Subaru recalls 634,000 vehicles due to risk of puddle lamp fires

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[Sailfish]

Hey, Sailfish would like this option: Dog Guard Compartment Separator.    It's $335 for that.

(OH and the destination prices now appear when I build one....weird)

EDIT: (...just noticed that I'm 5 posts away from GOD)  
LOL!

I have that for my VUE already. Don't think it cost that much though, granted it was nearly 10 years ago.  I wonder if we would decide on the Terrain or Equinox if it would fit in the back of that one?

Interesting Kids as I was playing around with building the Outback myself the other day.  Don't remember what price I was ending up with though.

[Crystalblue08]

Umm kids the encore one level up from base is less than you target budget even with AWD. Im not sure about the black cloth interior, if it there it is probably leatherete trimed whicb I remember you said you were bot thrilled with.

But if your under your target budget is it really such a deal breaker?

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

[kidsenclave]

Umm kids the encore one level up from base is less than you target budget even with AWD. Im not sure about the black cloth interior, if it there it is probably leatherete trimed whicb I remember you said you were bot thrilled with.

But if your under your target budget is it really such a deal breaker?

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

Here's what I don't like about the Encore, and to be fair...I'm talking about on paper and in pictures, have not seen it in person.  I don't like that it's built in Korea.  I know, if I'm considering a foreign brand, what's the difference?  I get that, just that I would like to see an American brand built here, if possible.  The other thing, the Encore just has weird proportions, at least in photos....it's not easy on the eyes, and is much smaller than something like the Escape or Outback, even the Forester is bigger.  Then, small thing....but I HATE those little black things under the headlights.  They don't seem to serve any purpose, other than detract from the front end styling. (the Ford Escape has similar things under the headlights, but much smaller, and seems to work...but still...what are they FOR?)  Also, another small thing....the cloth seats are not all cloth, they have leatherette side bolsters.  Not sure if that would matter, but my wife would determine that when we look at it in person sometime.  It's a nice day out today, and she's got the day off, we may go and peek at some cars today if we get the chance.  We don't need AWD, but since Subaru has it standard, I'm building out the other competitors with AWD so to compare apples to apples.  With similar options, here's how they stack up...you tell me what's the better "value" for what you get:

Buick Encore AWD Convenience: $27,390

GMC Terrain AWD SLE-2 (because to get remote start, have to step up to the SLE-2):    $30,820 (that's with the 4cyl)

Chevy Equinox AWD LS (apparently, remote start is a separate option on all trims):
$26,885

Subaru Forester AWD base: $25,320  (don't want sunroof, so have to have base trim)

Subaru Outback 2.5i AWD Premium: $27,334

Ford Escape AWD SE 1.6 Ecoboost: $28,185

Mazda CX-5 sport AWD: $26,415

Now, I understand that some of these have more standard features based on the trim level I selected.  However, what determines the level I select is cloth seat, no sunroof, remote start available, dark interior color.  I start with the lowest trim level to get AWD, remote start, automatic trans., cloth seats.  Then I move up from there.  For example, the Terrain...according to the website, can not be had with remote start until the SLE-2, perhaps this is not true...since the Chevy has a remote start free flow accessory option that the GMC doesn't.  Also, I understand the GMC has many more standard features, like power liftgate, back-up camera, etc.  Same with the Buick Encore.  It's got a lot of standards that are "nice" but I would rather have a little larger, more useful vehicle with fewer gadgets, than a loaded up little SUV. 

[BadAV]

Throw the Terrain out and they all appear to be fairly comparable on price (at least to me - $3k one way or the other wouldn't stop me from buying the one I wanted). But then again, if I'm going to spend the money, I'm going to get exactly what I think I want. 

[kidsenclave]

