. The Buick is a little more classy or refined I guess. I was trading in a GMC Yukon so I was leaning towards a GMC.

Since you are on the Classic Oldsmobile forum I thought you would like to know that all of us old folks that used to work at Fisher Body in Lansing building Oldsmobiles, are now out here at this plant outside of Lansing. We used to build, paint and trim out the cars before loading them up and shipping them just down the road to the Oldsmobile main assembly plant. Now we are out at a new plant (2006) and the Oldsmobile site is a Cadillac assembly plant now.

I've got my 30 + years in now and from my point of view we put a lot more care into building stuff right "the first time". Used to be we would just push cars through and pile up work on the "repair hole" in order to keep the line moving. Not any more, if there is an issue during assembly with a supplied part or a fit that changed, they stop and figure it out right now.

I'm definitely becoming a dinosaur, my father was a WWll veteran (US Navy in the South Pacific) and I will never look at any vehicle that has anything to do with Japan. I don't care if they have a plant here in the USA or not. I know there are plenty of folks out there that have a problem with GM too. To each there own...

 

Thank you. I love this info.

 

We have a 2012 Acadia SLT AWD with the tow package. It currently has 45k miles and has never been back to the dealership for anything. I also don't see it as underpowered as it has 285hp and feel that moves it along just fine. I also use it to tow two snowmobiles in a small aluminum enclosed trailer 7 hours each way to the UP and it does just fine. Overall we are pleased with it and would buy it again if we had it to do over. We went with the GMC just because we liked the sportier look over the Buick.

My sister has a 2011 Enclave FWD and has been happy with it as well but now wishes she had gotten the AWD. She has just over 50k on hers.

 

Eric,

I would stay away from the 07 and 08 models. GM was having trouble with the transmission in the early models. We had an 07 Acadia AWD, tranny went out at 80k miles. A friend had another 07 Acadia tranny went out around 70k miles. A second friend had an 08, and it did not make 60k miles before tranny went. All were bought new. GM actually stood by them and fixed all three. I believe GM finally figured it out and have not heard the complaints on the newer ones.

 

Looks like this time has come. Our van quit on my wife two times last week. I started driving it and can not get it to do anything wrong. She decided to drive it today and the gear shift would not move after she got to twon. Now she is HOT! I have to do something fast. Unhappy Wife, Unhappy life!

 

Nothing motivates a man like an angry wife!!

 

I really like them

The only thing I would keep in mind is most engine work the cradle needs to be dropped so book time goes up
Once again, I really like them when I worked for a dealer we only had one engine out in three years 08-11 and it had to due with the timing chains. My friend still works for gm and says timing chain and a few common trans issue but nothing real bad

 

Eric, I'm going to recommend you look at the Toyota Highlander. Despite the political incorrectness of foreign brands on a dead GM division board due to some believing that their presence in the US had something to do with the decision to kill them off, as opposed to other factors which we need not discuss, Toyota products simply do not die, ever. Many is the man on a classic car forum who quietly owns an utterly reliable foreign make as a daily driver and doesn't say anything about it, but counts his blessings each time a domestic recall happens.

 

We have a '14 Enclave, and love it. GM quality is now equal to the Asians in my opinion, and the opinions of most auto journals. It's too bad it took so long. Being a lifetime MI resident until a few years ago, I have had many differing ties to the industry over the years.

 

yeah what he said or make your own informed decision

 

Dude, I am digging your MS paint skills. You forgetting about the massive, like bigger than any other, ignition cylinder recall that even is hitting Oldsmobiles? Enough said, I think.

 

I see them all the time as I am the Wholesale Manager for a Buick/GMC new car dealership. The Enclave and Acadia and Chevy Traverse are all good vehicles and can be optioned about any way you'd desire. However, when they get some miles on them (usually over 110k or so), they almost all develop transmission issues. I'd recommend getting an AWD with as much equipment as possible. Believe it or not, you will recoup the investment on the options when it is time to trade. And....I'm in the business and I tell people to price a NEW vehicle. When GM announces incentives, new vehicle prices become very attractive and monthly payments aren't THAT much different than a 2-3 year old car. If you just can't swing a new one, consider "GM Certified" as it gives you a lot of benefits compared to buying from a used car lot or a private party.

 

I've have a friend with a Highlander with 200K miles on it. It still sounds like the same tin can that it did when it was new. It runs great too.


There's no comparison in comfort and ride though

 

All newer cars are POS's just some are bigger POS's than others in my opinion compared to our simpler older cars.

I've been in the car business for a long time, I agree with Dave on the Certifieds. All kidding aside, all the manufacturers build decent reliable cars just boils down to personal preference, I work at a Hyundai dealership, but manage used cars. I see them all come through in various stages of disrepair.

 

I can agree with that. Road noise is loud on my Tacoma.

 

I did not know Saturn had a version? I am seeing them much less than the GMC and Buick. Anyone know if this is really the same platform?

Dave, Whatever we buy will likely be ours till it won't go any more. Just like we did to our van. I pay cash for 100,000 mile cars and drive them till the wheels fall off. I want my cars to go one year per $1000. If it is $10,000 it has best last me 10 years or still be worth enough when we sell it to get to the $1000 per year mark. I am ahead of the game on our van. It was $6500 and we are at 8 years.

 

I like the way you think on the $1k/year usage rate.

