This car stickers for $35k-$39k. How "young" do you think the buyer would be? I see people in their 40s and 50s driving Audis and acuras all the time. Do you really think some recent college grad who is worried about impressing his 20 something date is going to be in the market for a $35k car as his first vehicle? How many 20 somethings by TSXs, 328s, TLs or G37s brand new? Not too many. The reality is a guy who can comfortably afford this is very likely to be at in his late 30s to mid 40s. I dont think Buick is targeting 22 year olds living at home with their parents with this car. Thats what Civic Si's are for.
@greenboy:I mentioned CC. Buick has mentioned CC. Auto reviewers have mentioned CC. The two cars that best compete with the regal based on price and size and features are the CC and TSX. That's common knowledge. The CC has been a decent seller by VW standards and the car has gotten rave reviews since it came to the US. The TL is a more expensive car with a V6 engine- that doesnt mean its a "far better" car than the regal. The Lacrosse is more of a TL competitor than Regal based on price, size and availability of a V6.
Now I see your problem, you are a spurned Pontiac fanboy who is mad that Buick is around. China saved Buick and their sales have been going up since the bailout. You may not be happy, but consumers are responding to their new products. Sales can only continue to go up with the improvements to Regal for 2012 plus Verano. You and I both know you cant prove who will and will not consider a Buick. You assume that folks who drive import brands wont look at Buick but thats just a guess.
@rsrtampaProve me wrong? Were you wrong by assuming that I am bashing GM? I said that the Regal is a nice car. I was in favor of the bailout. I am a GM fan and am hoping for GM to succeed. That doesn't mean that I am a fan of every vehicle that GM builds. I think Cadillac is making moves in the right direction as well as Chevrolet. Personally I think that the Buick brand should have been cut in the US but that's my opinion. If you think I'm wrong, good for you. Enjoy your Buick.
@ greenboy76I'm about to prove you wrong because I'm almost certain my BMW will be traded in for the GS. It's been many years since I have owned an American car and I always said, when they build it, I will buy it. I think its time to stop bashing GM and once again be proud of what OUR auto industry is putting out.
Read the article again, the GS may not be blowing the doors off the competition but it sure is hanging with the pack and looking very handsome (far better than Infiniti or Acura) in the process.
@syjI mentioned Acura, Infiniti and Audi. At no point did I mention Lexus other than the fact that Buick needs to concentrate on potential Lexus buyers as I feel this is their greatest opportunity for sales success. CC? Who mentioned the VW CC? It's been a slow seller since it's inception. Aim a little higher. The TL is a far superior car to the Regal it's problem is that it's ugly. You are trying to find an argument for every negative statement about this car. Go buy one and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
@drek:This same engine is used in Europe (not with this hp rating though) and in the regal turbo. Plus it will be added to Verano and perhaps Malibu in the future. The ecotec is a related family of engines so this 2L turbo has some commonality with the regular 2.4L used in many GM products. I'd guess it doesnt have the 3.6L V6 because the CTS and Lacrosse already offer it for those who must have a V6. The 3.6L cant match the torque of this turbo 4 BTW.
@greenboy:
Regal has been beating TSX and CC for months now. It usually outsells TL as well. Lacrosse directly competes with the ES350 and TL. The Enclave competes with MDX and RX350 and to some degree the MKT. Regal sales have posted year over year increases almost every month of 2011. Regal is very much part of Buick's recent success. Check the sales figures for yourself.
@ syjYou're right, Buick sales are increasing. Where are those increased sales numbers coming from? I am sure the Regal isn't stealing very many buyers from Acura, Infiniti or Audi. The Enclave and Lacrosse play in market segments that these other brands do not (other than the MDX) and they are the reason for Buicks increased sales numbers.
What the hell is wrong with GM?? Why not put the already existing 318 HP 3.6L direct-injection engine that they make in this car??? It probably would get BETTER fuel mileage and power at the same time. AND, cut costs by not having to build this non-necessary 4 banger.Looks like bankruptcy didn't solve the problem.