Well, we got out from behind the computer and test drove the Ford Escape today.  Especially since it was a nice sunny day. Anyway, very nice vehicle, for sure that one stays on our list.  Salesman was very nice, but talked too long and we didn't have time to get to the Buick dealer to see the Encore.    Will have to try another day for that.  Anyway, I think the Escape would work perfect for us, good size, liked the quality and look of everything.  Seat material, cloth, is kind of cheap...but everything else is good.  We drove one that had the MyFord Touch....which we don't want, but didn't seem too bad...just that we didn't try any of it's features, just pretended it wasn't there.  The salesman was really selling the dealership more than anything else.  Problem, it's a very OLD building, and has just been taken over by a new ownership, which is a very large family of dealers, mainly in the Detroit area.  In fact, I had bought my first new car, Pontiac Sunfire, from LaFontaine in Highland.  Now they have the Ford store in Lansing.  Location is perfect, right on the way to my wife's work, so she could take it to them on the way, or way home, etc.  Just the convenience of dealership location is also something to consider.  But the actual building and parking lot sucks.  They need to fix their lot and update the building...that could come in time.  Nice thing, they kept their sales staff from the previous dealership, so even though it's new ownership, the staff is mainly the same. Our guy was more middle aged, and very friendly.  He did try and see if there was a way we could get one today, but never really talked price....just was feeling us out.  It's hard to tell them we are about a year away, I really wish there were facilities for vehicle test drives where salesman were not even involved, it's the same feeling as it's always been, you feel like it's wasting the person's time.  What I told him is, when I walk in and meet the first salesman from that dealership that helps us, I will stick with them....so if we get a Ford, this guy today will get the sale...simple as that.  Just like the Subaru salesman we talked to there a few months back will get my deal if we buy there.  If I don't like a salesman, I wouldn't buy from a different salesman there....I would just take my business elsewhere completely.  Just an FYI, the loaded Escape in the showroom had the power liftgate, and it has a larger strut on the left side, but not the extra rod like the Enclave.  Also, there's no difference on the inside where the power motor is.

[zman]

I drove the Encore as part of the $50 gift card.  It was OK for what it is.  After driving my Impreza with the CVT I think I like the CVT more than a regular automatic when mated to a 4 cylinder engine.  Power of the Encore was just OK.  The one main thing I did not like was that the center console area did not include an arm rest.  The drivers arm rest was the fold down type attached to the seat and too thin IMHO.  Not terribly comfortable.

[GoldEnclave]

I test drove a Subaru with the optional puddle lamps to see if I could start a fire...
 

[kidsenclave]

I test drove a Subaru with the optional puddle lamps to see if I could start a fire...
 

Hey, I had the word "Subaru" in my message.  And have been talking about Subarus, but yes......the main topic of my last post was about a Ford.

[GoldEnclave]

[Crystalblue08]

The drove through the local buick dealer's lot they had two. I was surprised, I had the Encore previously at an Autoshow but at the time you couldnt get up close and personal. It was bigger than I thought it was when I got out and looked at it, and it looks much better in person.

It seems to be about the size of the XV crosstrek, for from my research about the same amount of money. The only thing I don't like about the XV is those horrid black rims with no other one offered.

[kidsenclave]

The drove through the local buick dealer's lot they had two. I was surprised, I had the Encore previously at an Autoshow but at the time you couldnt get up close and personal. It was bigger than I thought it was when I got out and looked at it, and it looks much better in person.

It seems to be about the size of the XV crosstrek, for from my research about the same amount of money. The only thing I don't like about the XV is those horrid black rims with no other one offered.

The Crosstrek is still hovering around our shopping list, but yes....the black rims are something that you would have to get used to.  As for the Encore, another thing I can't get over is the lack of a back side window, behind the door..  It just has some weird thing about it.  Again, I have not actually stepped up to one, like you....so nice to hear there's a possibility that it will look better in person for me, but I still don't think it will be on our list.  Basically, look at the Ford Escape or the Mazda CX-5....THAT's what the Encore should have been, something with similar cues.  Both the CX-5 and Excape have more horizontal tail lights that are like the Enclave.  I think if someone would take the Escape, throw a Buick front end on it, and kind of make the back side window behind the back door more curved like the Enclave, that would have been more to my liking.  I realize they needed to get a small CUV out fast, which I still don't think it was THAT fast, I had been waiting for a long time to even see spy photos of the thing, and when it was finally shown....what a disappointment.  I usually will embrace a new design by GM, but I just have a hard time doing that with the Encore, sorry.  I'm not doubting that the luxury feel and features on the interior are there, and I also agree it may have a more upscale interior than the Escape or CX-5....but overall, I like those better.

[BadAV]

It seems to be about the size of the XV crosstrek, for from my research about the same amount of money. The only thing I don't like about the XV is those horrid black rims with no other one offered.

If it was a deal killer you could try to get the dealer to swap them out. I've seen people on the Outback forum saying they like the Crosstrek wheels (I'm undecided at this point). From my research, it appears Subaru wheels are almost universally swappable from one model to another. I've been looking around a little bit to see what's available. I would like a second set to run either snow tires or all-terrains on for the winter. Of course that becomes a real PITA because everything has TPMS sensors today. So then I have to pay a tire dealer to program the sensors every time I swap out or I have to buy a reset tool, and some of them aren't cheap. I may decide to just live with the crappy OEM Continentals until they are worn out and replace them with all-terrains for full time use.