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2011 Buick Regal

750 messages,  Last post on Dec 31, 2012 at 9:20 AM

You are in the Buick Regal Forum.

What is this discussion about? Buick Regal, Future Vehicle, Coupe, Convertible, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, Wagon, SUV

Messages Page 50 of 76

#485 of 750 Re: Sonata-Regal comparison - Steering and Handling [overbrook] by gregg_vw

Dec 12, 2010 (4:23 pm)

Replying to: overbrook (Dec 12, 2010 7:20 am)
You definitely seem to have a negative view of the car overall. It sounds like you werent a fan before you looked at the car and really had little interest in it in the first place. Au contraire, my man. I eagerly looked forward to the Buick being released, and I still think it will do Buick very well. As I said before, I don't see what you see in it, and there is nothing wrong with that. As you well know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I see no marked resemblance to earlier A6s. Certainly the roofline and rear door cut outs are quite different. You look at wheels perhaps more than I do when I see a car. Anyway, why assume negative intentions when there are other explanations? You like to be scrappy, maybe? Nothing really wrong with that either, even though I prefer to get along. My opinion is only my opinion. I have no intention of trying to make it yours. Relax.
 
The Fusion was not new in 2010. It was a mid-cycle refresh. Although the interior was upgraded, the grill modified a lot (more bling added), and the rear end and tail lights tweaked, it is the exact same body (not just the hard points and dimensions, but doors, windows, roofline, wheel cut outs, etc.) as the car introduced as a 2006 model in 2005. Nevertheless, Ford does not need to do anything more with it immediately, since sales are going very well. I have always loved Fords, but given the number of terrific mid-size cars, I might not choose it over some others.
 
Ford really called it right by not taking the bailout funds. Lots of new customers came as a result of that, and so what if the car bought isn't the absolute best in its class? All the Fords right now are competitive and worth owning. With the exception of the Ranger (before your hackles go up, I've owned three of them, but marketing this old slow pig without significant changes since the 1993 and 1998 refreshes--and remember the platform goes back to 1984--in 2011 is sort of like deciding to continue the Crown Victoria...which thankfully is no longer in showrooms).
 
Anyway, the Sonata is popular and it has garnered many deserved accolades. But it was obviously not designed to compete against A4, TSX, Regal, S60, G2.5, not to mention BMW 3 series. If posters here point out that cars like the Sonata and 2011 Optima and Kizashi, etc. offer more toys for the money, it is just a fact and something to take into consideration (if you want to buy a near-luxury ride, rather than a plebeian mid-size like the Sonata). Overall, all cars have gotten so much better that some people will be satisfied with saving a few thousand and having what they want, even if no one points at it and says wow. I love that you love Regal. You are not alone, and GM may survive as a result. And that as Martha says is a good thing.

#486 of 750 Re: Sonata-Regal comparison - Steering and Handling [ab348] by kernick

Dec 12, 2010 (7:35 pm)

Replying to: ab348 (Dec 12, 2010 3:59 pm)
No, I could see spending the $33K or so for an Infiniti G37 with over 300 hp. Luxury and power. And you have the option of AWD for slightly more.
I don't see anything premium in the base 4-cyl engine, or in their turbo which I've test-driven in a Pontiac Solstice GXP, a lighter vehicle, where it is still nothing exciting.
 
I'd think the Regal could at least have an engine like the V-6 in the Mustang, giving 300+hp and over 30 mpg highway, in about the same size vehicle. That is not even a premium vehicle, selling for $22K. What's the fully loaded Regal costing? Come on ... the "young-man, sporty" Regal gets smoked by a base Regal at any stoplight.
 
I would like to see U.S. auto companies succeed. But they're not going to do it by investing a lot of money in a low-selling vehicle. Chevrolet has nothing selling in volume, that doesn't get a large percentage of its sales from fleet-sales. I thought maybe Buick would change, and get some sales and profit here in the U.S., instead of being a Chinese brand. GM needs some "homeruns" in the market. The Regal justs happens to disappoint me, when I'm expecting a better and less costly vehicle then other vehicles in that size vehicle.
 
So I have a negative opinion, you have a positive opinion. Both sides of the coin being discussed here. If you want to negate my opinion, make a case of why the Regal is great. I think people who are considering a Regal ought to hear both sides; this isn't cheerleading camp.

