Am I An Old Man Now? Or Has Buick Changed?

"Go Hawkeyes" (joehawkeye)
03/13/2018 at 22:32 • Filed to: Buick, Regal GS, Buick Regal, Regal, Buick Regal GS

It’s a Buick, so that must mean I’m old right? But it’s a Regal GS so that’s got to count for something. Still, it did draw my elderly neighbors outside to take a look.

I cross shopped this with an Audi A4 and the Acura TLX. I was planning on comparing these by referring to them as the domestic and the imports. But hell, the Acura is made stateside, the other two in Germany. When deciding on which one to get it came down to price ultimately. I couldn’t justify spending over ten grand more for a car where the only major benefit over the Regal was the quality of the leather used for the seats. You may argue the fit and finish of the trim isn’t as nice, and there aren’t as many soft touch areas in the Buick, but it is still an extremely nicely put together car. Light years ahead of my 10 year old Dakota pickup. And certainly not worth the huge jump in price for the Audi or Acura.

My wife wonders if this is my mid life crisis mobile. It is surely not as this is a 4-door mid-sized family sedan with only 310hp. I’ve assured her that my mid life crisis car will have two less doors (well 3 if you count the hatch), maybe two less seats, and twice the horse power.

BTW, sorry if you were the one in Bentonville who test drove this over the weekend and needed some time to think about it. I beat you to it. Good luck finding another one any time soon. But hopefully you find one before the rebate and 0% financing runs out. New car and free money? What’s not to love.

DISCUSSION (34)

Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish > Go Hawkeyes
03/13/2018 at 22:55

You’re sure that’s a Buick? Looks damn good, congrats!

Chariotoflove > Go Hawkeyes
03/13/2018 at 22:57

You’re probably old, but that has nothing to do with your choice of sweet ride. Well done.

CB > Go Hawkeyes
03/13/2018 at 22:58

Congrats! Enjoy it!

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Go Hawkeyes
03/13/2018 at 23:04

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT3A6ngZ2_AWixpsSYTSp07DeqXTyZfZL9Xo1VzvIOaNnDBUkrkuw

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > Go Hawkeyes
03/13/2018 at 23:05

Your neighborhood right now:

Congrats, though. I like it.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > Go Hawkeyes
03/13/2018 at 23:12

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

310hp

You sure that’s a Buick?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > winterlegacy, here 'till the end
03/13/2018 at 23:15

“only” 310hp, as if that’s not a substantial amount.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
03/13/2018 at 23:17

I’d kill to have 310hp in my Legacy.

Though I’d probably end up wrapped around a tree, so it’s for the better that I don’t have that much power.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Go Hawkeyes
03/13/2018 at 23:24

One of the best looking cars on the market! Congrats!

Wacko > Go Hawkeyes
03/13/2018 at 23:32

310 hp and AWD, interesting.

Looks really good too.

wafflesnfalafel > Go Hawkeyes
03/13/2018 at 23:41

Those are good looking cars - congrats. Super hwy runner - eats miles quick. Buick seems to regularly have the best looking GM styling. (You just need a matching ‘84 Grand National to go with.)

Nick Has an Exocet > Go Hawkeyes
03/13/2018 at 23:46

Certainly can’t fault you for it. Though there is an obligatory:

Nice Opel!

https://www.ebay.com/b/Opel-Emblems/33643/bn_20668772

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Go Hawkeyes
03/13/2018 at 23:49

Beautiful car! Also, cool to see another Iowa Oppo (based on username I’m assuming).

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > Go Hawkeyes
03/13/2018 at 23:55

Buicks are made in China now. They’ve changed

Amoore100 > Go Hawkeyes
03/14/2018 at 00:34

Neither. Nice Insignia GSi, by the way.

Go Hawkeyes > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
03/14/2018 at 01:08

Originally. Stuck in Missouri now.

Cé hé sin > Go Hawkeyes
03/14/2018 at 06:13

Oooh, nice Peugeot! Kind of.

