GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

The Encore seems to be a big hit. Everybody was all over it like VIBE-brating bees. It was nicer then it looks from a picture and bigger then I thought. Much fatter the the Sonic. It also has big 18 wheels that made it stand tall and SUV like. Stard price at about $24000.00. I like most things about it. However I was not able to open the hood. One thing that made me think it was really smaller then the Vibe, was the fold down rear seat. I was shown that to make the seat back lay flat, you must pull out the bottom seats from its supports and stand that up.

I recently looked at an Encore at the remaining Buick dealer in my area. I was not impressed. The Encore is shorter than a gen1 Vibe and also 3" taller. Add to this its' shorter wheelbase and the Encore looks ungainly to me. I am concerned about its' handling at high speeds. I like the idea a compact SUV. Had Buick stretched the wheelbase and lowered the roof to Vibe specifications, I would have given it a second look.
chiadog

Chiadog wrote:I recently looked at an Encore at the remaining Buick dealer in my area. I was not impressed. The Encore is shorter than a gen1 Vibe and also 3" taller. Add to this its' shorter wheelbase and the Encore looks ungainly to me. I am concerned about its' handling at high speeds. I like the idea a compact SUV. Had Buick stretched the wheelbase and lowered the roof to Vibe specifications, I would have given it a second look.
chiadog

I agree with everything you said. The Encore is I think an upgrade from the Sonic body and internal parts. But it sure is bigger then the Sonic. Looking at it and being it, I can't tell much difference then being in a 2009 Vibe. I can really feel the height when I step out of the Encore. They disconnected the hood release so no one can look at the engine. A plus that I give it... is that it's made in the USA.

BTW the height was due to the large 18" wheels and tall sidewalls tires.

At $24,000 there are a lot of other and IMO better alternatives. I almost bought a 4 dr Sonic for the heck of it before the end of Feb. because of $3,000 in GM rebates plus discount - but I was just too busy to get serious about that. I would have sold it hoping to make several hundred profit or traded it to a dealer for something I really wanted. In the meantime I bought a well maintained small single family home near me out of an estate for what I think is a bargain price that I hope to rent - closing is later today. This is a new experience for me - wish me luck. My wife is not too supportive of this venture but it didn't involve borrowing any money and I think the downside is minimal. At 70 I think I may be having some sort of a late life crisis! (I missed any mid-life crisis.) This maybe my alternative to going to the new casino that opened a few months ago here in Columbus.

jake75 wrote:At $24,000 there are a lot of other and IMO better alternatives. I almost bought a 4 dr Sonic for the heck of it before the end of Feb. because of $3,000 in GM rebates plus discount - but I was just too busy to get serious about that. I would have sold it hoping to make several hundred profit or traded it to a dealer for something I really wanted. In the meantime I bought a well maintained small single family home near me out of an estate for what I think is a bargain price that I hope to rent - closing is later today. This is a new experience for me - wish me luck. My wife is not too supportive of this venture but it didn't involve borrowing any money and I think the downside is minimal. At 70 I think I may be having some sort of a late life crisis! (I missed any mid-life crisis.) This maybe my alternative to going to the new casino that opened a few months ago here in Columbus.

Well you should take a real look at this Encore, but buying a new home is more important. I'm ten years behind you. (Almost 60) and I have a mid-life crisis. Unless a lot of money comes my way, I'll be holding on to my Vibe for a long time. Now a days buying and renting a house seems better then keeping money in a low-to-no interest paying bank account.

Aside from having to deal with renters that may destroy the place, that sounds great.

Find some good ones, jake75.

Chiadog wrote: the Encore looks ungainly to me. I am concerned about its' handling at high speeds.

And that's assuming the steering wheel STAYS ON!
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And that's assuming the steering wheel STAYS ON!
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1083 ... #100376952" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;[/quote]

Oh Brother!


I finally saw one at a Dealership where I take my GMC Truck in for service, they only had one and it was outside and not in the showroom ? , anyway the interior was very nice but like others have said it is tall with 18`s on it. I did not like the stuff hanging out underneath the car, I like a clean undercarriage.