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Are you ready to see your money go the extra mile on the car lot? As your Lexington used Buick dealership, we get excited when our customers discover the many benefits of shopping from our used inventory. One of our best-selling pre-owned models is the Buick Encore, which is known for offering affordable luxury straight from the factory. This makes the Encore an even better value when purchased on the used lot. So, what should you look for when shopping for a used Encore? The Dan Cummins team has that answer and more. The Journey Begins: The Original Encore (2013-2016) Finding a first-generation Encore isn’t a difficult task since the crossover made its debut in 2013. The Encore marked Buick’s entry into the compact crossover segment and continues to expand Buick’s reputation for delivering sophisticated and elegant vehicles. Offering seating for five and ample cargo space, the first-generation Encore is a great value because of its features, versatility, and agile handling. The Encore’s numerous luxury features reflect Buick’s ability to deliver a premium driving and riding experience and include a suite of standard and available tools like remote vehicle start, Rainsense wipers, a Bose premium sound system, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Encore is also equipped with Buick’s exclusive QuietTuning technology that absorbs every bump and vibration from the road and the world outside. This makes the Encore one of the best riding crossovers in the segment. In 2016, the Encore saw even better handling with the all-new Encore Sport Touring trim. The Sport Touring or ST is instantly distinguishable from other trims with its 18-inch aluminum wheels, body-color door handles, and rear spoiler. The ST is also equipped with a new 1.4-liter turbo engine with stop-start technology that delivers more torque and power than every other Encore in the lineup, easily satisfying your need for speed. Aging Like Fine Wine: The Encore Refreshed (2017-Present) As Buick’s best-selling vehicle, the Encore got a stunning refresh in 2017 to bring it up to date. Buick doesn’t hold anything back and makes the Encore more luxurious than ever with an all-new streamlined design and sculpted front end. Refined and stunning, the Encore boasts a new hood and front fenders, LED lighting, and an updated interior that’s fit for a king or queen. Intuitive technology is at the heart of the refreshed Encore as Buick added a suite of advanced tools that are designed to keep you connected without taking your focus from the road. The instrument panel is redesigned with a new gauge cluster and 4.2-inch display along with an 8-inch center touchscreen display that’s home to navigation and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The generation also adds push-button start, keyless unlock, and several new exterior colors to extend the Encore’s sophisticated color palette. This sophistication continues through all the model years of the Encore, although Buick simplified the trim lineup in 2019 by offering the base Encore, Preferred, Sport Touring, and Essence trims. The top-tier Essence trim also sees the addition of enhanced safety tools in the Safety Package II. This suite includes Front and Rear Park Assist, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Rainsense wipers, and an air ionizer that keeps the air in the cabin fresh and odor-free. This suite, along with the trim’s numerous luxury features, makes the Encore Essence a great value on the used lot. A New Kid in Town: The Encore GX (2020-Present) One of the most exciting aspects of shopping for a used Encore is finding an Encore GX on the used lot. Buick expanded its SUV-exclusive lineup in 2020 with the debut of the larger and more luxurious GX. The GX is larger than the Encore but smaller than the Envision and offers plenty of power and capability with its 1.2-liter and 1.3-liter engines that deliver between 137 to 155 horsepower. Inside, the Encore GX also extends the Encore’s sophistication with a suite of intuitive technology, advanced safety, and exceptional luxury features that are iconic to the Buick brand. These features include an innovative Rear Camera Mirror that provides a less obstructed view of the back of the SUV in real-time, as well as a High Definition Surround Vision camera system that gives you a clear picture around the vehicle. You’ll also find that some Encore GX models offer a head-up display, which puts all the information you need in a clear display on the windshield so that you never have to take your eyes off the road. If you’re looking for the latest technology and features, finding a 2021 Encore GX on the lot is especially exciting and far easier now that the 2022 Encore GX has arrived. The 2021 Encore GX continues to offer two powertrain options and 50.2 cubic feet of cargo room, but the crossover sees the addition of several new standard features along with the addition of enhanced driver-assist tools like Adaptive Cruise Control. Every Encore GX from 2021 comes standard