'16-'17 Buick Regal Sport Touring - Is it worth buying?

[AshyLarry121]

Hello everyone! Been car hunting, and I can't get my mind off the '17 Regal Sport Touring. Based of reviews, most cars in general regardless of brand 2017 and newer all seem to have some hiccups and nothing seems reliable anymore. The idea of driving with a CVT freaks me out and I don't know if I trust any of the Japanese brand cars now as well.

Enter '17 Regal. My biggest concern with this car is . . . well the lack of negative talk. I know Buick didn't exactly sell a lot of these guys, so I feel like I am lacking the appropriate sample size to make an informed call. I've heard the engine is the same as the one that was in the '16 model. I have hard engine problems with the '16, including power train concerns. Mainly from data presented by dashboard-light.com Yet again I don't know if they are opperating from a fair sample size either.

If any owners of the '17 Regal can weigh in, that would be awesome. I am looking for something to take me shorts distances with some long ones in between when I hit clinincal rotations in grad school. I am overall looking for something I can change the oil in every 3-4k miles, and won't give me headaches outside of that. I wouldn't mind leasing going forward, but love what I have read on its performance along with how it basically tows the line of a luxury car while being a little more affordable

 

[MelsRegal]

I have a 17 GS, same engine, no problems.

 

[badmaro]

2017 sport almost 40.000 miles 0 problems. only time its been back to the dealer is for the free oil changes. I did replace the air and cabin filter. I have owned plenty of new cars Chevy, Toyota, Honda. and this is the only one that has been trouble free. at this age and mileage.

 

[bugspop1]

Wish I could hep with your Survey, but my Regal is a 2015.
I've only had it since August of 2019 and as for the Engine, it's been trouble free.

In that time, I have had to Replace the Battery and have the Drivers Heated Seat repaired.
Other than that it's been Oil Change, Tire Rotation and Filter Change.
My Regal has over 90,000 miles on it and is still running and driving like a New Car!

 

[-Regal-]

From what I see around here, you may want to look into the Trifecta tune.

Also may find more info on the car looking into the Opel Insignia.

I would consider driving one I suppose but would probably prefer the 2.0T. On time oil changes on modern vehicles seem to be more important than in some older vehicles. I would change it religiously every 3k with a new filter regardless of the engine.

 

[mitchflorida]

What is the price of the car? Usually they sell at a big discount used.

 

[MKz2017PremII]

I agree, you can get a 2017 Regal w ultra-low miles for dirt cheap, and possibly the remainder of the B2B warranty. Best bet might be to look at an off-lease model.

 

[AshyLarry121]

What is the price of the car? Usually they sell at a big discount used.

Thanks everyone.

There is one at a dealership by me at $14,295 with 39,000 miles. I plan to test drive it soon. It perplexes me that it has been sitting there since the start of the year, but I want to test drive it and find out if its okay. I would want to get a warranty but I don't know how well this place might be with them.

On the flip side, I've also been looking at Carvana's fleet since they typically seem to do a much better job at honoring their warranties from what I've been reading compared to a random dealership. These Regals sit around $16-17k, usually ranging between 9-39k miles. The lack of price diffrence between miles is made up between added options on some of the higher milage Regals. I've heard people have had problems with the key getting stuck in the ignition so I have looked out for "push to start" features on sport touring models. I am looking at the 9k miles one, and after all fianacing and extended warranty is accounted for, it comes to about 20k. I can't tell if that is a bit much though or if the warranties are worth it

 

[bugspop1]

The Warranties are worth it if you have Major problems!
Problem with that, you just never know for sure if you'll ever have a problem?

I do love having the Push Button Start, but some people say I'm just asking for trouble.
I'm sure the Regal Owners don't feel that way!
I do like my Toys and all the Options that come with those Toys!

 

[BoostedRegal2.0]

Any dealer will honor any extended warranty. You can take your Buick to a Chevy dealer for repairs and they will gladly honor the warranty. (That's what I do)

My turbo Regal is a 2014 and it's not a Sport Touring but it still has a push button start. A push button start still has a key switch that is hidden under the button in case the battery in the key fob dies. That way you can still unlock the door and start the car, but it's possible the key could get stuck in the ignition if that happens.

 

[Delton]

Got my '16 GS with 35k mi for $18,000 in February. Dealer started at $21,000 and after it didn't sell for 4 months, they took my offer. They're a helluva bargain, some issues with timing chain and a 6-speed auto that doesn't really play nice with stop and go traffic, but in terms of a combination of speed, fun, and luxury, it hits the spot. Buick's CPO warranties are the best in the biz. See if the dealer will certify it as part of the asking price.

 

[AshyLarry121]

I know this is a broad question to ask, but how long do you expect these things to last, whether miles or years

 

[BoostedRegal2.0]

My Regal with the same 2.0 turbo motor is 6 years old with 85000 miles and it still runs and drives great with no major powertrain problems to report. Plus I drive it pretty hard since I've had it performance tuned from practically the day I bought it and it hasn't blown up yet. My wife has the same car with close to the same mileage and her car hasn't had any major problems either.

