Ordered a new Encore GX today.
08-13-20, 05:36 PM
#34
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
A fair question...especially in light of my past posting. I'll address it.
It's true that, in general, you cannot beat the comfort of a big, softly-spring full-size sedan. But, the traffic conditions in my area, the demands of the type of shopping we do today, the need to maneuver and park in small areas and tight spaces, the constant hazards of hitting something or someone at close range, the occasional need to carry bulky items, the way I often come out with my hands full of packages, my height and stooping to get in out of low-slung sedans, the need for more ground clearance to avoid curbs/parking-blocks on low-hanging body parts, the convenience/safety of AWD in bad weather, and the need for me to have more safety-features than my last car had all point to one thing, now, even for me, yes....a smaller crossover. There is a reason why these vehicles are selling so well.....even with the admitted loss in comfort over more traditional larger sedans.
08-13-20, 05:40 PM
#35
A fair question...especially in light of my past posting. I'll address it.
It's true that, in general, you cannot beat the comfort of a big, softly-spring full-size sedan. But, the traffic conditions in my area, the demands of the type of shopping we do today, the need to maneuver and park in small areas and tight spaces, the constant hazards of hitting something or someone at close range, the occasional need to carry bulky items, the way I often come out with my hands full of packages, my height and stooping to get in out of low-slung sedans, the need for more ground clearance to avoid curbs/parking-blocks on low-hanging body parts, the convenience/safety of AWD in bad weather, and the need for me to have more safety-features than my last car had all point to one thing, now, even for me, yes....a smaller crossover. There is a reason why these vehicles are selling so well.....even with the admitted loss in comfort over more traditional larger sedans.
It's true that, in general, you cannot beat the comfort of a big, softly-spring full-size sedan. But, the traffic conditions in my area, the demands of the type of shopping we do today, the need to maneuver and park in small areas and tight spaces, the constant hazards of hitting something or someone at close range, the occasional need to carry bulky items, the way I often come out with my hands full of packages, my height and stooping to get in out of low-slung sedans, the need for more ground clearance to avoid curbs/parking-blocks on low-hanging body parts, the convenience/safety of AWD in bad weather, and the need for me to have more safety-features than my last car had all point to one thing, now, even for me, yes....a smaller crossover. There is a reason why these vehicles are selling so well.....even with the admitted loss in comfort over more traditional larger sedans.
08-13-20, 05:54 PM
#36
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I strongly considered waiting for the 2Gen Envision, but I decided to nix it, for several reasons. First, the Encore GX offered the same general styling theme (which many reviewers have liked) in a smaller, much less-expensive (my Select model, even with options, was only a little over 30K), and probably easier-to-park and maneuver package. Second, the GX offers the kind of shifter I like...a traditional PRNDL fore/aft lever, instead of an electronic device like the new Envision. Third, the GX is available now.....the new Envision won't be out till next year. Fourth, the GX is at least built in South Korea, one of our allies. The Envision is built in China....our economic arch-enemy. I soundly wish that both of them were built here at home, with American labor (remember my many comments on the big GM/UAW strike last year)? But, if my money has to go overseas, I'd rather it go to people in Korea who we are allied with, than to our economic arch-enemy.
I will admit, though, that the new Envision comes with what probably will be a smoother-running and more refined turbo-four to the GX's three-pot turbo. That was probably the only thing I would have found more appealing in the new Envision.
I also considered waiting for a new Bronco (I like the looks and versatility)....but, four things. First, they will probably be near impossible to get from the hype and publicity. Second, there will probably be dealer mark-ups...I'm at least getting a discount on the Encore GX. Third, Broncos are true off-roaders, and are probably not the type of vehicle I really need....they would probably ride too stiff for me, so, let the people who really want this type of vehicle (many of whom will probably be trading in Jeep Wranglers) have their pick of them instead. Fourth, too often (though not always), a first-year new Ford product means endless trips to the dealership for warranty-repairs.
Last edited by mmarshall; 08-13-20 at 05:57 PM.
08-13-20, 06:00 PM
#37
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Right now, so are many of my driving-conditions. But some of that is helped by the Encore GX's space-efficiency, and the fact that the right front seat folds flat enough to carry very long objects inside.
