Comments on: Buick unveils 2007 Enclave SUV

By: AndoverBob

AndoverBob — Sun, 27 May 2007 11:34:08 +0000

I had not intended to buy a Buick Enclave. To be honest, I wasn’t even aware there was such a beast when I pulled into the Vero Beach, Florida dealership with my 2004 Rendezvous Ultra. We first experienced Rendezvous (yes, overlooking the style challenges) as a leased CXL (loaded) in 2002. We were so pleased with its quiet performance, that we bought a 2004 Ultra. Everyone who rode in the car was impressed with it as a quiet, competent AWD for the northeast (we live in NJ). The day before we left for a short vacation at our home in Florida, someone with whom I had recently become acquainted saw our Ultra for the first time. He’s a younger family man with two young children. He and his wife liked the Ultra very much. So when we arrived in Florida I thought a visit to the Buick dealer might lead to a new Rendezvous when we got back north since a few email messages confirmed that the friend would seriously be interested in a private purchase of our 2004 Ultra.

It was then that I discovered the Rendezvous was already out of production! When I was introduced to the Enclave, I thought, “good grief, they’ve replaced the Rendezvous with a bigger, heavier, more expensive model … what is this, the Ranier II?” Boy, did I learn how wrong I was!

A test drive with my wife was so impressive that we bought the Enclave we tested (had 36 miles on odometer). It happened to come with exactly the options we’d have picked with exactly the color we wanted.

The ride is impressive. EXTREMELY quiet (unbelievably so), VERY smooth … almost no appreciable roll on cornering (reminds us of the Porsche 924 we had way back when … also an Audi A4 AWD my wife had). We got the FWD version as we are selling NJ home and relocating south.

This car is a vast improvement over the Rendezvous and is not style-challenged either! Handles as a competent car would, but with amazing storage and carrying capacity. No longer will we be concerned with relegating the fifth rider to the small third-row of the Rendezvous. I’m no slim Jim and I was able to easily get into the third seat, adjust the second seat for comfort in the third seat, then adjust the passenger seat for comfort … and the second row “captain’s” seat was comfortable even with adjustments for comfort in the first and third row seats in front and behind! Also, using the alternate exit mode from the third seat (the center aisle, rather than popping the second seat forward), I was amazed at the ease and comfort of exiting by that route … plenty of headroom and a suffiiently wide corridor to make an easy, comfortable exit.

I am very impressed with this Buick!

On the critical side, interior convenient access storage is a bit on the light side (where to put CDs? Tissues?). Everything else is superior to the Rendezvous … and it’s not a truck!

Buick has a winner with this one … and I feel fortunate to have bought the first one sold out of the Vero Beach dealership!

By: Viral

Viral — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:05:17 +0000

Mary – Enclave production starts on April 2nd and they should be hitting the dealerships in June. They will most likely get the same gas mileage as their sister cars (GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook) which is 18/26 FWD, 17/24 AWD. We recently purchased a GMC Acadia and it’s truly amazing! Believe all the hype and rave reviews. This is, quite possibly, the best GM vehicle ever built! There’s a new forum dedicated to the Enclave that just started. Check it out at http://www.enclaveforum.net

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 13:14:48 +0000

Good old American “Everything HAS to come with a V8 and thats that!” attitude. Signing the Kyoto tready any time soon?? And there is NO way its going to be released looking this good. Good old GM will make damn sure of that!

By: Mary Collins

Mary Collins — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 01:44:30 +0000

My lease on my Envoy will be up in Apr. 07. When will the Enclave be out and what will the price range be? I’m very interested in the Enclave. Would my dealer put my name on a list? Also, what kind of mieage will this car get?

