Topic: Test Drive 2018 Buick Regal GS

[ArticSteve]

And, because the GS is AWD, not FWD, the experience isn’t as removed as you might think from the Commodore I cherished. It is removed though, and if Buick really wanted this to be taken seriously as a sport sedan akin to the Infiniti Q50 or Kia Stinger, they’d build it with much, much more RWD bias.

All transverse engines are inherently FWD.  This is a driveline from GKN who supply the same awds in many vehicles, just not GMs.  Well regarded system.  Used in the XT5 where at highway speeds the rear wheel power gets completely decoupled from the front.  Don't like that.  Seems too complex for very long term ownership.  I bet it's one of GM's best cars though.  Won't fly north of the border.  GM does think so either as there is no lease program.  BTW, the colour white is a $1200 option. 

[Ex-airbalancer]

Who gives AF if a modern Camry is faster than most muscle cars of 50 years ago?  Apples and oranges.  Would most guys here rather a modern Camry in their driveway or a Mach I, SS Camaro, Cuda, etc.  I know what my choice would be.

Agreed.

Stand by an old car while it is  idling , you will be throwing up in minutes , the Emissions they put out are so bad
They should be banned

[Jaeger]

And, because the GS is AWD, not FWD, the experience isn’t as removed as you might think from the Commodore I cherished. It is removed though, and if Buick really wanted this to be taken seriously as a sport sedan akin to the Infiniti Q50 or Kia Stinger, they’d build it with much, much more RWD bias.

All transverse engines are inherently FWD.  This is a driveline from GKN who supply the same awds in many vehicles, just not GMs.  Well regarded system.  Used in the XT5 where at highway speeds the rear wheel power gets completely decoupled from the front.  Don't like that.  Seems too complex for very long term ownership.  I bet it's one of GM's best cars though.  Won't fly north of the border.  GM does think so either as there is no lease program.  BTW, the colour white is a $1200 option. 

Facking GM. 

[revalations]

In GM's defence the white is a tri-coat, or pearl. Most cars this is an extra cost option. But to knock GM there is only ONE no cost paint option for the GS, Red, all the rest are extra cost.

[rrocket]

Who gives AF if a modern Camry is faster than most muscle cars of 50 years ago?  Apples and oranges.  Would most guys here rather a modern Camry in their driveway or a Mach I, SS Camaro, Cuda, etc.  I know what my choice would be.

Everyone. Literally. Because we're at a racetrack. That's why we're there.

Duh.

Or did you miss "at the track" part?

   I didn't miss it as I wasn't addressing your post specifically.  Or did you miss the part where I didn't actually quote your post?

Duh.

Well since I first mentioned it and was the only guy who compared to a Camry (which you later referenced) I naturally assumed.

I'll be sure to make sure you properly reference every quote in the future so there's no confusion.

[Davep]

In GM's defence the white is a tri-coat, or pearl. Most cars this is an extra cost option. But to knock GM there is only ONE no cost paint option for the GS, Red, all the rest are extra cost.

Don't forget the ubiquitous Silver.  It's no cost.

I wonder what a bright red Regal would look like? It might be too large of a car for that.

[mlin32]

I'm surprised no one has called this out for being another FGC yet.....

That said, the wagon variant is quite spacious. But even here in Europe, it's not a particularly hot seller. So I kind of wonder about the longer-term Canadian business case especially now that Opel now belongs to PSA and large sedans/wagons are not in vogue anymore. 

[dirtyjeffer]

i like the looks of this car, especially in red...but i'm not sure i'd buy one...new anyway...perhaps a great deal on the used market, unless it's like the other Buicks that appreciate in value over time.

[ktm525]

Why can't Toyota use that nose? It is still a little gaudy but it would be so much better than the catfish thing they got going on.

.

[CanuckS2K]

That's actually a REALLY good looking car in red.   

[dirtyjeffer]

That's actually a REALLY good looking car in red.   

i agree...i always thought it looked nice...again, i likely wouldn't buy one, but i also wouldn't criticize someone else for getting it...i think it's a decent car.

