09TSXMN

After 55K miles, I have have traded in my TSX. Thanks to the Acurazine community for all of the help/information over the last 3 years. Overall a great community.

I took delivery of a Buick Regal GS with Nav/Sunroof last weekend. I moved the plate down to the lower grill like I did on the TSX and removed the "Buick" and "Regal" lettering on the back.

After driving it for 250 miles so far, my comparison from a test drive 3 weeks ago in Detroit still holds true with some modifications:

The GS is even better looking in person than in the pictures, best set of OEM wheels I have ever seen!. A surprise was the LED eyebrow on the headlamp module is only activated during the day as the DRL. When the HID lights come on, the DRL shuts off. At night the HID does not seem to have as clean/bright/"cut off point" vision as other vehicles I have driven with HID, including the TSX. Another surprise is no LED tailights. Hopefully someone comes up with a s/w overide to get the DRL eyebrow to work at night, as well as a kit for the rear tail lamps.

Driving impressions: Very quite, a huge difference from the road noise coming in from the platform of the TSX. The steering felt numb, light, with a larger ratio input to turn it in parking lot speeds, but did tighten up nicely on the road. The manual is good and tight, a linear clutch, but not as sweet "snick - snick" shifting as the TSX. The GS engine is quieter, and in 2nd gear - wow, it just rocketed. Handling was crisp, minimal nose dive, great overall handling - especially in the GS mode. Brakes are as firm, and stopped very quicker.

Since I am a target market conquest - here are my overall comparisons

- Outside appearance/styling: GS
- Inside appearance/styling: tie - but the TSX did have better material on dash and doors - the GS carpet did not seem as plush
- Stereo: GS the TSX i was constantly replacing blown speakers when I am not driving them hard!
- Handling: GS
- Engine: GS
- Weight: TSX is lighter by 300 pounds
- Comfort: GS
- Noise level: GS (not only for ambiant sound, but rattles - my TSX has had a rear parcel shelf "oil canning" of which has not been fixed in 6 dealer attempts)
- Exterior Lighting: GS for DRL, TSX for night headlamps (not as crisp in the light beam line), neither have LED tail lamps. The GS does have HID for the high beams which are better.
- Interior lighting: Tie
- Push button start: GS - TSX does not have
- Rear Camera: TSX, GS does not have
- Sunroof noise when open - Tie, both are impressively quite
- Ease of entry into back seat - GS
- Gas mileage: Not sure, I do average 31 MPG on the TSX - which takes premium (The GS's fuel computer is saying 21.5!!!)
- Blue tooth phone: GS - much louder/clearer for both me and the receiving party, the "lady" understands my voice better when dialing
- Memory seats: TSX - GS does not have them???
- "Auto climate control" - The TSX blew out the IP vents no matter what mode, the GS fan blows in auto even before the car warms up, blowing cold air - a first I have ever seen with a vehicle in auto mode, so they both have their faults.
- Residual value: TSX, I will probably get hammered having a 6 speed manual.

optimusaccord

I hope you enjoy it. It's more Opel than Buick. You going EDM on it?

Best buick ever, without a doubt, Grand National. Faster than the Corvette of it's year.

TSXy Luster

I liked the Regal when it was the Opel, but the USA market version and rebranding of it really took away all the great things that made that Opel popular overseas.

Good luck to you!

spdandpwr

what are ip vents? and the fact that you blew your speakers worries me as I crank up the volume on my stock stereo.

spg900ny

Awesome car! First time I saw Buick was going to offer that, I was interested. Kudos to Buick for even offering a "performance" 6-speed manual version of one of their cars! I'm sure you're going to love it. I definitely liked the seats of the Regal (even the regular one -- didn't sit in the GS) better than the TSX.

We bought a TSX for the wagon back. Had we been looking for a sedan, the Regal would have been at the top of the list. Hopefully you'll have excellent reliability with it as well!

Please come back in a couple thousand miles and update the review!

Have fun with it!

spg900ny

I think this was an issue fixed with newer speakers? I seem to recall the voice coils were the issue and that there is now a replacement part that fixes the issue?