#487 of 750 Re: Sonata-Regal comparison - Steering and Handling [kernick] by ab348

Dec 12, 2010 (7:59 pm)

Replying to: kernick (Dec 12, 2010 7:35 pm)
There is no point in arguing. You clearly have a view and nothing I can say can change that regardless of the argument I might make. Send you dollars across the Pacific and let the rest of us make decisions based on things other than outdated preconceptions.

#488 of 750 Regal by eddiefast

Dec 12, 2010 (8:03 pm)

Had our Regal almost a week now. Think it's great. Nice ride, feels very european. I have owned 3 benzs and my wife has had 3 CTS's. Last one being a 2008.( MSRP $ 39,000).
 
This Regal is not that far apart from the 39k CTS. And at 255 a month for a 28K car, with 2500.00
down, for 38 months I think that's a terrific deal for us. Sun roof,heated seats,leather,bluetooth, 18 inch wheels, etc. Fit and finish are very nice and I like how quite it is compared to the Sonata.
 
We will see how everything works out, but so far we love our car.

#489 of 750 Re: Sonata-Regal comparison - Steering and Handling [kernick] by overbrook

Dec 13, 2010 (6:33 am)

Replying to: kernick (Dec 12, 2010 3:32 pm)
apparently you havent driven or read anything about the vehicle. The dynamics have been universally praised. If anything, the engines are the main source of contention. The 2.4L has been called barely adequate while the turbo has been called adequate but not exciting. The steering, handling and braking have been loved by the auto press. If you dont care about style and interior quality that would explain why you don't like the Regal much.

#490 of 750 Re: Sonata-Regal comparison - Steering and Handling [kernick] by overbrook

Dec 13, 2010 (6:40 am)

Replying to: kernick (Dec 12, 2010 7:35 pm)
1. You cannnot get a G37 for $33k. A G37 equipped like a loaded Regal turbo is around $40k. Is the car faster for that extra 5 grand? Yes. Not everyone will feel $5k is an equitable price to pay for more acceleration- especially when the cars are pretty evenly matched in size, quality and handling
2. A base Mustang is much more sparsely equipped than a base regal and the Mustang is competing in a totally different segment
3. Four cylinder engines are going to become more mainstream in luxury vehicles. Audi and Acura already have models with I4s and BMW will add four cylinders in the future. Its been reported that the new small RWD Cadillac will also come with an I4 standard.
4.No one owes any explanation of why the regal is "great". No one has even made such a claim. People have claimed that its a nice handling, attractive car with a nice interior available for under $30k. The ONLY thing the regal gives up to CC and TSX is acceleration. Aside from that its every bit as well built and refined as those cars. If you think the Regal is so inferior you should make a case for why its competitors are "great".

#491 of 750 Re: Regal [eddiefast] by overbrook

Dec 13, 2010 (6:42 am)

Replying to: eddiefast (Dec 12, 2010 8:03 pm)
What color and model did you get?

#492 of 750 Re: Sonata-Regal comparison - Steering and Handling [kernick] by savetheland

Dec 13, 2010 (4:45 pm)

Replying to: kernick (Dec 12, 2010 3:32 pm)
"To me the main thing about a vehicle is - how does it drive. Braking, acceleration, cornering, and traction"
 
So how Regal and Sonata compare in this regard, can you educate us please? I test drove both and compared in wrote about it in series on posts. Of course I was not able to test them on track for extended period of time but I least I tried as much as I could. I did not see comparison review from serious car magazines yet, but according to MT Buick has better handling and steering than Sonata. Regarding brakes in Sonata they are rather grabby and in Regal are more linear.

#493 of 750 Re: Sonata-Regal comparison - Steering and Handling [savetheland] by gregg_vw

Dec 13, 2010 (5:36 pm)

Replying to: savetheland (Dec 13, 2010 4:45 pm)
Why do you continue to attack the Sonata? These vehicles are in different classes. Compared to the Fusion or Malibu, the Sonata does very well. Compared to the Regal or S60 or TSX, it isn't in the same league, even if offering more toys.

#494 of 750 Re: Sonata-Regal comparison - Steering and Handling [gregg_vw] by cooterbfd

Dec 13, 2010 (6:28 pm)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Dec 13, 2010 5:36 pm)
".....Why do you continue to attack the Sonata?"
 
I don't think he's attacking the Sonata so much as defending the Regal, as there have been comparisons made to the point that the Sonata is faster and cheaper, so "why bother with the Regal"

Messages Page 50 of 76

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