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Best Intro Luxury car for ~$35,000, Regal GS?

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Old 01-17-2012, 07:09 PM
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Question Best Intro Luxury car for ~$35,000, Regal GS?

I am just looking to get some opinions here. I have owned my GTO since 2005 and it has done well as my daily driver. However, I will be 30 soon and I am starting to look for more creature comforts and not so much on pure horsepower. My folks recently bought a Buick LaCrosse (made a thread) and I went with them to help them out but, more importantly, to check out the new Regal. It is a really nice car. They didn't have any GS cars there, but I sat in a turbo. It was comfy yet I felt like I was in a precision cockpit. Everything felt in place. It has all of the comfy stuff like heated seats, automatic climate control, HIDs, power everything, upgraded stereo, push-button start, blah blah. I built one on the website with what I want (everything but the navigation) and there is an MSRP of $34,720. I would like to stay American. Again, I just want some opinions.

For those who haven't checked out the new GS, do so here: 2012 Buick Regal Luxury Sport Sedan | Luxury Car | Buick

It's a sharp looking car. Is the turbo-4 with 270 HP and 295 ft/lbs enough to be fun? It's 3700 lbs.
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Old 01-17-2012, 07:14 PM
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Re: Best Intro Luxury car for ~$35,000, Regal GS?

Eh, it's a bit tougher I think for you, because I find the GTO to be one of the highest quality GM products interior wise.

I think you should hold up a bit, what do you think of the new ATS?

But back to your question. I haven't seen the GS yet, but I had a CXL Regal, wasn't too shabby. Nothing won me over though, it sort of made me feel old driving it. Nothing I can put my finger on, but it felt "soft."

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Old 01-17-2012, 08:29 PM
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Re: Best Intro Luxury car for ~$35,000, Regal GS?

And just so you know, the Regal isn't technically American. It's built in Russelheim, Germany.
But maybe you meant an American nameplate. Which is still better than buying a foreign nameplate.

And for what it's worth, I like the Regal.
Just wish they'd build a 2 door version of it with the AWD, M6, and turbo V-6. Essentially the Opel Insignia GTC coupe. THAT would be cool!!

Last edited by HuJass; 01-17-2012 at 08:31 PM.
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Old 01-17-2012, 08:32 PM
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Re: Best Intro Luxury car for ~$35,000, Regal GS?

I know I'll probably get flamed, but... Infiniti G35?
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Old 01-17-2012, 08:50 PM
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Re: Best Intro Luxury car for ~$35,000, Regal GS?

Originally Posted by HuJass
And just so you know, the Regal isn't technically American. It's built in Russelheim, Germany.
But maybe you meant an American nameplate. Which is still better than buying a foreign nameplate.

And for what it's worth, I like the Regal.
Just wish they'd build a 2 door version of it with the AWD, M6, and turbo V-6. Essentially the Opel Insignia GTC coupe. THAT would be cool!!
I thought that was only for year one. 2012 was to be built in North America.
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Old 01-17-2012, 10:03 PM
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Re: Best Intro Luxury car for ~$35,000, Regal GS?

I'd take a 2.0 turbo M6 ATS over the GS.
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Old 01-18-2012, 12:17 AM
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Re: Best Intro Luxury car for ~$35,000, Regal GS?

Originally Posted by King Moose SS
Eh, it's a bit tougher I think for you, because I find the GTO to be one of the highest quality GM products interior wise.

I think you should hold up a bit, what do you think of the new ATS?

But back to your question. I haven't seen the GS yet, but I had a CXL Regal, wasn't too shabby. Nothing won me over though, it sort of made me feel old driving it. Nothing I can put my finger on, but it felt "soft."
The GTO certainly has a nice interior and a nice ride. It doesn't have many luxury features though and the only options to pick on the car were the wheels and the transmission. It's held up well though. It doesn't even have a sunroof nor was it an option. I sat in a turbo regal (non GS) and I liked it. The GS has several different driving modes and is really supposed to be sporty from the brochure I read. It looks sexy too with different cosmetic parts such as the front and rear fascias than the other Regals.

