also available in the low to mid $40k's:
Acura TL Tech Package - $43,500
G37 Touring - $43,400
Mercedes C300 Premium Package - $44,000
Ford Taurus SHO - $43,100
that's some pretty nice company, and i don't see the Regal Turbo really matching up against any of those cars.
as i said, the Regal is nice, but it just doesn't seem to be up to par in terms of what it is competing against...imagine if the Sonata were $10k more...we would say the same thing about it...the reason the Sonata gets such praise is the high level of quality and decent pricing...the TOP level Sonata is less money than the BASE level Regal...if the Regal was $10k less, i think everyone here would agree it was a decent car for the money, but where it is priced, it just doesn't seem to fit.
Exactly correct, and exactly what I was referring to when I said the Turbo likely won't be price / performance competitive against established players. GM has made it clear they want to (have to!) bring in new buyers with this sporty Buick. To do that, they will have to take some sales away from established import competitors in the segment. I can get why a G-37 intender may be swayed by a 335i or an IS350, or what have you, but I have a hard time conceiving, much less articulating, what pulls him away from the Infiniti dealer and has him signing on the dotted line for a shiny new Buick Regal Turbo.
The first hurdle he's going to have to cross, is that for the same money, that choice means giving up over a hundred horsepower. Now, the geriatric nannies will immediately start bleating about how power isn't everything - and that's certainly true in a very strict sense - but you can be sure that it's not
nothing in the premium sports sedan segement, either. And in this respect, even with the Turbo, Buick has still brought a knife to a gun fight.
But leaving aside the very obvious power deficit, what else does the Buick have to offer that makes it net out as superior to the G37? Insert sounds of crickets chirping at dusk here.
Now, a loaded up Turbo at $35k might catch the buyer who's stretching to make budget on a G and sees the Buick as close enough for significanly less money. But for the same money? No prayer.
Oh, and while not as sporty as the other offerings, add the Genesis Sedan to your list. Attractively styled, luxuriously appointed, incredibly well reviewed, significantly more powerful and RWD. Same money.
Jaeger
PS - Never let it be said that I disagree with Sir Grampy on everything - I would also take the Buick over the TL - but on the Exterior alone. Those origami creases and that big brassy beak make me laugh every time I see one.