One of the things I've kind of taken an interest in the past few months is cars, but for different reasons than many gearheads love cars. I'm interested in them for design, handling, fuel economy and features moreso than horsepower (although horsepower is always a plus).
I was invited to the Buick Regal launch party in Beachwood last night and while we didn't get to drive the car, we could sit in it and get a feel for the fit and finish of it. Needless to say I was blown away. An old man's boat car this is not. The build quality was excellent as the tolerances were razor thin. Also, the car felt very solid when you close the door due to all the sound deadening material inside (which is why the Regal is so heavy at 3600 lbs).
The main thing about this is: I'm a 23 year old who was blown away by a Buick. Just 5 years ago my dad tried to sell me his 2000 Park Avenue and I flat out refused because it's for the Centrum Silver audience. Needless to say, the Regal couldn't be further from that. It's a sport sedan that supposedly handles like a BMW.
I wish I could drive one. Or afford one for that matter. But that's probably 10 years down the road. For now it's the 2011 Cruze or 2012 Focus.
p.s. GM posted a profit yesterday. How cool is that?
When they do the GS version of it....they better do something better than that 258hp turbo 4....I mean the freakin Sonata will blow it away with its 2.0 tubo 4 getting...what is it 290 hp??? I believe that number is correct without looking it up. I still don't understand why they don't bring over the V6 that was in the Insignia OPC and the Vauxhall VXR models of this car...
Aside from that I LOVE the GS model of this vehicle. I love the verticle air inlets that are almost like walrus teeth. It is a great look. And they put great wheels on the GS as well. I love the more racing inspired interior....It is a great looking car....They better make sure the performance is up to snuff.
I thought I was wrong once....but I was mistaken...
What's the use of wearing your lucky rocketship underpants if nobody wants to see them????
Quote: I wish I could drive one. Or afford one for that matter. But that's probably 10 years down the road. For now it's the 2011 Cruze or 2012 Focus.
IF you can afford a new car of any make, you're doing pretty well.... I've never bought a new car....don;t know if I ever will unless I come into far too much cash. Too much depreciation....
I'll stick with my old Cherokee.....and when it dies, I'll likely end up buying another old Cherokee.
I agree; I've never bought a new car either and with the internet finding the exact used car you want is all that much easier if you are patient. The depreciation is ridiculous no matter the make. When I bought my 2000 Excursion in 2002 I paid 28k - the sticker was in the glovebox and new it was 57k. The truck only had 19k miles on it and still had the new car smell - still have the truck to this day and love it.
A few months ago I bought a used 2007 Audi A8 with 21k miles. It was 25k less than the original sticker - got a two year or 100k mile extended warranty through Audi as well through a special they were running along with 3% financing.
New would be nice, but I just can't bring myself to do it.
Quote: When they do the GS version of it....they better do something better than that 258hp turbo 4....I mean the freakin Sonata will blow it away with its 2.0 tubo 4 getting...what is it 290 hp??? I believe that number is correct without looking it up. I still don't understand why they don't bring over the V6 that was in the Insignia OPC and the Vauxhall VXR models of this car...
Aside from that I LOVE the GS model of this vehicle. I love the verticle air inlets that are almost like walrus teeth. It is a great look. And they put great wheels on the GS as well. I love the more racing inspired interior....It is a great looking car....They better make sure the performance is up to snuff.
It's funny you should mention that; because the concept they actually showed at Detroit among others, had the turbocharged V6 from the VXR. Though to be fair, the 2.0 T would probably handle quite a bit better than the V6 model due to the weight difference between the 2.
As an aside; the turbocharged 4 is the same that's offered in the Cobalt SS Coupe (260 hp, 260 ft lbs), and GM was offering kits from the factory (with factory warranty at all) that would get the HP over 300 if you wanted. I think the price was around $2500 or so. Not too bad.
Yeah I knew they had the V6 in at Detroit. Had read that somewhere...2.0 wasn't ready or something like that....I noticed they wouldn't open the Bonnet....LOL
Is that going to be an option???or is it an aftermarket thing? I really haven't follwed the cobalt much aside from knowing that many like the SS version and think it is one of if not the best FWD racer out there...
Anyone remember if the GS is AWD like the OPC and VXR???
I thought I was wrong once....but I was mistaken...
What's the use of wearing your lucky rocketship underpants if nobody wants to see them????
