MM Ownership - 2021 Encore GX (initial and ongoing updates)
06-28-21, 12:47 PM
#242
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
06-28-21, 02:16 PM
#243
Lexus Fanatic
06-28-21, 02:36 PM
#244
drives cars
That color really pops. It looks great, and enjoyed the write-up. 
06-28-21, 03:47 PM
#245
Lexus Fanatic
06-28-21, 06:29 PM
#246
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Yes, Thanks, I know about the upcoming recall....I posted about it several days ago. In fact, I think you replied to it.
I haven't received a formal notice yet.....assuming that my vehicle is one of the affected VINs. GM (and most manufacturers I've dealt with) tend to send out letters in the mail.
06-28-21, 06:30 PM
#247
Lexus Fanatic
Yes, Thanks, I know about the upcoming recall....I posted about it several days ago. In fact, I think you replied to it.
I haven't received a formal notice yet.....assuming that my vehicle is one of the affected VINs. GM (and most manufacturers I've dealt with) tend to send out letters in the mail.
I haven't received a formal notice yet.....assuming that my vehicle is one of the affected VINs. GM (and most manufacturers I've dealt with) tend to send out letters in the mail.
06-28-21, 06:36 PM
#248
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I still secretly want a 6 speed manual Spark.
Last edited by mmarshall; 06-28-21 at 06:44 PM.
06-28-21, 06:51 PM
#249
Pole Position
As always a great review.....So it seems like the main thing you don't care for is being a 3 pot & Gm cutting down the warranty on Buick's. Kinda similar when Ford went to a 3 pot for the Fist(Fiesta ST) vs the previous 4 pot that was over here. Possibly wouldn't be as noticeable w/ a stick vs auto. Curios, What was the main tipping point for you over the Corsair? Was it the tad bit bigger size?
06-28-21, 07:20 PM
#250
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Thanks, but I haven't done any true MM-Reviews on new vehicles for quite some time....the last was the 2Gen Toyota Venza and the new Land Rover Defender. When the pandemic hit, I shifted to writing about older cars and/or vehicles from the past.
I can easily live with this three-pot turbo, particularly with the Buick Quiet-Tuning which calms some of the noise down. But, yes, I'd definitely prefer at least a four. And, yes, I agree, GM has taken a classic American nameplate and turned it into a lineup of crossovers that are (mostly) built outside the U.S. Buick is fortunate, though, that the Encore GX was pretty much what I was looking for this time.....otherwise, they would have lost me as a customer. The warranty-downgrade, IMO, also cheapens the brand (one formerly got a Cadillac/Lincoln/Lexus warranty at a Buick price)......but I suspect it was done to cut costs. Buick also knows that many of their core, long-time customers are either dying off or hanging up the keys, and their new-generation of younger buyers (like with the GX) aren't as concerned with the brand's past.
Oh, and BTW, it looks like Buick, after the new Envision, is going to introduce still another small crossover in the American Market......the 2Gen Encore (not the GX), which will replace the 1Gen Encore, sold in America from 2013 up to now. The 2Gen Encore, at first, according to GM, was not coming to the U.S. (it was to be a Chinese-staple)......now, it looks like they have changed their minds.
Thanks.....an excellent question. No, I didn't necessarily find the Corsair too big. And it also drove quite nicely......with less engine noise and vibration from the turbo-four than the Encore GX's Turbo three. It also has the old 6/70 and 4/50 warranty that Buicks used to have....and don't have any longer. But Ford and Lincoln have had a bad track record lately of introducing new SUVs with problems...the MKC (which I also liked) was loosely-built and unreliable, the Aviator and latest Explorer were beset with numerous problems from Day One, to the point where they had to go back to a completely different plant for repairs. The Corsair was a big improvement over the MKC in many ways, but, according to Consumer Reports, also unreliable. So, even though I knew a number of people at my local Ford/Lincoln shop, from shopping there with other people, and/or when they worked in other dealerships, I decided to pass. In addition, I have a longtime respect and attraction for the Buick nameplate, my dealership has created me superbly (until maybe a couple of very recent exceptions), and Buicks have generally been Better-than Average in reliability....arguably the best reliability for an American nameplate.
So it seems like the main thing you don't care for is being a 3 pot & Gm cutting down the warranty on Buick's.
