This post is related to my older one inquiring about these models: [https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...-as-used-vehicle-opinions-experiences.365797/]
Except I pulled the trigger. There were two in Columbus, OH, very near each other which made the drive on a Sunday worthwhile (I wasn't even sure if you could buy a car on Sunday in OH). I honestly didn't expect to buy.
The first one was a gorgeous midnight blue. Whoever took the photos to post on the dealer's website needs to be fired, because I hemmed and hawwed as to whether I even wanted to look at it after viewing the photos. It was much better in person. Asking price was 23.8K, I talked them down to 22K out the door, mostly because the passenger headlight is leaking moisture inside (not horribly but these are $1K+ fancy LED assemblies so want to be on the safe side), and because I was literally walking out on a couple occasions to go look at the other car (tight Sunday schedule) and they chased me back each time. I had to play all the games "we have someone bringing in a check tomorrow, 3 people in line to look at it, etc." but I know they have a wagon on their hands that isn't going to sell in a day. I felt I could have talked them down a little bit more, but it is a fair price plus this one checked all the boxes-- and I don't really want to make several 3+ hour drives searching for this unicorn of a vehicle.
Bonus is it has nearly brand new (date code 2241, previous owner installed) Yokohama Tornante tires, which look to have great reviews. If the previous owner splurges on tires, that usually means they haven't skimped out on the rest. This was originally a 3 year lease car, but Carfax lists a second owner after the lease as a "one owner" car. So I'm really the third owner. Interior I'd consider a 9/10 for a car this age.
Despite being a Michigan car most of its life, the underneath didn't look any different than any 4-5 year old vehicle I see in these parts. Probably not Arizona clean, but good enough for me. Think I spotted an actual metal gas tank underneath too, which was corrosion free.
I hate viewing cars in overcast conditions, which it happened to be-- was 45 degrees in KY but the 3-1/2 hr drive north to Columbus turned into low 30's and spitting snow. When I got it home in the light I saw the usual used car stuff on the exterior I missed at the dealer. Someone scrubbing too hard on a couple spots of the hood, swirl marks (which naturally come with dark vehicles), nothing major.
Doesn't feel as fast as I expected it to be given it's published 0-60 times, but I suspect AWD has a lot to do with that. I'm certain the dealer filled it up with 87 (they gave me 3/4 tank at delivery), so it might improve some once I put premium in it. I feel like my Maxima has better acceleration when you really get on it (it's also 700+ lb lighter), but the torque in this Buick moves it with authority. I'm not complaining. I haven't had a 4 cylinder in probably 15 years, it has the gruff sound of a 4-cyl, but it's quite smooth and well isolated from the cabin. And all the reviewers complaining about the slow/lazy shifting of the Aisin 8-speed? It's certainly tuned for fuel economy, and it has a lot of torque management built in, but I don't find it offensive. I honestly like that it lets the turbo do the work at lower (1.5-2.5k) RPM instead of downshifting needlessly when you're at moderate throttle. Cruising speed at 80mph resulted in barely over 2K RPM. I expected a taller 8th gear, but I have to remind myself my old Maxima is running 2900RPM at 80mph...
Has every option box checked for this vehicle that I'm aware of, including the panoramic sunroof. There's a couple features missing (like HUD) mentioned in the manual, but I think that's solely for the Opel models in Europe. Turned in 31 mpg all-highway driving on the way home. I can't remember ever driving a car that's this effortless and smooth on the highway. I nearly missed my turn onto I-65S in Louisville because I was in comfort-bliss mode just enjoying the ride, I'll have to get used to that. I think it'll make a fine commuter and has some utility.
I'll put it on the lift sometime this week and really get a good look at it. I see some wet spots on the top of the transmission that concern me, but that could be a sloppy oil change or something, too early to tell. Nothing suspicious underneath. Will keep you folks updated.
Except I pulled the trigger. There were two in Columbus, OH, very near each other which made the drive on a Sunday worthwhile (I wasn't even sure if you could buy a car on Sunday in OH). I honestly didn't expect to buy.
The first one was a gorgeous midnight blue. Whoever took the photos to post on the dealer's website needs to be fired, because I hemmed and hawwed as to whether I even wanted to look at it after viewing the photos. It was much better in person. Asking price was 23.8K, I talked them down to 22K out the door, mostly because the passenger headlight is leaking moisture inside (not horribly but these are $1K+ fancy LED assemblies so want to be on the safe side), and because I was literally walking out on a couple occasions to go look at the other car (tight Sunday schedule) and they chased me back each time. I had to play all the games "we have someone bringing in a check tomorrow, 3 people in line to look at it, etc." but I know they have a wagon on their hands that isn't going to sell in a day. I felt I could have talked them down a little bit more, but it is a fair price plus this one checked all the boxes-- and I don't really want to make several 3+ hour drives searching for this unicorn of a vehicle.
Bonus is it has nearly brand new (date code 2241, previous owner installed) Yokohama Tornante tires, which look to have great reviews. If the previous owner splurges on tires, that usually means they haven't skimped out on the rest. This was originally a 3 year lease car, but Carfax lists a second owner after the lease as a "one owner" car. So I'm really the third owner. Interior I'd consider a 9/10 for a car this age.
Despite being a Michigan car most of its life, the underneath didn't look any different than any 4-5 year old vehicle I see in these parts. Probably not Arizona clean, but good enough for me. Think I spotted an actual metal gas tank underneath too, which was corrosion free.
I hate viewing cars in overcast conditions, which it happened to be-- was 45 degrees in KY but the 3-1/2 hr drive north to Columbus turned into low 30's and spitting snow. When I got it home in the light I saw the usual used car stuff on the exterior I missed at the dealer. Someone scrubbing too hard on a couple spots of the hood, swirl marks (which naturally come with dark vehicles), nothing major.
Doesn't feel as fast as I expected it to be given it's published 0-60 times, but I suspect AWD has a lot to do with that. I'm certain the dealer filled it up with 87 (they gave me 3/4 tank at delivery), so it might improve some once I put premium in it. I feel like my Maxima has better acceleration when you really get on it (it's also 700+ lb lighter), but the torque in this Buick moves it with authority. I'm not complaining. I haven't had a 4 cylinder in probably 15 years, it has the gruff sound of a 4-cyl, but it's quite smooth and well isolated from the cabin. And all the reviewers complaining about the slow/lazy shifting of the Aisin 8-speed? It's certainly tuned for fuel economy, and it has a lot of torque management built in, but I don't find it offensive. I honestly like that it lets the turbo do the work at lower (1.5-2.5k) RPM instead of downshifting needlessly when you're at moderate throttle. Cruising speed at 80mph resulted in barely over 2K RPM. I expected a taller 8th gear, but I have to remind myself my old Maxima is running 2900RPM at 80mph...
Has every option box checked for this vehicle that I'm aware of, including the panoramic sunroof. There's a couple features missing (like HUD) mentioned in the manual, but I think that's solely for the Opel models in Europe. Turned in 31 mpg all-highway driving on the way home. I can't remember ever driving a car that's this effortless and smooth on the highway. I nearly missed my turn onto I-65S in Louisville because I was in comfort-bliss mode just enjoying the ride, I'll have to get used to that. I think it'll make a fine commuter and has some utility.
I'll put it on the lift sometime this week and really get a good look at it. I see some wet spots on the top of the transmission that concern me, but that could be a sloppy oil change or something, too early to tell. Nothing suspicious underneath. Will keep you folks updated.
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