Best of Buick

Football's over, baseball's a-coming, the NBA is nearing the playoffs, NASCAR is on the go and even golf is adding to the weekend's choices of which sport to watch. It was during one of those early golf tourneys that I saw Tiger Woods in action on the golf course and in television commercial promoting the 2008 Buick Enclave. I got curious and visited Weaver Auto and Truck Center in Grass Valley to learn more about Tiger's newest ride.

For 2008, Buick is offering only three models: the Lacrosse, Lucerne and Enclave. The Lacrosse and Lucerne are sedans and offer several choices of model types within each class, such as CX, CXL and Super. Tiger's new ad features the Enclave, which also offers a CX and CXL version.

The Enclave is "the first luxury crossover", according to Buick's literature. A crossover vehicle is described as an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) on a car-based platform, 'combining the spirit of the SUV with the performance and economy of a car', according to AutoTrader.com. A conventional SUV usually has separate body and frame structure, whereas crossovers are built like cars, with single-structure bodies and frames. The result is a car that combines the best of both vehicles: the looks and convenience of a SUV with the gas mileage and handling of a car.

For the Enclave, that means a 3.6-liter VVT (Variable Valve Train) V6 engine that delivers 275-horsepower and 16 MPGs city/24 MPGs highway with regular unleaded gas. A 6-speed, electronically controlled automatic transmission enhances that fuel economy and Performance Algorithm Shifting optimizes performance by analyzing acceleration, throttle and deceleration activity and downshifting automatically, if necessary. The Enclave's tranny system can also sense when you're driving downhill and will automatically shift into a lower gear, taking the guesswork out of shifting, especially when towing or carrying a heavy load. Front wheel or four-wheel drive is available in both versions.

The vehicle has a four-wheel independent suspension, allowing each wheel to react separately from the others ( advantageous on uneven road surfaces), and variable assist power rack-and-pinion steering that makes it respond more like a car, especially during low-speed maneuvers. The four-wheel anti-lock disc brake system is vented to dissipate heat Ð you race fans know what hot brakes can do to a vehicle's stopping ability Ð and utilizes Dynamic Rear Proportioning, which increases or decreases the rear brake pressure for top brake force balance when braking.

Inside, the Enclave can seat up to eight people comfortably. Captain's chairs are standard for the second row but a bench seat is also available, increasing the seating to eight. The second and third row seats fold flat and the second seat uses 'SmartSlide', which smoothly pushes the second seat forward to allow better access to the rear seat.

Safety-wise, there are dual-stage driver and front-passenger air bags and head-curtain side air bags to protect passengers in all three rows. Additionally, there are front-seat mounted thorax air bags that provide even more protection for the driver and front seat passenger, in case of a side impact, and a 360-degree passenger sensing system and rollover protection. The Enclave has received the highest crash safety rating Ð five stars Ð from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

OnStar is standard with the Enclave and includes Automatic Crash Notification and one free year of Directions and Connections, with Turn-by-Turn navigation. A three-month free trial of XM radio is offered with the audio package, which includes MP3 playback capability, an auxiliary input jack to connect portable music devices to the system and six speakers, all standard. Upgrades include a rear seat DVD entertainment system, heated seats and side mirrors, power lift gate and a back-up camera.

The Enclave also offers a very quiet ride. "I've actually had people say it's too quiet," says Dan Taliaferro, top sales consultant at Weaver's. Buick has used its exclusive QuietTuning process, designed to reduce vibrations, block noise and absorb sound by using a number of techniques, including laminated safety glass, quadruple door seals, acoustic foam in the doors and floors and a sound-deadening engine mat.

All of those little extras are pretty attractive to any car buyer, particularly older drivers, who are looking for a comfortable, luxurious ride with style. But Buick is trying to target a younger generation interested in those same features, with all the bells and whistles of a Lexus or Acura at a better price. "Younger people have a hard time with that Buick reputation of being an elderly person's car," said Taliaferro. "It's not anymore."

The Buick Enclave is available at Weaver Auto and Truck Center, 400 Idaho-Maryland Drive, Grass Valley; phone 530-273-6141. You can also 'build your own' Enclave at www.buick.com, which gives you the ability to choose options, interior and exterior colors and check the MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price) when you're finished.

Notes: Richard Childress Racing scored a one-two-three finish in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway; Jeff Burton was first, followed by Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer. The race also marked the end Dale Jarrett's driving career, which spans 24 years and includes three Daytona 500 wins and the 1999 Cup series championship.



The 2nd annual North American Mercedes Benz Diesel Drive takes place on March 29th, starting at 11am in the parking lot of Smothers Mercedes Benz in Santa Rosa and travel through the wine country to The Cheese Factory in Petaluma. A group of local MB owners will meet at IKEA in West Sacramento at 7am that Saturday to caravan to the event. Participation in the Internet-based drive is free; at least 35 cars are already scheduled to attend. More information is available by contacting Jim Baubel at mix91@yahoo.com or on the Internet at http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=210803 .