Regular Car Reviews on YouTube is often more than just about the car. Mr. Regular and his brand of automotive commentary encapsulate the car within its time period, tying the automotive ethos of the time with the surrounding pop culture. He’s done it with there review of the 2001 Pontiac Aztek, 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2014 Cadillac Escalade ESV, and many more. It’s his M.O., and he does the same with the 2000 Buick Regal GS sedan.
He calls it ones of the best factory sleepers of the past 20 years, which should be enough to make hardcore auto enthusiasts to take notice. Under the hood is an L67 Series II 3.8-liter supercharged V6 engine producing a then potent 240 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. With a few upgrades such as a tune, larger fuel injectors, smaller supercharger pulley, the engine could make over 300 hp.
While the 2000 Buick Regal GS has the performance credibility, it lacks styling. From the outside, it looks like any other ho-hum sedan from the early 2000s. Slip inside, and you’re met with slippery seats, a fake boost gauge, and an otherwise drab and gray interior. Just because the Buick Regal GS looks good on paper, doesn’t mean it looks good on the road.
What’s most interesting about the Buick Regal isn’t the potent engine or papier-mâché transmission. Underneath the slab-sided styling is GM’s W platform, which underpinned mediocrity from 1987 all the way until 2016. The platform cost General Motors $7 billion to develop, which forced the automaker to use it across several of the brands it owned, according to Mr. Regular. It underpinned such vehicles as the Chevrolet Lumina, Pontiac Grand Prix, and Chevrolet Impala. It’s the Impala name that carried the W platform into 2016.
The 2000 Buick Regal GS isn’t popular like other cars from the 1990s—as the youth from that era grow up yearning for the cars that helped usher them into adulthood. And the 2000 Regal GS may never be a classic icon, either. The engine is stellar, but the styling is not. Maybe it’ll get the recognition it deserves one day. Maybe.
Comments
I wish I could order the current Regal with a V6 that isn’t the GS version or better still make the 3.6 available in the awesome wagon body. That would make it into today’s sleeper if geared correctly.
The W Body wasn’t mediocre. Aside from water pumps, everything in the platform was practically indestructible, which is why fleets kept demanding the old Impala over the new one. I drove one for seven years, and frankly, I’d buy another one today.
At anything over 200 horsepower, it was an amazing highway distance driver platform. There are times in my 200S, I’d prefer my 2000 W Body Buick. Held more, just handled soft.
I had an 02 non SC’d regal. Well kept car I bought from my neighbor.( In ‘15) I drove that car for 2 plus years. Yes it wasn’t perfect. But had an odd charm about it.
I’ll take the GS or the Olds Intrigue over any of the Asian turds from the same time period.
We bought a1998 Regal GS in 1998 off the floor and after putting 183,000 miles on it, we are still in love with it. I have maintained the car meticulously and never beat it (except for the occasional smart *ss kid who wanted to drag race me with his tuner Nissan. White over pewter, it is still a timeless beauty. The leather still looks new and yes, is slippery but that is part of the character of the car. 5 years ago, it got a new paint job because the paint from that era peeled off in sheets because of the primer used. She has plenty of punch and still looks new being garage kept for 20 years. Great car and we will drive it till we can’t drive anymore.
Have the ’98 25th Anniversary Edition. When people get in my car for the first time they are amazed at how smooth she is on the road and the quality of the interior. Only issue I’ve had, as others have mentioned, is the danged thing does burn through water pumps – on my 3rd. But for the age she’s a keeper.
I have the 1999 Buick Regal GS, absolutely love the car, can anyone help me with headlight problems?? Please
We sold a pile of these cars at my buddies used dealership and still on occasion come across a nice clean example. The one weakness with these was the 4T65 transaxle and the unit used with the supercharged engine was heavy duty. We have seen many examples of these cars with 300-400K miles still spinning tires and running strong. The other issue these cars along with every other W-body was the intermediate steering shaft. Luckily that was an easy enough swap out item and the cars drove and steered like new after this was done and our technician was an expert with these. The NA 3800’s and 3100/3400 engines also were treated to a new intake gasket set if there was any sign of wetness around the manifold or any indication coolant was missing from the reservoir. We sold a ton of W-body cars and generally customers liked them and would often return and buy another for there kid going to college or a second car for the family.
I own a 2004 Buick Regal LS. Purchased the car from Carmax back in 2012. It was a one owner car and had 64K on it. Today it has approximately 122K and still running strong. Wife keeps wanting me to sell it but I just refuse. Recently replaced front struts, bearings, ball-joints and tie-rod ends. While I had the car up on stands, went ahead and replaced all rotors and pads. Gets great gas mileage and the 3800 runs great. Plane to run as long as I can.
I have an uncle who bought one new and still loves it. We will probably have to bury him in it.
But, I have to compare it to the 300M of the same period. It doesn’t have the sexy Supercharger, but it performs, feels sporty, and looks pretty good while having one of the best sound systems of any era.
My 2000 Buick Regal GS was the 1st car that I researched before I purchased it. I own a 2012 Chevy Impala now and it’s just as quick, but runs on regular instead of premium.