Overview:
This Buick Regal GS 4-door sedan’s overall feel translates into a lot of car for the money. Some Buick models have been characterized as a poor mans Jaguar. That is more true of the Park Avenue, but it was especially true of the 1998 year model.
I have long touted the price differential of American versus imports as a reason to re-visit American manufacture red cars. But if you’ve noticed the spread is narrowing. Perhaps that’s because the manufacturers are becoming more global in nature. Pretty soon we’ll have homogenous car makers in keeping with the fact there are fewer and fewer differences in the cars we have to choose from. The nationality of the cars from around the world are losing their unique personalities.
Ford, General Motors and Chrysler have manufacturing plants in other countries and most if not all Japanese auto makers have plants here in the U.S. With the good comes the bad and it would appear there is more good than bad. The good is that all cars are more reliable and affordable. The bad is we’re losing the wide range of personalities and diverse developments that come from diverse cultures. It would appear that soon the only thing that will allow us to express our individuality is the price difference of models and cars. Or are we there already?
On the other hand it would appear we are starting to see a swing in direction from cookie cutter cars produced by cloned car companies. For example, has Chrysler had a vision? Perhaps they know something others don’t. Consider the Plymouth Prowler and now this year the Chrysler PT Cruiser. These are examples of how Chrysler is responding to our need to be different and express our individuality. There may be hope for a revitalization of the auto industry after all, and I can fall in love again.
Handling & Performance:
Outstanding. The touring suspension adds comfort for those longer journeys. It is well behaved in the corners and it gives you a good sense of control. The supercharged V6 is Dyne-O-Mite. It provides all the power you’ll need without getting you into trouble. I love speed and acceleration, so I rate it higher than those “Slugs” that have trouble passing traffic on the highway.
Styling:
I like it a lot. It has a touch of class for a mid-sized affordable sedan.
Fit and Finish:
Good, but needs to be better. I hope the Quality Control people at GM read this.
Conveniences:
It borders on being a luxury car considering all the goodies and gadgets.
Cost:
American car pricing is still good relative to the competition. When it comes to operating cost, the price of gas is becoming a more significant factor in the overall cost of ownership. The supercharger gives the car lots of spunk but that comes at a price. Gas consumption ranged from 18 to 22.6 mpg. That doesn’t mean you won’t do better because I have a heavy foot. And at the pump you still find prices at just under $2.00 per gallon. And don’t give me that argument that compared to the world price of gas ours is cheap. I’ve been there and paid the high prices. I’ve also seen the way people live in many of those countries and I was happy to get home for a lot of reasons, of which cost of living was only one.
Recommendation:
I could see myself owning this car if I were in the market for a good mid-size passenger sedan. Of the competition, I compare it most closely with the Impala, Galant and Intrigue.
The Competition:
Chevrolet Impala $18,890-22,790, Chrysler Concorde $22,245-26,485, Ford Taurus $17,885-21,085, Honda Accord $15,350-24,550, Mazda 626 $18,445-22,645, Mercury Sable $19,035-21,435, Mitsubishi Galant $17,357-23,757, Oldsmobile Intrigue $22,210-25,840, Pontiac Grand Prix $19,935-24,610, Suburu Legacy $19,195-24,295, Volkswagen Passat $21,200-27,655.
Good News:
Well priced for all the standard equipment, outstanding performance, comfortable ride, nice styling, and superb handing.
Bad News:
Tight legroom for the back seat folks, fit and finish not as good as foreign competitors.
Standard Equipment:
3.8 liter Supercharged V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, front and side airbags, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, leather wrapped tilt wheel, power steering , touring suspension, traction control, air, cruise control, 6-way power driver seat, power windows and locks, keyless entry, power mirrors, radio with cassette and split folding rear seat.
Gas Stats:
18 City and 27 Highway MPG.
Pricing:
MSRP $25,185.
