Is the Buick Regal GS underpowered?
  • alexalex September 2011
    On paper, it looks good: 270 horses, 295 lb.-ft. of twist. But it only goes 0-60 in 6.7 seconds.

    That's quick... but my 2010 Lexus ES350 achieved the same time in 6.9 seconds with an automatic and an "outdated" (read: not direct injected or turbo-charged) V6 engine. So, does the GS need a V6?
  • MotorCityGreekMotorCityGreek September 2011
    Having driven one, I've gotta say that the power is indeed a bit underwhelming. Its turbocharged four would be much more appropriate powering a compact model rather than the midsize GS, but still, it's not exactly a bad thing. While it won't win many drag races, it also will not scare anybody behind the wheel that would otherwise avoid higher-output models. The vehicle is quite approachable, accompanied by great performance in the bends. The six-speed manual? So what. The shifting is so smooth, anybody can learn in it.
  • alexalex September 2011
    I wonder whether the fact that it has a six-speed manual makes it more scary and/or less approachable. I think that most who want a "non-scary" performance experience would opt for the auto, no?
  • MotorCityGreekMotorCityGreek October 2011
    I agree. And there's an automatic version on the way... six months from now...
  • wbodyfanwbodyfan October 2011
    For some reason, I feel that the Regal Turbo should be the "Regal" and the Regal GS should be the "Regal Turbo." I mean the GS makes less power than the non-GS LaCrosse V6... by those standards, the LaCrosse V6 should be a GS too... no?
  • Vic1212Vic1212 October 2011
    I'd say they might wanna trim the fat on the Regal
  • PontiacRulzPontiacRulz October 2011
    YES! Atleast offer a V6 as an option. I know they have the 4-cylinder in it for better fuel economy but there are people who care about performance more than fuel economy so atleast offer a faster version.
  • alexalex October 2011
    Why not put a slightly tuned version of the LFX in the GS? Just tune the exhaust for a performance note and calibrate it to make some more power at the low end. Couple it with a stick and it's perfect.
  • LOUD_RLOUD_R January 7
    or why not just put the 2.8T in it?
  • LexLex January 7
    2002 Subaru Impreza WRX 2.0 H4 227 hp 217 lbs.ft of torque approx. 800 pounds less then Regal, does 0-60 in 5.7 sec.
    I would think that with more HP and TQ Regal would match that.
  • LOUD_RLOUD_R January 7
    I think the WRX is a size smaller though.
  • alexalex January 8
    The WRX is a compact, whereas the Regal is a midsize. Other than that, the Regal is much heavier (3,671 lbs) vs. WRX (3,100) and is itself luxury vehicle whereas the WRX is an econobox with more power. Have you seen one of them wonderful WRX interiors? All the luxury amenities do add weight...

    @Loud_R Have you ever driven a vehicle with the 2.8? It's not a good engine. Besides being old, it's rough, loud (not in a good way), and doesn't deliver the power of a V8 or the fuel economy of a V6. If they were to put a V6 in a Regal (which isn't in the plans), it should be the 3.6 DI LFX making 323 horses. No turbos needed.
  • LOUD_RLOUD_R January 8
    Because I was thinking they might just put the one in the insignia opc into the GS
  • PontiacRulzPontiacRulz January 8
    YES! They need to offer a V6 in the Regal. I wish they would have done to the Regal what they did with the 04 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, Put a V6 in with a supercharger! But at the very least it needs a V6.
  • alexalex January 8
    @Loud_R The 2.8 twin turbo unit in the Insignia OPC is fine for an Opel. But it's not where Buick is going as a brand.

    Buick is quiet, soft-spoken luxury. The Regal, in fact, was destined to be a Saturn in the first place.

    Other than that, the 2.8 doesn't result in a much faster car...

    @Pontiac_Rulz have you driven the Regal GS with its high-output 4?
  • PontiacRulzPontiacRulz January 8
    No but I'd like to drive one and see how it compares to the 04 GP GTP I mentioned above. The 04 GTP is BEAST!
  • alexalex January 8
    Well the Regal GS will out-handle the W-body-based GTP while outclassing it in terms of luxury amenities, refinement, noise levels, materials, and design. It's also shorter than the Gran Prix by 8 inches, even though the wheelbase is shorter by only 2.7 inches.

    Its high-output 2.0 turbo ECOTEC makes more power than the GTP ever did, at 275 horses and 295 lb.-ft. of torque.

    That said, the Regal doesn't need to compare to the Grand Prix (or any Pontiac model). It was never designed to do so and is going after a totally different set of buyers. What I'm wondering about in the original post is whether it's underpowered as a vehicle, rather than compared to any kind of vehicle -- past or present.
  • PontiacRulzPontiacRulz January 8
    I'd rather have an 04 GP GTP over the new "refined" Regal GS anyday! :P
  • wbodyfanwbodyfan January 8
    Wow, can't believe my eyes. Is it possible that @PontiacRulz is... like... 15?
  • PontiacRulzPontiacRulz January 8
    Wow can it be possible that wbodyfan is... like... immature? And that I dont...like...care what they think?
  • wbodyfanwbodyfan January 8
    Dude, you're the one who would take a car that's almost 20 years old over a brand new world-class vehicle.... without even driving the Regal.

    And the best part? I'm a former owner of a 2004 Grand Prix GXP. Notice my handle? W body was where it was at... 20 years ago.
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