As I followed this Verano in traffic, I saw distinct plumelets of smoke emit from its tailpipe, seemingly when the throttle was first closed; or maybe the other way around. Cars’ exhausts are so clean these days, and seem to stay that way for a long time, it was a bit surprising to see an eight year old car smoking.
By the time I could get my phone in hand and close enough to get a shot, it was making a left turn, and motionless, hence no visible smoke. But the blackened bumper is the tell-tale of its dirty little habit. Are these known to have engine issues?
Idk about the engine’s tendency to smoke, but I know those chrome eyebrows on the taillights are hideous.
A lot of the chrome accents applied these days look like afterthoughts, but locating them above a lamp is no accident. Straightened eyebrows convey aggression, even on the back of a Buick.
I think car design went downhill once pareidolia became deliberate rather than accidental
Perhaps it’s the aggression I find so unattractive on a compact FWD Buick sedan. This isn’t a Camaro, Hummer or even a Pontiac. It’s yesterday’s (reposted) Skylark by another name.
John,
The Buick Verano and Cascada actually were filling the role of the Pontiac Grand Am at formerly Buick, Pontiac, GMC dealers. But I don’t think many Pontiac Grand Am’s or even Vibe, G3, 5, and 6’s were traded in on these. Partly because of attrition and partly because Nissan Kia and Honda have picked up where Pontiac left off.
I think it’s a callback to the ’59 Buick’s taillight/rear end treatment, though poorly executed at that.
I looked it up to refresh my memory, and I do see what you’re saying. I believe if the chrome went across (and housed the Tri Shield as a result), it would be nicer and more fitting.
I can just imagine both proposals being on the table, and the “angry eyes” winning in the name of boldness. If that’s what happened, I’d like to see the alternative design proposal. 😄
Looks like it is burning oil – generally, if an engine smokes during acceleration the piston rings are bad, if under deceleration it is valve guides. Modern engines cannot burn oil and pass emissions testing, so something is kaputt here.
Well if it is registered in Eugene it doesn’t need to get tested. However minor oil burning as Paul suggested wouldn’t cause a failure. Since it is a 1996 or newer car it is only subject to a scan looking for emissions codes and unless the oil burning is so significant it causes the Cat or O2 sensors to fail it won’t cause an emissions code.
Someone has not taken good care of the car it appears. The Verano, like the Cruze have the Turbo 4’s. These are good engines.
Not exactly. Most Veranos had the 2.4, optional 2.0T, but they NEVER got the Cruze’s 1.8 or 1.4T, and the Cruze NEVER got the 2.4 or the 2.0T.
Overall, these are quite good cars and engines, so I’m assuming abuse at some point or throughout it’s life.
Years ago when I first got into auto sales, I worked in the mid-west (snow and cold winters) at a dealership that had Buick, GMC, Cadillac and Honda. I not so fondly recall in the winters when it would snow, we had to go out and move all the cars so they could plow. Of course, this required brushing the cars off first, starting them and pulling forward or back. We had two sales guys who were notorious for starting the ice-cold engine and immediately revving the heck out of the engines. I told them many times not to do that, but they still did. After all, it was a new car and not their car right? All I can say is that it was idiots like them that would cause a lot of harm to those engines. Would it show up then? Usually not. But a few years down the road they would start doing things like this car.
Well, good thing it’s turning in to the bank… for a car loan.
I always find these hilarious with the “expressive eyebrows”. My kids don’t really follow cars but can always spot one of these.
A quick internet search for Buick Verano Oil Burning led to several hits. The 2.4 Ecotec apparently has a tendency towards oil burning, and has been the subject of both service bulletins and a class action suit. The fix is apparently a ring and/or piston replacement. Maybe this driver missed his/her warranty window.
Or they brought it used….the recall only applied to the original owner even though GM knew there was a flaw in the motor.
Yes, this is the same famous 2.4 DI found in Equinox, Terrain, Malibu, Lacrosse, Impala, Regal, and other models. It seems to have a near 100% failure rate. Many cars are on their third engines by 100k miles. GM virtually doesn’t support the cars after their warranty ends, so many, MANY of the cars with this engine have been thrown away. We’re talking a quart of oil burn/blow-by every 100 miles toward the end of the engine’s life, making the vehicles unusable. Very widespread, well-known problem, but the Verano wasn’t one of the more popular vehicles sold with said engine.
The Verano did indeed get that pile of crap the 2.0T was the optional motor….
Regarding KalapanaBlack’s comment on this crap engine . . .
I have never heard a kind word uttered about any of General Motors late model turbo 4 cylinders. The 1.4 turbo motor used in the Buick Encore is known to blow up its turbo before 100k miles. $2000 whack to ya wallet on that repair
I had a 2013 Encore with a Trifecta ECU tune that was really quick and never had problems. Also had 2013 ATS4 2.0T, 2013 Verano 2.0T, Envision 2.0T, Regal TourX 2.0T, and currently CT6 2.0E plug-in. Never had a problem and run them hard!
I like the chrome eyebrows over the tail lights. They’re unique. If you want to talk ugly nowadays, there are just so many more choices.
I guess the servicing’s gone downhill since the old-school Springfield Buick finally closed down?
Turbo charged engines develop a lot of heat as these small displacement engines have to work harder. The exhaust system is designed to retain heat to spin the turbo effectively. Obviously it is very important that the oil needs to be changed as required and that the cooling system is maintained in top condition. Lack of proper maintenance will really hurt these engines.
I had a 2016 Verano I purchased new for $14k as a leftover in March 2017 with a 2.3% interest rate and seemed a stonking good deal. I drove it for 2 years and 70k miles with absolutely no mechanical issues. Now, I am a 5k oil changer, and even changed the ATF at 45k, which I imagine most others don’t. It was a really nice, well built, comfortable and reliable car, and I saw many for sale with over 150k on them that still looked nice. Either the issues were sorted by 2016, or some are just better than others. I do also think there is something of an inverse correlation between conscientiousness of servicing and darkness of window tinting on these. This is amplified if the sticker on the back is from a ‘buy here pay here’ lot and an expired temp tag.
I had a 2013 Verano 2.0T with a Trifecta ECU tune and 6-speed manual. That thing was s beast on thr highway!
We have a 2014 Verano with 50,000miles i have seen the black suetty(sp?) On other Verano tailpipes and ours has it too. Though I can say it doesn’t use any oil between its 3000-3500mile oil changes. I was told some crap about it being GDI that this is part of the combustion process. I have followed our car and been behind it when it 1st starts and never see any smoke.i will say its been unbelievably the most trouble free GM car we have owned in some time
You are so right. After having had a 1978 Eldorado that swore me off GM after my lovely 65 Corvair, it took me 22 years to try GM again. My Verano was not only scandalously cheap, but well built and excessively comfortable. It only went back to the dealer once for a.flash when the screen froze, and otherwise was the most reliable car I ever owned. …and that includes 4 Mercedes.diesels. It was so good that I bought a GMC Sierra from my Buick GMC dealer when I needed a truck. I hope Mary Barra is listening, as making decent entry level vehicles makes GM money when buyers are happy and trade up. And my rubber floored Sierra base 4×4 is good too after 70k. I only wish that GM can try to keep repeat customers and not revert to form, which I think they most likely will.