Captain of the Enterprise > Go Hawkeyes
03/14/2018 at 06:24

Just put some opel bases on it lol

TheRealBicycleBuck > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
03/14/2018 at 06:29

It all about the HP/weight ratio. I’m currently driving a Challenger with “only” 305 hp. With a curb weight of over 4,000 lbs, it does not feel fast.

Hot Takes Salesman > Go Hawkeyes
03/14/2018 at 07:34

Throw some Holden badges on it and you’ll be just as evil as GM

Long-Voyager > Go Hawkeyes
03/14/2018 at 07:37

Nice looking car.

Too bad it’s “only” 310hp ;)

arl > Go Hawkeyes
03/14/2018 at 08:24

I likey. Please post some more pics a review when it’s appropriate.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Go Hawkeyes
03/14/2018 at 09:02

I saw this at the CIAS this year. It’s honestly a vehicle I’d consider trading my truck for.

I said “consider”. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a *likely* no as well, but that’s a lot further than flat, immediate dismissal. I like it. A lot.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > TheRealBicycleBuck
03/14/2018 at 09:26

My car has a much worse power to weight ratio than that (3800lbs, 190hp) and it feels plenty fast. Argument denied.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Go Hawkeyes
03/14/2018 at 11:01

By Gawd! Absolute madlad he actually did it!

How good is the AWD system? is 310HP enough?

This is the same one that was posted sometime back right?

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/1822917191

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Go Hawkeyes
03/14/2018 at 11:16

Bah, humbug.

Quadradeuce > Go Hawkeyes
03/14/2018 at 11:32

We are heavily considering this for our next car. I am not impressed with the comfort of the seats in the Essence trim level. Hopefully I can test a GS but I doubt any dealers in our area will have one any time soon. Did you cross test the Essence vs GS?

As far as the rest of the interior, it’s fine. Maybe not as nice as some of the other Buick models, but it’s still a nice interior.

Go Hawkeyes > Quadradeuce
03/14/2018 at 12:54

I actually only test drove an Essence before buying because that is all I could find at any dealer within an hour of me. I knew I wanted the GS and anything about it would be a step up from the Essence. The GS seats are nice. They deserve their ergonomic rating thingy they have. Lots of adjustments. the dealer had the side bolsters inflated to 100% when I first got in it though so I was a bit confounded until I realized that. Once they were relaxed a bit it was far more comfortable.

Go Hawkeyes > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
03/14/2018 at 13:00

This is in fact the one from Everett. It’s now McLarty or something like that though. It was bought out recently. I guess they are the second largest Buick dealer in the Midwest?

310HP is never enough. It’s pretty damn quick though. It’ll suit me nicely. The AWD makes it quick off the line. Perfect launches every time. I had a ‘94 Cobra back in the day that had some go fast goodies and dyno’d at 300 at the wheels. The GS feels faster and I’m sure it’s because of the perfect launches.

Go Hawkeyes > arl
03/14/2018 at 13:00

I will work on a review hopefully this weekend!

Go Hawkeyes > Long-Voyager
03/14/2018 at 13:03

Honestly if they came out with a GNX version next year with the same V6 but a pair of turbos on it I’d have to upgrade.

Quadradeuce > Go Hawkeyes
03/14/2018 at 13:42

Good to know. Those side bolsters worried me since I’m 6'5" with an ass to match.

TheRealBicycleBuck > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
03/14/2018 at 18:01

I’m accustomed to my WRX (3,200 lbs, 250 hp) and it’s starting to feel slow, even though it clearly is not. It’s all a matter of perspective.

Go Hawkeyes > Quadradeuce
03/14/2018 at 19:45

I have fairly broad shoulders stemming from the fact that I used to be 325 lbs, 125 lbs ago. I fit fine. You’ll love just how far back the seat goes. I typically move a seat as far back as it goes and I’m only 5'11". But I can’t reach the peddles with the seat all the way back in this car. Nobody will want to sit behind you though.