 

[MKz2017PremII]

Any dealer will honor any extended warranty. You can take your Buick to a Chevy dealer for repairs and they will gladly honor the warranty. (That's what I do)

My turbo Regal is a 2014 and it's not a Sport Touring but it still has a push button start. A push button start still has a key switch that is hidden under the button in case the battery in the key fob dies. That way you can still unlock the door and start the car, but it's possible the key could get stuck in the ignition if that happens.

Good to know...how do you get the "push button" tab off w/out breaking it?

 

[MKz2017PremII]

Thanks everyone.

There is one at a dealership by me at $14,295 with 39,000 miles. I plan to test drive it soon. It perplexes me that it has been sitting there since the start of the year, but I want to test drive it and find out if its okay. I would want to get a warranty but I don't know how well this place might be with them.

On the flip side, I've also been looking at Carvana's fleet since they typically seem to do a much better job at honoring their warranties from what I've been reading compared to a random dealership. These Regals sit around $16-17k, usually ranging between 9-39k miles. The lack of price diffrence between miles is made up between added options on some of the higher milage Regals. I've heard people have had problems with the key getting stuck in the ignition so I have looked out for "push to start" features on sport touring models. I am looking at the 9k miles one, and after all fianacing and extended warranty is accounted for, it comes to about 20k. I can't tell if that is a bit much though or if the warranties are worth it

If -- like you say -- you're looking for a 2017 and it only has 39k miles, you should still have the remaining manuf B2B warranty until 50k miles. GM's CPO warranty would just be the icing on the cake for you. BTW, lots of negotiating room on these cars, which will be great for your purchase transaction. Try not to get a rental agency (Avis, etc.) car; you just don't know how many "butts" have been in the seat or how poorly it's been driven (e.g., the engine being revved too high while in auto/manual mode). Based on my research, Carvana has lots of these cars...my opinion, of course. Also, check your Carfax carefully. Good luck!

 

[BoostedRegal2.0]

Good to know...how do you get the "push button" tab off w/out breaking it?

I think we should disregard this because I can't find where I read there was a key slot underneath the start button on the Regal and I just tried to remove my start button with 2 fingernails and I couldn't get it off. I swear that I was able to do it a few years ago but now I'm afraid I might break the plastic button trying to remove it.

If the key fob battery dies it's best to just remove the rubber cup holder insert and put the fob in the designated opening, then push the start button and the car will start.

 

[mitchflorida]

I think we should disregard this because I can't find where I read there was a key slot underneath the start button on the Regal and I just tried to remove my start button with 2 fingernails and I couldn't get it off. I swear that I was able to do it a few years ago but now I'm afraid I might break the plastic button trying to remove it.

If the key fob battery dies it's best to just remove the rubber cup holder insert and put the fob in the designated opening, then push the start button and the car will start.

There is a special slot in the middle console to start the car in an emergency like that,not under the start button.

 

[AshyLarry121]

If -- like you say -- you're looking for a 2017 and it only has 39k miles, you should still have the remaining manuf B2B warranty until 50k miles. GM's CPO warranty would just be the icing on the cake for you. BTW, lots of negotiating room on these cars, which will be great for your purchase transaction. Try not to get a rental agency (Avis, etc.) car; you just don't know how many "butts" have been in the seat or how poorly it's been driven (e.g., the engine being revved too high while in auto/manual mode). Based on my research, Carvana has lots of these cars...my opinion, of course. Also, check your Carfax carefully. Good luck!

When you say a lot of negotiating room, in what way? I am shocked the sticker price itself is about $14295, but I was playing around with their "online purchase" option which I know they plan to tack on another 900 in the basic title/tax fee, but also another 900 in dealership fee, so without a warranty I am already looking at a $16,000 OTD price tag. It has been sitting on their lot since the start of the year and I believe it started at $15,300. What would you suggest to bring up that will let me negotiate it down further?

 

[BoostedRegal2.0]

Offer them $12000 and they will probably meet you halfway at $13000 if there's any negotiating room.

 

[MKz2017PremII]

When you say a lot of negotiating room, in what way? I am shocked the sticker price itself is about $14295, but I was playing around with their "online purchase" option which I know they plan to tack on another 900 in the basic title/tax fee, but also another 900 in dealership fee, so without a warranty I am already looking at a $16,000 OTD price tag. It has been sitting on their lot since the start of the year and I believe it started at $15,300. What would you suggest to bring up that will let me negotiate it down further?

BoostedRegal2.0's suggestion above makes good sense...right now the car's just an overgrown paperweight and the dealer needs to move it after four-plus months. You can't avoid tax and title fees but make sure your "drive-away" price includes dealer fees, if any.