Buick Regal or Malibu 3LT Turbo

"Vince-The Roadside Mechanic" (vincent-becker)
03/15/2014 at 13:43 • Filed to: Budget Battles

Welcome to BUDGET BATTLES a series I do on oppo from time to time. My second entry pins two turbocharged GM brothers head to head. As all budget battles it is a summary not everything is included.

PRICE

In this installment of budget battles there is a pretty good price difference the Regal GS starts at about $29,690 and the Malibu Turbo around $26,850

DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES

Well lets start with the differences with the Buick you get a bunch of things that are fancier and more luxurious than the Malibu basically it is a more civilized and higher class version of the Malibu. You get a nicer interior nicer wheels overall less aggressive appearance than the Malibu and you get Buick's infotainment system versus Chevy's (I can't tell the difference). You get the same engine same transmission same turbo same intercoolers but there is one main difference FWD vs AWD yes the Buick gets FWD or AWD but the Malibu only gets FWD now this is kind of a big difference to me I am curious why Chevy didn't give the Malibu AWD probably because it would completely undermine the Regal. Both the cars have the same mpg (36mpg) same horsepower (259HP) and same torque (295ft-lbs). the brakes and suspension are also the same.

MY VIEW ON THIS

Well this is a classic example of rebranding which I hate. I like the Malibu better I think it looks better and until I saw the 2014 Malibu I myself wasn't a fan. I have always like the supercharged Regals but I don't like this one the one big difference is FWD or AWD and Fun and Luxury or Fun and Practicality.

WINNER

Chevy Malibu Turbo

WHY

For about 3 grand less you get the same car that looks more aggressive. Sure it is less luxurious but it is a great car to have as a daily driver.

DISCUSSION (18)

oldirtybootz > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/15/2014 at 13:52

Regal GS all the way, I'm sure you could find one closer to the price of the Malibu.

The Malibu looked far better before the refresh. A bit bland, yes, but not ugly like the current one.

Kinja'd!!!

Milky > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/15/2014 at 13:53

A challenger appears:

Kinja'd!!!

IMO the 'Bu just doesn't look good, and the Regal is getting a bit old. Luckily GM makes a better car that is below 30k used (only 13k miles on this one too).

jkm7680 > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/15/2014 at 13:54

Regal Gs, didn't even glance at the Malibu.

It's a nice looking, and performing car.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > oldirtybootz
03/15/2014 at 13:57

I like the current Malibu better but different strokes for different folks

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > jkm7680
03/15/2014 at 13:59

So is the Malibu

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/15/2014 at 14:02

I say a Regal GS for the first time in yesterday when it pulled up besides the the first thing I noticed was the Brembo brakes out of the corner of my eye. I whip my head around to see what the heck was next to me and lone behold it was a Buick Regal. The driver (a cute brunette BTW)saw my look of confusion gave me a nice smile and a wave and drove off.

long story short now everytime I will see a Buick I will remember her.

jkm7680 > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/15/2014 at 14:03

I'd still take the Regal Gs, I just prefer it in almost every way.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > jkm7680
03/15/2014 at 14:09

different opinions for different folks

spanfucker retire bitch > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/15/2014 at 14:11

It's not even close - Regal GS all the way.

jkm7680 > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/15/2014 at 14:12

Yeah, everybody looks at cars differently. That's fine.

From the Malibu perspective, it looks much more up to date than the Regal. The Regal still has some of the basic design cues from 2005. While the Malibu looks nothing like it's 2005 relatives.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
03/15/2014 at 14:12

I think that is love

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > spanfucker retire bitch
03/15/2014 at 14:15

what ever you say

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > jkm7680
03/15/2014 at 14:16

exactly

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/15/2014 at 14:21

Don't tell my wife that...lol

M54B30 > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/15/2014 at 15:26

Wait... You're saying the Malibu looks more aggressive than the Regal? Have you been pre-gaming St Patrick's Day?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/15/2014 at 15:58

I'm gonna have to say Malibu, only because it's cheaper and I actually like the new front end.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > M54B30
03/15/2014 at 20:19

I am not drinking or Irish I think the grill and headlights of the Malibu makes it more aggressive

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/15/2014 at 20:20

Yay we agree