By: Darrell Hall

Darrell Hall — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 12:39:49 +0000

When can we buy one of these enclave’s?We are in the market for a new car and if this model was avaible soon we would consider it.We are looking at the avalon now.Also what price range would this vehicle be.What kind of mileage is projected for this suv.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 20:20:09 +0000

looks like a VW tourag only weirder…the interior is nice, but the design of the vehicle doesn’t look that appealing. (to me of course)
Say what you want to say, I’m not trying to be unruley

By: travelinsurance

travelinsurance — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 12:24:58 +0000

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By: Kyle

Kyle — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 03:03:44 +0000

GM should completely drop buick, the styling just gets uglier

By: homebusiness

homebusiness — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 08:54:03 +0000

homebusiness homebusiness

By: Suzi Geske

Suzi Geske — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 17:05:02 +0000

I am in love with this new Enclave. I want to buy or lease it right now. It will give me the great options for the kids and also look stylish. Not so bulky as a van. I can’t wait to order this Buick in the Spring of 2007.

By: christine

christine — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 15:09:28 +0000

I love this suv “Enclave”. I would buy it in a heartbeat! For six years I have been looking around for a car I thought would be worth the money. I am loath to give up my buick LaSabre because it has what I want and does what I need. I have looked at everything and test driven every new model that has caught my attention.But nothing compare to my buick for the money.Do not change anything. You’ve sold a Buick Enclave!

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 22:26:32 +0000

The Buick market is soft right now, there’s no doubt about that. However, with production models like the Enclave I can see that peoples enthusiasm for GM vehicles will soar. It looks like GM is diversifying itself, ie: the 07 Sierra Classic and the GMC Acadia that are soon to come out. I don’t think we’ll be seeing the Enclave across other GM badges (at least I hope). The Enclave is exactly what Buick needed to create for their current customer and the customers they are trying to reach.

“Beyond Precision”

By: Jimmy Guy

Jimmy Guy — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 21:28:40 +0000

When my lease is up on my Trailblazer (Dec of 07) we will be getting the Enclave. I jokingly tell my family that I am going to “save my allowance” to get it (inside family joke). Excellent job. Now bring back the 94-96 Impalas!

By: Phisith Verngjabok

Phisith Verngjabok — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 04:18:16 +0000

I am a 36 year old Thai guy. I grew up around Hondas and Toyotas and the like. I never even heard of Buick until I came to the United States. I like the Enclave a lot but I already have a 2006 Rainier. It is great. With quiet tuning the Rainier is so peaceful inside. I like all of the electronic controls for the mirrors and seats and gas and brake pedals. The Rainier does not have a back up camera but I wish it did. I am very excited about seeing the Enclave soon. Maybe it will be my next vehicle. In my opinion I would like Buick to place the navigator screen higher up in the dashboard, than it is in the Rainier, so I don’t have to take my eyes so far away from the road to see the screen. I hope the third row seats fold down completely flat in the Enclave.

By: Kathy Helgerson

Kathy Helgerson — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 05:05:45 +0000

Currently driving the Rendezvous. I am not as happy as I was with my Envoy, yet I wanted something different. I am most frustrated with the heaviness of the tailgate and really like the look of the enclave. I love the interior and still hoping that the rear look gets some changes. Hoping it will change from a distraction to an attraction. We all like a good looking rear end, right?

By: Darrell Miller

Darrell Miller — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 12:25:58 +0000

Buick has not made a car that I would consider driving since the Grand National. I grew up in buicks my fater has owned a Wildcat,Electra 225,Lasaber and a Park Ave. I always loved the ride and look of those old cars, then buick stopped making nice cars. I was just about to buy a Ford Freestyle because I have 3 kids,wife and my mother in-law in my home and i did not want a gas sucking SUV nor did I want to get another min-van. Then I saw the Enclave in Motor Trend and I can’t stop looking at it nor re-reading and information that I have. I just want to find out the price point and and a go on sale date.

By: snoboardguy21

snoboardguy21 — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 14:09:10 +0000

If GM produced this AS IS it would be the first time Buick ever showed up on my “perspective” radar.

By: bdame

bdame — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 02:03:44 +0000

THIS VEHICLE IS THE BEST THING THAT I’VE SEEN IN A LONG TIME. I’d take this over any suv out there. Over an escalade. I was going to buy an infiniti fx but, i’m going to wait it out and get on the list to buy one of these. This thing is a Lexus killer. The only suv that comes close to this is the new Acura Md-x that’s due out in october. But this just has something more.
Buick neds to get this vehicle out.

