Buick Verano Break-in Report.....Mostly Good
09-16-12, 07:12 PM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Buick Verano Break-in Report.....Mostly Good
Well, I've had my 2012 Buick Verano for about a month and half now, and am coming up (with 900 miles) near the end of a traditional 1000-mile break-in...though the Owners' Manual calls for only 500 miles. One or two hairy events occurred on the road....an older Corolla, apparantly without ABS, locked up its front wheels on wet pavement and stopped just short of my left-front fender, and, later, a blind spot partially-hid a car in an adjacent lane that, fortunately, I saw at the last split-second while changing lanes.
In general, no major complaints. I am very satisfied with the car, especially its superb Q-U-I-E-T sound-insulation (the best I've ever seen on a compact car), premium Crystal-Red paint-job, instrumentation/ice-blue dashlights, 6-gear flexibility of the transaxle, adequate (though not really strong) power from the Ecotec 4, comfortable seats, rock-solid (by GM standards) interior hardware, German/Opel chassis engineering, sharp handling /quick steering response by Buick standards, XM-satellite radio, the ease and convienience of the tire-pressure sensors that show you all four actual pressures with just one touch of a button (not just an uneven wheel-rotation sensor like on some cars), On-Star security if needed, ease-of-parking from its fairly small size, reverse back-up beepers to help detect obstacles, comfortable leather-wrapped steering wheel, 5/100 and 4/50 warranties, and the compliments I get from my friends and colleagues...."This is a BUICK?....you're kidding".
On the minus side, it requires costly synthetic oil despite the lack of a turbo, the triangular-shaped outside rear-view mirrors are a little small for my tastes, the thick roof-pillars (which contribute to body-solidness) and small secondary front/rear windows create some partial-blind-spots, insurance-premiums went up somewhat over my old Outback (though not excessively), a thin extra spare key for my wallet zipper-compartment (which I like to carry for emergencies) can't be made because of the way the key and fob are designed, gas mileage isn't quite (yet) what I'd like to see, averaging around 20-21 in suburban driving, the heat/defrost systems are sometimes quirky to use in either the auto or manual-mode because of the way that the dual heat-***** adjust warm/cold air to only each half of the windshield at once...you have to turn them both up or down at the same time to heat or cool the entire windshield and avoid partial or uneven condensation-problems, especially since the cold A/C, when used with the defrost, cools the whole windshield at once. The ride, from the German-engineered suspension and 45-series tires, isn't quite as cushy and traditional Buick-like as I'd prefer, but fine on most surfaces unless you hit sharp bumps. The back seat is rather tight, but I don't carry people back there anyway...usually it is just a package-shelf. And the 6-speed transmission, which is generally butter-smooth (and I mean SMOOTH) most of the time, has an annoying fuel cut-off feature that doesn't allow you to smoothly coast in gear...you feel a slight (but very soft) jerk at lower speeds when you lift your foot off the gas as the fuel shuts off and the tranny downs a gear for compression-braking (Some other companies also use a similiar fuel-cutoff/downshift-feature, not just GM...my old Toyota Celica from the 90s had it). The ECU also programs some upshifts solidly, but sometimes, randomly in some gears on upshifts, allows a small amount of flare/slippage where the engine RPM bumps slightly during the shift....but still remains butter-smooth. Still a small issue, though, nothing really significant, and a TSB may be out on it. And the El Cheapo lack of body-side mouldings (even as a dealer-accessory) was, like on many new vehicles today, annoying. I had to go out, get aftermarket chrome-mouldings, measure/cut them, and stick them on myself...but it was worth it. Improved both the car's looks and door-ding protection. I simply won't own or drive a car without them.
But, am I glad I bought it? You bet....especially with its reasonable 25K price-tag. It strikes me, in its overall refinement, as a small German/American Lexus without a Lexus price.......and its noise level, while not quite as low under acceleration as an LS460, beats a number of Lexus products I have sampled. I'm glad I didn't wait for the turbo model coming next month...Buick says that it won't be a sport sedan per se like the Regal GS (the accent will still be on comfort), but then admits that the suspension will be a little stiffer, which I don't need or want; nor do I need the turbo's extra power. Reliability, of course, remains to be seen (the Verano, being new, doesn't have the solid reliabiliy record established with most Lexus products), but my car seemed well-built except for those tiny ECU quirks in the transaxle...and even they are very minor at worst.