Oh, and BTW, it looks like Buick, after the new Envision, is going to introduce still another small crossover in the American Market......the 2Gen Encore (not the GX), which will replace the 1Gen Encore, sold in America from 2013 up to now. The 2Gen Encore, at first, according to GM, was not coming to the U.S. (it was to be a Chinese-staple)......now, it looks like they have changed their minds.
Curious, What was the main tipping point for you over the Corsair? Was it the tad bit bigger size?
No, I didn't necessarily find the Corsair too big. And it also drove quite nicely......with less engine noise and vibration from the turbo-four than the Encore GX's Turbo three. It also has the old 6/70 and 4/50 warranty that Buicks used to have....and don't have any longer. But Ford and Lincoln have had a bad track record lately of introducing new SUVs with problems...the MKC (which I also liked) was loosely-built and unreliable, the Aviator and latest Explorer were beset with numerous problems from Day One, to the point where they had to go back to a completely different plant for repairs. The Corsair was a big improvement over the MKC in many ways, but, according to Consumer Reports, also unreliable. So, even though I knew a number of people at my local Ford/Lincoln shop, from shopping there with other people, and/or when they worked in other dealerships, I decided to pass. In addition, I have a longtime respect and attraction for the Buick nameplate, my dealership has created me superbly (until maybe a couple of very recent exceptions), and Buicks have generally been Better-than Average in reliability....arguably the best reliability for an American nameplate.
Last edited by mmarshall; 06-28-21 at 07:28 PM.
06-28-21, 09:16 PM
#251
Lexus Fanatic
Thanks, but I haven't done any true MM-Reviews on new vehicles for quite some time....the last was the 2Gen Toyota Venza and the new Land Rover Defender. When the pandemic hit, I shifted to writing about older cars and/or vehicles from the past.
I can easily live with this three-pot turbo, particularly with the Buick Quiet-Tuning which calms some of the noise down. But, yes, I'd definitely prefer at least a four. And, yes, I agree, GM has taken a classic American nameplate and turned it into a lineup of crossovers that are (mostly) built outside the U.S. Buick is fortunate, though, that the Encore GX was pretty much what I was looking for this time.....otherwise, they would have lost me as a customer. The warranty-downgrade, IMO, also cheapens the brand (one formerly got a Cadillac/Lincoln/Lexus warranty at a Buick price)......but I suspect it was done to cut costs. Buick also knows that many of their core, long-time customers are either dying off or hanging up the keys, and their new-generation of younger buyers (like with the GX) aren't as concerned with the brand's past.
Oh, and BTW, it looks like Buick, after the new Envision, is going to introduce still another small crossover in the American Market......the 2Gen Encore (not the GX), which will replace the 1Gen Encore, sold in America from 2013 up to now. The 2Gen Encore, at first, according to GM, was not coming to the U.S. (it was to be a Chinese-staple)......now, it looks like they have changed their minds.
Thanks.....an excellent question. No, I didn't necessarily find the Corsair too big. And it also drove quite nicely......with less engine noise and vibration from the turbo-four than the Encore GX's Turbo three. It also has the old 6/70 and 4/50 warranty that Buicks used to have....and don't have any longer. But Ford and Lincoln have had a bad track record lately of introducing new SUVs with problems...the MKC (which I also liked) was loosely-built and unreliable, the Aviator and latest Explorer were beset with numerous problems from Day One, to the point where they had to go back to a completely different plant for repairs. The Corsair was a big improvement over the MKC in many ways, but, according to Consumer Reports, also unreliable. So, even though I knew a number of people at my local Ford/Lincoln shop, from shopping there with other people, and/or when they worked in other dealerships, I decided to pass. In addition, I have a longtime respect and attraction for the Buick nameplate, my dealership has created me superbly (until maybe a couple of very recent exceptions), and Buicks have generally been Better-than Average in reliability....arguably the best reliability for an American nameplate.
I can easily live with this three-pot turbo, particularly with the Buick Quiet-Tuning which calms some of the noise down. But, yes, I'd definitely prefer at least a four. And, yes, I agree, GM has taken a classic American nameplate and turned it into a lineup of crossovers that are (mostly) built outside the U.S. Buick is fortunate, though, that the Encore GX was pretty much what I was looking for this time.....otherwise, they would have lost me as a customer. The warranty-downgrade, IMO, also cheapens the brand (one formerly got a Cadillac/Lincoln/Lexus warranty at a Buick price)......but I suspect it was done to cut costs. Buick also knows that many of their core, long-time customers are either dying off or hanging up the keys, and their new-generation of younger buyers (like with the GX) aren't as concerned with the brand's past.
