Enclave for daily driver

IdaD wrote:

Lessmore wrote:

IdaD wrote:

covetsthesun wrote:
Does the AWD reduce the mpg?

cts

Yep, but it's worth it imo.

We drove a couple of these when we were getting a car for the wife/kids a few years back and thought they were pretty nice. Very roomy for sure. I didn't think the platform was quite as rigid as some of the competition and the handling seemed somewhat sloppier as a result, though. We ended up getting a Pilot which has been great so far, to date needing nothing beyond scheduled maintenance and a new set of tires - it's now approaching 60,000 miles. It seems to get similar mileage to what I'm seeing in this thread (17-18 city, low 20s highway).

To the OP, a change like you're contemplating is rarely worth it if your rationale is saving money on fuel. It may make sense for other reasons, though.

My view on the Pilot/MDX is different.

I have a buddy who has an Acura MDX, which is basically a deluxe, high end Pilot. I find these SUV's have cramped seating for larger people, noisy (wind noise on highway) and also due to the design, has some expensive maintenance items. He just replaced his Honda V6 timing belt....factory required maintenance item as this engine is an interference design. In other words...if the belt snaps....the valves hit the pistons. Expensive item to replace.

The fact that it had a timing belt bugged me when we bought it. But I've had vehicles with timing belts before and never had a problem with them. My mechanic generally charges $400-500 to change them so I didn't think it was that big of a deal (on past vehicles - I haven't had him quote me the Pilot yet). Aside from the timing belt it's a great motor. I haven't noticed any excessive wind noise either but all our kids are under 5 so I probably wouldn't notice any wind noise with the windows down on the freeway. :B

I can't imagine any normal sized person finding the seating cramped, though. At least in the front seats or middle row, anyway. Even the third row is fine for two adults if the middle row slides up just a bit. Maybe you're a bigger dude than me but I'm 6' so I'm not tiny.

I'm about 6' 3" + and 240 lbs. I have what I call 'hockey knee' from many years playing defense, when I was young. My knee's... particularly my left one... hurts.... if I can't stretch my leg's out. Yep, I've had an operation on that knee. Too many body checks into the boards.

I have found that Buick's (I have a LaCrosse)....provide a lot of leg room, shoulder room and comfort, compared to many other makes.

Les

PAThwacker wrote:
Pennsylvania has snowy winters 15 to 22% local grades and may be unplowed at crucial times. Our driveway has 2 v8 Chevy SUV and we use them for multiple uses other than soccer practice shuffling.

Yes you do indeed have some serious grades!! I intend to use the new vehicle to travel to places like that. Colorado is high on my list of places to ramble around. Wolf Creek Pass comes to mind. There's a warning sign on 70 east coming thru Denver "Truckers you are NOT DOWN YET".

MO doesn't have much in the way of nasty grades... plenty of nasty weather though. But I do tend to gravitate toward areas with grades. Some doozies in Arkansas, Tennesee, Kentucky, North Georgia etc.

That's one of the reasons I'm interested in other folks experiences. It does sound like an Enclave (type suv) would work. Rather than AWD I think I'd prefer 4WD option. Got it when you need it... don't have to use it when you don't.

Thanks to all for the experiences and advice.

cts

Lessmore wrote:

IdaD wrote:

covetsthesun wrote:
Does the AWD reduce the mpg?

cts

Yep, but it's worth it imo.

We drove a couple of these when we were getting a car for the wife/kids a few years back and thought they were pretty nice. Very roomy for sure. I didn't think the platform was quite as rigid as some of the competition and the handling seemed somewhat sloppier as a result, though. We ended up getting a Pilot which has been great so far, to date needing nothing beyond scheduled maintenance and a new set of tires - it's now approaching 60,000 miles. It seems to get similar mileage to what I'm seeing in this thread (17-18 city, low 20s highway).

To the OP, a change like you're contemplating is rarely worth it if your rationale is saving money on fuel. It may make sense for other reasons, though.

My view on the Pilot/MDX is different.

I have a buddy who has an Acura MDX, which is basically a deluxe, high end Pilot. I find these SUV's have cramped seating for larger people, noisy (wind noise on highway) and also due to the design, has some expensive maintenance items. He just replaced his Honda V6 timing belt....factory required maintenance item as this engine is an interference design. In other words...if the belt snaps....the valves hit the pistons. Expensive item to replace.

The fact that it had a timing belt bugged me when we bought it. But I've had vehicles with timing belts before and never had a problem with them. My mechanic generally charges $400-500 to change them so I didn't think it was that big of a deal (on past vehicles - I haven't had him quote me the Pilot yet). Aside from the timing belt it's a great motor. I haven't noticed any excessive wind noise either but all our kids are under 5 so I probably wouldn't notice any wind noise with the windows down on the freeway. :B

I can't imagine any normal sized person finding the seating cramped, though. At least in the front seats or middle row, anyway. Even the third row is fine for two adults if the middle row slides up just a bit. Maybe you're a bigger dude than me but I'm 6' so I'm not tiny.

