Ordered a new Encore GX today.
11-11-20, 12:20 PM
#256
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
traffic here is busier than EVER, by far. part of that (besides snowbird traffic) is recent major additions of distribution centers for Fed Ex, Amazon, Chewy's (pet stuff), Autozone, etc. being located between orlando, tampa, jacksonville, talahassee, right on i75 with low cost warehouse space, low cost land, and yes, lower wages (and low taxes) makes it pretty ideal for distribution. our chamber of commerce was just voted best in the country! we also have loads of people moving here constantly, not just retirees, all ages.
we have excellent healthcare facilities (and tons of them, plus of course world famous mayo in jacksonville and tampa, and shands hospital in nearby Gainesville/UofF).
we have parks/rec/pools galore. our enormous YMCA was expanded massively with a generous gift by the owner of our huge Toyota dealership here!
florida's economy is obviously very strong and very business friendly. everyone i talk to just can't keep up.
we don't have mountains (GA/NC not THAT far though), but we certainly have hundreds of miles of amazing beaches.
about natural disasters, being inland and where we are i have no concerns about hurricanes - one of the reasons i was ok moving here.
we have parks/rec/pools galore. our enormous YMCA was expanded massively with a generous gift by the owner of our huge Toyota dealership here!
florida's economy is obviously very strong and very business friendly. everyone i talk to just can't keep up.
we don't have mountains (GA/NC not THAT far though), but we certainly have hundreds of miles of amazing beaches.
about natural disasters, being inland and where we are i have no concerns about hurricanes - one of the reasons i was ok moving here.
....do you have any problems with large insects, coral snakes, aggressive bees/ants, or alligators? They are relatively common in the state.
what stuff won't they need? they still have to park, back out of driveways, go in/out of garages, drive on highways, etc. i live in a rural setting (outside of town) but still have to do all those things regularly and i have an office in town.
11-12-20, 04:51 AM
#257
Lexus Fanatic
You've got a point with Amazon....they are taking over the world. They recently built their East Coast HQ in Arlington, VA, just across the river from D.C., not very far from me, driving up home-values and driving out lower-income people that couldn't afford it. Bezos, of course, also owns the Washington Post.
Bezos has an interesting story, I never realized he was born to a HS student and spent time growing up on his grandpa's farm, where they did eveything from repairing tractors to birthing animals.
How much stock did I get? Well I was very young back then and my coworkers laughed--"Why would you buy a stock for $175/share? How many can you buy?" They all snickered. I bought 6 shares. Do the math....
11-12-20, 04:59 AM
#258
Lexus Fanatic
traffic here is busier than EVER, by far. part of that (besides snowbird traffic) is recent major additions of distribution centers for Fed Ex, Amazon, Chewy's (pet stuff), Autozone, etc. being located between orlando, tampa, jacksonville, talahassee, right on i75 with low cost warehouse space, low cost land, and yes, lower wages (and low taxes) makes it pretty ideal for distribution. our chamber of commerce was just voted best in the country! we also have loads of people moving here constantly, not just retirees, all ages.
we have excellent healthcare facilities (and tons of them, plus of course world famous mayo in jacksonville and tampa, and shands hospital in nearby Gainesville/UofF).
we have parks/rec/pools galore. our enormous YMCA was expanded massively with a generous gift by the owner of our huge Toyota dealership here!
florida's economy is obviously very strong and very business friendly. everyone i talk to just can't keep up.
we don't have mountains (GA/NC not THAT far though), but we certainly have hundreds of miles of amazing beaches.
about natural disasters, being inland and where we are i have no concerns about hurricanes - one of the reasons i was ok moving here.
what stuff won't they need? they still have to park, back out of driveways, go in/out of garages, drive on highways, etc. i live in a rural setting (outside of town) but still have to do all those things regularly and i have an office in town.
we have excellent healthcare facilities (and tons of them, plus of course world famous mayo in jacksonville and tampa, and shands hospital in nearby Gainesville/UofF).
we have parks/rec/pools galore. our enormous YMCA was expanded massively with a generous gift by the owner of our huge Toyota dealership here!
florida's economy is obviously very strong and very business friendly. everyone i talk to just can't keep up.
we don't have mountains (GA/NC not THAT far though), but we certainly have hundreds of miles of amazing beaches.
about natural disasters, being inland and where we are i have no concerns about hurricanes - one of the reasons i was ok moving here.
what stuff won't they need? they still have to park, back out of driveways, go in/out of garages, drive on highways, etc. i live in a rural setting (outside of town) but still have to do all those things regularly and i have an office in town.