In general, no major complaints. I am very satisfied with the car, especially its superb Q-U-I-E-T sound-insulation (the best I've ever seen on a compact car), premium Crystal-Red paint-job, instrumentation/ice-blue dashlights, 6-gear flexibility of the transaxle, adequate (though not really strong) power from the Ecotec 4, comfortable seats, rock-solid (by GM standards) interior hardware, German/Opel chassis engineering, sharp handling /quick steering response by Buick standards, XM-satellite radio, the ease and convienience of the tire-pressure sensors that show you all four actual pressures with just one touch of a button (not just an uneven wheel-rotation sensor like on some cars), On-Star security if needed, ease-of-parking from its fairly small size, reverse back-up beepers to help detect obstacles, comfortable leather-wrapped steering wheel, 5/100 and 4/50 warranties, and the compliments I get from my friends and colleagues...."This is a BUICK?....you're kidding".
On the minus side, it requires costly synthetic oil despite the lack of a turbo, the triangular-shaped outside rear-view mirrors are a little small for my tastes, the thick roof-pillars (which contribute to body-solidness) and small secondary front/rear windows create some partial-blind-spots, insurance-premiums went up somewhat over my old Outback (though not excessively), a thin extra spare key for my wallet zipper-compartment (which I like to carry for emergencies) can't be made because of the way the key and fob are designed, gas mileage isn't quite (yet) what I'd like to see, averaging around 20-21 in suburban driving, the heat/defrost systems are sometimes quirky to use in either the auto or manual-mode because of the way that the dual heat-***** adjust warm/cold air to only each half of the windshield at once...you have to turn them both up or down at the same time to heat or cool the entire windshield and avoid partial or uneven condensation-problems, especially since the cold A/C, when used with the defrost, cools the whole windshield at once. The ride, from the German-engineered suspension and 45-series tires, isn't quite as cushy and traditional Buick-like as I'd prefer, but fine on most surfaces unless you hit sharp bumps. The back seat is rather tight, but I don't carry people back there anyway...usually it is just a package-shelf. And the 6-speed transmission, which is generally butter-smooth (and I mean SMOOTH) most of the time, has an annoying fuel cut-off feature that doesn't allow you to smoothly coast in gear...you feel a slight (but very soft) jerk at lower speeds when you lift your foot off the gas as the fuel shuts off and the tranny downs a gear for compression-braking (Some other companies also use a similiar fuel-cutoff/downshift-feature, not just GM...my old Toyota Celica from the 90s had it). The ECU also programs some upshifts solidly, but sometimes, randomly in some gears on upshifts, allows a small amount of flare/slippage where the engine RPM bumps slightly during the shift....but still remains butter-smooth. Still a small issue, though, nothing really significant, and a TSB may be out on it. And the El Cheapo lack of body-side mouldings (even as a dealer-accessory) was, like on many new vehicles today, annoying. I had to go out, get aftermarket chrome-mouldings, measure/cut them, and stick them on myself...but it was worth it. Improved both the car's looks and door-ding protection. I simply won't own or drive a car without them.
But, am I glad I bought it? You bet....especially with its reasonable 25K price-tag. It strikes me, in its overall refinement, as a small German/American Lexus without a Lexus price.......and its noise level, while not quite as low under acceleration as an LS460, beats a number of Lexus products I have sampled. I'm glad I didn't wait for the turbo model coming next month...Buick says that it won't be a sport sedan per se like the Regal GS (the accent will still be on comfort), but then admits that the suspension will be a little stiffer, which I don't need or want; nor do I need the turbo's extra power. Reliability, of course, remains to be seen (the Verano, being new, doesn't have the solid reliabiliy record established with most Lexus products), but my car seemed well-built except for those tiny ECU quirks in the transaxle...and even they are very minor at worst.
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-16-12 at 08:09 PM.
09-16-12, 08:41 PM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
good feedback. only 900mi. in 1.5mos is not exactly a lot of miles! 
car sounds great. too small for me, but a tranguil car!
car sounds great. too small for me, but a tranguil car!