[CanuckS2K]

That's actually a REALLY good looking car in red.   

i agree...i always thought it looked nice...again, i likely wouldn't buy one, but i also wouldn't criticize someone else for getting it...i think it's a decent car.

Based on looks only, I'd take this over the recently posted Avalon any day. 

[DriverJeff]

I drove it very recently, almost back-to-back with the Stinger.  I remember walking away from the Buick thinking "Hmm... not a bad machine", but little else.  Then I saw the price and thought it to be a very good value.  The Stinger, on the other hand, had so much sizzle in its engine that it felt properly special (having an abundance of low-end torque does that).  Given that they are comparably priced and sized, I just can't figure why anyone would pick the Buick over the Stinger.

[rrocket]

I just can't figure why anyone would pick the Buick over the Stinger.

Where is Norm T, by the way?

See reply #3

[Jaeger]

I drove it very recently, almost back-to-back with the Stinger.  I remember walking away from the Buick thinking "Hmm... not a bad machine", but little else.  Then I saw the price and thought it to be a very good value.  The Stinger, on the other hand, had so much sizzle in its engine that it felt properly special (having an abundance of low-end torque does that).  Given that they are comparably priced and sized, I just can't figure why anyone would pick the Buick over the Stinger.

You mean why any enthusiast would choose the Buick over the Stinger?  That would be hard to figure - but the cars aren't really targeted at the same parket.  The Stinger is designed ground-up as a driver-oriented performance GT.  The Regal is designed ground-up as a mainstream family sedan with near-luxury-ish pretensions.  I suspect a lot of GS buyers are simply wanting the "fully loaded" version of their chosen ride.  The low-slung stance of the Stinger will make their aging knees ache in fearful anticipation and its snarling exhaust will give their fragile hearts palpitations.  Less risk of all that bother with the Regal.

[Serniter]

I just can't figure why anyone would pick the Buick over the Stinger.

Where is Norm T, by the way?

On that note, anyone know how Lower Level is doing?

[Seafoam]

I just can't figure why anyone would pick the Buick over the Stinger.

Where is Norm T, by the way?

On that note, anyone know how Lower Level is doing?

I was wondering about that too. It's been well over a year since he posted.

[carcrazed]

The interior looks cheap for the class it's supposed to competes in.  Stinger would be my choice since G70 or Q50 would be too small compared to Stinger/Regal size.

[mlin32]

Interiors have never been a strong suit at GM.

The Insignia in Europe competes with the VW Passat and Ford Mondeo, as well as the Peugeot 508. Against these rivals, its interior is on par; the Euro Passat does better (and costs more) and the Mondeo (Fusion in Canada) is worse, and of course the Pug blows it out of the water.

[DriverJeff]

I drove it very recently, almost back-to-back with the Stinger.  I remember walking away from the Buick thinking "Hmm... not a bad machine", but little else.  Then I saw the price and thought it to be a very good value.  The Stinger, on the other hand, had so much sizzle in its engine that it felt properly special (having an abundance of low-end torque does that).  Given that they are comparably priced and sized, I just can't figure why anyone would pick the Buick over the Stinger.

You mean why any enthusiast would choose the Buick over the Stinger?  That would be hard to figure - but the cars aren't really targeted at the same parket.  The Stinger is designed ground-up as a driver-oriented performance GT.  The Regal is designed ground-up as a mainstream family sedan with near-luxury-ish pretensions.  I suspect a lot of GS buyers are simply wanting the "fully loaded" version of their chosen ride.  The low-slung stance of the Stinger will make their aging knees ache in fearful anticipation and its snarling exhaust will give their fragile hearts palpitations.  Less risk of all that bother with the Regal.

But dimensionally they're very, very similar.  The Stinger isn't really all that "low slung" -- it feels like a large car (esp. compared to its G70 cousin).  What's more, with Kia rating so highly in terms of quality the past few years, I ask my question again, "why would anyone choose the Regal GS over a Stinger?"