with SiriusXM satellite radio and wireless smartphone integration via AppleCarPlay and Android Auto. The Encore GX Preferred also offers Adaptive Cruise Control, which automatically adjusts the SUV’s speed according to the flow of traffic. Finding the Right Encore Now that you know more about the Encore’s evolution, are you ready to start your search for the perfect used Encore? When outlets like Consumer Reports name the Encore a great value on the used lot, you know you’re on the right track. So, what models should you look for on the used lot? It all depends on your budget and priorities. Early Encores are usually priced the lowest because of their age; however, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t a great option if you’re on a tight budget. You can find a 2016 Encore that offers plenty of features and luxuries at an affordable price. However, if you’re willing to stretch your budget even further, don’t shy away from an Encore built between 2017 and 2019. These models earned high praise from Consumer Reports, and it’s easy to see why since Buick redesigned the SUV to deliver plenty of power and capability, an exceptionally smooth ride, and a host of intuitive safety and connectivity features. For drivers looking for a newer pre-owned Encore, the Encore GX is an even greater value because of its recent addition to the Buick lineup in 2020. These models are fairly new, and that often means a higher sticker price than what you’ll find on an Encore. However, new Encore GX models are extremely affordable, and that means even more savings when you find this gem on the used lot. It’s Time to Start Shopping Did you know that most financial experts discourage people from buying new vehicles? Financially, buying a new vehicle isn’t the wisest decision because a new car starts losing its value the moment you drive it off the lot. Your investment, i.e. your vehicle, continues to lose its value at a rapid rate over the next few years. You essentially start losing money on your new vehicle before the ink dries on the paperwork. Used cars like the Buick Encore are great options because they’ve already experienced this rapid rate of depreciation by the time you get behind the wheel. Your money goes further, and you get a better value car. You’ll also find that you can afford a fully loaded Encore on the pre-owned lot that would otherwise be out of your price range if purchased new. That makes shopping for a used Buick Encore a win-win if you ask us!

All car manufacturers will redirect focus or discontinue models from time to time. This is all part of keeping up with the changing tastes and demands of the car-buying public. For some very savvy buyers, there is an understanding that such discontinued cars, trucks, and SUVs are still great vehicles, and the decision to stop building them had more to do with popularity than the intrinsic value of the vehicle. These buyers know that they can get a great deal on a used vehicle, particularly if it is one where production was discontinued or if a new generation of the model has recently made its debut. If you stop into our Lexington used Buick dealership, you are going to find a great deal on a used Buick model, providing you with some serious bang for your buck. Buick recently changed its corporate focus to concentrate solely on developing, manufacturing, and marketing luxury SUVs. The goal is to make Buick the premier domestic luxury SUV brand. However, this decision presents you with a great opportunity to get a used Buick car or SUV at an amazing price. That is because, at Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Georgetown, we have one of the largest inventories of used Buick cars and SUVs in the area, giving you the ability to find one that fits your lifestyle and budget perfectly. The Current Buick Lineup Starting in 2021, Buick reduced its lineup to three principal vehicles, all of which are SUVs. The Buick Encore is a subcompact SUV, the Buick Envision is a compact SUV, and the Buick Enclave is a midsize SUV, so you have all the key sizes covered. In addition, Buick offers the Encore GX, which is slightly larger than the standard Encore. These SUVs can be found with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and have room for five or more passengers. All of these models have been out for a few years now and are available on the used SUV market, If you look at the Encore or Encore GX, you will have a choice of three great engines, as well as several different trim levels. The base model Encore has a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gas engine, while the Encore GX and Encore GX ST have smaller but more powerful engines: an EcoTec 1.2-liter Turbo and an EcoTec 1.3-liter Turbo, respectively. Each model of the Encore offers great fuel economy as well as plenty of luxury features, including the Buick Infotainment system on an 8-inch color touchscreen. You may be able to find a great deal on a used Buick Envision from 2020 or earlier. That is because Buick launched a fully redesigned Envision for the 2021 