Looking at a 2018 Sportback GS - anyone have any experience?

[wolfhound]

First post here. I typically go to reddit for car questions but no one's really helping me out there. I saw a 2018 Regal GS AWD pop up on my car search. It's CPO with 72k miles and is going for like 26k right now. There are a lot of wagon posts on here but I didn't see much of anything about the Sportback. Does anyone have any experience with these? All I know is that it's a rebadged Opel Insignia which doesn't really tell me much. What's got me nervous is that it only has 4 service history reports recorded, but for CPO I thought they had to follow a certain maintenance schedule.

I'd love to know what people think. TBH this car isn't my first choice, I'd be looking for a Lexus if the ones around me weren't beat to crap. thanks!

 

[DrFaustus]

The two are very similar. They sold more wagons, so you see more wagons on this forum. But there is so much crossover between the two that most of it applies to both. And there are definitely some proud Sportback owners here. Most of the differences are the engine, transmission, and body.

 

[wolfhound]

The two are very similar. They sold more wagons, so you see more wagons on this forum. But there is so much crossover between the two that most of it applies to both. And there are definitely some proud Sportback owners here. Most of the differences are the engine, transmission, and body.

The engine and transmission are the things I'm mostly worried about. Electrical is important too though. Since it's at 70k I want to make sure it will last for a long time.

 

[shs92645]

I am coming up on 3 years of owning my 2018 GS and it has 73500 miles on the clock.
This vehicle is without any doubt the best that I have ever owned. I just got home from south Florida and it is the perfect road trip car. There is loads of room for all ones stuff, incredibly comfortable seat for a long drive, 30.5 avg mpg on 87 octane at 75 mph ACC. Add to this the power that may be needed from time to time - there is plenty of it.
Obviously no car is perfect and I’ve had a number of the things mentioned on this forum but all were easily fixed. The most troubling repair was a strut mount that sounded like the car was falling apart but in fact was a simple fast fix. I can report that at my present mileage I have zero squeaks or rattles.
I’m feeling as though I will keep this car for a longer term as I can’t identify anything else that does everything so well. It is also very good looking and you will have to cover a lot of ground to see another one, which makes it easy to locate in a parking lot.
Hope this helps you!

 

[bollox74]

I am coming up on 3 years of owning my 2018 GS and it has 73500 miles on the clock.
This vehicle is without any doubt the best that I have ever owned. I just got home from south Florida and it is the perfect road trip car. There is loads of room for all ones stuff, incredibly comfortable seat for a long drive, 30.5 avg mpg on 87 octane at 75 mph ACC. Add to this the power that may be needed from time to time - there is plenty of it.
Obviously no car is perfect and I’ve had a number of the things mentioned on this forum but all were easily fixed. The most troubling repair was a strut mount that sounded like the car was falling apart but in fact was a simple fast fix. I can report that at my present mileage I have zero squeaks or rattles.
I’m feeling as though I will keep this car for a longer term as I can’t identify anything else that does everything so well. It is also very good looking and you will have to cover a lot of ground to see another one, which makes it easy to locate in a parking lot.
Hope this helps you!View attachment 42279

great pic

 

[lLePunisherl]

3 reason to buy
The trunk
The engine
The seat
And if you got snow where you live the awd system.

 

[shs92645]

You’ve got that right! Great photos…AWD system makes these cars handle well on any surface, especially in GS setting. I hope your golf game is better than mine!

 

[D2R]

That V6 engine is very common among GM vehicles, including but not limited to:
ATS, CTS, CT6, Camaro, LaCrosse, Regal GS, XT5, XT6, Acadia, etc.
Therefore, I would not be too concern about the engine.

 

[WinnerGS]

I’ve had my 2018 GS for nearly 2 years. It has just over 53k on it. I absolutely love this car! It turns heads everywhere it goes. Mechanically sound and fun to drive!

 

[CONative31]

I'm the original owner of my 2018 GS (45K) and echo what has been said above. It is comfortable, fun to drive in any conditions and turns heads/get comments all the time. No squeaks or noises to report. Runs quiet and smooth on Goodyear Eagles I did have a control arm replaced under warranty. Can't override the auto stop without chip modification or shifting to "manual". I have a 2018 TourX too and do like both but will take the GS every time we are not going on a road trip. We have a hockey kid and need the use of a roof rack on the TourX. PS: replaced the control arm on the TourX too. Most people would enjoy this car!

