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Detroit, 5:10 AM
Mon Nov 30
13 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/12/09
Does the 3 series collect a fee for all subsequent "mascara in the corner" headlamp treatments? #buickregal
11/12/09
However, I don't get all of the hate directed toward this car. It looks pretty nice to me- every bit as good as an AltiCamCord, Mazda 6, Fusion, or even the Malibu. I'll reserve my judgment until the turbo arrives, but I actually like what I see so far. #buickregal
11/12/09
My mistake.......I apologize to all those good people out there that I might have offended. #buickregal
11/12/09
The only way in which Buick has missed the mark IMHO is by not offering V6 power. This car becomes even more appealing with AWD and 280HP. That said, I think Buick has come up with a relatively competitive car. Whether it's "the same crap as everyone else" is left up to the beholder, I suppose. Unfortunately, I need four doors, and a '61 Continental isn't all that practical as a daily driver, so I'm left to choose between the usual suspects. And at least with the Buick, there's one more alternative now. #buickregal
11/12/09
11/12/09
The general blandness of the midsize family sedan has been duly noted. That said, I think there are some reasons why the Regal may stand out among its competitors. And, as I said before, the beauty is in the eye of the beer holder. #buickregal
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11/14/09
(This being said by a man that owns his second Grand Marquis who will have a rear drive vehicle pried from his cold dead fingers.) #buickregal
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They mention TSX's and S60's but I think that's just for media value. I suspect if the Regal sells in volumes similar to the S60, it will not be a good thing. #buickregal
11/12/09
I don't think your opinion alone makes this a "crap" car, no matter how many years in the motor trade.
The car is a commercial success, weather you like it or not. #buickregal
11/12/09
you try the cars that it's in competition with,as in Europe it's just an also ran.
Also the Vauxhall Astra sells well,& again it's not a patch on rivals from Ford,VW or Honda. Remember most people that buy cars are not enthusiasts,especially Vauxhall & Toyota drivers. The Corolla being another casing point,it sold in its millions,yet still it's dull as hell & the competition offer better alternatives.
11/12/09
Again, because it isn't best FOR YOUR NEEDS doesn't mean it isn't making a lot of people quite pleased.
People hate Corvette's, I love mine....go figure.
One man's opinion does not make this an inferior car. For the money it will cost in the US it's competition will be very slim, unless you can buy a $26K Mondeo here and I didn't know it. #buickregal
11/12/09
11/12/09
We are talking about a CAR FOR THE US MARKET right? So the relevance of the Mondeo, etc as competition is pointless. Further, the price it's competing at here will be more Fusion than Mondeo, so it is not the same regardless of your self declared credentials.
I'd like to see these middling reviews frome Europe as well.....like the car of the year, as voted by Euro journalists I thought?
Everyone has opinions on cars, writing about them doesn't always make them more valid (see TTAC for examples). #buickregal
11/12/09
The 1.6 Turbo has 180 HP and is 19% more efficient than the 2.0 Turbo. So it's as powerful as the NA 2.4, but has more torque and is more economical. Then why install the 2.4 in the US?
So the Americans have 2 options; 1 bodystyle, 1 transmission, 2 engines.
The Europeans have 3 body styles, 9 engines and 2 transmissions. 3*9*2= 54 options, and then I'm leaving out the AWD. Why this huge difference? #buickregal
11/12/09
11/12/09
$27,690 – Chevy Malibu LT (2lt) 3.5l v6
$27,085 – Buick Lacrosse CX 3.0l v6
$29,230 – Buick Lucerne CX-1 3.9l v6 (I had no Idea GM was still using this engine!)
$29,310 – Acura TSX – 2.4l i4
$34,850 – Acura TSX V6 – 3.5l v6
Can you say product overlap? Where the hell are they going to place this thing? It’s intended competition starts at 29k with the 4cyl. But Buick already has two models priced at or below that(not that I see much cross shopping between a Lucerne and TSX). Seems to me this would be priced right in the heart of the Lacrosse’s territory. Any lower and it will be in Malibu territory. And there is no way buyers will consider Regal’s 182hp ecotec over TSX’s 201hp mill. Wow. GM does it again.
11/12/09
You also have to understand where they are coming from. These where originally Saturns Aura replacement and had already been committed to in the plans to make Saturn a world brand when it was canned. #buickregal
11/12/09
Hopefully the Regal sits in that slot quite nicely. #buickregal
11/12/09
The problem is that the general still does not have a coherent brand strategy. Too many models at similar price points, built on the same platforms, with the same engines, all competing against each other more than the real competition. Buick and GMC should have died with Pontiac and Saturn. It's tough to swallow but those are the realities. But since they're hell bent on keeping Buick, they need to move Cadillac up-market to compete head on with BMW, and Mercedes to give Buick a little breathing room.
11/11/09
My verdict: not a Regal. #buickregal
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11/11/09
no manual tranny? gee its a Buick and last time I checked even the GNX had a Turbo Hydramatic slushbox , granted it was kickass automatic.
This is loads better than the bluehaired Geriatricmobile Buick Electras/Centurys/Park Aves of the past. In fact this is a nice transition from the Enclave foothold that Buick managed to squeek in awhile back.
For what it is I think this will help ease Buick into the Hyundai Genesis / Infiniti M45 /Lincoln waters .
now I just hope GM has some better ideas for Cadillac because that new SRX is not going to steal sales from Lexus anytime soon
I just hope that Buick gets enough sales that they can start making ballsy cars like the GNX (power) and 8th Generation Riviera (design for the time)
11/11/09
11/11/09
This new car looks great in every angle except the rear view, but I think I could live with it. I too wonder how this would do with 280hp. #buickregal
11/12/09
11/11/09
Sigh. Okay, Buick is not about speed. Sport luxury is Caddy's court.
"Both mills have a six speed automatic transmission"
Sigh. This one makes sense. Not about sport. We're talking about a brand whose mantra is "library quiet."
"a re-badged Opel Insignia"
And yet no OPC makes it over here.
SIGH.
Buick, you're breakin' my heart.
</3 #buickregal
11/11/09
11/12/09
Most of GM's FWD transmissions have sort of low torque ratings. The only real "beefy" one was the 4T80-E that came only mated to Northstar/Aurora V8s.
It always seemed kind of odd, since their RWD trannies are quite stout. #buickregal
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11/13/09
The Cobalt SS does not come with an automatic. Possibly because it's a "performance" car, possibly because they don't have a trans that would take the abuse (and fit the car/engine). I suspect the latter.
Also, just to clarify, GM does not make any manual transmissions. This is why I forgot to use that wording, since to me "GM trans" is synonymous with "automatic". #buickregal
11/11/09
It's certainly not going to turn any heads with a wheezy 2.0 Turbo out of the General's cheapest econorental line and styling queues straight out of Korea.
If you want to compete with BMW, Lexus, Infiniti, etc you need to bring a hell of a lot more to the table than this. #buickregal
11/11/09
11/11/09
@Electro_Boogie: This is the torque curve when installed in a Saturn Sky Redline. Of course this one's get a milder tune, but you get the idea. #buickregal
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