@greenboy:Compare Buicks sales to Acura, Infiniti and Audi. Not saying every Buick buyer checks out one of those brands but the increased sales are coming from somewhere. We've been hearing the "no one driving import brand x would ever consider a Buick" line since the current lacrosse came out. Buick's sales are up and I dont think thats just from attracting folks driving American cars.
@T2:Im stating facts regarding the GS and the competition. I didnt say the car was perfect, but whenever people cant offer any real rebuttal of the facts regarding a car they want to dismiss they turn to the weak and predictable attempts to discredit someone else by accusing them of being a fanboy or on the payroll of the brand in question. The mileage of the GS (and regal across the board) is somewhat weak. The car lacks memory seats which is expected in this class. The GS needs more interior/ext colors. Happy now?
@slowloris
Guess oyu didnt notice the 5 series, X3, A4 and A6 come with 4 cylinder engines. The C class has a 4 standard for 2012 as well. Get with the times- oops, better not say anymore because I sound too much like a Buick sales rep by stating the obvious.
@badstand:I know the A4 has quattro- that only helps 0-60. If you think a .2 advantage is huge so be it. Its not. Subtract AWD and the A4 would likely be slower than the GS. Id love to know how 0-60 in 6.1 is impressive but 6.3 is too slow for a sports sedan.
@T2:
See my response to the person inferring his 2004 Accord is better simply because its faster. Your Altima is faster than a host of $35k cars on sale today, doesnt automatically make it a better sedan. The GS looks better, has more features, more airbags and better handling than any altima- even the ones that can beat it in a drag race.
Most midsize cars with this type of performance are close to 3700lbs. While its true that other cars of this weight have V6s, they dont have heavy 20" wheels and tires. The wheels and tires alone probably add close to 100lbs vs 17s or 18s. Only on the internet do people evaluate cars based on curb weight, no one cares in real life.@topheezy:
Your 7 year accord may be faster. wont stop as well, corner as hard, have as many features or offer as much safety in a crash. Almost any older car is lighter than a modern version in the same size class. We all know curb weights have generally increased along with features, increased wheel sizes and more stiff platforms. 303hp Impala SS could smoke the GS and your accord- doesnt mean it was a better car.
@lions:TSX and GS are basically equally equipped except tsx has sunroof standard. when you add nav and sunroof to gs youre at $38k which is the price of the TSX V6 with tech package. GS has tons of kit standard.G37 Journey isnt the sport model- I realize it packs more value than the S model, but the g37 that puts up the stellar performance numbers is the S model and to get that with a stick you have to shell out $41k.
@church:
dont compare MSRPs to out the door prices. Thats just stupid. and Im sure you would get the G37 over the regal. No shock there, if you like the infiniti go buy one. Heres a newsflash, the G37 and GS can both be great sports sedans. Hows that?
@badstang:Dude, comparably equipped the A4 is at least 5 grand more. Thats 5k to gain .2 secs in 0-60. The cars are tied beyond that.
and name another car with this amount of performance and features for 38k. Only the TSX and Maxima come close.
@asura:
price matters, dont be silly. Buick doesnt compete with the M3s and ISFs of the world. Buick sells mostly in the under $40k segment of the market. Whats ridiculous is acting like people cross shop on trim level as opposed to price. For THIS PRICE you can get a GS or C300, 328i, IS250 or TSX V6. Period.
The handling and brakes appear to be the highs for this car. I wouldn't mind the average acceleration if the mileage was much better than 19/27. That's only 2mpg better than a 365hp V6 AWD SHO that is much faster. Although the handling on the SHO is average in this class.The price is a little steep also.
To be honest, I was expecting more in regards to performance with that engine. The output looks good on paper, but to not even break 6 even..?But this is THE sports model, the creme of the crop of the Regal...So why does it not deliver with that of more performance minded entry luxury? Going after the base models of the other luxury brands and saying it competes with them (Barely, I might add) is just silly. This is where the Regal Turbo should be, and the GS even higher.
