GS Class Comparisons?

[rook785]

I'm so confused when I keep seeing people trying to compare the GS to the bmw 3 series, the ATS, or the A4... It isn't anywhere near those cars in terms of weight, suspension, drivetrain, pricepoint (w/ options) transmission, etc...

The cars that I would compare it to are the PREMIUM versions of each of these (just like the GS is the PREMIUM version of the regal):

1. Volkswagen CC (the 280hp engine is MSRP 41k)
2. Nissan Maxima (280hp engine, sport package, MSRP 38.8k)
3. Ford Taurus (39k for the AWD, sport tuned suspension w/ 360hp engine... this one caught my eye didn't know taurus was that competitive haha)
4. Kia Optima (274hp "SX" w/ limited package starting at 34k)

and as luck would have it, the premium versions of these are all around the same pricepoint (even the Kia if you go with the "Limited Turbo Premium" you get around 34k sticker.)

And IMO the GS blows ALL of these away... easily... (except for maybe the fully optioned taurus, which is a bit more expensive, but i've never driven one so who knows?) .. so much so that it isn't really a fair comparison. But these are the cars the GS is designed to compete with, not the 3 series and the ATSs.

Thoughts/opinions?

 

[polo3433]

Also consider the demographic of market it is trying to take. Regal is a German made midsize sports sedan. It is a reach to say it will pull some BMW people away, however both are luxury and competing in the same market. I rather it is compared to a BWM 3 series versus a Kia Optima.

 

[Erama]

I like your logic and $ comparisons. They kinda made me say hmmmmm....but I agree with polo3433. Don't think GM is terribly worried about the GS competing with Kia (although I like the lines on the Optima) or VW. I think they want BMW & Audi. Historically they have been the sports cars authority.

 

[CincySpeedRacer]

Also consider the demographic of market it is trying to take. Regal is a German made midsize sports sedan. It is a reach to say it will pull some BMW people away, however both are luxury and competing in the same market. I rather it is compared to a BWM 3 series versus a Kia Optima.

Pulled me away... had owned a 1996 A4, then 3-series (1999 328i and 2004 330i) for previous 16 years. My 2013 GS was a much better value than the 2013 328i for what you get, especially since I leased.

 

[MikeC725]

As a former BMW owner of 14 years, I'm now driving (or rather my wife) a Beautiful Regal GS. When we bought our Regal, I had our BMW in the shop, so I had a 2012 325i loaner. I got to compare the two for a week. The BMW was 10K more, the GS was by far the better car.

 

[RoyHobbs]

The GS and Taurus and not comparable. The Taurus is HUGE compared to the Regals

 

[RevJohnnyVegas]

I think the GS competes nicely with the A4, C Class and IS-x50. I considered all three of those before going with the GS and feel like I came away with a similar vehicle that cost ~$10-15k less than its competition but offered similar luxury and features.

Of the ones the TS mentioned, the only one I considered was the fully loaded Kia Optima, but that was only considered as a fall back. I didn't consider the CC (blah), Maxima (blah), and Taurus (too huge).

 

[NHRATA01]

The new MB CLA that's coming (FWD, 30K base, 2.0T engines) will be a pretty close competitor.

 

[GTXgp]

1. Volkswagen CC (the 280hp engine is MSRP 41k)
2. Nissan Maxima (280hp engine, sport package, MSRP 38.8k)
3. Ford Taurus (39k for the AWD, sport tuned suspension w/ 360hp engine... this one caught my eye didn't know taurus was that competitive haha)
4. Kia Optima (274hp "SX" w/ limited package starting at 34k)

1-3 Are all larger cars IMO and they would be competing with the LaCrosse. The Optima is probably a fair comparison but it is much more of an appliance-car than a sport sedan. I think people like to compare the GS to the 3-series because the 3 is considered the "world standard" for sport sedans.

Personally, my choice was between the GS and a lightly used C350. I prefer MB over BMW and I could get a nice certified C350 for a comperable price. However, I parked them side by side and had a friend/MB-fanboy with me and we both liked the interior and exterior better on the GS. We were on the MB lot when we were comparing and even a random customer who was looking at C's started checking out the GS and asking questions. His salesman was pretty pissed LOL. Add to that the ability to convert to Opel for a very unique car and I was sold.

The new MB CLA that's coming (FWD, 30K base, 2.0T engines) will be a pretty close competitor.

I completely agree. However, I'm curious to see how much room the CLA has. The C is already somewhat cramped inside.

