I’ll count this as a win.

"mazda616" (mazda616)
10/29/2019 at 16:12 • Filed to: Buick Regal TourX

My wife has agreed to let me test drive a TourX.

The saga is described here:

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Local dealer (across the street from her workplace) just got in a silver Preferred trim model. They have it overpriced but I figure I can test drive it and get a feel for the car and see if I love it as much after driving it.

My words: “ There’s a Buick wagon at Don Moore. It isn’t the top of the line model and they’re dumb and trying to sell it for too much. But, maybe could I drive it and get a feel for it?”

Her words: “I guess.”

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My only worry is parts availability for the future. With Opel being bought by Peugeot, this model’s time is limited. Do you all think getting one serviced or worked on in the future will be a pain in the rear?

DISCUSSION (20)

vondon302 > mazda616
10/29/2019 at 16:22

By law GM has to have service parts for 10 years. After that?

Maxima Speed > mazda616
10/29/2019 at 16:22

Wait. She said “I guess” and you thought that meant “do it?”

mazda616 > vondon302
10/29/2019 at 16:22

I doubt I’d have it much longer than 10 years.

mazda616 > Maxima Speed
10/29/2019 at 16:23

“I guess.” is the answer we both use when we aren’t enthused about something but the other person is.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > mazda616
10/29/2019 at 16:25

Engine wise it’s all GM, and either engine available in the car is part of GM’s bread and butter right now, so doubtful they are going anywhere anytime soon. The trans is Aisin, I think, but regardless it’s used in other stuff and will be for a while. It’s built on the E2xx platform which, admittedly underpins a lot of sedans that may go away, but it’s also under the Cadillac XT4 crossover, which should be sticking around for a while.

Your main concerns would be body panels and possibly interior parts. But I believe manufacturers are required by law to continue providing parts like that for 10 or 15 years, minimum. In short, no, I don’t think getting parts for them in the future is going to be too much of an issue, especially not in the next 10 years or so. Beyond that it does get a little more dicey. Or if GM goes completely belly up.

dogisbadob > mazda616
10/29/2019 at 16:27

That 2.0T is used in many GM cars now, and other shit is probably common enough too.

Chariotoflove > mazda616
10/29/2019 at 16:29

I’m certain you have nothing to worry about. This is the last company that will leave you without parts for the life of this car.

I’m excited for your test drive. Looking for that post.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > mazda616
10/29/2019 at 16:36

Here’s hoping your experience with them is better than mine!

mazda616 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/29/2019 at 16:37

Well, your experience with the Dodge Grand Caravan is better than mine was, so maybe this will work the opposite (being that my experience will be better than yours).

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > mazda616
10/29/2019 at 16:48

Our base model Grand Caravan felt like a luxury car inside compared to all the TourX’s we drove.

That being said, they are gorgeous cars.

camarov6rs > vondon302
10/29/2019 at 17:08

Is that a law? I know they are required to furnish parts for a vehicle in its warranty period. So theoretically if you bought an early year unit you’re almost guaranteed 10 years of parts by now.

vicali > Maxima Speed
10/29/2019 at 17:12

Kinja'd!!!

Derpwagon > mazda616
10/29/2019 at 17:35

I wonder how the longevity on these will be. I'm tempted to look at one, but think I want an old truck to do truck stuff on instead.

Nick Has an Exocet > mazda616
10/29/2019 at 19:21

Regarding parts, the only real worry would be the body panels. Those will be unobtainable after production ends. Therefore, a fender bender will total it. Just carry full collision and you’re fine. The rest of the parts are pretty standard GM stuff. I doubt you’ll have any trouble sourcing brakes, trans, engine, or suspension bits.

sadfaceishappyface > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/29/2019 at 20:04

So what’s your story on them? We test drove one and liked it, and contemplating going back to look some more.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > sadfaceishappyface
10/30/2019 at 06:56

The interior is a sea of cheap plastic and rock hard seats, regardless of trim level. The ride and road noise are appalling at best, you can literally hear/feel every crack in the road . The transmission is a clueless cluster fuck. Terrible rear visibility . Cramped rear seat ( Neither me nor my wife are large people at around 5'6", 150 lbs and we both felt cramped in the back ).

Mind you, it’s not like we’re used to super luxury, but I expect a brand new luxury wagon to provide more comfort and a quieter/better ride than our 90s vehicles.

The TourX wasn’t the only rough/noisy car with cheap interiors we drove, realistically it seems a common trend among new vehicles “make everything as cheap as possible and hide it behind a bunch of useless tech”. The majority of new stuff we drove left of wondering how so many people waste their money on all this cheap shit.

vondon302 > camarov6rs
10/30/2019 at 07:47

I work in a Mopar parts facility and that’s what we go by.

Tons of Neon parts but were starting to thin it out lately.

camarov6rs > vondon302
10/30/2019 at 13:30

Hmm good to know. I always hear that but have wondered at the same time.

sadfaceishappyface > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/30/2019 at 19:26

I never got up to highway speeds, was in a hurry and in a whim. But the short, 45mph ride was not noticably loud. I agree on the interior plastic, unfortunately common everywhere.

I found the seats reasonably comfortable and plenty of room in the rear. I think that is the only place I would really, strongly disagree with you. I’m about 5'6" and 190lbs.

Thanks though, something to check again if I do decide to drive one again.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > sadfaceishappyface
10/31/2019 at 10:06

I will say I look at vehicles differently than the average person likely does. I’m focused on the ride quality, how quiet it is inside, and how it drives. I’m not one that cares about tech, so I easily look past the tech.

The TourX misses the mark for me on ride quality/comfort and noise, but I question how much of that is due to the big wheel/low pro combo everything runs these days, as it was present on pretty much everything we drove. Visibility is another big issue for me, which to me, no amount of cameras/assists can compensate for.

If I could pick one up for $20-25k, I’d probably be able to pull the trigger, but at the $35k starting price all of them in my area are, I can find much better vehicles to spend my money on.