model year. Whenever this happens, models from the prior generation will often drop in price. With the 2020 Envision, you get a choice of either a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine or a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine. The Turbo will give you generally better acceleration, while the 2.5-liter engine provides better gas mileage. The Envision is incredibly roomy for a compact SUV. For example, it has plenty of trunk space, a full 26.9 cubic feet that can be expanded to 57.3 cubic feet by simply folding down the rear row of seats. Sometimes you need more passenger space, and this is where a used Buick Enclave comes into play. The Enclave has three rows of seats with plenty of room for up to seven passengers. If you are looking at a 2018 or later used Enclave, you will get an exceptional 3.6-liter V-6 gas engine paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This can produce up to 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque while delivering a solid fuel economy of 18 miles per gallon in city driving and 26 miles per gallon on the highway. The Enclave also offers plenty of cargo space – up to 97.6 cubic feet when both the second and third rows of seats are folded down. Five Great Discontinued Buick Models As we pointed out earlier, Buick recently decided to focus exclusively on luxury SUVs. As a result, it began to phase out certain models beginning in 2019. The first two to go were the LaCrosse and the Cascada. However, you can still find great models of both cars for sale in the used market. The Buick LaCrosse is a full-size premium sedan with plenty of luxury features. This includes the Buick Infotainment system with an 8-speaker sound system, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, and heated side mirrors. Some models even have leather interiors and an 11-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system. The 2019 model, which was the last produced, offered the choice of a very fuel-efficient 2.5-liter I-4 engine with eAssist and a powerful 3.6-liter V-6 engine. The models with the V-6 engine also had the option of all-wheel drive instead of the standard front-wheel drive. Buying a used Buick LaCrosse will give you the ability to get great luxury at an affordable price. The Buick Cascada is a luxury convertible model that comes equipped with a 1.6-liter Turbo I-4 gas engine. It features many premium items, such as Rear Park Assist, heat-reflective leather upholstery, and heated seats and steering wheel. If you ever wanted a premium luxury convertible but had a serious case of sticker shock, a used Cascada could be the model for you. The final three models that were cut from the roster in 2020 all were based around the Buick Regal midsize sedan design. The Regal Sportback is the basic model with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 gas engine. This model gets great fuel economy while not sacrificing performance. It is also equipped with the Buick Infotainment system with an 8-inch color touchscreen and all the popular features you would expect, such as Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Regal GS is a sportier version of the Regal with a larger engine and standard all-wheel drive. The 2019 and 2020 Regal GS models come with a 3.6-liter V-6 gas engine. Finally, the Regal TourX is a crossover wagon built on the Regal frame. It features the same 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gas engine but standard all-wheel drive and plenty of trunk space. There are 32.7 cubic feet of space in the Regal TourX’s trunk that can be expanded to 73.5 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. This is a great choice for someone who wants the roominess and versatility of an SUV but is more comfortable driving a sedan. Buick may not be manufacturing these five great cars, but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on them. You are sure to find a used LaCrosse, Cascada, Regal Sportback, Regal GS, or Regal TourX in the trim level and with the options you want on the used car market, giving you the opportunity to get a great car at an even better price. The Benefits of Buying Used There is no better deal than the one you will get when you buy a used car. This is especially so when buying a luxury vehicle like a used Buick car or SUV. That is for a number of reasons. First, vehicles will often lose up to half their value in the first few years of ownership due to depreciation. However, this does not mean there is anything wrong with the car. Second, discontinued vehicles like the Buick LaCrosse and Buick Regal TourX, or ones from an earlier generation like a pre-2020 Buick Envision, will see their used prices drop as a result of corporate decisions to come out with a new generation or discontinue a model. Again, this does not have anything to do with the actual value of the car to you. As a result, you can get a great deal on one of these used Buicks. Stop by our dealership today and let us show you why your next vehicle should be a used Buick luxury car or SUV.