11-14-20, 07:43 PM
#259
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
This is one of the Encore GX's best features (It's a $520 option, but, IMO, worth it). With your arms full and the fob in your pocket, simply place your foot over the protected Buick image under the rear bumper, and the hatch lid pops up. Seems simpler and less fool-proof than the similiar foot-sweep action that Ford uses in the Escape.
Of course, how well that system will work (or how well the image can be seen on the ground) when there is snow, leaves, debris, etc......behind the vehicle remains to be seen. I guess I'll find out when I actually get the chance.
Of course, how well that system will work (or how well the image can be seen on the ground) when there is snow, leaves, debris, etc......behind the vehicle remains to be seen. I guess I'll find out when I actually get the chance.
Last edited by mmarshall; 11-14-20 at 07:49 PM.
11-15-20, 05:08 AM
#261
I don't understand the high interest in the foot swipe for the hatch. Hit the hatch button on the fob on your way to the vehicle, it will already be open. Also, I see this as a bit dangerous if it is i raining, icy, etc. Very easy to slip.
11-15-20, 05:26 AM
#262
Lexus Champion
With most of the vehicles with this feature there is also the option of the button near the license plate light so there are 3 ways to open the lift gate or trunk depending on preferences or situations.
11-15-20, 05:29 AM
#263
Lexus Fanatic
It is offered because the segment is ultra competitive. The guy standing on his foot is to help market the feature. Notice how the guy is not an old person? Old people who have walkers and mobility issues are not gonna stand on one foot....in the Buick video the woman is carrying a fancy sloth teddy bear and paper bag from shopping...Personally speaking, I'd rather save the money or spend it on some other feature such LED lights which are not standard for GM...
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 11-15-20 at 05:42 AM.
11-15-20, 06:24 AM
#264
Lexus Fanatic
What if he slips and his shoes make contact with the bumper and get dirty? They look like nice shoes! I was always one of those who appreciated that Porsche still had a key one had to twist on the left of the steering column. Again, that's like holding on to identity. Pretty sure as late as 2017 911's still twisted a key to start the engine. That's how I justify the LS430 still has to twist, despite having a smart key. It's just darn cool for hipsters only!
11-15-20, 07:43 AM
#265
Lexus Champion
What if he slips and his shoes make contact with the bumper and get dirty? They look like nice shoes! I was always one of those who appreciated that Porsche still had a key one had to twist on the left of the steering column. Again, that's like holding on to identity. Pretty sure as late as 2017 911's still twisted a key to start the engine. That's how I justify the LS430 still has to twist, despite having a smart key. It's just darn cool for hipsters only!
11-15-20, 09:11 AM
#266
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Personally speaking, I'd rather save the money or spend it on some other feature such LED lights which are not standard for GM...
11-15-20, 09:13 AM
#267
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Apples and oranges. A relatively light leather bag is one thing....an armful of groceries is something else, particularly if heavier items are in the bag, like large beverage-containers.
11-15-20, 10:15 AM
#269
Lexus Fanatic
I LOVE this feature. We use it all the time with the van, our hands are always full and holding kids hands and things like that and being able to just kick under the hatch and the sliding doors is really really great.
Originally Posted by LexsCTJill
Would it really be that difficult for this guy to put down his sexy leather bag and use his hand to open the door?
Standing on one leg sounds dangerous and risky....most use a shopping cart.
You aren't "standing on one leg" you kick your foot under the hatch for one second. I walk up to the car all the time carrying bags, grocery bags I don't want to drag a cart out into the parking lot and have to return it. Having this feature on the Pacifica and not having it on the Lexus, its a real pain not having it on the Lexus. Luckily the BMW 750 I will likely get next has it also.
Last edited by SW17LS; 11-15-20 at 10:19 AM.
11-15-20, 10:24 AM
#270
Lexus Fanatic
I have no doubt the kick thing is a nice feature...I would not pay for it as I would rather have the price be lower or use the money for some other feature (like standard LEDs)...but I am glad there are people who want/enjoy it 