I’ll buy one for sure.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 23:53:02 +0000

IT ONLY SEATS 4?!?!? AHAHHAHAHAH…never goin 2 be made…

By: norcalrobbie

norcalrobbie — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 10:48:49 +0000

Wow… Buick suddenly has a car that appeals to me. I never really cared for car-based SUVs… they just seem like oxymorons in themselves. But this is nice… I hope the production version looks similar (I do have reservations about the third row seat and cargo space, however.) I’d buy it if it weren’t for the Lexus RX since Buicks don’t keep their value as well… But I still gotta hand it to Buick for the Enclave.

By: s teve

s teve — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 19:32:36 +0000

As an owner of an Envoy I think this looks good. I’m in the market for new vehicle. Like the look of the Infinity FX and Nissan Murrano but would prefer to Buy GM.
Why did you not use the same engine/drivetrain as Envoy (staight 6 – 270 hp) ? What will the price point be ? When will the production model be available ? Send me some info.

By: Phil Mitchell

Phil Mitchell — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 14:27:14 +0000

In 2002 I chose a 1999 Lexus RX300 over a new Rendezvous primarily because of the rear end styling of the Buick. I have not been sorry especially when my Lexus is worth more now than the Buick. However, I really like the styling of the new Enclave and will strongly consider one for my next CUV, that is, if it is not overpriced.

By: jason reeves

jason reeves — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 01:53:37 +0000

I REALLY LIKE THIS STYLE OF THE EXTERIOR AND MY KIDS LUV THE INTERIOR AND THE DVDS. WHEN WILL THIS BE ON THE MARKET AND WHATS THE ASKING PRICE LESS OR MORE THAN $30K THIS SHOULD BE A MUST BUILD

By: Sally

Sally — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 17:46:00 +0000

I have driven nothing but Buicks since 1992. 2 Park Avenues, Regal GS, now a 2004 Ranier CLS which I love but I really want this SUV. It is beautiful and will get up and go with the V8. Can’t wait!!

By: Randy

Randy — Tue, 30 May 2006 21:33:48 +0000

I’m getting ready to buy a new Ranier. I really like the Enclave – - – but if a portion of the center console cannot be removed and the 2nd and/or 3rd row seats cannot be lowered or removed – - – we have a very nice & comfortable 6 seater with very few utility applications. The R-350/R-500 Benz have folding 2nd and 3rd row seats with a beautiful removeable console between the 2nd row seats – - – I guess we get what we pay for!

By: Walt

Walt — Tue, 30 May 2006 11:25:44 +0000

Yet another GM cell phone with 4 tires (aka OnStar).

GM needs to decide if it wants to sell cars, or sell cell phones and cell phone service. It can’t do both, and do them well.

GM, get out of the cell phone business! Leave that to Verizon, Cingular, Sprint, etc. Start to re-focus again onto cars.

By: M

Tue, 30 May 2006 06:26:16 +0000

This car looks great in my opinion, THEY SHOULD BUILD IT!!!!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 23 May 2006 14:05:45 +0000

Oh, and whitney sounds pretty spoiled

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 23 May 2006 14:04:29 +0000

It may beat the daylights out of the Rendezvous, which is in my opinion the ugliest production car ive ever seen, but its still a Buick and there ain’t much changin that.

By: Donfuy

Donfuy — Wed, 17 May 2006 08:44:30 +0000

Nice.

By: Eddie

Eddie — Wed, 17 May 2006 04:29:31 +0000

It will be Absolutely the SUV of the year. WOW breath taking. Is about time Buick stands out. Must have it.

By: Enzo

Enzo — Sat, 13 May 2006 14:50:17 +0000

Upon first glance, I thought…a Pontiac Vibe clone? Looking closer, it’s obvious where Buick is going with the Enclave. Rendezvous was compared favorably to the Lexus 330. It looks like Enclave will try to take it up a notch with more contemporary styling. That doesn’t mean I like it that much. The Vibe-like rear end down-slope is a major turn off. I love the front end but as other commentors have indicated, the rear end is hideous; a blend of a Tourareg and the ultra-grotesque Murano…YUK. The weird shape of the rear window could be corrected by simply lowering the tail lights or not allowing such a radical down-slope of the back end of the entire car. Square up the rear window, make it larger, and appeal to more mature car buyers. Sure, Buick might gain new customers with the “Japanese” styling but they’ll lose lots of loyal repeat Buick customers with the drastic departure from the economical luxury they expect from Buick.