Originally Posted by HuJass
And just so you know, the Regal isn't technically American. It's built in Russelheim, Germany.
But maybe you meant an American nameplate. Which is still better than buying a foreign nameplate.

And for what it's worth, I like the Regal.
Just wish they'd build a 2 door version of it with the AWD, M6, and turbo V-6. Essentially the Opel Insignia GTC coupe. THAT would be cool!!
That's interesting. The sticker on my brother's Regal says it was made in Canada. He has a non-turbo 2012 which he bought last week. But yes, I don't mind if it's built elsewhere as much as I mind it being foreign branded. My GTO was built in Australia afterall . The 3.6L 303 HP V6 available in the LaCrosse would be a nice edition to this car as would be AWD because of the torque steer.

Originally Posted by jg95z28
I know I'll probably get flamed, but... Infiniti G35?
Do you mean the G37? It looks nice, but as soon as you start adding stuff, you are easily over $40,000. That is too much for me.

Originally Posted by ImportedRoomate
I'd take a 2.0 turbo M6 ATS over the GS.
The ATS is on my mind for sure. I just wish there was some pricing information out there. I am assuming it will be more expensive than the Regal GS.

I am not in a rush. I just wanted to get some feedback. I wish they had the turbo-4 at over 300 HP too.
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Old 01-18-2012, 12:28 AM
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Re: Best Intro Luxury car for ~$35,000, Regal GS?

I may be crazy but how about the new 2013 Lincoln mkz coming later this year?
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Old 01-18-2012, 05:19 AM
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Re: Best Intro Luxury car for ~$35,000, Regal GS?

Are they now being built in Canada?
I knew they were supposed to switch but didn't realize they had already.
Good to know.
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Old 01-18-2012, 06:23 AM
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Re: Best Intro Luxury car for ~$35,000, Regal GS?

Originally Posted by HuJass
Are they now being built in Canada?
I knew they were supposed to switch but didn't realize they had already.
Good to know.
built here in oshawa about 2 mins from my house.
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Old 01-18-2012, 08:57 AM
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Re: Best Intro Luxury car for ~$35,000, Regal GS?

What about a 2LT Camaro Coupe or Vert? Heated seats and all kinds of goodies standard.

-Geoff
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Old 01-18-2012, 08:59 AM
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Re: Best Intro Luxury car for ~$35,000, Regal GS?

As another suggestion what about the Taurus SHO? MSRP is closer to $40k, I imagine you could get a very lightly used one from close to $35k.
I think the GS is a nice car but you may be a bit disappointed going from an LS2 to a turbo 4.
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Old 01-18-2012, 09:18 AM
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Re: Best Intro Luxury car for ~$35,000, Regal GS?

The ATS will be competing with the 3 series so I assume they'll be priced similarly. Hopefully the ATS can undercut the 3 series where a 2.0T ATS will start in the low to mid $30k range.

Originally Posted by smooth3d
I may be crazy but how about the new 2013 Lincoln mkz coming later this year?
Yeah you're crazy. Still only a gussied up Fusion. At least something like the FWD GS had alot of work done as far as driving dynamics.

Last edited by ImportedRoomate; 01-18-2012 at 09:20 AM.
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Old 01-18-2012, 11:58 AM
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Re: Best Intro Luxury car for ~$35,000, Regal GS?

Originally Posted by Slappy3243
Do you mean the G37? It looks nice, but as soon as you start adding stuff, you are easily over $40,000. That is too much for me.
No I meant G35. It starts under $35k. The G37 (bigger engine) is a few thousand more.

For me, I'd go with a used CTS.
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Old 01-18-2012, 12:13 PM
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Re: Best Intro Luxury car for ~$35,000, Regal GS?

Originally Posted by jg95z28
No I meant G35. It starts under $35k. The G37 (bigger engine) is a few thousand more.

For me, I'd go with a used CTS.
Actually, I think you meant G25. The G35 was the predecessor of the G37. The G25 is the new, smaller engined entry-level G.
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