Newer Buick Regal GS's?

I might have asked this before, but I forget.

So, I've been thinking about a more "grown-up" car lately for a daily driver after the Mazda wears out its welcome, and I was thinking about the newer 2011-up Buick Regal Turbos, namely the GS model.

For my next ride, I want something a little nicer on the inside that's quiet and comfortable on the highway, gets decent gas mileage/range, has some creature comforts, and is still interesting to drive. These have been on my radar since I saw one new in the showroom at a Buick dealer my sister used to work for. Anyone on here own one or have any experience with them?

What I do know:

-They can be had with either 18" or 20" wheels (I'd get the smaller because of crappy MA roads)

-Some, or all, can be had with Brembos (part of the 20" wheel package?)

-They are built in Germany (could be good or bad thing)

-They have the 2.0 Ecotec Turbo (lots of tuning options!)

-You can get them with an auto or a stick (I'd probably get the auto honestly with my stupid commute, but I'd try both)

-2014 and up models have optional AWD, but only with the auto and they have 20 less HP overall

Here's one that I'm looking at as an example:

2012 Regal GS Auto

In reply to SilverFleet:

It's a bit of a crap shoot, a family friend has a turbo and he has had a lot of problems. OTOH, a lot of people with GS regals love them. Personally, I would buy a 2011+ Volvo S60, but YMMV.

After the love tap my 9-5 got this morning on the way to work if the car gets totaled a GS is at the top of my list.

In reply to G_Body_Man:

I'm really not interested in anything Volvo has made in the past 10 years aside from the S60R/V70R and some of the Polestar stuff, but they get atrocious gas mileage, are expensive to buy, and expensive to repair.

In reply to SilverFleet:

What about an EX35? It's a G37 with the old 3.5 and a hatch. Also, awd and good tuneability.

In reply to G_Body_Man:

Not a fan of those at all. I cannot stand the looks of them. I've considered a G37S, because my sister's current dealership gets a lot of them in, but after sitting in a few and riding in a few they seem kinda boring to me. Plus, the GS gets better mileage on regular gas.

I like the fact that a simple reflash on the GS will wake it up. That's about as much "tuning" as I'd like to do on a daily driver.

The GS is a Vauxhall/Opel Insignia with the appearance package of the VXR/OPC performance model. The GS has an lnf based 2L from the Cobalt/HHR SS models instead of the VXR/OPC 2.8L twin turbo/awd combo.

They can be had fwd with a 6sp or auto, and awd is auto only. This car had such a good thing going for it, but GM decided to be GM and make it half baked. I love them, but I'd only buy one after they hit 5k on the used market out of spite.

Also, shame they didn't see fit as to bring this here either......

In reply to SilverFleet:

Just remember that, like any turbo car, it loses a noticeable amount of power when run on 87. Ever thought of a CPO E90 or C-class?

In reply to yamaha:

I totally hear you. I'd be buying used. I don't want GM to get my money directly after giving us the neutered version of what could have been awesome.

If they had brought that wagon here back in 2011 when they launched the Opel-based Regal here, I'd already own one. That thing is the hotness.

In reply to G_Body_Man:

The Regal GS is designed to run on 87 or E85. If I was going racing, I'd be running premium or E85 (and a tune), but this is a daily driver. It will drink swill.

And no/no. Again, expensive to buy and expensive to fix. After watching friends paying lots of money fixing their German rides over the years, I want none of that.

Only other cars in the medium sized sedan category that I have been considering are the 2014-up Mazda 6 and maybe a V6 Charger with the 8-speed auto. The Mazda doesn't seem like much of an improvement than what I already have, and it's down on power, and the Charger will just leave me wanting the Hemi.

No personal experience, but these seem like very nice DD's. I've had my eye on them as well. The 2.0T aftermarket is definitely appealing, and GM parts prices/repairs seem easier to stomach.

I like the 20" wheels... even if they're slightly impractical.

There was a previous thread on them and IIRC there's something weird about how the manual drove that sorta put me off them. They still go for too much money used so doesn't matter much to me either way.

xflowgolf wrote: I like the 20" wheels... even if they're slightly impractical.

300hp is a reflash away retaining the warranty, and the 20" wheels are forged.....I hit a massive pothole when I test drove one and it didn't bend. I also scared the pants off a salesman too.

Bonus points will be awarded for getting pearl white

I test drove a '14 FWD and loved it. Wanted an earlier model (for depreciation reasons) and was dead set on it, then changed my mind and was waiting for a 2014 AWD later in the Spring. Since then, however, I decided to replace my truck with something more versatile (Frontier PRO-X4), live without a sedan and have one less car for the household. That having been said, if I was getting a sedan it would be my pick. Many seem to say check out the ATS its so much better. Its not. Its also tiny and feels very "busy" when driving it.

In reply to yamaha:

Good to know about the wheels. I'm just dreading replacing 20" rubber every year. All the initial tests for these say that the stock Pirellis that came with the 20's wore out super quick and were $400+ EACH.

In reply to SilverFleet:

Just replace them with Conti DWS's.....those do ok.

Avoid the E90's unless you really like expensive parts and leaking cars. My 08 335I was the "treat" to myself for being a grownup and it has been a royal pain. Fast, sexy, and handles but would have bought the 2004 Jag XJR if I needed this much berkeleying trouble...

I'd say do it. People seem to like them and they do look good.

I wouldn't worry about 20" tires. They are pretty common now and you don't have to go with Pirellis, there are plenty of fish in the sea.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: I'd say do it. People seem to like them and they do look good. I wouldn't worry about 20" tires. They are pretty common now and you don't have to go with Pirellis, there are plenty of fish in the sea.

I was more talking about early wear being an issue than the tires. I wouldn't run Pirellis anyway. They are ridiculously expensive! I know that the stock tires had something like a 220 treadwear rating, which is absurd for anything that gets driven daily for long distances.

I'd say go for it. Not to threadjack but out on my lunch break I saw a Verano, aren't those available with the 2.0t as well? I know they are a gussied up Cruze, but it looks nice and should really scoot with the 2.0t (if you can find one).

If you want mod ability, go for a 2.0T VW Passat CC. They look fantastic, have a great interior, and are a reflash away from becoming jets.

In reply to G_Body_Man:

No VW's either. Been there, done that, and never want to do it again.*

*I do however find TDI's interesting, but I don't think I could own one.

TL,DR...all I know is the want is strong with a GS. Its at the top of my new cars I would buy if I had a little more money list. Its about twice the price tag that Im comfortable being on the hook for over the next 5 years.

06HHR wrote: I'd say go for it. Not to threadjack but out on my lunch break I saw a Verano, aren't those available with the 2.0t as well? I know they are a gussied up Cruze, but it looks nice and should really scoot with the 2.0t (if you can find one).

I know it's stupid, but can't get over the angry chrome eyebrows over the tail lights on the Verano. And this is coming from a guy whose current car is one giant face up front.

Brown chicken brown cow.