This is how it should be IMHO:
Regal Base = IS250, G25, TSX 4 cylinder, A4, 328i
Regal Turbo = IS350, G37, TSX V6, S4, 335i
Regal GS = IS-F, RS4, M3
First off I think you meant the IS 250 not IS 205, but I'm sure that was just a typo, and I won't hold that against you.
G37 Journey with 7 spd trans: MSRP is $36,200 W/ many standard features included.
Acura TSX 3.5 Liter V6 MSRP is $35,350, Also, many standard features.
Only the IS350 starts at an MSRP of over 40K, @ $40,020
However, to agree with you...priced out with options the Regal GS is hands down the best buy, and desires a serious look. It may not burn the comp in 0-60 times, but everything is either really close or better.
For those who have doubt, a base A4 2.0T FWD may start at $32,500, but like BMW you will have to add lots of options to compare it with the GS, and that puts your MSRP well above the 40K mark. same with a 328i. Besides Audi i4 turbo's are so unreliable you couldn't give me one for free. See U.S v Audi USA docket No. 1:07 for details. 1.8L and 2.0 Liter Turbo engine...
Jimmy,That Kool-Aid must be mighty tasty! Have some more....
@The Heartbeat of AmericaWhile your assumption may hold true with some of the posters on here, it doesn't with me and likely a few others. I have an '08 G35XS, and it is most certainly faster. I do agree that acceleration performance is but one piece of the performance puzzle.
Ummm....quick question to all of y'all:What do you drive?
A toyota minivan?
A Volvo station wagon?
Point is,it's a hell of a lot faster than what most people reading this article drive. They don't know how fast 6.3 secs to 60 feels like because it takes their cars 14 seconds to do the same thing. lay off trolls.
this car has respectable performance for its class. I'm proud of buick and I hope they keep producing these kind of cars.
Good and solid first effort.
People should stop looking at just the 0-60 times..
But I thought it didn't have 19" wheels 1487? Oops, syj. You said so yourself. More of your fanboy games?And as someone else pointed out, the other cars need AWD or V6s to weigh what the Regal does.
And you can get a G37S for $40,600 never mind the $5000 off stickers all over the local Infiniti dealers. This is not a new car and they are going well below sticker. But if you want to nitpick, and I know you do my fanboy friend, for under $40,601 I'll take a G37. Well worth the premium over the FWD Buick.
@syjI've driven several cars with adjustable dampers/steering. Some were better and more effective than others.
I also agree that this car offers a great value and performance package. The handling capacity they achieved with this car is quite laudable. The only thing I'd like to see tweaked is it's acceleration performance.
On another note, 3700 lbs for a FWD 4 cyl is a little portly. The cars you listed either need a V6 or AWD to achieve that weight.
@chruch:1. You cant get the G37S for under $40k
2. Adding dealer installed 19s will balloon the price of the $41,500 G37S far beyond the price of the GS
3. Check out the curb weight of the A4, TSX V6, TL and Maxima- all are around 3700lbs.
Haters will hate I see.
I agree details matter in cars like these- and they sweated the details on this car as evidences by the handling and braking. Its crazy that people are disappointed with the weight and peformance of a FWD car that nails the figure 8 nearly as fast as a 335i which costs thousands more.
@vectraDo you really think the 90s GS could hold a candle to this car? I cannot believe folks think you can sum a vehicle up in 0-60. The Impala SS could hit 60 in 5.6secs which was faster than almost any sub $50k sedan on the market at the time it came out- that doesn't make it a great sports sedan. The current GS is on another level in terms of quality, styling and performance.
@church:
Name the RWD cars in this price range that have adjustable chassis components. You cant get an equivalent of IDCS in other $35k cars. And how would you know they are better to drive?
@jayhawk:Who told you adjustable dampers arent effective? Most sports sedans costing over $40k have some sort of adjustable damping. Audi and MB and Cadillac offer adjustable damping on some models. I know the wheel and tire package isnt offered on the other competitors- its an advantage for the Regal GS. I didnt say the G37 was the only car lacking those features.
