The Car that could have Changed my Life: 2008 Buick Enclave

by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady  

Back in the days when I was a full-time carpool Mom chauffeuring my kids from lesson to games to sports activities and more, the ultimate status symbol was being in the right car pool. Getting in was more difficult than joining a chic sorority. You needed to have a big car and live on a main traffic path.

I failed carpools miserably. My car would only really seat five besides me. I was sort of like the kid who could not catch the ball--last picked for sports. I ended up carpooling with other mothers who were either owners of space-challenged cars or lived in remote places. The result was I got to drive more often and farther off the path. 

Flash forward to the Present

For the past week I have been driving the 2008 Buick Enclave CX FWD. It is every woman's dream. Not only is it the most perfect carpool car, seating seven, but it also has a rear seat the easily folds down so you can have plenty of space for those major shopping days. I felt like I was Queen of the Road while I was driving it. I drove a foodie friend to the grocery store and I think her grandson wanted to come for the ride just because I had such a big shiny car. Since I don't do carpools anymore I would love to someday fill the car with grandchildren. (no pressure, kids. I am happy to have grandbaby Hudson for now). With the comfortable seats and spacious interior plus the DVD Rear Seat Entertainment, this would be a wonderful vehicle for a family trip.

These days, I am usually alone in the car. I kept thinking I should offer all my friends a ride. It seemed so decadent to be driving a car this big with all kinds of features--sort of like living alone in a seven bedroom home and sleeping in a different room each night.

This Car might have Saved my Marriage

Some differences , like temperature preferences, are irreconcilable.  I think anything under 75 is cold. My ex-husband thought anything over 60 was too hot. If only we had a car with separate temperature controls for each passenger. This may seem like a little thing, but I loved this feature. Research has shown that 85 per cent of all car purchases are influenced by the number of cup holders. For me, it would be the number of "climate" zones.

A Boost for my Confidence

The model I drove had a driver confidence package. Although I might be embarrassed to ask for it, I did feel more confident with the remote start, ultrasonic rear parking assist, heated windshield washer fluid and 18" machined alum wheels. Worth every penny of the $225 package price.

Super Safe

The Buick Enclave is truly a five star vehicle. Government safety ratings are 5 stars for both driver and passenger for a frontal crash and five stars for front seat and rear seat in a side crash. 

Some of the other safety and security features include anti-lock brake system, stabilitak-stability control, traction control system, Airbags, dual front head curtain side airbags, front and side impact airbags, Child safety latch system, tire pressure monitoring sys, remote keyless entry, 1 year Onstar directions with turn by turn navigation.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER 

1. Getting In and Out.

I am short. The Buick Enclave was a little hard for me to get in and out of--even in slacks. I think it would have been extremely challenging in a tight skirt. But if you are over 5'4" this won't be a problem.

2. The automatic trunk.

It is nice to have the trunk open with the push of a button, but I got a little impatient for it to close. Once I put something in the trunk, I am ready to get moving. And keeping my trunk open for public view--even for a few minutes-- is like opening my purse on "Let's make a deal." The power lift gate is terrific for lifting up the trunk--but I wish there was a hands on option to just quickly pull it down. A few weeks ago, I drove a Chevy Malibu and loved the trunk strap for pulling it shut.

3. The mileage.

Although the car is supposed to get 16 miles per gallon in the City and 24 on the Highway, I felt like I got less than that. Or maybe my perception is changed because the car I drove before this was a hybrid and I barely used a third of a tank. On the Buick Enclave, I used a tank in six days and although I no longer drive carpools, I do have kind of a regular schedule when I am home.

www.buick.com

Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer and a member of the Texas Automotive Writers. Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.carladynews.com, www.yogayaya.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.coffeeAtlas.com and www.coffeeatlas.com