The Saturn version will be much less expensive book value:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_Outlook

 

Yes, same drive train and plat forum on the Saturn. I do think it has lower options then the rest but not positive as I only worked on a few saturns. (Vue) I think is what they were called.
That 3.6 motor I don't feel it's under power at all as stated above but than again the hummer with the 5 cylinder is under power in my opinion

Edit outlook not vue the vue is the smaller one

Also I live by the 100k and 1k a year most of my Daily drivers I keep less then two years I buy under 3k and get 1-2 years and sell them for more or what I was in them all they cost me is labor and maintenance most of the time I have had a few I lost my butt on over the years.

 

Saturn Outlook is the vehicle. You won't see as many because as many know Saturn is no longer. As for recalls, remember the Toyota debacle not so long ago? And just today I heard Ferrari is in litigation and Hyundai and Kia are being sued. I drive company "beaters" all the time to the tune of about 1000 miles a week attending auctions. I usually pick GMC Denali SUV with upwards of 120,000. By then they really can't lose any more value and still run like a Swiss watch; my current one is 2007 with 165k. Your usage vs. dollar spent is something I've used for my wife's cars also. Just be careful of that particular trans. with miles----it isn't a matter of "IF", more a matter if "WHEN".

 

I didnt forget anything Your position appears to be Toyotas arent subject to recalls, I merely pointed out the inaccuracy of that, I did not take the position that GMs or other domestics are not recalled, I know better, but since you didnt know and own toyota truck they also have a far reaching recall for frames rusting some co-workers have had their frames replaced under that recall MOF 1 was counting his blessing when he saw the extent of the rust as his frame was completely rusted through and after an initial inspection he was not able to drive the vehicle as it was a safety issue toyota kindly provided him w a corolla for a month while his truck was repaired

BTW get ready for another recall for airbag inflators produced by TK holdings (takata) as w many vehicles today takata produced those inflators for Domestics and Toyota as well...so reality is all vehicles get recalls, some more serious (a rusted through frame) than others (dont put to many keys on the ring honey) and many recalls will be for the same parts installed across multiple manufacturers vehicles as is quite common in a global economy

 

The air bag recall hit subaru as well

 

All manufacturers have recalls, just most are voluntary and not federally mandated.

 

I Always talk to my transmission guy before I buy a car to ask about that models transmission. He said the same thing. He said that if I get one with 100,000 miles to just bring it in and get it rebuilt. He said the rebuild will last over 100,000 more miles with the updated parts and it is less money to rebuilt it before it goes out. Also said that if I don't rebuilt it before it goes out it will leave me stranded when it happens. Either way he said I will need to have it rebuilt. He give me a quote of $2000-2500 before it goes out and close to $3000 after it goes out.

 

If only the American auto industry had taken that attitude 60 years ago. VW, Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Nissan, Honda etc would be curiosities perhaps bought by off beat eccentrics.
If the British industry had taken the same view all the brands around when I grew up would still be around. Maybe the Japanese auto industry would be a backwater catering to the far east with no significant markets elsewhere.
It's too late for us, North America has a mountain to climb to get its reputation back, it doesn't matter that the cars are great right now, it will take year for the car buying publics perception to catch up.


However if the best happens and the American auto industry flourishes again I wonder if the cars will have the same appeal when they are 50 years old as a '64 cutlass does now?.
Not an easy a call to make, I bet in the '50s '60s and '70s our grandfathers were saying "They don't make them properly anymore".


Roger.

 

Going to look at a GMC Acadia tonight. Woman are funny... She was so mad at me the other day because I did not already have her a car before this one had problems,,,, Now today I said lets go look at this Acadia and she said "No hurry, I hate to have to spent that much" and was completely serious. I smell a trap! lol


Scott, don't let your better packrat see this. Women stick together.

 

We got an 07 Acadia. This thing is loaded with more things than I even knew was ever made. Almost silly all the little things they have on it. Has 95,000 miles and looks like a new one. Was very well cared for. Has A long service history on carfax. It showes that a GM dealer serviced it very regular. We love it so far and has more pep than our van did. I am thinking I may find a real small trailer to pull behind it for swap meets and save driving the truck at 10MPG.

Now I am flat broke and going to have to sell some parts that I had not planned to sell. I spent everything I had set aside to complete the W-30.

Thanks to everyone for the help and thoughts on these cars.

 

Happy wife..... Congrats.

 

Eric, I do the exact same math with my used cars. I don't buy new for two reasons. I have availability to wholesale and I don't like the cost of new. I won't put that kind of money into something that depreciates so much. I've been lucky enough to put my money elsewhere.

However, I do have to acknowledge that things may happen to my vehicles that don't happen with new.

Good luck with your new vehicle.

 

We had an 08 and now have a 14. Love them both. The 08 was an early model when they just came out, but the Only issue we had was the leaky sunroof which they did fix under warranty, but definitely check all that out as some did have some software and other issues, etc. Just make sure you check that out on the car you buy or maybe go with an 09/10. They really are fantastic cars, quiet, etc. I think they have plenty of power and ours are AWD and perform great in snow. I think they are the best looking of the big crossovers out there.

I would look for the ones with navigation and/or backup camera. Nice option. The other nice thing our 14 has that 08 did not was the built in Bluetooth. I think that became available in 09 or 10?