"Shifter feel is refined, possessing a subtle crispness that could even be compared to some BMWs we've driven."When is the last time anyone said that about a Buick? I can't buy a car right now but when I'm back in the market I'll give one of these a test drive. Nice car!
Buick certainly got the handling right (thank you big sticky tires), but even a regular 328 will run with this thing in a straight line, which is kind of disappointing. And the RWD competitors are much more entertaining and adjustable chassis wise, even without their sport packages.Ultimately, the Regal is limited in its sports sedan potential by being overweight and FWD - the same problem faced by the TSX (3700 lbs is just too heavy for a FWD 4cyl car). These two things take the edge off no matter how good GM's efforts are otherwise. For $40k or less I'll take a G37S any day - even with the crappy Bridgestones Infiniti puts on it (and BTW, 19's are a dealer installed option - wouldn't want em on most roads, but they are available)
0-60 in 6.3loaded model >$35K
and its called a Buick
When Buick comes to mind, I think of buyers who need Viagra. FAIL!!!!!!!
@RoadmastahThe devil is in the details, which separates some of these closely matched cars.
Nice effort, Buick! Now put an "X" at the end of the name and put in enough power to clearly lead the pack.Note that the rubber-band tires on 20-inch wheels will lead to a lot of bent rims in the real world....
PS:
Wow, reading most of your posts reminds me of listening to old grumpy spouses arguing over silly nitpicking details.
None of the cars you mentioned offer 20" wheels either(other than the GS). Also, LED running lights ARE available as a dealer installed Infiniti accessory, if that's important to you. No, the G37 doesn't offer adjustable damping/steering modes on the current model, which would be nice if it was effective.
@throttleblip:Agreed with your math. MT was attempting to marginalize the fact that this thing will trounce most competing $35k luxury cars by inferring its not fair to compare it with weaker rivals. It only has 52 more hp than the G25 and 66 more than IS250. Another competitor would be the S60 T5 with 250hp.
@jayhawk:G37s can outrun any sedan that costs under $40k short of an EVO or STi. It surely can beat the Regal GS in a drag race, but it can dust the 328, C300, TSX and IS as well. Obviously anyone who is primarily concerned about 0-60 times will get the G37s over any of the cars I mentioned. And the G doesnt offer 19 or 20" wheels, LED running lights or adjustable damping/steering modes. Also doesnt have anything like Intellink which will soon be standard on all regals.
@jackal:
On any twisty road this car would embarrass any GNX. When will people realize a FAST car isnt necessarily a balanced peformance car? The Camry V6 is faster than the GS but it cant handle or stop nearly as well.
@countrycoachI'd say the G37 has just as nice of equipment. The sports package comes with/requires the upgraded audio, nav., etc. Also the 6MT is only $3k more. Nitpicking aside, we are essentially in agreement. I love my G sedan, but if I were in the market right now, I'd give the Regal GS a hard look once it comes out.
@Jayhawk815So I am right, the Infiniti cost more and is significantly faster, but doesn't come with as nice of equipment and doesn't handle or stop as well. I do however think that the G37S is the only other car that can rival the GS for performance bargain.
@countrycoach2009 G37S test results:
0-60: 5.0 sec
1/4 mile: 13.5 sec
lat. acc.: .90 g
fig. 8: 26.4
60-0: 110 ft
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0810_2008_infiniti_g37_sedan_test/test_data_and_driving_impressions.html
I've seen better handling numbers elsewhere, but they're still pretty comparable to the Regal. Acceleration numbers aren't even close. That being said, I do like the Regal GS and think it's a good value.
This is the best American sports sedan under $40k. And considering equipment levels, its one of the best entry lux sports sedans you can get for $38k. I priced a comparable 2012 A4 and it was $43,500 with HIDS, sport package, nav, B&O sound system, etc.@lions:
You probably meant the IS205 is a competitor based on price, not IS350. Base IS350 is near 40 grand. A comparable G37S is about $41k. This looks better inside and out.