Quote: Yeah I knew they had the V6 in at Detroit. Had read that somewhere...2.0 wasn't ready or something like that....I noticed they wouldn't open the Bonnet....LOL
Is that going to be an option???or is it an aftermarket thing? I really haven't follwed the cobalt much aside from knowing that many like the SS version and think it is one of if not the best FWD racer out there...
Anyone remember if the GS is AWD like the OPC and VXR???
It hasn't been finalized yet. Part of the engineering development team want fulltime AWD like the VXR, some of the beancounters want FWD due to cost savings. The GS is one of those cars where the beancounters need to STFU and let the engineers do their job.
I agree...I can understand a little beancounting on the main model but when it comes to the specialized models like the GS...they need to get out of the way...
I thought I was wrong once....but I was mistaken...
What's the use of wearing your lucky rocketship underpants if nobody wants to see them????
What these Regals were were your basic G-Bodies--same plat as the Monte, Gran Prix, Cutlass Supreme, etc. Painted Darth Vader/Batman black. Started out at 180hp in '82, then went to 200 in '84 and '85, then 235 in '86 with the addition of an intercooler (it keeps the turbo cool) and 245 in '87. That was just the GN.
Up to 276 net horsepower out of 3.8 liters in 1987 in the GNX, which also had a ceramic impeller in its turbo. They'd run 0-60 in 4.6, do a quarter in 13.3@106 or so and cost around $30,000 in '87...faster than my grandpa's L98 at the time but with less top end (124 mph vs. 144 mph)....due to the standard G-body suspension, H-rated tires and crap aerodynamics.
Check them out.
My father has had Buicks ever since I was adopted--Rivieras with 307-4BBL V8s and now a LeSabre H-Body--2005--bought used, of course. The L27 puts out 205 hp and 230 lb/ft of torque--16 flat in the quarter--not bad for a two-ton car. The 3800 Series II is one of the best engines in the world, according to Ward's. It's a 90-degree design that's quiet at startup and gets 30 MPG on the highway. It's also used in the Bonneville, Olds 88/98 and the Park Avenue you referenced. Unless yours is the L36, a supercharged version with 240/250hp and 280/300 lb/ft of torque.
I agree, but this is supposed to be Buick which is supposed to be a Lexus competitor. And Hyundai, while excellent quality...is supposed to be a Ford, Chevy competitor with the Sonata. The Genesis Sedan and the Equus are a different story, but this is the Sonata. It would not be good for the GS to be blown off the road by the Sonata when it should be competing with the Lexus GS class..
I thought I was wrong once....but I was mistaken...
What's the use of wearing your lucky rocketship underpants if nobody wants to see them????
I remember going to the GN vs. Mustang shootouts back in late 80's early 90's. Being a Ford guy and huge Mustang fan I always was pulling for the blue ovals, but the power they got out of those 3.8 turbos was amazing. The GN was a heck of a car.
Was always a Ford guy myself, but if I could have gotten my hands on one of the GNs back in the day, I would been happier than a pig in slop. That and liked the Monte Carlo SS of the mid 80's as well.
We don't have to agree with each other, to respect each others opinion.
It was a Fox-body RWD sedan (Baby LTD) with a 302...it was a CPI (throttle body injection like GM's TBI)...Florida Highway Patrol used them...the Taurus replaced it. Civilian version was the LTD LX.
0-60 9.3 seconds 125 mph top speed.
About the same specs as my 1ZZ-FE 2005 Corolla when the Baby LTDs came out in '84-86, but they were faster than your 351 CV PI--with 2-vv (variable venturi) carbs...that worked half the time. lol. Those CVs were slow...0-60 in 12 seconds, 19 second quarters and 115mph top speed.
Quote: I wish I could drive one. Or afford one for that matter. But that's probably 10 years down the road. For now it's the 2011 Cruze or 2012 Focus.
IF you can afford a new car of any make, you're doing pretty well.... I've never bought a new car....don;t know if I ever will unless I come into far too much cash. Too much depreciation....
I'll stick with my old Cherokee.....and when it dies, I'll likely end up buying another old Cherokee.
That's partially why I'd get a smaller car as a new car. I want that new car while I have no debt so I don't have to worry about something happening to my current car (which is beginning to near 60k miles).
