My day with a 2011 Buick Regal

[journeyforce]

So I took my 2005 LeSabre to Win Kelly Chevy Buick GM (and formally Pontiac) where I bought it (and oddly enough was the original dealership that my 2009 Vibe was sold) to get some preventive repairs done (replacing the intake manifold gasket(which always fails on the 3800) with the new metal gasket) and even though they were not required to(and I was not expecting it) they gave me a 2011 Regal loaner.I had it all Friday and I have to say that I am very impressed with the new Regal (this ain't your father's boat like the 1997-2004 version was nor was it a gussied up Century like the 1997-2004 was) The one I had was a auto but you can get a manual trans in a Regal.The lay out was well thought out and finally GM not only offers a USB connection(they had the option in the Cobalt, HHR and Malibu) but good iPod integration with ability to go through playlists and they also put the AUX and USB ports in the center console compartment so not only can you hide the iPod away but if the USB or AUX ports take a dump, you just replace those instead of having to replace the radio due to the ports not being on the radioXM is standard on all Regals.The nicest touch is the sunroof controls. Most cars offer a one button opens,closes and vent mode configuration. The Regal has a separate button for open and close mode and vent and close mode so that you don't wind up putting the sunroof in vent mode while trying to close it in a rush. A nice touchthe car I was loaned had a nice suspension setup which was not to harsh and not to floaty (like my LeSabre) wind noise was non existent. A really nice car that should bring a lot of folks to the Buick division. The car was born as an Opel from Germany and will be the third attempt GM has rebadging a Opel as a North American GM product (the Caddy Catera and the Saturn Astra were the other two. The Caddy blew and the Astra was sadly not promoted and lasted only one year) I don't consider the Chevette to be an Opel from Germany since the NA Chevette was born in Brazil.Here are some pics of the carThe keyOh and the dealership runs a body shop. In front of it was a Corvette getting body work. Here is how you replace a damaged panel on a VetteHere are a few shots at the local junk yard. I have never seen a Checker marathon with a vinyl half top and opera window before. Checker made cabs and sold passenger cars till 1982

[djkeev]

Random transition from new Buick to old Junkyard! Interesting though.You're doing Exactly what Buick wants you to do. They let you use a car, you tell the world how wonderful it is! Good marketing and I've no axe to grind with Buick. They want the Pontiac drivers to make the switch.Honestly, It would take a LOT for me to crawl behind the wheel of a Buick that I call my own. To much of an old fart reputation, I know what I think every time I roll up behind a Buick at a light...oh crap! old fart!!If he isn't slow, he's going to be dangerous in some manner.That being said, Cadillac used to be the official GM old man car. They've made the change and are now the newly rich "I'm better than YOU!!" crowd.Thanks for the car report but I'll not be purchasing one any time in the near or in the distant future.Honestly, when the Vibe's time is over, I'm not sure where I'll move. Of course a lot depends upon current offerings at the time. As it is now, I don't see a GM brand in my future at all. IF I had to choose today, I'd take a long look at the Hyundai Elantra Touring, Maybe the Ford Focus 5 door.I'd shy away from Nissan and give Toyota only a quick glance.Dave

[journeyforce]

The trip to the junk yard was on my itinerary for that day to get a few interior parts for a friend. i fully expected to be dropped off at home by the dealership shuttle and then would drive to the junk yard in the Vibe but they gave me the car so i drove that and left the Vibe at home.There is a lot of positive praise for the Regal and the LaCrosse and yes I would probably consider a Buick for my next car but i have always like Buick and large cars since my first car.It is interesting you mentioned the stodgy rep of Buick. It seems that over the last 3 years with the demise of Saturn and Pontiac and the new models geared to the younger crowd, that the old folks have moved to the VW Passat and the Hyundai Azura. I can understand the Passat or the Passat CC or even the Phaeton as they do look like an old folks car (just like a few of the Audi models (i.e. A8) but the Azura seems like a nice mid size car that gave you all the Sonata reliability but with more room and comfort.I guess to each his or her own

[journeyforce]

By the way it was a 2011 Regal and not a 2001. I changed it in the title but it seems to revert back to the 2001

[star_deceiver]

They may be tying to lure the younger generation and I commend them adding the stick shift to that very nicely overpowered engine (and no slush with power as well ) but it just costs way too much! $40K if you want the stick!The grille, the colours, and simply looking at the car gives me nothing but visions of old people! Now.... shove that 290hp engine w/stick into a base model Sonic

