GM's Buick (Enclave) is #1! Yes It's True, I'm Not Making This Up

CNBC.com ^ | November 08, 2007 | Phil LeBeau

[E. Pluribus Unum]

So there I am driving to the Northwestern/Iowa football game last Saturday when my friend Bruce says, "Hey, what do you think of the Buick Enclave? I think it's pretty sharp." Well Bruce, you are not alone.

The latest stats from J.D. Power's Power Information Network shows the Buick Enclave was the fastest selling vehicle in the U.S. last month. Yes, #1. The Enclave sold so fast, it was in showrooms fewer days than the Toyota Fit which rounded out the top "hot selling cars" in October.

Why is this a big deal? Buick is hurting, and if the Enclave is generating buzz with little marketing it is significant. It shows a good looking model can be sell even if the badge on the front is gasping for air. It also shows GM's designers have hit the right chord with it's latest crossovers (the GMC Acadia was the only other American model in the top ten of fast selling models).

If you've read this blog for any amouint of time you know my thoughts on Buick. It's the forgotten brand at GM with an undefined niche, little marketing support, and until now, few models I found attractive. Heck sales are down 23% this year and it represents less than 5% of GM's total sales. All reasons why I've wondered why GM doesn't go ahead and give Buick the Oldsmobile treatment and kill it.

That may still happen. But for now, the Enclave is giving Buick executives and fans a reason to smile. As I told my friend Bruce, "The Enclave is very nice, give it a look"

[wtc911]

Rogue is my next car...fully loaded at $26K...keeping the truck though for chores and surfboards.

[wtc911]

If you got the Santa Fe with the bigger motor you did just fine.

[Professional Engineer]

The Saturn is even better looking IMHO. Of course I might be biased.

[Nachum]

The Town and Country is a Chrysler product. The reviewers at Edmunds were not unanimous. The reviewer had this to say:

Cons Unimpressive reliability history, major safety features remain optional on lower-level models, no stability control, engines run out of steam on the highway, weak brakes.

This car would not be my first choice in minivan. We currently do drive a Chevy Astro van. I would buy another, but they stopped making them. :)

[Doohickey]

You could’ve had that five years ago if you’d have bought a Ford Escape.

[NathanR]

Right. From a movie. (LOL)

[wtc911]

It's been my observation that mini-vans in general have transmission issues. It's too large of a vehicle built on too weak of a drivetrain.

_____________________________________________

102K on a 99 Grand Voyager with zero tranny issues. I own houses and use the van like a truck carrying everything from lawn mowers to sheet rock.

[logic]

Actually we got the 2.7L and it moves very well. We test drove a 2.7L that was quite anemic so I was looking to get the bigger engine, but my wife went by and the let her take this one for the weekend so we kept it!! I actually thought they put a 3.2L in our car by accident, but it’s definitely a 2.7L...

[logic]

NO!!!! NOT A FORD!!!!!

[aroundabout]

Find the invoice price of your choice and deduct 3%, that represents actual dealer cost (3% is hold back). Of that 3% they will need to retain about $175 for advertising expenses so use the formula of invoice minus 3% plus $175 and you will have net dealer cost. ind out any mfg incentives either to customer(you)or to the dealer and deduct them from the invoice also. You will be at absolute cost for the vehicle. Go in with a check and offer them $300 over this net cost price. Go from dealer to dealer and I’ll bet you get the deal or within $100-150 of the price.

Also make sure you don’t let them charge you excessive doc fees or registration fees.

I worked 20 years for Nissan and know as well as anyone how the game is played. It works as well on Toyota, Honda and the others.

[wtc911]

Good advice, you work it the way my wife does. Me, I like the ride, I buy it. That’s why the wife won’t let me go alone.

[abigailsmybaby]

You betcha! It’s the 5th one we’ve bought since 2000. We have 2 one ton trucks now. We’re trading in one of them tomorrow. The new truck is an F450.

[blam]

I'm considering this Maybach

[spectre]

RED is the only way to go with the CTS...congrats.

sw

[Fledermaus]

Wasn’t that featured on “Trick my Grandpa’s Ride”?

[logic]

I agree they are making some nice trucks, but I can’t justify supporting a company who refuses to stop promoting the gay agenda.... It’s like entertainers, you can do what you want off stage, but when you do it on stage I’ll refuse to go...

[Hildy]

I can’t wait! I got all the bells and whistles..the 2008 has been totally redesigned inside and it is fabulous...pop-up navigation, 40gb hard drive..tivo like radio - if Rush says something brilliant, I can rewind it and hear it again! Or just touch a button and record it!!!!

[Hildy]

LOL! Yea. That’st he car Rush has, I believe!

[Hildy]

LOL! Yea. That’s the car Rush has, I believe!

[DallasMike]

I own a 2006 Buick Lucerne. It has a better and quieter ride than my wife’s 2007 Caddy.