@diff:I know where the regal was engineered. What in the world are you talking about? I dont hate any German cars, I am pointing out the VALUE and PERFORMANCE of this car- especially since so many internet experts were criticizing GM for not offering AWD. I am impressed that it nearly tied the 335i in the figure 8. That has nothing to do with "hating" German cars dude.
Best "American" sports sedan out right now. No one else comes close. The Charger could be awesome if a 6M was offered but it isn't, so it doesn't.I love this car!!! The mpg, not so much, but the car...
SLOBBER!!!
A Nicely optioned A4 2.0T Quatro with 19 inch wheels and everything that the Buick offers will be at least 10 grand more. The TSX V6, IS350, and loaded G25 are it's real price range comp.Nothing wrong with the German cars, but this Buick gives you a loaded sports sedan for 35K. I have already taken the CXL Turbo for a test drive and I was impressed by that car, I can't wait to take the GS for a ride. The smart thing would be, test drive several cars and see if this GS is really comparible. I am sure many doubters would be pleasantly surprised.
@jayhawk815You will have to spend about 5 grand more to get a comparably equipped G37 sport. Then you still get smaller wheels and no active suspension or steering. Plus, I have yet to see a G37 sport sedan stop that quickly, or handle that well in the hands of MT.
@countrycoachYou can get an G37S for a few thousand more and it'll smoke the Regal.
Hello all.Two typos, thanks for calling them out, our apologies.
Pzero tire size is 255/35. Horsepower is 270 as stated in the first reference.
Again, our apologies
"but with our optional 295/35 P-Zeros..."I'm pretty sure the GS isn't available with that size of tire. Based on your accompanying pics, it comes with 255/35 P-Zeros. Wow, MT's editing leaves a bit to be desired.
its ironic that enthusiasts spend so much time griping about how so many new models dont have a manual- then a Buick debuts with a manual and someone says thats stupid because no one will buy the 6M equipped car.BTW, in that last A4 road test they noted their A4 did the figure 8 as fast as the last 335i they tested. Which means this FWD, $35k car is almost as fast as the 300hp Bavarian benchmark in the test.
So, does it have 270 or 290 horsepower? The article states both."With the Regal GS' turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0-liter inline-four engine making 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque..."
"Despite the GS sending all of its 290 hp to the front wheels.."
Love this car! Damn will the car handle? You damn right! Will the car brake? You damn right? Is this car beautiful? You damn right! Do I wish the car had just a little more ooompth down the straights? You damn right! But this can be corrected with a tune which I will bet $ Buick will offer just like the did with the Cobalt SS/Sky Redline/Solstice GXP etc. I could see 300 hp easy while keeping your factory warranty.As for the person saying the car needs an auto... I'm assuming they don't read very well because the auto is coming just be patient! But for me - I want the manual!
Which A4 are they quoting in this article? This is the most recent test I found- and this car came up well short of the GS in performance.http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0810_2009_audi_a4_quick_test/
Not faster, less grip, considernly worse stopping distance. No sport package on this car?
PS:MT, very convenient of you to leave out other $35k-$38k entry level lux cars like 328 and C300. Both are slower than the GS and the ringer A4 you quoted in this article. And while the IS may be down 70hp to the GS the reality is the IS is priced right on top of the GS. Saying its not fair to compare the GS to similarly priced cars with far less hp is a cop out. Buick isnt forcing Lexus to offer 204hp in this class. And neither the IS or G25 offer 100 less hp, not even close.
very good review and very good handling and braking. BTW, the car has 270hp, not 290hp as stated halfway through the article. And of course it would be nice to mention the A4 has AWD which pretty much explains its outrageously quick 0-60 time. That 6.1sec time they mentioned had to be the best A4 time ever recorded. Most A4s have been in the 6.4-6.5sec range.@seawolf:
Why does any auto brand offer manuals? They never sell in big numbes, especially in a sedan. The auto is coming for this car in early 2012. They know only a small % of buyers want a stick, but they also know that having one will make this one of the few $35k cars manual lovers can chose from.
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