2018 Buick Regal Sportback GS Pre-Purchase questions

[FavaBean]

Either I get the car, someone else gets the car, or it goes to auction. Either way I will end up in a new car, be that this Buick Regal GS, a Nissan Maxima SR/Platinum or a Mazda 6 Signature. Yeah I added the Mazda today, got a look at one, gonna test one out tomorrow but I am pretty sure I am gonna like it.

You may want to consider adding the Accord 2.0T to your short list.

 

[Spartan0536]

You may want to consider adding the Accord 2.0T to your short list.

I test drove a 2019 one, was not impressed, was similar to the Acura ILX Tech that I drove as well. Nice cars, but it was just not doing it for me.

 

[abizzle]

I test drove a 2019 one, was not impressed, was similar to the Acura ILX Tech that I drove as well. Nice cars, but it was just not doing it for me.

Why don’t you hold out for a little while, maybe 6 months, and then see what’s on the market. Repossessions are beginning to snowball and it’s probably going to get worse. There will be a lot more inventory available and you can probably find another GS.

 

[G-998152]

Why don’t you hold out for a little while, maybe 6 months, and then see what’s on the market. Repossessions are beginning to snowball and it’s probably going to get worse. There will be a lot more inventory available and you can probably find another GS.

I would if I could, right now I am sharing my wife's Ford Escape... which I hate for numerous reasons. My wife is a teacher and I am in the middle of professional flight training so our current arrangement is about to become unsustainable due to logisitcs issues.

 

[Spartan0536]

Why don’t you hold out for a little while, maybe 6 months, and then see what’s on the market. Repossessions are beginning to snowball and it’s probably going to get worse. There will be a lot more inventory available and you can probably find another GS.

I would if I could... my wife is a teacher, I am undergoing professional flight training, our current situation where I borrow her POS Ford Escape crossover which I hate for numerous reasons is unsustainable, especially as my training progresses and I have to make longer flights. Also I am pretty sure the federal government is gonna raise the loan rates another 1-2 times in the next 5-6 months, it looks like they want a slow crash to bottom out so they can only go up from there, or at least that's how it seems.

My window right now is 2-3 weeks before it becomes entirely unsustainable. I mean I could drop 4 grand into my LS400 and fix every issue with it both the brake issue and every minor detail but then I would still be chewing 93 octane at 14mpg because its a 1992 4L V8 (1UZFE), which is painful to say the least.

 

[PrincipalDan]

My window right now is 2-3 weeks before it becomes entirely unsustainable. I mean I could drop 4 grand into my LS400 and fix every issue with it both the brake issue and every minor detail but then I would still be chewing 93 octane at 14mpg because its a 1992 4L V8 (1UZFE), which is painful to say the least.

Fixing/gassing the Lexus might still be cheaper than a car payment... just saying.

Disclaimer: I never take my own advice, traded in a perfectly good 2010 Highlander when I bought the TourX.

 

[D2R]

I almost had to walk away from buying my Regal because the dealer was giving me a hard time about using my own bank. The dealers rates weren't competitive though.

The stealer tried to low-ball my trade in for thousands perhaps thinking I did not do my homework.
I threaten to walk out the door immediately, and they just pooped their pants.
Be always ready to walk out the door from the bad deal.

 

[abizzle]

I would if I could... my wife is a teacher, I am undergoing professional flight training, our current situation where I borrow her POS Ford Escape crossover which I hate for numerous reasons is unsustainable, especially as my training progresses and I have to make longer flights. Also I am pretty sure the federal government is gonna raise the loan rates another 1-2 times in the next 5-6 months, it looks like they want a slow crash to bottom out so they can only go up from there, or at least that's how it seems.

My window right now is 2-3 weeks before it becomes entirely unsustainable. I mean I could drop 4 grand into my LS400 and fix every issue with it both the brake issue and every minor detail but then I would still be chewing 93 octane at 14mpg because its a 1992 4L V8 (1UZFE), which is painful to say the least.

Fair enough. I didn’t realize you were financing. I saw cashier’s check for $28K and assumed you were paying cash.

I had to chuckle when you said your wife has an Escape because it’s like the standard teacher vehicle. The new ones are roomy though.

Somebody else suggested fixing up the Lex and I tend to agree. You gotta buy gas either way. The cost of the repairs is equal to about 10 car payments. You’ll have more equity in your Lex after 10 months than you would with the Regal.

 

[Spartan0536]

Fair enough. I didn’t realize you were financing. I saw cashier’s check for $28K and assumed you were paying cash.

I had to chuckle when you said your wife has an Escape because it’s like the standard teacher vehicle. The new ones are roomy though.

Somebody else suggested fixing up the Lex and I tend to agree. You gotta buy gas either way. The cost of the repairs is equal to about 10 car payments. You’ll have more equity in your Lex after 10 months than you would with the Regal.

If the dealer tries to f$%k me over again, and does not take my offer I will either be in a Maxima or that Mazda 6... Just test drove the Mazda 6 Signature... HOLY SHIT.

