Wife would like an acadia,traverse,or enclave 09 or 10 ???

Would consider a newer Tahoe, but my suburban tows so good. The acadia would be our main ride . Sure love the looks of the enclave !!

gmcsmoke wrote:
I'd be looking at a used tahoe if it were me. stouter TV all the way around and the same MPG's.

X2

My '08 Highlander is a vehicle of similar size and power. I've towed with it for about 140,000 miles for work and play (currently 180K on the odometer).

gmcsmoke wrote:
I'd be looking at a used tahoe if it were me. stouter TV all the way around and the same MPG's.

I was thinking the same thing. My only experience with either a Traverse or Tahoe has been when I get one as a rental car, so maybe not the same as owning one. That said, I like the interior of the Tahoe better, they are similar size, get the same MPG, and the Tahoe has much more function both as 4x4 and as a tow vehicle if needed.

I'd be looking at a used tahoe if it were me. stouter TV all the way around and the same MPG's.

Are you using it to tow or using it as a towed? They are a fantastic vehicle to drag behind your Motorhome. We have an 09 Enclave we love. Only problem with it was it developed a bad miss-firing problem. Three different dealers tried to fix it, each time changing out a "coil Pack" which replaces a traditional ignition coil with a coil for each spark plug. I got fed up with $500 a visit charge and bought two coil packs and a set of spark plugs. I replaced two coil packs figuring if it didn't fix the problem I would swap them the next two until I got the problem fixed. Well, 10,000 miles have passed without a hiccup so I either guessed right or the $4.00 spark plugs were the problem even though the dealers each told me the never worry about the plugs because they never go bad. If I ever have the problem again I will start with replacing the plugs first and mess with the coil packs only if that doesn't fix the problem. BTW, each coil pack costs around $90 and are carried by all the major auto parts companies. They may have to be ordered in since not all stores stock them. They are not that difficult to change, took me about two hours and I did it while on vacation with only a few harbor freight hand tools. Would have gone much faster at home where I would have had all the correct tools instead of using things like a 50 cent crescent wrench knockoff to remove some bolts 1/8th of a turn at a time instead of having the correct ratchet to spin them off almost effortlessly.
When we shopped for the rig new, we found the Enclave was much better built than either the GMC or Chevrolet version. Much more insulation, better ride, much better fit and trim. If you can compare them pretty much side by side you might agree with us and really concentrate on finding the correct Enclave. Towing them is a breeze, but you might want to find a replacement fuse for the one you need to pull. I found one at Pep Boys that was taller than the OEM version, so it is much easier to pull.

Our Daughter has a 2011 dark red Buick Enclave loaded to the hilt with options including the tow package option and has 71,000+ on it now. Was close to $60K MSRP on the window sticker. Not one single problem ever and never had any repairs done or needed. OEM tires still on. Constantly averages 22-24 mpg mixed driving, about 28 when all highway driving to events. Usually has 4-5 passengers in the Enclave shuttling her daughters and other high school kids around the area as they live approx 7.5 miles from the high school and due the their schedules and activities and the shuttling to competitions around the west side of the state here, very rarely ride the school bus.

She absolutely loves the Enclave and how it rides and handles but doesn't tow heavy often with it other than their 22.5' I/O boat rig (around 4200lbs total + the passengers inside the vehicle, 4-5 and their stuff) to various launching ramps as they have other vehicles for their heavy towing.

07-09 (and some people reported on the 2010) having multiple;
1. Transmission wave plate failures. Causes loss of gears 1-3-5-R.
2. Timing chain premature wear. Check engine light, then grows from there.

We have a 2012 Enclave (AWD, 7-passenger, tow package). It has the DI engine. Absolutely love it except the 19" wheels (tires are expensive and limited). We've just passed 50k on it and not one complaint.

The Buick is rated to tow less than the Traverse/Acadia cousins because of the different suspension, but share identical drivetrain.

Tow/Haul mode on the transmission does just like all other T/H equipped vehicles, and it does work well. You can also lock out gears as you wish when placed in 'manual' mode, only being able to lock out top gears (allowing 1-5, 1-4, 1-3 ect, and locking it in 1st if you wish).

I've towed with ours, but not heavy 2000-2500 lbs, and it did great. On the interstate running 70 it pulled the flats in 6th, hills were 5th, and steep hills 4%+ were in 4th. When empty it will pull most hills in 5th. Any receiver hitch slop his kinda loud inside the cabin. There are guys on the Traverse & Acadia forums pulling normal mid 20' trailers and happy with results.

With the 3rd row seats popped up the storage is very limited. With them down there is a ton of room.

Wife gets 20mpg on here 70hwy/30city driving. Get 23-24 on the highway. Really flogging it on speed brought it back to 21-22.

For a TT, the similar sized Tahoe would be the way to go. A popup, or short/light TT the Lambda would do the job. Remember it is more of a car based vehicle.

If you are open to competitors, I highly recommend Ford Flex Ecoboost. I've driven a few of the GM Lambdas and am not impressed with engine/trans tuning and got 15-16mpg.

My brother has a 2011 Traverse and thinks it is great. From my perspective, it is not as useful for hauling people and cargo at the same time as my 2013 Grand Caravan, but for people who cannot fathom the idea of driving a minivan, the Traverse/Acadia/Enclave are great choices.