09-17-12, 07:19 AM
#5
Since 2008, direct TPMS systems like you describe are mandatory. Before then, many manufacturers toyed with indirect systems that used the # of rotations comparison that was ABS sensor based... It is nice, however, that your Buick does show actual pressures, as many cars only have an idiot light...
09-17-12, 08:13 AM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Since 2008, direct TPMS systems like you describe are mandatory. Before then, many manufacturers toyed with indirect systems that used the # of rotations comparison that was ABS sensor based... It is nice, however, that your Buick does show actual pressures, as many cars only have an idiot light...
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-17-12 at 08:36 AM.
09-17-12, 08:16 AM
#7
Lexus Champion
I don't think the direct-PSI systems are mandatory...but it does have to be some sort of low-pressure sensing device. Some vehicles, I think, still do it by wheel-rotation. Still, required or not, the direct-sensing system is nice to have....although I'm still not too old to stoop down with an old-fashioned tire-gauge if I have to.
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09-17-12, 08:17 AM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Well, yes, we know that military people often have to drive long-distances all over the country....and we thank you for your service.
(And, BTW.......9000 miles on a full-size truck in a month and a half?......you must be using some gas).
Hope at least the Army gives you something for it.
09-17-12, 08:23 AM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Too small for you?
If you can fit into a Miata, you can fit into this car...but then, of course, it doesn't drive like a Miata, especially in the noise department.
09-17-12, 08:23 AM
#10
I don't think the direct-PSI systems are mandatory...but it does have to be some sort of low-pressure sensing device. Some vehicles, I think, still do it by wheel-rotation. Still, required or not, the direct-sensing system is nice to have....although I'm still not too old to stoop down with an old-fashioned tire-gauge if I have to.
09-17-12, 08:29 AM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Thanks. No doubt this is a honey of a small luxury-car for the money. But I'd like it more, though, if it had somewhat softer tires, a less-complex heat/defrost system, and, yes, not having to spend my own time and money doing what they should have done at the factory....body side mouldings.
Do you have kids? (I don't)......and is that why you bought a minivan? Or just to have plenty of space to haul stuff with? With the demands of kids, it often doesn't take long to rack the miles up (school, church, groceries, sports, shopping, friends, etc...)
No doubt this is a honey of a small luxury-car for the money. But I'd like it more, though, if it had somewhat softer tires, a less-complex heat/defrost system, and, yes, not having to spend my own time and money doing what they should have done at the factory....body side mouldings.
Guess you don't drive much too, it took me almost three month to reach the first 1000 miles on my new Sienna when I bought it.
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-17-12 at 08:35 AM.
09-17-12, 12:56 PM
#12
Thanks. No doubt this is a honey of a small luxury-car for the money. But I'd like it more, though, if it had somewhat softer tires, a less-complex heat/defrost system, and, yes, not having to spend my own time and money doing what they should have done at the factory....body side mouldings.
Do you have kids? (I don't)......and is that why you bought a minivan? Or just to have plenty of space to haul stuff with? With the demands of kids, it often doesn't take long to rack the miles up (school, church, groceries, sports, shopping, friends, etc...)
No doubt this is a honey of a small luxury-car for the money. But I'd like it more, though, if it had somewhat softer tires, a less-complex heat/defrost system, and, yes, not having to spend my own time and money doing what they should have done at the factory....body side mouldings.Do you have kids? (I don't)......and is that why you bought a minivan? Or just to have plenty of space to haul stuff with? With the demands of kids, it often doesn't take long to rack the miles up (school, church, groceries, sports, shopping, friends, etc...)
Last edited by blacksc400; 09-17-12 at 01:02 PM.
09-17-12, 06:57 PM
#13
Dysfunctional Veteran
Well, yes, we know that military people often have to drive long-distances all over the country....and we thank you for your service.
(And, BTW.......9000 miles on a full-size truck in a month and a half?......you must be using some gas). Hope at least the Army gives you something for it.
(And, BTW.......9000 miles on a full-size truck in a month and a half?......you must be using some gas).
Hope at least the Army gives you something for it.
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