Plus I'm in love with the MyFord Touch system that's going in to the 2012 Focus (which really, REALLY gives the Focus an advantage over the Cruze, although I'm reading great things about the Cruze and am going to be participating in a beta test of a Facebook app for the Cruze next month)...it's basically the next evolution of SYNC.
Plus I want a new car for the safety features it has. The Cruze will have 10 airbags standard and received the highest crash test rating in European crash test history (and the Euro Cruze "only" has 6 airbags)...only newer cars have the side curtain airbags. Safety (crash rating, electronic stability control, airbags, etc) is a pretty big deal to me.
That doesn't even factor in the fuel economy factor...the next generation of small cars are going to make a big leap in fuel economy. I know "if you get an older car you can make up the difference on gas," but it's still psychological at the pump, ya know?
Either way, I'm pretty pumped for the new compacts...I'm leaning towards a black fully loaded 2012 Focus hatchback, but we shall see which car is better when I test drive them.
Quote: Just out of curiosity, why does one need a Facebook app in his car?
Duh - so when you're driving down the road you don't have to reach for your cellphone (the latest model) and tweet what you're doing.
I guess for some people driving has become so blase they need something else to entertain them. For me - driving is driving. And I love to do it. And I don't even talk on the phone for more than a minute at a time - and that's only if it's my wife calling. Anyone else can wait til I want to talk.(this grin is supposed to be behind my first sentence by the way)
Amen to that! Heck, the Cobra doesn't even have power steering, power brakes, power windows, power door locks, AC, 12 way adjustable seats (not even 1 way adjustable!), a roof, or windows but it's the most fun car that I own to drive!
Quote: Just out of curiosity, why does one need a Facebook app in his car?
The Facebook app I spoke of isn't used in a car. However, there are some apps that can be used such as Pandora radio and Caravan (which tracks your group if you're on a group road trip, if someone gets lost, for example)...and it all runs through your car's interface w/ voice commands so you don't have to mess around with a phone and get distracted...hell in the case of SYNC, it locks your phone so you CAN'T use it and have to use the hands-free SYNC system.
MyFord Touch is going to revolutionize the way we interact w/ our cars (same with the Google partnership GM made)...luxury options are available to the masses now and I think that is very cool.
Quote: Just out of curiosity, why does one need a Facebook app in his car?
The Facebook app I spoke of isn't used in a car. However, there are some apps that can be used such as Pandora radio and Caravan (which tracks your group if you're on a group road trip, if someone gets lost, for example)...and it all runs through your car's interface w/ voice commands so you don't have to mess around with a phone and get distracted...hell in the case of SYNC, it locks your phone so you CAN'T use it and have to use the hands-free SYNC system.
MyFord Touch is going to revolutionize the way we interact w/ our cars (same with the Google partnership GM made)...luxury options are available to the masses now and I think that is very cool.
Ahh, this Facebook app that you'll be beta testing is some sort of marketing/publicity app then? The way you worded it made me think you'd be using this thing to check Facebook while you're driving down 90 or something.
I can see the application for apps in a car (I use my dictation app on my iPhone so that I don't have to text, for example), just not a Facebook app.
For the record, though, I prefer my car interaction as follows: left hand on the wheel, right hand on the gearshift, left foot on the clutch and right on the accelerator.
Ahh, this Facebook app that you'll be beta testing is some sort of marketing/publicity app then?
Exactly. I'm one of only a dozen people beta testing this thing. Can't wait to see what they're doing and if it's really relevant to marketing the Cruze itself. Far too many marketing agencies/departments are making apps/sites that are totally unrelated to the product, which makes no sense to me.
The Buick GS enters production next April. It's going to offer a 6 speed manual and AWD, with the 2.0 T that has 255 hp and 300 ft lbs of torque. (we're trying to decide whether or not to get more power out of the engine from the factory or offer performance kits that will have the factory warranty). The engineers won this time.
Though keep in mind, the proposed production date is assuming no issues come up with suppliers, or the market for the vehicle completely tanks, etc.
Quote: (we're trying to decide whether or not to get more power out of the engine from the factory or offer performance kits that will have the factory warranty).
We????
I thought I was wrong once....but I was mistaken...
What's the use of wearing your lucky rocketship underpants if nobody wants to see them????
Quote: (we're trying to decide whether or not to get more power out of the engine from the factory or offer performance kits that will have the factory warranty).