 

[wolfhound]

I’ve had my 2018 GS for nearly 2 years. It has just over 53k on it. I absolutely love this car! It turns heads everywhere it goes. Mechanically sound and fun to drive!

Are those SHO wheels? Looks great! The one I'm looking at buying has over 70K miles so that makes me a little nervous. It's CPO though and it'll have powertain warranty until 1/2025.

 

[eccs19]

I have the 2018 Sportback, but the non GS version and I've got just over 100,000km on it. Only issue was getting the LCA's replaced under warranty, but otherwise, very happy with the car. The GS should be even better with the V6 in it.

 

[shs92645]

I’ve had my 2018 GS for nearly 2 years. It has just over 53k on it. I absolutely love this car! It turns heads everywhere it goes. Mechanically sound and fun to drive!

Very very sharp! Are those Cascada wheels? They look terrific!

 

[delorean92]

I bought a 2018 GS from carmax at the end of 2021 with 35k on it. I am currently approaching 63k. This car is absolutely my favorite "newer" car and I have previously owned a 2014 Focus ST, 2017 Focus RS and a 2014 Buick Regal GS.

The 2018 Regal blends the comfort and features of my previous GS with some decent performance and handling confidence that keeps me from missing the Focus RS.

The V6 and 9 speed trans is absolutely the right combination for this car, it sounds amazing and pulls hard at higher RPMs. I've run a few 14.2s at 98mph in this car, so it is not as slow as the auto journalist reviews will lead you to believe.

Compared to my 2014, the 2018 handles much better, feels quicker and the AWD system is much more capable. Interestly enough it is the same system used in the Focus RS. In GS mode with traction and stability control off, this car will act RWD biased in slick conditions. My 2014 would just understeer and plow the front end through turns.

The 9 speed trans does concern me longevity wise. I have had a few odd shifts when cold and some refusals to upshft shift at WOT after a taking corner or downshift.

 

[lLePunisherl]

Very very sharp! Are those Cascada wheels? They look terrific!

Yes those are 20 inch buick cascada wheel.

 

[CNYmetalGuy]

I've got the 18 SB with the 4 2.0 and it's by far the best car I've ever owned. It's not the most powerful I've owned but with the Trifecta tune alone makes it much peppier. But you've got the 6 so you may or may not consider that route. But it's a great car. Love it so much I almost bought a 20 GS but the dealership jacked the price up

 

[FauxSAAB]

First post here. I typically go to reddit for car questions but no one's really helping me out there. I saw a 2018 Regal GS AWD pop up on my car search. It's CPO with 72k miles and is going for like 26k right now. There are a lot of wagon posts on here but I didn't see much of anything about the Sportback. Does anyone have any experience with these? All I know is that it's a rebadged Opel Insignia which doesn't really tell me much. What's got me nervous is that it only has 4 service history reports recorded, but for CPO I thought they had to follow a certain maintenance schedule.

I'd love to know what people think. TBH this car isn't my first choice, I'd be looking for a Lexus if the ones around me weren't beat to crap. thanks!

Hi my name is Chris and I actually have a 2018 Regal GS that I bought brand new, it is the Pearl Metallic paint and I currently have around 75,000 miles on my car which is located in Canada. My son also has a 2019 Regal GS that was a GM Executive driven vehicle here in Canada and currently has around 48,000 miles on it.

Both of us had Saab 9-3's previously and we were looking for a vehicle that would replace our Saab's and they are a great vehicle and in fact there are only around 500 of them that were sold in Canada and the USA in 2018, 2019, and 2020. They are a rebadged Opel Insignia GSI and built in Germany. Let me know if you need any further information about the car as I would be happy to send you some pictures of mine and my son's as well.

PS if I had to decide between a Regal GS and a Lexus my choice hands down would be the Regal GS as the Lexus may have to take premium fuel like a friend of mine who has one and he regrets it every time he fills the tank.
Regards,

Chris

 

[FauxSAAB]

3 reason to buy
The trunk
The engine
The seat
And if you got snow where you live the awd system.View attachment 42282View attachment 42283View attachment 42284

You forgot to mention that it has all wheel drive and since you live in Canada like me you need it especially during the winter!

 

[lLePunisherl]

You forgot to mention that it has all wheel drive and since you live in Canada like me you need it especially during the winter!

 

[WinnerGS]

Are those SHO wheels? Looks great! The one I'm looking at buying has over 70K miles so that makes me a little nervous. It's CPO though and it'll have powertain warranty until 1/2025.

Thank you!!! The wheels are from the Cascada… with 5mm spacers.