In any case, I'm taking it REAL easy on my 2011 wagon, and have told the missus to do the same.

combat mediC

iTrader: (1)

Buicks sure do look a letter better than they did 10 years ago, or maybe Im just getting older..

Eitherway, congrats, Tiger Woods would be happy be for you too

09TSXMN

"IP" is instrument panel. I would get air blowing through the IP vents, even if I had the mode switch on the floor. Not a problem in the summer, but the winter it would dry your eyes.

If you have the base, not the tech package, you will not have a problem with blowing speakers. The same speakers were used for the tech, but the sterero head had a higher wattage output. I kept hearing that there was a mod, but never did see a part # change. I ended up changing 5 under warranty, and 3 out of warranty. Best price I could find on line was $70 plus shipping per speaker, plus 20 minutes of time replacing the speaker, it does add up.

ed_423

not a fan of those "vents" or w/e below the headlight,s but otherwise not too bad

TSXy Luster

It's because they rebadged a European designed and made car

defconskylude

09TSXMN, how old are you?

once when i read buick, im thinking you must be like 40 or 50. j/k hehe

definitely liking the new buick design. looks fresh

tobwac

I really like the Regal especially GS but wish they went the same path as Opel and put the 2.8 V6 325km and AWD it will really kick ass

PyroDave

thats happened to me aswell, instead of putting the mode to floor, hit the recirculate button. with the ac off, it just closes the vents to the outside and you dont get air blowing in. i've done it on my 10 tsx, my 08 tsx, and my c300. so i assume thats standard operating procedure

loner

Never thought I'd like a Buick until a coworker got a new Regal in black a few months ago. I still stare at it every day. Love that car, and black suits it very well. I saw a silver one and it did not look nearly as good.

tvac

A sweet looking ride (not quite as sweet look'n as the TSX tho). As soon as I can find one I'm gonna take a 2012 270hp GS 6-speed for a spin, just for fun.

KillerG

congrats on the new car, glad you are happy friend!

that is a nice parting shot for you

spg900ny

A highly desirable and respected European designed and made car.

Now, if only they had brought that killer Haldex XWD system over in it.

http://jalopnik.com/5408812/opel-ins...pc-first-drive

combat mediC

iTrader: (1)

Touche

Mr. NC

All I remember about this car is the Top Gear episode with the hot version of this opel car.

Congratz on the pickup, hope you enjoi.

Wonder what a Buick Forum is like...LOL

ed_423

i've never seen a modded buick haha

KillerG

"got a flat on my way to pick up my new dentures "

"car got nicked in funeral parking lot"

"does anyone else have trouble fitting their walker in the back seat?"

"cant get smell of previous owner out of car, he died while at a red light"

dlr9445

Aman

Got to drive this for a few days for work, fantastic car IMO. It was torquey at low revs, and I loved the interior. Great pickup, OP.

Others, don't knock it till you've tried it. Buick has a new meaning now.

TSXy Luster

Sadly, the Buick GS is NOT the OPC. If it was, I'd tolerate the old people driving jokes and get a Buick.

GS just looks like the OPC but the insides are all wrong

PPower

If Buick would confirm that they would bring over the wagon version, I definitely would have waited to try it out. Aside from that, the GS looks like a stellar car. I definitely hope that better competition will get Honda off their butt and get even more competitive.

HeavyDuty

OP, very good looking car, congrats on the acquisition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjaK...layer_embedded

A friends car a couple of months ago, should see the dyno...0-28 psi in 2 seconds...and that's LOW boost, LOL.

I did a ton of work on a 72 GS455 once, 550hp/625tq, slightly modded.

Rocket_man

I drove a new Buick Regal back-to-back with the TSX at a drive event. The Buick was a decent car but the chrome in the interior was really tacky and a complete turn off. Sun reflecting off of everything. I'm not sure how chrome=quality. One thing I really like about the TSX interior... no chrome!

dallison

That looks like a regal t-type

alpha2beta

Found Your car! http://www.carsoup.com/Duluth-Superi...1pc3Npb25pZD1N

jchan2

Congratulations on the purchase!

pickler

i love opels, they look pretty good and are fine german cars. great purchase!