Oh, and BTW, it looks like Buick, after the new Envision, is going to introduce still another small crossover in the American Market......the 2Gen Encore (not the GX), which will replace the 1Gen Encore, sold in America from 2013 up to now. The 2Gen Encore, at first, according to GM, was not coming to the U.S. (it was to be a Chinese-staple)......now, it looks like they have changed their minds.
Thanks.....an excellent question.
No, I didn't necessarily find the Corsair too big. And it also drove quite nicely......with less engine noise and vibration from the turbo-four than the Encore GX's Turbo three. It also has the old 6/70 and 4/50 warranty that Buicks used to have....and don't have any longer. But Ford and Lincoln have had a bad track record lately of introducing new SUVs with problems...the MKC (which I also liked) was loosely-built and unreliable, the Aviator and latest Explorer were beset with numerous problems from Day One, to the point where they had to go back to a completely different plant for repairs. The Corsair was a big improvement over the MKC in many ways, but, according to Consumer Reports, also unreliable. So, even though I knew a number of people at my local Ford/Lincoln shop, from shopping there with other people, and/or when they worked in other dealerships, I decided to pass. In addition, I have a longtime respect and attraction for the Buick nameplate, my dealership has created me superbly (until maybe a couple of very recent exceptions), and Buicks have generally been Better-than Average in reliability....arguably the best reliability for an American nameplate.
06-29-21, 07:52 AM
#252
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Buicks are indeed generally more reliable then average, but IMO, their engines and transmissions are not as problem-free as those from Toyota or Lexus. My Verano, as with other GM products that used the same engine, had oil-consumption problems from bad piston-rings, and the Lacrosse had some hiccups in the 4-5-6 transmission-shifts that would come and go.
And that's not to say that Lexus drivetrains are all perfect, either LOL. My old Lexus IS300 also had an occasional hiccup in the engine/transmission ECU programming....which factory updates did not adequately address.
07-03-21, 09:02 PM
#253
Pole Position
Great that your enjoying your GX....Like you mentioned Ford sure is having issue's w/ they're new gen 6 explorer, as far as the engines for the Corsair which Ford has been using for yrs, the 2L turbo which started out w/ the "13 Fost had no problems in stock or lightly modified. The 2.3L had a head gasket recall on a few of the first run of RS's, being in a fwd there's going to be a cooling issue vs the same engine in a rwd, as well as using a open deck block, but there are quite a few open blocks, such as the 2gr....Comparing the different manufactures that CR looks at, you'll find possibly one model will hold the whole marque up while other models bring it down. I'm not brand loyal as I look at the category of the different manufactures as I ask many ppl, Name one manufacturer that produces great vehicles from the entry level model to they're top tier model? As you mentioned Buick motor company isn't the same as it was as other manufactures aren't either as they have to evolve to keep going, whatever that maybe & bring nowadays.....Enjoy your old vehicle reviews btw.....
08-04-21, 04:26 PM
#254
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I got the jack-recall from Buick last night in the mail....a paper copy. Kind of sounded like the recent recalls from Kia and Hyundai telling people not to park in the garage. It said the new jacks aren't available yet, but, in the meantime, not to try and use the existing jack for a lift. The new jacks are on the way, and Buick is going to send out another notice when they are ready.
This recall also affects the Chevy Trailblazer, as it is mechanically the same as the GX.
This recall also affects the Chevy Trailblazer, as it is mechanically the same as the GX.
08-04-21, 04:28 PM
#255
Lexus Fanatic
I got the jack-recall from Buick last night in the mail....a paper copy. Kind of sounded like the recent recalls from Kia and Hyundai telling people not to park in the garage. It said the new jacks aren't available yet, but, in the meantime, not to try and use the existing jack for a lift. The new jacks are on the way, and Buick is going to send out another notice when they are ready.
This recall also affects the Chevy Trailblazer, as it is mechanically the same as the GX.
This recall also affects the Chevy Trailblazer, as it is mechanically the same as the GX.
Hope they get it right for you