HOW DOES MAZDA MAKE ANY MONEY OFF THOSE CARS? It has to be a "loss leader", has to be. That 2.5L Turbo did 0-60 in 4.8 Seconds, I timed it! Smooth ride, good suspension setup, noise cancelling insulation on the doors and glass. Genuine Nappa Leather on the seats, door panels, and steering wheel. The only option it did not come with was remote start but he said they can add that in easily for about $250.

The car I test drove was a 2021 Mazda 6 Signature with 5,700 miles on it, its a courtesy car for the dealer. I asked them to give me a ballpark estimate, they said about $30,000 - $31,000 out the door. Because it will be Mazda certified it will come with a 7 year 100,000 mile warranty and a 4 year 46,000 mile comprehensive (bumper to bumper) warranty, and 1 year of free service.

Seriously, why do people not talk about Mazda more often??? Like DAMN. They have come such a long way since Ford destroyed them back around 2012 (they used to be owned by Ford).

To clarify about the cashiers check, yeah its financed against our home equity, we are consolidating all of our debt and its also how I am paying for flight school as well, just 1 lump sum with low interest over 20 years but it will be paid off way before that once I start flying for the airlines. Expected payoff time is about 10 years, the interest rate is 4.27% incase you were wondering.

Edit: 0-60 discrepancy, I messed up on the calculations between start and stop timing deviations, 0-60 time is estimated to be 5.1 - 5.2 seconds due to human error in stopwatch timing.

 

[FavaBean]

That 2.5L Turbo did 0-60 in 4.8 Seconds, I timed it!

What was your method of measurement? I haven't come across any literature that states it's below 6.1 seconds.

 

[Spartan0536]

What was your method of measurement? I haven't come across any literature that states it's below 6.1 seconds.

Was at a stop sign, set phone up with timer, clicked sport mode on console, hit timer and accelerator as simultaneously as I could, tapped stop once the speedometer said 60, time was 4.9 but I was a little late on hitting the button.

This would not be the first time a car company has made claims to be slower in 0-60 than it actually is, in fact the Kia Stinger is commonly referred to for this exact thing these days. That being said, I could very well be off as its dependent on me getting it right on both ends but its definitely under 6 seconds with 93 octane (which is what they told me it was filled with). It will easily run on 87 but you do lose performance on HP and Torque.
If I had to round up to account for human error I would estimate maybe 5.1 Seconds under sport mode.

Actually let me retract the 4.8 Second... It's likely 5.1 - 5.2 seconds, I messed up on the timing calculations I hate math.
Time between accelerator and button push was 1/2 a second, and I was just off at ending the time, overlapping the two for deviation equates to a 0-60 time of 5.1 - 5.2 seconds, still very impressive.

Edit: It's most likely 5.2, I ran the numbers again based on averaged acceleration rates which is not entirely accurate but its the best I got, it should be about 5.2 seconds. Keep in mind this was street conditions, no launch control, 93 octane (increases performance by 25 horses and 20 ft/lbs of torque over 87 octane), and set to sport mode which changes the shift points in the transmission.

I did not do a 0-60 in "regular" mode, I probably should have but I was looking at other features like the HUD, navigation, Android Auto, audio fidelity with the Bose centerstage system, cornering, situational awareness, point handling, road noise, and overall ride comfort in both modes.

 

[Spartan0536]

I would also like to go on record and state the 2018 - 2020 Regal GS is just BEGGING to be ProCharged by a P1SC supercharger. I mean its got an 11.5:1 compression ratio FFS, and with a P1SC HO system from ProCharger you can get 400 HP out of it and likely near 400 ft/lbs of torque which would be available near instantly.

Just something I would consider down the road if I do get it, nothing in the near future, it will remain stock outside of the window tinting, which will be changed out XPEL nano-ceramic XR Plus tint to help out with the heat here in FL during the summer.

Edit - Link to window tint: XPEL | Window Film | PRIME Automotive Window Tint | XR PLUS | XR | HP | CS

 

[Jack GS]

Yeah I have really thought about going to Overkill Motorsports for a supercharger and tune. LINK to Website

The guy has a passion for G-body Buicks and knows the LGX well. I would much prefer and twin screw supercharger over a turbo setup though. I bet something from Lingenfelter would work. 400 HP and 400 TQ would be perfect.

 

[saab93driver]

Given the much fewer miles and CPO warranty alone the Mazda sounds like a better deal unless you have to have or really want AWD.

 

[Spartan0536]

Given the much fewer miles and CPO warranty alone the Mazda sounds like a better deal unless you have to have or really want AWD.

Its gonna come down to price but I completely agree, there is just so much damn upside to that Mazda 6 Signature, I think Mazda has a real winner here, sad to see that 2021 is the last year of the Mazda 6 but they are keeping the Mazda 3 which is the same car just a mid size instead of a full size sedan.

