Buick Regal GS press car

"William Byrd" (thedriver)
10/26/2015 at 09:32 • Filed to: buick, regal GS

Some of you may remember the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . I was particularly hard on Buick and some of you let me know that I was wrong . I’m excited to say that, since I wrote that back in March, we have gotten on most (not all) manufacturers press car loaner lists and I’ll be swapping out an EcoBoost F-150 in the driveway for a Buick Regal GS this afternoon.

It’s a crimson red AWD with black interior. Sadly not a manual, but beggars and choosers, you know the saying. I’m hoping to up Buick’s score on next year’s report card if the Regal as as good as some folks say it is. In the meantime, I’ve got lots of video to shoot over the next week, let us know what you want to know about it.

DISCUSSION (18)

Justin Hughes > William Byrd
10/26/2015 at 09:48

The average age of a Buick owner (at least here in the US) seems to be close to the average age of an amateur radio operator - dead. Could this car skew that curve a bit? If so, how? Buick doesn’t seem to be marketing it much, especially to enthusiasts, but I’ve read the rare review saying that it’s genuinely a fun car. I haven’t read that about a Buick since the Grand National.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Justin Hughes
10/26/2015 at 09:52

Actually Buick’s Average age has been steadily dropping, one of very few car brands to pull that off.

spanfucker retire bitch > William Byrd
10/26/2015 at 09:59

The only you could have gotten a manual is with the FWD model anyways; AWD is auto only.

Still, I’m looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

Justin Hughes > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/26/2015 at 10:01

That’s a good thing. But is it because Buick is so popular in China, or stateside efforts? Buick has kind of taken Saturn’s place as the American brand of facelifted Opels, though they’re also keeping the standard of luxury they’ve traditionally had.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Justin Hughes
10/26/2015 at 10:05

US buyers don’t typically know what Opel is let alone that some of the GM cars are “facelifted versions”. But, While the number is still high at 57, it dropped in 1 year from 64 to 57 (that was 2014’s average buyer age in the US- 57) I expect it will be even lower for 2015. This site even says it’s being cross shopping against everything from Lexus to Audi.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewd…

(terrible website but gives the report for 13 vs 14 buyers).

Party-vi > William Byrd
10/26/2015 at 10:06

I was not aware Buick had added AWD to the GS. That should make it interesting if not slower. Speaking of, let us know how the acceleration feels, because on paper it seems like this GS is a bit of a dud, with less power than a V6 Accord.

LongbowMkII > Justin Hughes
10/26/2015 at 10:13

I think the Encore is pulling it down, seems to be popular among 30-40 year old office workers around here.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > William Byrd
10/26/2015 at 10:17

What surprised me the first time I saw one were the brakes! These things have HUGE rotors and Brembo calipers! Not exactly something you would expect on a Buick!

Blze001 > William Byrd
10/26/2015 at 10:21

I still fail to see how Buick is still around, are there that many old people who refuse to buy any other brand? What can I get in a Buick luxury wise that I couldn’t in a LTZ trim level on a Chevy? And if I max out a Buick, why wouldn’t I just get a Cadillac?

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > William Byrd
10/26/2015 at 10:39

Try to get a S65

William Byrd > spanfucker retire bitch
10/26/2015 at 10:41

Aw crap, really? Sort of a catch 22, you can shift your own gears, but you get FWD. Oh well, I imagin I’m testing it much more like the average buyer would option it anyway.

Shankems > William Byrd
10/26/2015 at 10:42

Checked out the GS a couple years ago. Was pretty neat, FWD was a total letdown. It was also less powerful than the Verano turbo and weighed more.............

William Byrd > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/26/2015 at 10:43

I can do S63, how’s that?

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > William Byrd
10/26/2015 at 10:55

I'll allow it. Do a V12

William Byrd > Shankems
10/26/2015 at 10:58

Interesting. Honestly the power/speed will be a big factor, it’s what we focus on at RFD and they seem to be marketing this as a quick sedan, so we’ll see.

William Byrd > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/26/2015 at 10:59

Oh I plan to!

Wait, you meant drive/review one. Ok, that works as well.

Shankems > William Byrd
10/26/2015 at 11:27

Just checked the stats, and we must have seen some bad marketing materials or just gotten confused at the time. Verano wasn’t more powerful, but did weight a bit less.

Don’t get me wrong, the Regal wasn’t slow, it just wasn’t quick. I’d say quick is down in the 5.5 second range these days.

Hope you have a bunch of fun!

472CID > William Byrd
10/26/2015 at 14:07

Hope you like it, for my money it’s one of the best looking cars in that part of the market.