 

[jepva]

The Taurus SHO/Lincoln MKS isn't really a competitor, those are actually 45-50k with options and more of Audi S4 / 335xi competitors as far as price. The Taurus SHO has some straight line go with the 3.5 EcoBoost but it's not the handler and corner carver the GS is..and the brakes suck.

I agree with your other cars, although on the lower end I do think it competes with some of the base 328's, A4's, C-class, Volvo S60 T5/T6 etc. It also competes with some of the other tuner cars, like maybe the Jetta GLI, Golf R, GTI, Mazdaspeed, etc. but appeals to a more mature crowd and is slightly more expensive. I looked at all of those cars before making my decision.

I think the data would surprise you what people cross-shop, people end up looking at completely opposite cars all the time, they don't tend to stick to one class always like you'd think.

 

[jay3737]

Pulled me away... had owned a 1996 A4, then 3-series (1999 328i and 2004 330i) for previous 16 years. My 2013 GS was a much better value than the 2013 328i for what you get, especially since I leased.

Greetings! I lived in Cincy from 2005-2012 before relocating to TX. Do you ever go to Cars & Coffee at Fuel down on Riverside? I miss that place!

 

[Erama]

Greetings! I lived in Cincy from 2005-2012 before relocating to TX. Do you ever go to Cars & Coffee at Fuel down on Riverside? I miss that place!

Yeah I know this is off topic but I did eat Pappadeaux (creole-type seafood) outside Cincy when I drove from MI to KY to pick up my GS. Pappadeaux was the absolute perfect way to end the first day with my GS. They had lobsters the size of my wheels.

 

[CincySpeedRacer]

Greetings! I lived in Cincy from 2005-2012 before relocating to TX. Do you ever go to Cars & Coffee at Fuel down on Riverside? I miss that place!

Have not been there (closest I've been is the Brew River Gastropub which is in the old Maribelle's location). Just looked it up and it is definitely a place I should check out. I'm over that way on occasion. Thanks for the tip!

 

[jay3737]

Have not been there (closest I've been is the Brew River Gastropub which is in the old Maribelle's location). Just looked it up and it is definitely a place I should check out. I'm over that way on occasion. Thanks for the tip!

you really should! great mix of exotics, classics and everything in-between. oh, and great coffee and muffins as well. and the conversation is good also.

 

[fireline]

As a former BMW owner of 14 years, I'm now driving (or rather my wife) a Beautiful Regal GS. When we bought our Regal, I had our BMW in the shop, so I had a 2012 325i loaner. I got to compare the two for a week. The BMW was 10K more, the GS was by far the better car.

BMW isn't worth the premium they want unless you get an M. Problem with most of the enthusiast that drive them, is they are like drug addicts. They are hooked on the car and can't think any other way. I bought one and tried it out. I don't see the big whoop. Yes the car drives and feels nice, but for that 50k price my car was new, no freaking way.

 

[CincySpeedRacer]

you really should! great mix of exotics, classics and everything in-between. oh, and great coffee and muffins as well. and the conversation is good also.

Mmmm....muffins!

 

[jeffcam1211]

I'd say the closest competitors are:

VW CC
Volvo S60
Acura TSX
Audi A4 (maybe but it's a stretch)

 

[TprGTO]

I'd say the closest competitors are:

VW CC
Volvo S60
Acura TSX
Audi A4 (maybe but it's a stretch)

I'd take my GS over the A4 in a heartbeat. Plus the other three no problem.

 

[jeffcam1211]

I'd take my GS over the A4 in a heartbeat. Plus the other three no problem.

Hmm I'm not sure, but I'm a huge fan of Audi designs so I'm a bit biased. I've never driven one so you could very well be right. The TSX is a joke at this point and the S60 in any sort of performance trim is expensive IMO. I think the CC is the best comparison out there today. Unfortunately, VW went backwards design-wise for the '13 update.

 

[jepva]

Hmm I'm not sure, but I'm a huge fan of Audi designs so I'm a bit biased. I've never driven one so you could very well be right. The TSX is a joke at this point and the S60 in any sort of performance trim is expensive IMO. I think the CC is the best comparison out there today. Unfortunately, VW went backwards design-wise for the '13 update.

I actually think the TSX w/ 6MT combo is a nice package, you're getting a nice chassis, nice interior, and good technology for $30k and a decent powertrain. If I had been shopping in that lower price bracket I'd have taken the TSX over the upper trim levels of the Accord, Camry, etc. The CC has good looks and decent powertrains, but the ride and handling left a lot to be desired IMO, it's not nearly as sporty of these other cars we're comparing.