The interior woodgrain and other new features and toys will definitely sell. But you know adding any of them will be at a cost that will crank the overall sticker price up sky high. Let’s hope this Rendezvous replacement will retain all the comfort and hopefully some of the roominess and keep the price down (yeah…like that’s gonna happen). More importantly, let’s hope this is just a “concept” car and that Buick is open to making changes to the body that will make it more appealing. I’ll buy one then.

By: Peter Porteners

Peter Porteners — Fri, 12 May 2006 06:30:15 +0000

Hello…. I am an employee at the brand new “state of the art” plant where the new Enclave is in the process of being produced by many motivated, enthusiastic employees with high hopes of bringing this fine vehicle into the quality status of Lexus, Toyota and any company who dares compete. As you can tell, I am PROUD to be on this new road towards success with many General Motors products. We WILL remain # 1 with PRIDE.

By: Rayna Bissey

Rayna Bissey — Wed, 10 May 2006 02:00:58 +0000

The Enclave is striking to say the least, and carries a very appropriate name for a unique crossover amidst the multitude of sport utilities available. I’ve been looking for a “standout” vehicle, among all manufacturers, for some years now, and am extremely excited to be finding an American car that piques my interest.

Now that you’ve grabbed me, please ensure that this vehicle will PERFORM. I’m hoping for dynamic handling, a whole lot of “pep”, safetey and reliability, and hopefully all of the above in a fuel efficient package.

The exterior is catchy, although the 21″ wheels seem a bit overboard. My only negative comments on the interior are: 1) The fold-out trays detract significantly from the otherwise sleek interior; 2) An option for a fold-down third row seat (rather than the bucket/console combination)will prevent losing potential buyers who need more storage space; and 3) The number of DVD players seems excessive and will unnecessarily raise the price. Hopefully the final production model will not be an “all or nothing” proposition. I would like one or two DVD players, but don’t want to pay for four.

Thanks for creating some real excitement in the auto industry, and speed the process up if possible because I don’t want to wait much longer!

By: steve

steve — Mon, 08 May 2006 17:49:11 +0000

reasons not to buy this car can be summed up in 3 words.
BECAUSE ITS GM!!!!!!!!

By: chapter13_GM

chapter13_GM — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 14:42:13 +0000

Reasons not to buy this car can be summed up in 4 words.

GM, built by UAW.

Enough said.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 22:43:08 +0000

Hey this looks…this looks “nice”. But that’s about it. Nice. Nice doesn’t sell though, mediocre doesn’t move cars, if it did Pontiac wouldn’t be near getting killed and Buick wouldn’t be outsold by every foreign luxury brand there is. The interior on this vehicle, well, it’s gross. Mixing the fake aluminum trim with the low quality wood look terrible. It does look better than the interior of the Rendevous, where words can’t describe how bad that is. The exterior looks alright, but Buick doesn’t think big enough. Lexus’s RX330 is a near perfect SUV, with an optional hybrid powertrain, powerful yet economical traditional engines, perfect interior trim, and a sleek exterior, not to mention perfect build and reliability quality. So basically, this Buick is ‘alright’, nothing to compete with Lexus’s and Acura’s vehicles which are ‘brilliant’.