IdaD wrote:

covetsthesun wrote:
Does the AWD reduce the mpg?

cts

Yep, but it's worth it imo.

We drove a couple of these when we were getting a car for the wife/kids a few years back and thought they were pretty nice. Very roomy for sure. I didn't think the platform was quite as rigid as some of the competition and the handling seemed somewhat sloppier as a result, though. We ended up getting a Pilot which has been great so far, to date needing nothing beyond scheduled maintenance and a new set of tires - it's now approaching 60,000 miles. It seems to get similar mileage to what I'm seeing in this thread (17-18 city, low 20s highway).

To the OP, a change like you're contemplating is rarely worth it if your rationale is saving money on fuel. It may make sense for other reasons, though.

My view on the Pilot/MDX is different.

I have a buddy who has an Acura MDX, which is basically a deluxe, high end Pilot. I find these SUV's have cramped seating for larger people, noisy (wind noise on highway) and also due to the design, has some expensive maintenance items. He just replaced his Honda V6 timing belt....factory required maintenance item as this engine is an interference design. In other words...if the belt snaps....the valves hit the pistons. Expensive item to replace.

Pennsylvania has snowy winters 15 to 22% local grades and may be unplowed at crucial times. Our driveway has 2 v8 Chevy SUV and we use them for multiple uses other than soccer practice shuffling.

IdaD wrote:

covetsthesun wrote:
Does the AWD reduce the mpg?

cts

Yep, but it's worth it imo.

We drove a couple of these when we were getting a car for the wife/kids a few years back and thought they were pretty nice. Very roomy for sure. I didn't think the platform was quite as rigid as some of the competition and the handling seemed somewhat sloppier as a result, though. We ended up getting a Pilot which has been great so far, to date needing nothing beyond scheduled maintenance and a new set of tires - it's now approaching 60,000 miles. It seems to get similar mileage to what I'm seeing in this thread (17-18 city, low 20s highway).

To the OP, a change like you're contemplating is rarely worth it if your rationale is saving money on fuel. It may make sense for other reasons, though.

We've had some "life changes" and are re evaluating needs under the new normal. Love trucks. At least I do. DH would be happy with a car or small SUV. Cars are just uncomfortable for me to travel in. In a truck...or SUV you sit up high enough to just slide in and out without a lot of torque on the spine or hip joints. And... it is a lot easier to get an SUV in a garage. Trucks not so easy and we're back in the land of ice/snow/hail etc. The Enclave (type vehicle) seemed like a good compromise.

cts

covetsthesun wrote:
Does the AWD reduce the mpg?

cts

Yep, but it's worth it imo.

We drove a couple of these when we were getting a car for the wife/kids a few years back and thought they were pretty nice. Very roomy for sure. I didn't think the platform was quite as rigid as some of the competition and the handling seemed somewhat sloppier as a result, though. We ended up getting a Pilot which has been great so far, to date needing nothing beyond scheduled maintenance and a new set of tires - it's now approaching 60,000 miles. It seems to get similar mileage to what I'm seeing in this thread (17-18 city, low 20s highway).

To the OP, a change like you're contemplating is rarely worth it if your rationale is saving money on fuel. It may make sense for other reasons, though.

Yes, the AWD does reduce the mpg by approx. 2 mpg.

The trucks and full-size suvs that have switchable 4wd have the advantage that they are not running AWD.

Does the AWD reduce the mpg?

cts

Dadoffourgirls wrote:

covetsthesun wrote:
Test drove an Enclave the other day and was pretty impressed with it's handling and all around comfort. Also considering Traverse etc. Looking for a larger SUV that gets better gas mileage than my truck. Truck averages 18mpg both city/hwy. The Enclave I test drove averaged 23mpg.

Pros and cons...I'm interested in experiences and suggestions.

Thanks
cts

I have been on vacation. Just saw this.

I have driven the AWD version (Acadia and Traverse)of these for 3 of the last 5 winters. They were each new. The first one did not shift smoothly. I also struggled to get 20 mpg. The 2014 shifted smoothly, and I was able to easily average 21 mpg. For winters, there has been nothing better than the AWD. These vehicles were point and go through any snow or weather (and we did have record snow last year).

I also used mine to tow my livestock trailer. It did a great job, and had plenty of power. I really liked the ability to manuever the trailer with these vehicles.

As for the Buick, I do believe that they use a different glass for quieter ride, as well as other different sound prevention to make the Enclave quieter.

Also, these GM CUVs have a air-bag between the driver and passenger seat, to prevent the driver and passenger from colliding during a side-impact.

If there is not a surviving spouse to obtain the discount as noted, please send me a private message. I will see what can be done to provide you the Family discount.

Our 2wd Travers shifts like a dream, but I will agree with you, it won't get 20 mpg. We get 17 overall day in, day out. Pretty good power too for what it is.