1987 Buick Regal Turbo Type T 62,270 Original Miles 1 Owner on 2040-cars

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2023 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study shows there's less quality than last year

Vehicle inventory, vehicle pricing, and the supply chain are finally showing improvement. Vehicle quality, on the other hand, is still going the wrong way. That's the takeaway from the 2023 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study that found overall problems exceeded last year's record high. The study surveyed owners of 2022-model-year vehicles to assess the average rate of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) during the first 90 days of ownership. The average figure for the 32 ranked manufacturers in 2020 was about 166 problems per 100 vehicles. In the 2021 IQS, that dropped to an average of 162. For 2022, the average jumped to 180 problems. For 2023, the PP100 is up to an industry average of 192 — an increase of 30 problems per 100 vehicles in just two years. Let's get to the good news first: Dodge reclaimed the crown of having the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles at 140. Buick won last year with 139 PP100, falling to third this year. Dodge was the first American automaker to top the IQS in 2021. Its return as the least problematic gives parent company Stellantis three wins in four years after Ram was crowned in 2021. It also gives U.S. brands a four-peat after Buick topped the chart in 2022 by having owners report the fewest problems. This year's top 10 is Dodge, Ram, Alfa Romeo, Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Porsche, Cadillac, Kia, and Lexus. Stellantis gathered a few feathers for its cap, in fact. Maserati showed the largest improvement year-on-year, followed by Alfa Romeo, and Alfa Romeo posted the lowest PP100 among the premium class, beating Porsche and Cadillac. Alfa Romeo has been vocal about working to improve quality, mentioning Lexus as a target. Last year the Japanese brand finished sixth, the Italians finished near the bottom, between Jaguar and Mitsubishi. This year Alfa jumped to third, Lexus dropped to tenth. Ram was the third-best on the list of improvers from 2022 to 2023.   The individual model with the lowest PP100 is the Nissan Maxima. Now for the troublesome bits. In the words of Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power, "The industry is at a major crossroad and the path each manufacturer chooses is paramount for its future.

2017 Buick Encore freshens up for New York debut

Buick has rolled in to the New York Auto Show this year with a revised version of the Encore, bringing with it a series of revisions to what's billed as "America's most popular small SUV." Most obvious is the new front end that adopts the brand's latest design language with a fresh grille and headlamps – full LEDs on top-spec models. The taillights are also new, the exhaust tips are now chromed, the door mirrors color-keyed to the bodywork, and of course it all rides on a new set of wheels. The updates continue inside, where you'll find new trim, new gauges, and an eight-inch color touchscreen display to run the IntelliLink system that now supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as OnStar 4G LTE with on-board wifi. Buyers will be able to choose between five trim levels and between front- or all-wheel drive. There are three new exterior paint choices as well. The Encore is based closely on the European-market Opel Mokka, which was similarly revealed in updated form at the Geneva Motor Show just last month. In Buick guise, the Encore has only been on the market now for three years, but already stands as the brand's top seller. Last year it alone accounted for nearly one in every three vehicles Buick sold, and has risen 34 percent so far this year as well. Subtle though they may be, these updates ought to keep the Encore at the top of its game for another few years to come. View 5 Photos Related Video: 2017 Buick Encore Gets Latest Tech, Sculpted Design New LED headlights, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto for Buick's best-seller 2016-03-22 NEW YORK – Buick today introduced the new 2017 Encore, strengthening the appeal of America's most popular small SUV with more refined styling and new connectivity technology – including available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. A new front-end appearance and a new premium interior highlight the visual refinements, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported by a next-generation IntelliLink system featuring an 8-inch-diagonal color touch screen. Push-button start, keyless unlock via the exterior door handles and an 8-inch color touchscreen highlight the Encore's roster of new standard features. "The Buick Encore created the premium small SUV segment and remains the top choice for customers seeking premium features and dependability coupled with timeless design," said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick Sales, Service and Marketing.

Buick Electra SUV spy photos show it out testing on public roads

We know the electric Buicks are on their way, but the details about models and specifics are still being left unsaid from GM’s premium brand. Today, some new spy shots give a hint at whatÂ’s to come. For the time being, weÂ’re not sure what to call this SUV beyond a Buick Electra SUV model. Buick has trademarked the E1 to E9 names in what is surely preparation for incoming EVs, but itÂ’s difficult to know which one this particular electric Buick might be. Size-wise, it looks closest to the Chevrolet Equinox EV, but take that with a grain of salt. These spy shots donÂ’t provide a point of reference versus other cars, so deciding whether itÂ’s closer to an Equinox EV or Blazer EV in footprint is a difficult exercise. As for its Buick-ness, the most intriguing detail in these shots is the tri-bar third brake light that mimics the brandÂ’s new logo. ItÂ’s a seriously cool touch, and we can only hope this attention to detail is found throughout the car. Both the front and rear lights are made up of thin LEDs. The front DRLs have a small kink in them that turns downward as they arc toward the fender, and the rear brake lights look to be two thin horizontal lines one on top of the other. Michelin e-Primacy tires wrap 20-inch wheels, which is in keeping with ChevyÂ’s large wheel size offerings on its Ultium-based SUVs. The camouflage does good work of concealing the carÂ’s styling and any other details that we might want to make out beyond what weÂ’ve covered so far.  WeÂ’ll hopefully see a reveal for an electric Buick SUV in the next year or so, especially now that the base Chevy versions of a compact and midsize electric SUV are out and revealed. Once it is revealed, donÂ’t expect an Electra (of some sort) to go on sale until 2024. Related video: