This article is part of the GM Authority Mailbag series, where the GM Authority Crew features and replies to your questions, comments, and observations.
This one comes to us from Dave in Washington:
“The Regal is not meant for Americans.
I went to visit my son when he graduated Boot Camp and insisted on renting a Buick while I was there for a week. Nice looking, I’ll give you that. But then there’s owning one. Let’s try to put two cups of coffee in the cup holders, then try to remove the first cup.
Let’s talk about driving the car, after the engine tells the computer it’s time to go the transmission decides which gear to be in, “oops changed my mind” says the transmission. This was the norm for a car that has no low end torque. Very jumpy and certainly not smooth and comfortable.
Then there’s the way I felt when driving the car, No room for the knees. Lord only knows why a FWD car can’t have knee room.”
Dave — your observations are, well, a mixed bag. For starters, keep in mind that you drove a rental car — who knows how much abuse, negligence, and mishaps the poor fella has had in its short life.
Now, maybe it’s just me, but judging a car by the amount of cup holders it has, or their ability to hold two cups of coffee at once, is silly. Heck, forget about the fact that the Regal has one of (if not the) best suspension set-up of all front-wheel drive cars. Forget about the fact that this excellent suspension design results in a very engaging driving experience. Forget about its flowing and refined appearance, the well-designed, cozy, and nicely-appointed interior, the outstanding Buick IntelliLink infotainment system, or the excellent 2.0 liter turbo-charged engine. Forget all of that and focus on cup holders.
With that train of though, we can think of a few vehicles that can hold two cups of coffee simultaneously better than the Regal. But did you notice the very useful and well-design bottle holders in the front doors? And for the record, the one time I needed to fit two cups into the Regal’s front cup holders, I had no problem doing so. What size are your cups? Ventes from Starbucks?
“Let’s talk about driving the car”. Ok, let’s. It all depends on which rental Regal you had — the one with the 2.4 liter four-banger, the eAssist, or the 2.0 liter turbo. My guess is it was the base 2.4 which is no longer in production starting with the 2013 model year.
| DIMENSION | BUICK REGAL | ACURA TL | AUDI A4 | VOLKSWAGEN CC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Width | 73.1 | 74 | 71.9 | 73 |
| Wheelbase | 107.8 | 109.3 | 110.6 | 106.7 |
| Overall Height | 58.4 | 57.2 | 56.2 | 55.8 |
| Front Head Room | 38.8 | 38.4 | 38.6 | 37.4 |
| Rear Head Room | 36.8 | 36.7 | 37.5 | 36.6 |
| Front Hip Room | 55.4 | 55.7 | N/A | N/A |
| Rear Hip Room | 52.3 | 54.8 | N/A | N/A |
| Front Leg Room | 42.1 | 42.5 | 41.3 | 41.6 |
| Rear Leg Room | 37.3 | 36.2 | 35.2 | 37.3 |
| Front Shoulder Room | 56.7 | 58.2 | 55.5 | 56 |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 54.4 | 56.2 | 54.3 | 54.7 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Front Tread Width | 62.4 | 63.2 | 61.6 | 61.1 |
| Rear Tread Width | 62.5 | 63.8 | 61.1 | 61.4 |
| Overall Vehicle Length | 190.2 | 194 | 185.2 | 188.9 |
As for there being no room for your knees… how tall are you? I’m 5’7 and had no problem with knee room. In fact, the Regal has nearly as much front leg room as the larger Acura TL and more room than Audi A4 and Volkswagen CC, just for comparison. Now, leg room isn’t the same as knee room, and the Regal — just as the new Chevy Malibu — would probably benefit from a slightly longer wheelbase. But I can’t help but wonder if you tried moving the driver’s seat back.
What do you think of Dave’s comments? Sound off in the comments below.
PS: want to be featured in a GM Authority Mailbag? Write to us here.
Comments
Maybe he needs to rent a larger car or maybe he’s just one of those people who overly criticize everything.
