1999 Buick Regal GSE Review

[TornadoThrower]

Although my specific regal came as a GS, it has every option like a GSE, although no two tone and no GSE badging. I'm going to be doing a bullet point review rather than long paragraphs.

What I like:

• The engine (3800 V6 L67). Legendary reliability and plenty of torque at a low RPM. Supercharger whine is nice. I wish it had a bit more horsepower. I try not to go above 3K RPM.
• The Interior feels a little cheap but I like the flowing design of the dash (Tan and Black is nice). The newer regals had that ugly brown and tan color scheme (You have my condolences). My leather seats are somewhat flat but I don't feel discomfort. The only thing I hate about it, is the long black piece in the center of the dash. The heated seats work but I don't really feel much heat from them (Even on High).
• I feel every bump but I like having control. It goes through corners very well. The TPS system is also a nice touch.
• The Mirrors are good. There heated and I'm able to fold them in. Due to folding them, the mirror pieces sometimes get misaligned and I have to readjust them.
• Steering wheel controls. Very useful and I was able to adapt them to my new headunit.
• The Sunroof. I would love to use it more often but I'm afraid of it breaking due to its age.
• The Rear Defrost. I mean I think most 90s cars had these but it works well in the winter and morning dew.
• Mine came with a Rear Spoiler (I think a dealership installed this due to the fading paint.) Makes the car look better. Seeing a GS/GSE without a spoiler just looks a little funny to me and makes it look more "Jellybean". Having 2 middle (3rd) brake lights is weird, but hey I'll take it.
• The DIC (Ha) is helpful. Although if your fuel-sending unit is dying, the range is off and useless. Oil Life is very handy because I don't write down the miles between changes (I should though). Supercharger boost gauge generally works above 3K, rarely below. Average MPG and Instant MPG seems accurate.

The Middle:

• The Monsoon 8-speaker system sounds great. Although its pain when you want to replace only speakers and radios. Some speakers are 2 ohms and some aftermarkets radios keep the factory amp always on, draining the battery. I replaced my entire audio system. Front door speakers are 5.25 only but the DIN size is double.
• The Transmission (4T65E-HD). Its fine transmission and decent pairing with the engine. I wish I had the 4T80E though. I mostly drive it in "3" because I really don't like 4th gear in this thing (And the manual says to put it into 3rd on the streets anyways). I always keep "Performance Shift" on for the extra transmission life. Driving this car with Performance Shift off feels so mushy.
• A/C System is fine. It blows really cold but not much flow (Even with Recirculation). "Vent" mode is nice but when you turn off the car and turn it back on, it switches to A/C. Sometimes when you change the temperature, the airflow direction changes with it because there next to each other. "AUTO" is stupid.
• Center console section, I mean its there. The Shifter feels great and having the traction button near it, is nice. The cup holders, I mean there functional and break in half easily.
• Parking Lights both stay on when Cold but its Warm out, only the left side stays on. Not a bulb issue.

What I don't like

• Cruise Control. Its fine if you want to stay at one speed but if you want to increase it by 5 mph, it kicks down to 3rd and screams at 3.5K (That was a flat section of highway). I mean you can temporally accelerate above the cruise speed and it falls back to the set speed, but meh. Wouldn't care if it went out.
• Having no truck button. Locked my trunk with the keys inside, not a fun time. Fixed on newer regals.
• No HUD, I don't know why the Pontiac's GTP gets it.
• Auto-Dim Mirror, wish I can yeet it across some body of water. Mine broke half way (Half Auto Dim/Regular) and GM decided to put the map lights inside of it, a Regal only feature.
• Glove box is super small and stuff can get lodged behind it.
• Cabin Filter is very hard to get to.