By: ALLAN SCHINDLER

ALLAN SCHINDLER — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 01:51:52 +0000

WE NEED TO REPLACE MY WIFE’S 99 GRAND PRIX SOON. MY WIFE LOVES THE “HEADS UP DISPLAY” ON THE WINDSHIELD. -=– IT IS REALLY GREAT FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE GETTING OLDER, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE DRIVE AT NIGHT — SO MUCH EASIER TO READ WITH VERY LITTLE HEAD OR EYE MOVEMENT.
THE NEW ENCLAVE LOOKS GREAT WITH SUPER AMENITIES. WILL “HEADS UP” BE AN OPTION — WE NEED IT!!!! ALSO, DO NOT LET THE REAR END LOOK TOO MUCH LIKE A LEXUS, BUT I NEVER DID LIKE THE BACK OF THE RENDEZVOUS, EVEN THOUGH IT DROVE GREAT, HAS GOOD ROOM AND REALLY WAS A GOOD CAR IN THE MANY TIMES I DROVE ONE.
THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT — IS THERE AN ADVISORY PANEL OF SOME SORT — I THINK WE COULD POSSIBLY HELP A LITTLE BIT. THANKS AGAIN, ALLAN

By: Whitney

Whitney — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 19:37:48 +0000

My daddy got me the Rainier for my 16th birthday because I love buick, and it is a great SUV. I got news for daddy the Rainier is going back the very day the Enclave hits the market not matter what the price.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 02:06:09 +0000

This is the best design work I’ve ever seen come out of GM. I’m 33 years old, and by god, I love this vehicle. It’s spectacular… don’t change a thing and get it out the door in the low/mid 30′s and Buick will kick Lexus all over the place. Hopefully there are Buick sedans coming out with the same style and emotional sophistication. Cars like the Lacrosse and Lucerne… *snore*…. but this… this changes everything. Hope GM doesn’t screw this one up… I think we all have our doubts, but if GM starts building cars like this with emotional appeal, quality, elegance, style… then yes, we’ll come back into the fold with smiles on our faces.

If I need to read specs to decide if I like a car, then the design is shit. I need to look at it and think… “Spectacular…”

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 03:09:39 +0000

It’s about time customer’s had a GOOD looking American
vehicle. I’ve been waiting a long time and just about
had it with neighbors buying non-American cars, claiming U.S. makes unreliable cars. Detroit better make this a winner and afordable for middle class America!.

By: Ray

Ray — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 22:55:31 +0000

Oh! Bet on those idiots over at GM to screw this one up. It will look like pure sh*t when it comes out. They can’t help themselves.

Place your bets now!

By: kate doherty

kate doherty — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 18:49:27 +0000

I’m a Buick person. Always have been, hopefully always will be. I started with a 1959 Electra 225 and went to a 1966 Skylark. It took me sixteen years to finally give up my 1986 Estate wagon,from the day I drove her home until the day I caved and bought my 02 Rendzvous, I loved her. And in all those sixteen years, I never saw her that I didn’t think she was a damned pretty car. I’ve been very pleased with my 02 Rendezvous. I was planning to replace her with an 07 Rendezvouz and now I’m little concerned. Is this Enclave going to hang around? And what about cargo space? Is there any? When I travel or want to go to home depot for stuff, I need cargo room not a silly console in the way-back. Also, can i get the Enclave in silver, not washed out gun-metal?

By: Fred

Fred — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 02:18:33 +0000

I can’t wait to see, drive and possibly buy the enclave.
I currently drive an ’04 Rendezvous and love it, but i generally replace my car every 2 years. I’ve drove the LEXUS suv’s and the BMW X5, for the name, and the price I was not impressed. Just from the pictures online I can see the enclave will be very impressive. I read a comment from another post about the rear end looks. That is very important. I recently bought an 05 chevy equinox for a 2nd “around town” car and am considering getting rid of it mainly because the back end just isn’t very nice looking. Has nice room inside, front end is kinda fun and sporty, but the back end just doesn’t fit, so don’t forget about the rear end it’s important too! And lastly the enclave doesn’t need to be as luxurious as the concept model. Don’t change the style, its beautiful and what attracts me to it, but at the same time as someone who does well for oneself, but at the same time does work hard for my money, it would be nice to have a vehicle such as the enclave toned down just a bit inside to make it more affordable. As a buick owner we love the luxury of a buick, but luxury CAN be done at an affordable price!

By: Lynne Bally

Lynne Bally — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 15:16:41 +0000

Finally an American car that isn’t boring. I only buy American cars. It’s been difficult to find one with an attractive exterior. Hope they don’t price this too high. Less interior bells and whistles and I might be able to afford to buy one of these. When will they be available?