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Meet the new Buick: Would you buy?
November 12th, 2009, 3:40 pm · 17 Comments · posted by Matt Degen
Buick isn’t exactly known as a brand churning out cars for a hip, young audience. The GM division, rather, has long been associated for its bigger vehicles aimed at an older audience. In fact, some wondered why the Buick wasn’t killed altogether earlier this year when bankrupt General Motors was clearing its stable of brands such as Pontiac and Saturn.
Well Buick is actually a big seller in China, and it might just get a second life here in the United States with the revamped Regal sports sedan, which debuted today in Los Angeles.
The 2011 Regal is to go on sale in the second quarter of 2010, but below are some photos and specifications to check out now.
The German-made Regal is set to take on mid-size rivals such as the Acura TSX, Volvo S60, Volkswagen Passat and Mazda 6, GM says. The car is actually based on the Opel Insignia, which was the 2009 European Car of the Year.
The Regal will feature a choice of four-cylinder gas engines, a 2.4-liter one making 182 horsepower, and a 2.0-liter turbo version that creates a respectable 220 hp.
Pricing hasn’t been announced but we’re guessing it will start in the mid-$20,000 range.
GM says the Regal has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 20 city/30 highway for the naturally aspirated engine and 18/29 for the turbo. Both engines are linked to six-speed automatic transmissions, and both versions of the car are front-wheel-drive.
Check out the photos (click to enlarge) and voice your thoughts in the comments area below.
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(Photos: General Motors, AP)
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A step in the right direction for sure…but still…no.
The problem is where do you go to get service!
all dealers have the GMC service.
see adds in TV
I saw the new Lacrosse at the OC auto show, and that was a huge improvement over previous Buicks. Not sure if I’d buy it over an Infiniti, BMW, or Audi, but it looks nicer than Lexus ES or IS.
Don’t care how nice a car GM makes I won’t consider it as long as the government owns them.
As far as GM goes, being Gov owned threw the towel in for me…and I was a lifer. But actually at the same time, I discovered how financially stupid it is to buy a car brand new…I will stick to more classic GM’s for the rest of my life. Anything from the 50’s to the 90’s.
As far as the Buick goes, yeah it’s nice. If it wasn’t for Onstar being able to monitor your conversations and control your car, coupled with the fact the gov owns them…
If GM can continue to build cars like this, hang on for 10 years and become a private company again, they have a chance. They have ot prove themselves and let these bad memories fade. If they are still around 10 years from now and cool, and build quality, they will compete with Japan.
I went to see the Lacrosse, and an entire new generation from GM. well down.
Of coarse we still Lacks some personality. Because in nowadays there’s no much difference from a lexus/MZ/BMW/ etc. they all look quite the same in designs.
Its overprice $ 27,000 middle $31,000, and top $36,000
we still don’t have perfomance-results.
But Ford Taurus beat the lacrosse by far.
really? do u belive there is not much diff between lexus, Mercedes, and BMW? r u really that redneck?
I have a Honda too now , and I had,had mercedez as well. Because of the quality.
i’m not a redneck (just the opposite) But the buick is impressive. Until I went to see it.
too flushy interior (for my taste) reason enough to like the Ford Taurus.
And now i do have a “Paris-match” magazine were it shows the Buick-regal German made for $ 26,400 euros.
yeah…a Buick that’s not really an American car……….lifted off the Opel line in Germany….just like GM to push for “the new American car’ but actually sell u a sweet European……………….
of course it’s got great styling…NO ONE form GM designed it!!!!!
sticking w/ my paid off Honda Civic for now………
I don’t know anyone under 65 who owns a Buick (or an Olds, for that matter)
It’s a decent car, not the best, but fairly competitive.
The problem is that it’s still a Buick. It took Buick and GM decades to drive their reputation not just into the ground, but deep, deep underground, especially in status concious SoCal and OC. They dug that hole themselves over decades, so it’s going to take more than just a year or two and a couple spiffier models on the sales floor to overcome that. The Buick logo on the grill and hood won’t win any buyers for at least five years, and there will be plenty of people who wouldn’t consider this car simply because it’s a Buick and the valet attendants of Orange County won’t give the driver the time of day.
GM needs to realize that Michigan culture only plays in Michigan, and parts of Ohio and Indiana. Here in SoCal, a Buick is going to be scoffed at for years to come even after they start building great cars. Shame on GM for allowing themselves to sink into that hole they dug for themselves!
I’m 35 and I associate Buick with old people. I’m not old, so I won’t buy one. I don’t even know where a Buick dealer is. Shoot, I didn’t even know Buick was still in business.
Report: New Buick Regal Will be First to Get GM’s New Hybrid Drivetrain, and Possibly Plug-in
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f74/report-new-buick-regal-will-first-get-gm-s-new-hybrid-drivetrain-possibly-86121/
J.D. Power and Associates Reports:
Buick and Jaguar Tie to Rank Highest for Vehicle Dependability
http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pressrelease.aspx?id=2009043
(excerpts):
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 19 March 2009 — Buick and Jaguar each rank highest in vehicle dependability in a tie, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) released today. Buick improves from a sixth-place ranking in 2008, while Jaguar improves from 10th place. Following in the top five rankings this year are Lexus, Toyota and Mercury.
“Buick has ranked among the top 10 nameplates each year since the study was last redesigned in 2003, while Jaguar has moved rapidly up the rankings,” said David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates. …….
The 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from more than 46,000 original owners of 2006 model-year vehicles. The study was fielded in October 2008.
Buick Regal Getting A Manual Transmission
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f74/breaking-buick-regal-getting-manual-transmission-86294/
Jim Frederico, chief engineer for Buick, just told assembled journalists at the ride-and-drive for the new Buick Regal that it’ll receive a manny tranny as an available option — assumingly the same as the Opel Insignia’s — sometime after launch.
2011 Buick Regal: First Drive
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f74/jalopnik-gets-buick-regal-test-drive-86339/
(excerpt): We drove the European spec Insignia against the Regal and believe it or not, the Regal is better.