I dont care about boring, my parents are looking at a 2015 encore with about 60k miles. It's more of a question of is it a solid vehicle that will last a while? They typically drive a car until its worse completely out. Thanks
I dont care about boring, my parents are looking at a 2015 encore with about 60k miles. It's more of a question of is it a solid vehicle that will last a while? They typically drive a car until its worse completely out. Thanks
Dunno. No experience at all. Just interested in what the hive coughs (pun intended) up.
Looks like a GM Escape...
We don't feel anything. We are numb.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
That bad, Huh?
Speechless. That’s about as close as I get to a feeling about them.
GM tech here! They're mechanically pretty robust. See some issues with turbo underboost codes that usually result in turbos being replaced and occasional coolant leaks from turbo feed/return lines but really that is it. Usually happens while under warranty. Transmissions and AWD never give trouble
In reply to NickD :
Thank you.
I test drove one when I bought the Verano. It seemed nice and solid but I was uncomfortable with such a small engine for the beating i put on cars. Otherwise I really liked it.
Great, in true GRM fashion, now I want one.
I kid.
Bought my mom a 2012 encore to replace her 2003 Rendezvous. It took her a while to get used to the "baby buick" but she has grown to love it. Only issue she has had with it: The plastic "chrome" around the radio/hvac controls is rippling up and peeling off. Same with the steering wheel chrome. It's minor, but annoys me to no end. I did expect better at 27,000 miles
In reply to mad_machine (Forum Supporter) :
That;s odd too, because I've never seen that happen on one.
It (and the Chevy Trax) is a high roof version of the Gamma platform that the Sonic is built on. They're decent little "SUVs" in my experience. I'm not sure if they have the same front swaybar endlink issues that the Sonics did - they were plastic and wore out very quickly causing a clunk in the front end while steering.
collinskl1 said:It (and the Chevy Trax) is a high roof version of the Gamma platform that the Sonic is built on. They're decent little "SUVs" in my experience. I'm not sure if they have the same front swaybar endlink issues that the Sonics did - they were plastic and wore out very quickly causing a clunk in the front end while steering.
Nope, they fixed that issue. But when those end links wore out on the Sonic, they sounded like the whole damn front of the car was falling off. The Cruze, Sonic, Trax and Encore are all good A-to-B cars. They might not be the most exciting but they are very reliable rigs and get pretty solid fuel mileage.
NickD said:collinskl1 said:It (and the Chevy Trax) is a high roof version of the Gamma platform that the Sonic is built on. They're decent little "SUVs" in my experience. I'm not sure if they have the same front swaybar endlink issues that the Sonics did - they were plastic and wore out very quickly causing a clunk in the front end while steering.
Nope, they fixed that issue. But when those end links wore out on the Sonic, they sounded like the whole damn front of the car was falling off. The Cruze, Sonic, Trax and Encore are all good A-to-B cars. They might not be the most exciting but they are very reliable rigs and get pretty solid fuel mileage.
This is what I was looking for. They have been driving gm sedans since the early 1970s. They have always been basic, boring, and reliable as gravity. That is what they like. Now that their buick lacrosse is getting terminal rust and they are getting older (both just turned 70) I have been trying to push them towards a small suv to be easier to get in and out of. I just want to make sure they arent going to buy something that self destructs major components twice a year.
They seem like the perfect empty-nester/elderly driver car. Small enough that they are easy to maneuver, but new enough that if they are in an accident, the occupants should be safe. And easy to get in and out of.
Haven't checked yet but can Encores be pulled four down behind a motorhome. They seem about right size for this duty.
pirate said:Haven't checked yet but can Encores be pulled four down behind a motorhome. They seem about right size for this duty.
eTrailer says "No"
I looked at them and the Trax when a local dealership was offering an insane lease deal. I could never quite get it to work out financially, but it was close to me getting a "free car" just on gas mileage for my commute at the time. I found nothing to steer me away from it, but I ultimately went a different direction.
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/buick-encore-chevy-trax/139581/page1/
How does this engine hold up over the long haul. Any issues with turbocharger. I realize this is a small SUV but engine is also quite small. Does it have sufficient horsepower for daily driving, getting on interstate without wide open throttle all the time, etc.
My mother has a 2016 Trax awd that she bought new. She has like 70k on it and no issues with just basic maintenance(oil changes, brakes, tires).
She likes it and hasn't complained and I've driven it a few times and the turbo make it seem peppy and not underpowered at all.
Does it have portholes on the side?
They seem to be very popular. I see them on the road all the time, and never see them broken down on the side of the road. 
Kinda small for a some people, but a decent little crossover. I understand they share a lot with the Chevy Sonic that evidently just won the big JD Power initial quality award.
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