I know you done like GM vehicles, but my Father inlaw past away and my wife wants to purchase his 2015 Buick Enclave AWD with 18000 mile for 15000 from his trust. It has the premium leather package, loaded with options and has 3 row seating.
She currently has a 2013 Subaru Forester Wagon 4 cyl X Premium AWD with 80000 miles. Equipped with the average options.
However, the engine was replaced at 24000 miles due to spinning a bunch of rod bearings because of excessive oil consumption and no low oil warning. Engine was replaced under warranty.
She also drove into a large sign causing grill, hood and passenger front fender damage. The damage was repaired by a professional auto body shop and you can’t tell it was damaged.
We would sell the Forester if we purchase the Enclave.
for anyone answering the msrp of the Buick is (about) $47,000
MSRP was 47,905 (window sticker)
Average trade- in is 21,750
See here for answer to similar question:
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/buick-enclave-3/#post-53962
Thanks
If it were me, though the deal is tempting, I would keep the Forester. If Scotty answers this question, he would most likely say "better the devil you do know than the devil you don't."
Though the miles are old, it is still 6 7 years old. If you really like it I guess it could be ok for a while the depreciation certainly has been taking place under your father's ownership. Just don't expect more than 100k miles out of it. Your Forester is AWD and 4 cylinder pretty good system and its engine got replaced and you know the maintenance so that would be the plus to keep it a bit more. It also depends on how much you would get if you sell it.
Thanks
The Enclave sits for 6 months each year. Father inlaw wintered in Florida each year and it stayed st his summer residence.
My wife doesn't drive any longer so I doubt we’d drive it more than 5000 mile per year. She wants it because has more cargo space for all her show dogs and equipment. The Forester is packed tight. What I’m leery of with the Forester is the excessive oil consumption and i hate the transmission downshifts. Yes, Subaru replaced the engine with an exact replacement but didn’t fix the excessive oil consumption issue. Now I monitor the oil level frequently. Transmissions are not repairable, only replaceable. They are totally sealed units.
You might want to consider a lower mileage used Toyota Highlander they are excellent and a lot better than the Enclave. When you get to the 80k miles the Subaru has with the Buick, you will start to have electrical and engine issues.
The Enclaves do not hold up well over time. They start off nice and quiet but become rattle traps as they age.