 

[abizzle]

I would also like to go on record and state the 2018 - 2020 Regal GS is just BEGGING to be ProCharged by a P1SC supercharger. I mean its got an 11.5:1 compression ratio FFS, and with a P1SC HO system from ProCharger you can get 400 HP out of it and likely near 400 ft/lbs of torque which would be available near instantly.

Just something I would consider down the road if I do get it, nothing in the near future, it will remain stock outside of the window tinting, which will be changed out XPEL ceramic to help out with the heat here in FL during the summer.

The 2.0L LTG engine in my Sportback is no slouch with the Trifecta Tune and I think we’ve pretty much agreed that it has better 0-60 and 1/4 mile times than the stock GS, even with FWD. Call it 300HP and 310 lbft of torque. Add a K&N intake and you’re up to about 315HP.

It sure is fun to drive!

 

[RegalMN]

Was at a stop sign, set phone up with timer, clicked sport mode on console, hit timer and accelerator as simultaneously as I could, tapped stop once the speedometer said 60, time was 4.9 but I was a little late on hitting the button.

This would not be the first time a car company has made claims to be slower in 0-60 than it actually is, in fact the Kia Stinger is commonly referred to for this exact thing these days. That being said, I could very well be off as its dependent on me getting it right on both ends but its definitely under 6 seconds with 93 octane (which is what they told me it was filled with). It will easily run on 87 but you do lose performance on HP and Torque.
If I had to round up to account for human error I would estimate maybe 5.1 Seconds under sport mode.

Actually let me retract the 4.8 Second... It's likely 5.1 - 5.2 seconds, I messed up on the timing calculations I hate math.
Time between accelerator and button push was 1/2 a second, and I was just off at ending the time, overlapping the two for deviation equates to a 0-60 time of 5.1 - 5.2 seconds, still very impressive.

Edit: It's most likely 5.2, I ran the numbers again based on averaged acceleration rates which is not entirely accurate but its the best I got, it should be about 5.2 seconds. Keep in mind this was street conditions, no launch control, 93 octane (increases performance by 25 horses and 20 ft/lbs of torque over 87 octane), and set to sport mode which changes the shift points in the transmission.

I did not do a 0-60 in "regular" mode, I probably should have but I was looking at other features like the HUD, navigation, Android Auto, audio fidelity with the Bose centerstage system, cornering, situational awareness, point handling, road noise, and overall ride comfort in both modes.

The 6.1 number was as tested by Car and Driver. And if anything they are usually on the generous (fast) side. For comparison, the Regal Sport back with 2.0L was tested at 5.6s and the GS v6 at 5.4 seconds.

 

[Spartan0536]

The 6.1 number was as tested by Car and Driver. And if anything they are usually on the generous (fast) side. For comparison, the Regal Sport back with 2.0L was tested at 5.6s and the GS v6 at 5.4 seconds.

Like I said, its by no means an scientific test, it was done using my cellphone timer and relied on me pressing the button at the same time as the accelerator and then tapping it as soon as I hit 60 mph, there is deviation. Best I came up with was 5.2 seconds after adjustments.

If I had the money for a laser radar gun with stopwatch function then I would have used that for an accurate count.

 

[Spartan0536]

OK I did another test drive in a Mazda 6 Signature today, took the same route. I noticed something, when I did the test last time I was rolling, not stopped, this changes things quite a bit. With very light traffic I came to a complete stop, and did a 0-60 launch without neutral bombing the drive or doing a brake-gas hold, this was just a brake then immediate shift to full on gas which there is a 2nd detent and I certainly felt it hit. This time I recorded a 0-60 of 5.8 seconds, which with deviation likely puts it around 6 seconds flat, quite possibly 6.1.

It does have a 2nd detent to it though, and it really wants to pull when you hit that detent, pretty sure that detent sets off something in the ECU to tell the turbo to just go full bore, and holy shit does this thing have some torque. This car gets a lot right, especially for the money, and its pretty quiet as well, its just incredibly sad to see that Mazda is only making the Miata MX-5 and the Mazda 3 as their car options now, as everything else is a freaking crossover.

Speaking of which, my 2 absolute least favorite automotive designs are SUV's and Hatchbacks, the Crossover is literally the unholy spawn of those 2 designs and it makes me sick. Yet because of their versatility they are selling like hotcakes. I will also go on record and say while you can "sport tune" a crossover, it will never be sporty like a Coupe or Sedan can be. I don't get why companies need to have 8 different crossover models which makes them kill off their sedan lines. Chevy nuked their Impala, a long standing staple, Buick got rid of the LaCrosse and the Regal with the Regal being the long standing staple, Mazda got rid of the Mazda 6, Ford now only offers the Mustang but modern Ford is a joke don't get me started. Sure Toyota still has the Corolla, Camry and Avalon, and you have both Hyundai and Kia with quite a few options, however if you look at the amount of Crossover offerings in comparison its NUTS. Sorry for the rant, its just something that irks me.

 

[ZB Commodore Owner]

Me too.