I also liked the Encore GX's interior, which IMO, particularly in the two-tone, is worthy of the Buick nameplate...more so than the slightly larger, existing 1Gen Envision (not the upcoming 2Gen, which will probably be a major upgrade)
I also liked the Encore GX's interior, which IMO, particularly in the two-tone, is worthy of the Buick nameplate...more so than the slightly larger, existing 1Gen Envision (not the upcoming 2Gen, which will probably be a major upgrade)
Last edited by mmarshall; 08-13-20 at 06:06 PM.
08-13-20, 06:19 PM
#38
Lexus Fanatic
Say it ain’t so...turbo, 3 cylinder, non-sedan, hood prop, Korean-tarrifed, mmmm 45 series tires? Congratulations on your new Buick. Marshall has crossed over from sedans
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 08-13-20 at 06:23 PM.
08-13-20, 06:58 PM
#40
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
No, I don't like hood-props, but you yourself mentioned before that, with today's vehicles, one doesn't go under the hood that often.
I believe that Korea is exempt from the auto-tariffs...there have been several recent statements in Car Chat about that.
I said earlier in the thread that I'd prefer it (and the new Envision) to be American built....but I can't control where GM's managers decide to ship their labor. And I felt (and still do) that, given the choice, it's better, with your shopping, to support one of your allies (Korea, where the Encore GX is built) than the Chinese, who will build the new Envision (they also built the last Envision). Of course, walk into almost any department store (particularly Target or Walmart), and it's virtually impossible to avoid Chinese-made goods....they literally rule the shelves.
Congratulations on your new Buick. Marshall has crossed over from sedans
Last edited by mmarshall; 08-13-20 at 07:11 PM.
08-14-20, 03:48 PM
#42
Lexus Champion
Wow! Congrats.
How long have you had your Lacrosse? 3 years? Maybe 4? That seems like it's going to be a heck of an adjustment going from a large V6 powered traditional sedan to a 3 cylinder compact crossover.
How long have you had your Lacrosse? 3 years? Maybe 4? That seems like it's going to be a heck of an adjustment going from a large V6 powered traditional sedan to a 3 cylinder compact crossover.
08-14-20, 04:20 PM
#43
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by swajames
Congrats, MM!
How long have you had your Lacrosse? 3 years? Maybe 4?
That seems like it's going to be a heck of an adjustment going from a large V6 powered traditional sedan to a 3 cylinder compact crossover.
One thing I will miss, even though I didn't always keep my cars that long, is the Cadillac-grade 6/70 and 4/50 Warranty that Buick used to have...it's been scaled back to a Chevy/GMC-grade 5/60 and 3/36.
Granted, the Encore GX is not as silky-smooth to ride and sit in as the Lacrosse, but I typically don't make long drives, and I need something easier to maneuver and park. I also like having the Encore GX's AWD system that can be disconnected when it is not needed (which is most of the time). And the Chevy/Buick/GMC shop I use has been superb in the way they have treated me over the years...this is my third new Buick from them. The Encore also, for the price, has a lot of safety-avoidance gear in it that I probably should have gotten on my Lacrosse, and didn't.
Last edited by mmarshall; 08-14-20 at 09:38 PM.
08-14-20, 08:13 PM
#45
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Won't have it for probably close to a couple of months. Yes, I'll do a write up when it comes in. From my test-drives, though, the only thing I don't like is some typical three-cylinder vibes from the engine, at low RPMs, on start-up and low-speed acceleration. Sure, it doesn't ride quite as smooth as the Lacrosse, or have quite as cushy seats, but one has to expect that in a small crossover. It does, IMO, have an interior worthy of a Buick, particularly up front.
The main reason I chose the Encore GX over the Trailblazer (same platform, same mechanicals) was that I thought the Encore was much better looking both inside and out...simpler and more attractive. I also have a longstanding attraction to the Buick nameplate. The Trailblazer was somewhat awkward-looking, although I Iiked its two-tone roof packages. The Encore offered several two-tone black-roof or white-roof combinations, but not with the Bronze color I liked. Both have good workmanship ad materials inside, especially for this class of vehicle.
The main reason I chose the Encore GX over the Trailblazer (same platform, same mechanicals) was that I thought the Encore was much better looking both inside and out...simpler and more attractive. I also have a longstanding attraction to the Buick nameplate. The Trailblazer was somewhat awkward-looking, although I Iiked its two-tone roof packages. The Encore offered several two-tone black-roof or white-roof combinations, but not with the Bronze color I liked. Both have good workmanship ad materials inside, especially for this class of vehicle.