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by journeyforce »The car was born as an Opel from Germany and will be the third attempt GM has rebadging a Opel as a North American GM product (the Caddy Catera and the Saturn Astra were the other two. The Caddy blew and the Astra was sadly not promoted and lasted only one year) Hey, wait a minute..That be a Caddy that zigs Catera behind the Checker. Nice Aura they gave you as a loaner. I like it, but for some reason it still looks more Saturn (as it was originally intended) than Buick to me. I crave something cushy and quiet to soothe my aging bones - I probably wouldn't mind having one, but even the cheapest Buick is above what this tightwad is willing to spend.

[ArcsVibe]

To me that dash is so uninspiring....they need to jazz up the interiors big time!

[jimincalif]

How were the brakes? Last Buick I rented, the car drove well enough, but the brakes were scary. They stopped the car but always felt like they were fading.

[Houston]

I have never understood this frequent criticism of Buicks and the problem so many of you have with old people. On the other hand, when I was a young know-nothing, I also thought I knew it all. God willing, you young folks will be around long enough to read crap like this posted by people who, as of today, haven't even yet been born.I began working at Buick when I was 21, stayed there for 33 years, and considered those Buicks to be great automobiles. They are even better now. Our beloved Vibes don't stand a chance against even the cheapest Buick. Some of you Vibe owners who think the Vibe is the best that can be need a dose of reality.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by Houston »I have never understood this frequent criticism of Buicks and the problem so many of you have with old people. On the other hand, when I was a young know-nothing, I also thought I knew it all. God willing, you young folks will be around long enough to read crap like this posted by people who, as of today, haven't even yet been born.I began working at Buick when I was 21, stayed there for 33 years, and considered those Buicks to be great automobiles. They are even better now. Our beloved Vibes don't stand a chance against even the cheapest Buick. Some of you Vibe owners who think the Vibe is the best that can be need a dose of reality.Maybe today. But I had a brand new 1977 Buick Estate Wagon bought when I was 35 years old that went through starter motors and ignition coils repeatedly. Those were the days of the 12 month warranty so I paid dearly. The dealer couldn't figure out what the problem was. I wrote to Buick, even told them that the dealer was of no help, but I got back a form letter that told me to go to my Buick dealer as that was the best place to get my problem resolved. Sold that Buick in 1987 - only had 40,000 miles on it - in part because I often could not get it started. At the advice of an independent shop I got new spark plug cables not too long before I sold it - that seemed to solve the ignition coil issue. I have a long memory - never bought a GM brand again until the 2003 Vibe - and if it really had been a GM car I probably wouldn't have. Against my advice my son bought a 1996 GMC Jimmy, and after that a 2001 Chevy Impala. Both had many problems. I do think that GM is now finally on track though.Just remembered - my father had a 1986 Buick Century. It had only 35,000 miles on it when he died in 2001, but over the years had significant repairs - mainly front end/suspension issues. I think that was a notorious problem with that model.