Quote: (we're trying to decide whether or not to get more power out of the engine from the factory or offer performance kits that will have the factory warranty).
The build quality of cars from all brands have improved tremendously over the past 5 years...so much so that it's starting to plateau (aka a "peak quality"). Plus, they have more than enough horsepower available. (Mustang V6 is now 304 horsepower, Camaro V6 at 312 horsepower, and both get excellent fuel economy for that kind of power) Handling is excellent as well.
This next decade is all about keeping up the quality, fuel efficiency, safety and design. Horsepower will work itself out but the horsepower wars are basically over.
The build quality of cars from all brands have improved tremendously over the past 5 years...so much so that it's starting to plateau (aka a "peak quality"). Plus, they have more than enough horsepower available. (Mustang V6 is now 304 horsepower, Camaro V6 at 312 horsepower, and both get excellent fuel economy for that kind of power) Handling is excellent as well.
This next decade is all about keeping up the quality, fuel efficiency, safety and design. Horsepower will work itself out but the horsepower wars are basically over.
Not necessarily; the horsepower war hasn't really touched small cars like the Honda Fit, Chevy Aveo, etc.
I wonder how many people would drive a 200-220 hp Honda Fit/Chevy Aveo?
The build quality of cars from all brands have improved tremendously over the past 5 years...so much so that it's starting to plateau (aka a "peak quality"). Plus, they have more than enough horsepower available. (Mustang V6 is now 304 horsepower, Camaro V6 at 312 horsepower, and both get excellent fuel economy for that kind of power) Handling is excellent as well.
This next decade is all about keeping up the quality, fuel efficiency, safety and design. Horsepower will work itself out but the horsepower wars are basically over.
Not necessarily; the horsepower war hasn't really touched small cars like the Honda Fit, Chevy Aveo, etc.
I wonder how many people would drive a 200-220 hp Honda Fit/Chevy Aveo?
I'm anxiously awaiting the 180 HP 1.6L EcoBoost Ford Focus, puh-lenty fast and torquey.
If that engine is offered on the Focus, it's definitely my next car over the Cruze.
The Aveo is already going to have a 6speed auto and 17' wheels, probably around 245/60 or 255/50...like the old C4 Corvettes. Damn. (Show car has 19-inchers, but that's a show car).
I remember hearing when 70-series tires were considered "low profile" and glass-belted tires were on their way out.
The Aveo will have 138 nhp out of 1.4 liters...which is almost Elise/Elan-like. About 100 hp/liter!...I remember in the '80s/'90s it was a big deal when the SHO Taurus had 220hp out of 3.0 liters...or about 73.5hp/liter.
I had an SHO with a 5 speed, Ooooh I loved that car, it would do 60 in second and hit 90 in third pulling smooth and strong with no peaky power spots. Poor ole SHO ended up with its back bumper crushed all the way to the back seat. I got rearended, while stopped in traffic on the highway by a 78 year old man in a full size caddy who was in a hurry to get home and get his medicine. That is not a shot I would want to take in a compact.
Quote: The Aveo is already going to have a 6speed auto and 17' wheels, probably around 245/60 or 255/50...like the old C4 Corvettes. Damn. (Show car has 19-inchers, but that's a show car).
I remember hearing when 70-series tires were considered "low profile" and glass-belted tires were on their way out.
The Aveo will have 138 nhp out of 1.4 liters...which is almost Elise/Elan-like. About 100 hp/liter!...I remember in the '80s/'90s it was a big deal when the SHO Taurus had 220hp out of 3.0 liters...or about 73.5hp/liter.
I know about the Aveo...but it's TOO small. C-segments are small but they have a usable back seat and trunk, plus get better highway MPG.
As much as I don't want to buy a foreign car and don't want to spend more on a midsize sedan...the Sonata/upcoming Optima are really, really winning me over.
If the car is going to be successful across the board they are going to have to offer a V-6 as a option. It's a great car but the 4 banger is going to scare a lot of folks away.
Quote: Before I got my Malibu, I test drove the Buick Lacrosse. Man, comfy comfy comfy. I ended up passing because of the price, but it was really nice.
I considered the Ford Fusion or the Mercury Milan, but those are both made in Mexico, so I passed.
I am very happy with my Malibu.
As the proud owner of a loaded up Lacrosse I have to agree with you bro
That and liked the Monte Carlo SS of the mid 80's as well.