Alex, love the Mailbag concept… and the concept of responding to readers… It would be important to know what engine was in the Regal and what Daves personal experience is with cars in general, and even how many miles the vehicle has on it… My experience with GM has been excellent; I personally think the Regal is one of the best Vehicles in GM’s linup… My Guess is Dave would have been better of in a LaCrosse as far as legroom.
Maybe he just needs a larger car.. If I wear a size 16 1/2 shirt and I’m trying to button up in a size 15.. I won’t be blaming the shirt.. That’s crazy.. But I don’t really see a problem with the car size unless you been driving a truck forever and the change to a car.. I like the Buick Regal.. Just wish they could make it Rwd to give it some difference from the others.. But it’s still a good car.
Rental cars are typically built specially for the Rental company. With a number of features decontented to cut costs, including the engine/drivetrain.
We never did get to the bottom of the six cylinder rental Camaro SS story….
Would like to get more input on these decontented rental vehicles. Sure they often buy the lower versions with cloth seats but as far as I know there are no special builds for rentals.
So the Regal wasn’t built for Americans. Interesting. And who or what would “Americans” be exactly? Are we to understand that all 312 million Americans think the same, are built the same, and are attracted to the same things? Interesting. I thought America was a democracy…but I’m clearly wrong. Heck…even Donald Trump no longer thinks it is. But I digress. It seems Dave thinks the Regal is too small. Let’s look at some data. The Dutch people are the tallest in the world, averaging 6’1″. The best selling car in Holland during the month of October was the Renault Megane. The Megane has front leg room of 42.1 inches. Just like the Regal. Interesting. The tallest people in the world handle 42.1 inches just fine, but Americans who average 5’10” can’t? Like I said…interesting…
Dave just needs to grow up. The Regal was not built for his tastes, nothing wrong with that. But to white-wash the entire population of the United States as having the same (arguably poor) taste as he does is plain silly (to paraphrase from Alex).
I would like to know what does “Dave” exactly drive??
I’m 6′ 5″ tall and have no problems with room in my Regal. And cup holders……really? My guess is he drives a Toyota or Hyundai.
I think Dave has only one legitimate complaint. The transmission.
First off, I’m assuming the Regal has the 6-spd auto in it. If it does, then I understand that complaint. I’ve rented a Buick Enclave and Chevy Equinox, both with the 6-spd auto and was disappointed with the trannys. They upshifted to fast, slow to down shift, never gave the right gear in certain driving situations, & hunted more than I like. Driving those vehicles made me wish for an old Turbo 350,400, 200R4, or 700R4.
BUT, I understand that GM has made some changes to that tranny for the 2013 model year, correct? Hopefully those changes will make the driving experience much better.
What is the length (cm) and weight (kg)
@OPC of the Regal, or of Dave who wrote in?
We don’t know Dave’s “dimensions”, but here are the Regal’s: 🙂
Length: 190.2 inches or 483.108 cm.
Weight: 3600 pounds or 1,632 kg.
Although I am an old timer myself, I find that a lot of old folks are always complaining about the cars of today, and in most cases, they are so used to the excessively large cars of the 70’s and 80’s like the Buick Roadmasters and LeSabres with bench seats, thirsty V-8 engines, etc., that they cannot adjust to the cars of today. They forget about the 12 MPG, rust prone bodies and awful carburetors of the old days, and NO cup holders! I am 82 years old this week and I love today’s cars with the new technology. I am thinking of getting a new Malibu or Buick Verano, but love them all! Get with the times, old timers, it is a new world!
That is a great perspective, Raymond. Very apropos.
And happy birthday! 🙂
Alex
Raymond….yes happy birtday to you, sir:) You are correct in your assessment of the new GM….Verano is a fabulous car…I drove it an loved it…ATS is similar and a Cadillac. God luck and enjoy your nice new ride……
That is one thing I never understood about rental vehicles why are they decontented if anything they should have everything available even free onstar/xm considering most people renting have foreign cars at home and have not even experienced onstar this is our chance to show these folks why we have a better product yet we show them the bottom of the bottom? Why? We are building the best vehicles on the planet I’m sure the cost is prohibitive but it is free advertising for us! Just a thought!