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by Houston »I have never understood this frequent criticism of Buicks and the problem so many of you have with old people. On the other hand, when I was a young know-nothing, I also thought I knew it all. God willing, you young folks will be around long enough to read crap like this posted by people who, as of today, haven't even yet been born.I began working at Buick when I was 21, stayed there for 33 years, and considered those Buicks to be great automobiles. They are even better now. Our beloved Vibes don't stand a chance against even the cheapest Buick. Some of you Vibe owners who think the Vibe is the best that can be need a dose of reality.Well for starters.... I am an old person!!! Secondly, do you ever get out of the house and actualy travel on the highways and take notice the cars around you and motoring characteristics of various brands? Each brand / model has it's own style of driver. From completely self absorbed obnoxious high end auto to the crazy teen / early 20's propelling his over grown push toy with the Wing in the rear, it's like a toddlers toy, he can hold onto and push it along the carpet. Minivans confuse me, could be a young family with kids, could be very Buick like with the oldest people in the world driving as old people do.Back on topic......... Sadly, at least where I live, it seems that the vast majority of Buicks are piloted by old / older people, very few "youngsters" driving them. Also it seems that these Buicks are putt - putting along at what probably seems like "break neck speeds" to the drivers, which are 10 - 15 MPH BELOW the posted speed limit. IF they come to an intersection they seem unsure about how to proceed. If it is dark and there is an oncoming car, they slam on the brakes and veer to the Right!Old People and Buicks? Yeah, there is a very direct and negative connotation.Honestly, I probably only notice the ones that drive like this, the vast majority are perfectly fine and drive normally. There are also old drivers in almost every brand, it seems that Buicks have an overwhelming percentage of them when you see the car driving "strangely".Young people criticize me? I am 100% sure that they do!! I drive defensively and actually STOP for those Octagonal Red Signs and those Red lights that allow Right Turn on Red AFTER STOPPING, Yep, I actually STOP. No California rolling stop, wheels stop moving.Given the choice of Speeding or not, I most often don't if I'm on the road alone. I enjoy the ride, enjoy the scenery and savor the freedom of being able to drive myself still!On the plus side, I don't impede traffic, I go with the flow, I stay out of the way if I must. At an intersection, I keep to the side that I need. If I'm going Left I HUG the center line allowing for people to pass me on the right not stopping in the center because it is MY LANE!! Making a Right, yep, I hug or drive over the fog line to allow people to pass on the left if they need to. I've told my children to watch me. When it is time to hand in my license to simply tell me, I'll be upset, maybe even angry but I'll understand and comply. I do NOT want to be that old Buick driver that snarls traffic and pisses people off!!!Nope when the day comes for me to be driving a Buick, I'd rather NOT be driving at all!!!Oh BTW, I don't think there are many, if any, Vibe owners here that think the Vibe is the best that can be. We appreciate it for being so good at WHAT IT IS!!!! We know there are better cars but they cost a Kings Ransom and often are boring as well.Dave

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by djkeev »Well for starters.... I am an old person!!! Oh BTW, I don't think there are many, if any, Vibe owners here that think the Vibe is the best that can be. We appreciate it for being so good at WHAT IT IS!!!! We know there are better cars but they cost a Kings Ransom and often are boring as well.Dave I have little use for 4 door sedans - or for any 2 door vehicle, unless someday after 45 years I decide I need to once again own a convertible.

[star_deceiver]

I'm biased, young (31), opinionated, and I call it as I see it! The Buick/Old people stereotype is there for a reason, and I see it everyday.The cheapest Buick one can buy in Alberta is the Verano http://gm.ca/gm/english/vehicl...rview ... lowest base model price after tax is $25294... I am not made of money! That, and being a function over form person, that Buick has nothing I'm looking for in a vehicle! And I do know everything!!! I'll know even more tomorrow!!!

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »I'm biased, young (31), opinionated, and I call it as I see it! Never trust anyone over 30!

[Houston]

I've also never owned a Buick, but that is only because they cost more than I've been willing to pay for a blasted car. This little Vibe is as perfect as cars come for what I want in one. I sure would love having my '67 Firebird back, though.

Attached files

[Houston]

Some friends had a retired Checker cab back in the '70s and I couldn't believe how much room was inside that car, particularly the back seat. It was like sitting on a living room couch with more leg room than I could believe could be in a car.

[Houston]

Quote, originally posted by djkeev »Well for starters.... I am an old person!!!Not hardly. The best is yet to come, my young friend.Some may be irritated by the driving habits of old people, but the young drivers on cellphones are the ones to be really worried about. My experience indicates they are almost always young ladies. It happened again yesterday as I was nearing a McDonalds and watched as a young lady pulled out without so much as looking my way. Had I not been watching her anticipating what she would do and slammed on my brakes there would have been an accident right then and there. Watch out for young ladies on cellphones, because they certainly aren't watching out for you.

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by Houston »......... a young lady pulled out without so much as looking my way. Had I not been watching her anticipating what she would do and slammed on my brakes there would have been an accident right then and there. Watch out for young ladies on cellphones, because they certainly aren't watching out for you. Well what were you doing on HER road in the first place?!?!!Dave

[03VibeOttawa]

Quote, originally posted by Houston »but the young drivers on cellphones are the ones to be really worried about. My experience indicates they are almost always young ladies. ... Watch out for young ladies on cellphones, because they certainly aren't watching out for you. This one struck a chord with me. I drove down to NYC over the holidays. Upper NY State is b*r*u*t*a*l for people on cell phones. Manhattan is bad, but to a lesser extent. What a nightmare. At one point, a young lady on a phone in an old 1/2 ton pickup crossed a solid line and swerved right onto the freeway from an onramp into our space without even looking. Would have been a certain accident if there had been a car in the left lane beside us. Literally at least once every 1/2 hour someone was swerving into our lane while talking on a phone or texting. I was very glad to get back to Ontario roads.

