[augy]

So we've been looking for a 1-3 year old replacement car to the wife's 99 Grand Prix with 175,000 on it. She wants a GM SUV to "haul the grandkids". We both like the looks and room of the Enclave without going to a large Suburban-type truck. We've got one spotted on a dealer lot; 3.6 engine, AWD, black, loaded, 11,400 miles, priced at $35,500. I'm thinking an offer around $30M, no trade, to start.

Any members with experience or thoughts (good, bad, or otherwise) on the '12 Enclave would be greatly appreciated.

 

[PHX396]

They are great SUVs. I would not even mention a trade at all. I would offer your 30k. See where that gets you and if your not satisfied then was. I think you should be able to get it for 32 or less. They are going to ask you where you want you payments, tell them you care about purchase price not payments. I would get pre approved at a bank before you go in so you know what interest rate you will have ahead of time.

 

[OldSoldier]

My wife has an '09 with about 65K on it. She loves it and it has had zero problems. It is messy changing the oil though, but that only sucks for me. There were no changes from '09 to '12 MY so it should be a nice truck. It is a big SUV though, don't let the curves fool you!

 

[John in NC]

The price seemed high to me until I looked up some of them that are for sale. $30K looks to be a good deal if it checks out.

Is it CPO (certified pre-owned) with some sort of extended warranty? That would be nice especially since it sounds like you keep cars for a long time.

Check to see if it was a program car or a loaner or anything like that. Of course check the carfax report, search the web with the VIN etc.

Hope this link works, it's 2012-13 Enclave's on ebay-

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Cars-Tr...=0&_qfkw=1&_trksid=p4506.c0.m273&_myi=2012-13

 

[Finally]

Definitely start with purchase price, no trade in. Financing see what you can do but let the dealer see what they can do. We just bought a new car today, 1.75% up 60 months through the credit union. The dealer could get us 1.49% for up to 72 months. Just don't go to the financing until you've agreed on a purchase price.

Can't help with the value, haven't looked at them.

 

[GRN69CHV]

Have the 2012 Caddy SRX version. 25K on it. Been great so far. Put a ClassIII receiver on it to haul my 10' utility trailer. The SRX replaced both an '06 STS and an '05 Avalanche. Fuel mileage is highly dependent on how you drive. Mine runs 18-19 daily low-mid 20's on the highway.

 

[zeke67]

SRX is smaller than the Enclave, not at all the same vehicle.

 

[GRN69CHV]

SRX is smaller than the Enclave, not at all the same vehicle.

Yes, they are different bodies, Buick, GMC and Chevy version are 3" wider, 1' longer and offer 3rd row seating. Drivetrain and mechanical components are the same. JMHO, GM did a great job designing the 3.6DI motors. I've ran mine to the rev limiter a few times. That motor is silky smooth all the way to 7000 rpm, yet it has great torque right off idle.

 

[Andy's Auto Repair]

A good freind just bought an 8k '12Enclave last week. I think there is more going on behind that gas door than you might think. The guy is in love with it. Literally.

 

[zeke67]

Yes, they are different bodies, Buick, GMC and Chevy version are 3" wider, 1' longer and offer 3rd row seating. Drivetrain and mechanical components are the same. JMHO, GM did a great job designing the 3.6DI motors. I've ran mine to the rev limiter a few times. That motor is silky smooth all the way to 7000 rpm, yet it has great torque right off idle.

Different platforms too. The Enclave is on the Lambda platform with the Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia. Both are bodied differently from the Buick. The SRX is on a version of the Theta platform that is similar to the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain and also included Pontiac, Saab, Saturn models and also some cars. There are a few variations of Theta, and the SRX was not on that platform in the beginning, only since 2010.

Some mechanical components of both Lambda and Theta are shared with the Epsilon car platform. The 3.6 engine is available in both, but only in the SRX starting in 2012. And I fully agree that it's a great engine.

There isn't a Cadillac in the Enclave / Traverse / Acadia size class. If you go for a full size three row Caddy SUV, you move to the Escalade.

 

[augy]

Update: This post was started 3 months ago, now we finally bought a 2012 Enclave. Same one we found at the beginning of this thread. We looked at LOTS of them, but kept going back to this one. Dealer still had it, we settled on a price of $32,400. Only had another 50 miles on it since June. Carfax checked out with no problems, accidents, etc.

Wife drove it home yesterday, 2 hour drive from the dealership. I had to follow in the "old" 99 GP. Now she won't let me near the Enclave.......

Today is her birthday..........most expensive gift she's ever gotten.

 

[zeke67]

Congratulations and thanks for the update.