Ten years ago Regals (W body) were supplied to National and others with high content for just that reason. Made a higher profit on each vehicle due to the options (sunroof, leather, etc.) and also had higher resale due to nicer vehicles.
From what I understand, @JCS — the rental car company is the customer and places the order with GM, which has no say in the kinds of orders the companies place. So although it would make sense to up-contend the vehicles for rental fleets, GM seems to be a simple order taker and ultimate “deliverer” of the orders.
I do wonder, though, if GM could work with the rental companies and provide them with higher-contended vehicles for a discounted rate. My fear is that since the rental companies make bulk purchases, they already get a steep discount — cutting into GM’s profit margins. And from everything we’ve heard, GM’s current priority is high profitability and a lower volume.
I believe that is the way it is today, but ten years ago the large rental companies had a deal where they “leased” the cars from GM and GM would take them back to sell at auction.
Alex,
Dave in Washington didn’t like the vehicle from the outset. To complain about something a small as cup holders showed he just didn’t plain like the vehicle. That’s fine if he didn’t, but don’t come up with dumb reasons. If you don’t like the overall styling, that’s one thing. But don’t go complaining about cup holders. The baseline engine in the rentals is the 2.4L engine. You can’t make a good assessment on a rental with the baseline engine. I have a Regal Turbo and trust me they are not the same. I just don’t think he likes the styling.
Dave is a simple layman. He doesn’t deserve any comments. Just erase him!
Yes, to appreciate the Regal, you really need to drive either the Turbo or GS models. And the styling is definitely great. Some people just can’t be pleased.
Simple….get a different car….new GM cars are excellent….I wonder what would please this guy?
A Honda?
He seems like a Honda kind a’ guy.
Alex, I owe you an update. A few months ago we were in an exchange where I stated that if GM bought this platform to the US I would buy it the day it hit the lot. I am proud to say that I missed my mark by two days. The GS arrived on Saturday and I purchased it on Monday. I have been out of the loop working overseas again for the last 9 months.
Any chance of getting the V6 AWD to the states? One is a lonely number and two would be nice since the wife has basically taken the first.
Congrats Rod on a car well-bought! 🙂
I don’t think we’ll see the V6 or AWD in the States. The GS, as you know, does 0-60 6.7 seconds, while the Insignia OPC accomplishes the same almost a full second faster, at 5.8. From what we’re hearing, there is considerably more demand for the vehicle represented by the GS…
I’m not sure what GM used to calculate rear heardoom, but I am 6′-2″ and physically do not fit in the rear seat of the Regal. My head needs to be tilted to a 45* to one side and still ends up pressed against the headliner. …not to mention knees pressed into the front seat. I can fit into the back of a VW CC with no problems though. I would agree that the front seat is cramped on legroom as well, though better for me than the larger Lacrosse.
This is just a case of people not knowing what car is right for them. Again, I’m 6′ 5″ tall. I just sat in the back seat of my GS just to verify I can sit in it comfortably. I can sit in the back with the front seat at a reasonable position forward and sit comfortably. Also, my head almost touches the roof and I don’t need to tilt it forward. Would I want to go on a long trip in the back seat? No, I bought the Regal strictly for the four door capability so my 6 year old daughter could sit in back. I also chose the Regal GS for its sporty capabilities. I believe this is the type of people Buick intends to buy Regals anyway. If you want a lot of rear room, get a LaCrosse.
GM WONT WARRENTY USED BUICK I BOUGHT SAY THEY NEED ALL SERVICE RECORDS FROM PREVIOUS OWNER WELL I CANT GET THEM….SO THEY GET TO OPT OUT OFF THERE WARRENTY NICE LITTLE SECRET HOW COME MY FORD I BOUGHT USED DOESNT SAY THAT….HMMMM BURRITT CHEVY IN OSWEGO,NY DOESNT HONOR WARRENTYS ..CALL THE GM HOT LINE THEY PUT OBN HOLD FOR HOURS TE=ILL YOU JUST SAY SCREW IT AND GM
Before we all run out and bomb GM dealers how about a little info.
What was the issue ? Was the car maintained per the owners manual. How many miles?
From the above we can help you a bit more