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by Feelin’ The Vibe »This one struck a chord with me. I drove down to NYC over the holidays. Upper NY State is b*r*u*t*a*l for people on cell phones. Manhattan is bad, but to a lesser extent. What a nightmare. At one point, a young lady on a phone in an old 1/2 ton pickup crossed a solid line and swerved right onto the freeway from an onramp into our space without even looking. Would have been a certain accident if there had been a car in the left lane beside us. Literally at least once every 1/2 hour someone was swerving into our lane while talking on a phone or texting. I was very glad to get back to Ontario roads. Yeah, the trouble around here is that it seems like all of the cops, most of the government vehicles are all cruising and chatting on held held phones!! Is there an exemption that I'm not aware of? They also need to enforce the existing laws but change the fines and make them financial crippling and PAINFUL!!! I'm talking multiple thousands of dollars $XXX,XXX.00 not the pocket change they do today. Knowing that if you get caught on a hand held it will set you back say $5,000 will indeed make many think twice before picking that device up, even those who have money!Dave

[journeyforce]

Sorry about not responding sooner, I forgot about this post First off ColonelPanic: You are correct about there being a Catera in that pic. I think there were two in that pic next to each other, the green one and a tan one on the left of the green one. For those that are curious about the cars around the Checker they are a 1994-1996 Buick Roadmaster(had a version of the LT1 V8 which was only offered in 94-96) on the left. On the right was a blue 2001 Buick LeSabre. Directly behind the Checker were two Caddy cataras. On the right side of the green Catara is a Chevy Beretta(I think a 1988-1990 due to that nasty shade of red and the bumper color(had silver on the bottom). On the left of the tan Catera was a 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand PrixIt is easy to link older folks with Buick and Caddy because up until the 1980's GM still had their car buying scheme in place where the first car a person bought when they started working was a Chevy or Pontiac, then moved up to an Oldsmobile then Buick and finally retired with a Caddy. Those older folks that were able to afford it bought a Caddy. The Buick was the next best thing.I happen to like Buicks and my LeSabre is my second Buick. I owned a 1989 Century with the very reliable 3300 V6 and not the piece of crap 3100 V6 engineMy LeSabre is a 2005 and was owned by an older couple that traded it in on a new Buick. I was at the dealership ordering a part for my Vibe when I saw it on the lot and after test driving it, I signed the paperwork and took it home (I left the Vibe at the dealer until I was able to get a ride back up there to pick it up )Here is a recent pic of it(from January 2012)Here it is right before I bought it and took it home on 10/29/11It is very comfy to drive and I am getting about 25-28 miles per gal with it and that is good enough MPGs, that it is my daily driver commuter car while the Vibe stays home. In fact i have put less then 3000 miles on the Vibe since I bought this car, because it handles better in the gridlock of traffic on the Capital Beltway and I don't have to worry about dealing with a clutch I am a person interested in cars and the history of makes and models, I also like big sedans. My goal is to get a 1991-1996 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon. I would prefer a 94-96 due to the LT1 engine in them but all are hard to get so I will take a TBI oneI also like the 1977 to 1985 Lesabre and the 1977-1990 Caprice but I would not have one of the carb versions as a daily driver because of that dang Quadrajunk 4bbl carb they stuck on the engines of these carsJimincalif: the brakes were good and there was no fade. The car was a nice size and I forgot to take a pic of it next to a 2009 Civic but they look to be around the same dimensions I do like the dash and the fact that the car is offered with a USB for my iPod. My LeSabre is not and there is no aftermarket adapter for it like I had in my Vibe so I have to use the Tape deck to play my iPod because GM integrated all the chimes and onstar through the radio

[journeyforce]

I have a friend that also has a Checker Marathon. This is one of 200 that were sold that year as a civilian car and not a cab or ex-cab. It is a beast

[Kincaid]

I like everything about that Buick except the grille and the name "Buick".If same engine/manual trans was available in the Cruze I'd go that way.

[journeyforce]

There are several people that have sent out for the Opel grill and badges and changed it back into an Opel