Oppo-pinions needed

[Carbon Fiber Sasquatch]

Anyone have any experience with the Regal GS Sportback? It seems like a great car on paper (V6, AWD liftback) and reviews label it a fantastic road trip car. Low mile examples are under $30k but I'm having a real pain trying to find one to test drive though.

[KngT]

@carbon-fiber-sasquatch I have driven the regular Regal and TourX with the 2.0T and they're pretty normal. I know someone on old Kinja Oppo had the GS dunno if they're on here.
The TLX and Stinger are obvious comparisons and Alex goes into the details here-

[Bandit]

@carbon-fiber-sasquatch Great car, V6 is good for the size, fantastic seats, far overpriced when new, but suuuuuuper shitty parts availability waiting time since the brand and all applicable production lines were sold to PSA/FCA.

[WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAthenGTInowA4]

@carbon-fiber-sasquatch I used to sell them.

They're pretty mid-tier as far as interior, but the fit and finish is good and they are QUIET. Tech is ok, most of them came with remote start, they have Apple Carplay, the V6 is OK but not amazing.

I don't remember if they have lane keep or adaptive cruise, but I don't think so.

I'd get the wagon over the hatch, but they are spacious.

What else would you like to know?

[WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAthenGTInowA4]

@bandit uh, Buick is still owned by GM. Or am I reading your comment wrong?

[orneryduck]

@wasgtithengtothennovathengtinowa4 the Buick Regal (and now Holden Commodore in AUS/NZ, sadly) became rebadged Open Insignia's while GM still owned Opel. Peugeot bought Opel shortly before Stellantis became a thing, which makes a complicated Euro-sourced parts situation even more strange.

[Bandit]

@wasgtithengtothennovathengtinowa4 The cars were built in Opel's factory in Russelsheim, Germany. The Buick is effectively a rebadged Opel/Vauxhall Insignia. The design was also shared with the Holden Commodore.

[WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAthenGTInowA4]

@bandit Gotcha. But parts are still available through Buick dealerships, so I'm assuming getting the parts is easy, just not cheap or fast.

[Carbon Fiber Sasquatch]

@wasgtithengtothennovathengtinowa4 Is it remotely comparable to say an A5 sportback in terms of driving dynamics? I'm not expecting M3 levels of driving feel but is it better than the average mid size sedan?

[Chariotoflove]

@wasgtithengtothennovathengtinowa4 said in Oppo-pinions needed:

@bandit Gotcha. But parts are still available through Buick dealerships, so I'm assuming getting the parts is easy, just not cheap or fast.

This is what I would assume.

Re: interiors. When I got a chance to look at Buicks at shows, my impression was that the top Avenir trim was the only materials choice befitting a premium car. The lower trims seemed to me closer to Chevy than what Buick should be. True with these?

[Bandit]

@wasgtithengtothennovathengtinowa4 said in Oppo-pinions needed:

@bandit Gotcha. But parts are still available through Buick dealerships, so I'm assuming getting the parts is easy, just not cheap or fast.

Correct, parts will be available as usual but if you get in a crash you may have to wait for a bit for them to ship.

[Carbon Fiber Sasquatch]

@bandit Yeesh, that's a big turn off for me especially with me still waiting on accessories for my Kia Niro after a whole year.

[WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAthenGTInowA4]

@chariotoflove Yes and no. This vehicle never had a Chevy variant, and was built in Germany so the design and quality are better, but not on the level of a Merc or Audi (IMHO).

[Chariotoflove]

@wasgtithengtothennovathengtinowa4 said in Oppo-pinions needed:

@chariotoflove Yes and no. This vehicle never had a Chevy variant, and was built in Germany so the design and quality are better, but not on the level of a Merc or Audi (IMHO).

That's what I thought. To be clear, what I meant was that, when I ran my hand over the interior, I felt what I would expect while sitting in a Malibu, not that it was too close to a Chevy stablemate (that never existed).

[RacinBob]

@carbon-fiber-sasquatch

I know an older chap with a standard Regal, he doesn't like it. The low ratio sidewalls result in a stiff ride on upper midwest pothole filled streets. Interior did not feel spacious for the size of car. I wasn't impressed.

[Bandit]

@carbon-fiber-sasquatch Most things in the car are GM parts bin (powertrain, electronics, etc) so availability wont be an issue but there was a guy on Kinja oppo that waited 2-3 months or something for a new fascia after he hit a deer.

[dogisbadob]

The GS Sportback is nice, but it's no TourX

I'm not really a transverse V6 fan (wait till you need spark plugs)

Why the Sportback doesn't have a rear wiper, I don't know

[Carbon Fiber Sasquatch]

@dogisbadob I was actually leaning toward V6 because I've read that its cheaper to own and doesn't need Premium fuel like the turbo does.

[dogisbadob]

@carbon-fiber-sasquatch said in Oppo-pinions needed:

@dogisbadob I was actually leaning toward V6 because I've read that its cheaper to own and doesn't need Premium fuel like the turbo does.

I didn't know that! I thought both required premium.

[Carbon Fiber Sasquatch]

@dogisbadob So did I! or at least mid grade for the V6.

The MPG is also close enough that I figure I might as well look for two more cylinders lol

[ITA97]

@carbon-fiber-sasquatch I've had a pretty loaded up Regal as a rental car. It was fine, but no more. Nothing wrong with it, but the whole car felt pretty uninspired. I can't think of any reason I would ever pick one over a Camry or Accord. Both options are more interesting to drive, and don't come with American automaker build quality and durability.

[WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAthenGTInowA4]

@ita97 The NVH and interior sound levels are way lower than either of the Japanese competitors. It was one of the selling points we used (I mean, it is/was a Buick).

[pip bip]

@carbon-fiber-sasquatch nice Commodore.

[pip bip]

@wasgtithengtothennovathengtinowa4 parts are available for now.