In recent times, Buicks have been known for a driving experience similar to this.
However, the 2008 Buick Enclave thunders down the road like this.
Past Buicks (Grand Nationals not withstanding) have gone down the road with a ride and steering more attune to nautical applications. The Enclave, on the other hand, feels like I'm driving a freight train. It feels positively enormous (which it is), but unlike other big vehicles, it feels totally planted as if 204,865 pounds were pushing down on rails rather than just 4,865 on pavement. The steering is taut and transmits enough feel to assure me I'm in control, while the suspension eats up road imperfections with a reassuring "thunk-thunk." No ship's tiller steering numbness, no bounding over bumps like you're on the high seas.
In 1992, my then-64-year-old grandfather lamented the Buick LeSabre his company gave him was an "old man's car." While I'm not sure what the Enclave does to that image, it certainly does something to stifle Buick's reputation for creating ocean-going vehicles.
James Riswick, Associate Editor @ 6,754 miles
estreka says:
10:45 AM, 12/18/07
My old roommate has an '05 Buick and his license plate says "DA BOAT"
SubyTrojan says:
10:47 AM, 12/18/07
Old roommate or ex-roommate, estreka? Hehehe
Nice "photochop," James!
estreka says:
11:10 AM, 12/18/07
Ex. Haha, yeah I should be more specific.
SubyTrojan says:
11:27 AM, 12/18/07
Since you're in a van down by the river, do you offer your services as a motivational speaker, too?
Sorry for going OT, James. I'll behave now.
stovt001 says:
10:16 PM, 12/18/07
Oh my goodness, all the mushy good-feelings and gushing over the Enclave is making me nauseous. Haha, actually, its just refreshing to see a GM vehicle that actually makes the critics fall in love with it. It doesn't need excuses. It doesn't get compliments just based on the fact that it is "far better than the last one." I hope all future GM vehicles are this good.
And Suby, after my 3 hour drive home tonight, I'm so tempted to send my resume in to Edmunds. I know commuting to and from Santa Monica won't be much better, but when I actually watched the oil life meter on my car drop 3 percentage points as I sat still on one spot on the freeway, I realized something has to change.
SubyTrojan says:
11:44 PM, 12/18/07
stovt001, I commute 24 miles (75-90 minutes) from Monterey Park to the Santa Monica office everyday. It's well worth it! :o)
stovt001 says:
12:19 AM, 12/20/07
Based on where I live, I should be able to do it under an hour then, because both ways you're going against traffic.
Well today, I realized from the 5 north, if I take the 710 north to the 10 West, I perfectly bypass the East LA interchange and add only a couple miles to my trip, for time savings of about a half hour. It was one of my finest moments. Why didn't I think of it before?
Still love my job, but I would also love working at Edmunds I think. You are pretty lucky. Enjoy it!
SubyTrojan says:
12:41 PM, 12/20/07
The 5 N to the 710 N to the 60 W to the 10 W could be better. The East LA interchange usually isn't bad enough to make me wish I wasn't there.
I take the 60 W to the 10 W every morning.
You also need to remember that a certain university in Westwood (hehehe) ended their fall quarter last week (they really should call it a trimester system since most of their students are enrolled in three "quarters"...but that would make too much sense...at the University of Southern California, a properly named semester system is in place =Þ ) and people are already leaving town for Christmas (or other holiday people chose to observe during this season). I got to work in about 45 minutes this morning.
hondacura4 says:
07:25 PM, 12/20/07
"stovt001, I commute 24 miles (75-90 minutes) from Monterey Park to the Santa Monica office everyday."
I find this just rediculous! Ive never been to the west coast before and when I hear things like this Im not sure if I want to go. I live about 14 miles from my place of employment and it takes me about 18 minutes and that includes stop lights and other motorists!
bimmerjay says:
01:03 PM, 12/23/07
"I find this just rediculous! Ive never been to the west coast before and when I hear things like this Im not sure if I want to go."
LA traffic is definitely horrendous, but not representative of the rest of CA. Although we have our bad spots, the traffic up here in the Bay Area is nowhere near as bad!
estreka says:
10:08 PM, 12/24/07
I lived in Santa Maria and commuted to Vandenberg AFB (about 15 miles) and it took me a solid 45 mins to an hour. Traffic is horrendous everywhere in Cali.