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Being about 30 or 40 year old, the 3800 GM engine is pretty much debugged, and have very good reputation. The same with transmission.
The supercharged version of the parts were around long enough (e.g. with Olds 88 LSS), without many major problems reported. Given we do not plan to push it even harder with aftermarket parts, I do not expect serious problems with the powertrain. And even with the smaller pulley, etc., I would rather expect problems with transmission than engine.
I wish to be so sure in the general quality of GM products. Struts, alternators, radios, etc. Though, according to published data, Buick is one of the top car makes concerning quality - low percentage of initial defects, etc.
My point is, I've only experienced 3 issues
that could be considered initial quality issues:
* dash rattle
* under car rattle (I think it's the air dam)
* occasional skip on the CD player
In my book, that's pretty good, and a world apart from another GM experience I had
in '98 (another division, not Buick).
My sister-in-law's car had the exact same glove box issue (we bought our cars a few days apart). But she also had a headliner that was not as snug as should be (which was replaced).
Referencing the Supercharger, I did alot of homework and talked with Pontiac (because of the Bonneville SSEi) service techs, who worked on my 94 Grand Prix, the top tech there said in his 7 years he has maybe replaced 3. Most of the time a beraing may just need replacing at an average cost. The Supercharger replacement cost mind you is $2500+ to replace.....that is what an extended warranty is for if you keep the car.
One definite drawback on all GM cars is altenators, in all my GM cars averaging about 75,000 miles on each I do 2-3 of them, (living in hot S. Fla in the summer kills 'em) with my 94 Grand Prix being the biggest headache at $575 to replace.
New Buicks in stock.
(40) 2001 LeSabres
(13) 2001 Centurys
(9) 2001 Regals
(7) 2001 Park Avenues
That probably tells you that he sells (4) LeSabres to every (1) Regal.Alot of Buick dealers in our area have one or no Regals in stock.How can you get new people to buy them when they cant even look at one.
December 2000 was a disaster for car dealers in our area.Most dealers said that Dec 2000 was their poorest month ever in the entire history of their dealerships some going back many years.Lousy weather and a poor economy are to blame.
A friend of mine runs a used car lot and said he managed to sell (2) used cars in Dec 2000.A friend of his that has a large used car lot said Dec 2000 was the first month in (27) years of business that he never sold a single vehicle peroid.
Right now would be a great time to buy a new or used vehicle the way it looks.
I cant believe that anyone would be scared to buy a Regal GS because it has a supercharger.Keep the oil level up in it and it ought to run forever. I have a 1967 Oliver 1950 farm tractor thats factory powerd by a 4-53 Detroit Diesel.It has a supercharger that feeds air to a 2 cycle engine running 21 to 1 compression.The original owner told me the supercharger had never been touched and it has over 5000 hours on it which equals 250,000 miles if it were a car.We farm sometimes with a straight pipe on and you can easily hear that 4-53 Detroit for (10) miles.Several neighbors dont like me very good!I dont do it very often.
By the way if anyone does ruin a 3800 supercharger I have a website book marked where you can get brand new ones for $500.He also has complete new SC 3800 motors too at a good price.
jackjt
No, not bitter. Just reminiscing the good old times with the GS...Did I tell y'all about the time the dash rattle was diagnosed as loose change in the ashtray?......
Zathrus
96GS wrote:
Well, I went down to the dealership where I traded in the GS tonight and it was gone. The spot where it was sitting was empty. It didn't take too long at all....
Otherwise, it's a nice car.
We have another unusual problem. While listening to the radio, if the rear window defogger is turned on, radio reception becomes very weak--full of static. The dealer replaced the radio, with no effect. Now they want to replace the rear window. Don't know if I want them to do that. Might cause more problems with leaks and rattles.
Has anyone else out there had this problem? Please let me know.
yet but it's a good thing to check; next time
I'm playing the radio (rarely) I'll try it.
Do you have the Monsoon sound system
(with diversity antenna)?
I've been on this board for a while and haven't
yet seen your complaint.
Should be interesting to see if anyone else
has had that problem.
I too might feel a bit hesitant about letting a dealer pull/replace the rear window for fear of
wind noise with the new window.
I tried to tell the mechanic that it sounds like a possible loose ground, but he was convinced that it was the radio. Don't think I'll let them mess with changing the window. Will just have to live with it, I guess.
Thanks for your response.
P.S. I'm not at all worried about the supercharger. Should I be?
On to another topic, anyone read the (somewhat) positive article in the business section of todays (Sunday) Los Angeles Times? For those who haven't, check it out at <http://www.latimes.com/business/20010204/t000010384.html>
jackjt: I replaced it with a '98 Mustang GT. I know, it's a lot different than the GS, but I really like it. I still plan on getting the new generation Regal, when it comes out in three or four years.
My buddy posted a few pics of my new car on his website, you can see it here. >
http://www.dran4.homepage.com/joest.htm
As for reliability of the supercharged 3800 versus the Maxima, I'd put the GM 3800(both versions) up against any Japanese engine in terms of durability and longevity. They have been supercharging this engine since 1992 and I have not heard of any major problems with the blower.
Bushwack
Interesting article. When I had first leased my 97.5 SC Regal, only comments I received was.
"Your company's not doing to well?"
"You're being a tightwad. Can't take it to the grave with you..."
"Cheapskate"
"Now you've really done it. So what's the problem?"
"Why?"
I guess the article is somewhat true as everyone who made a comment is in the forty+ age group and into Lexus, BMW, Infiniti, and Volvo. They all also refuse to buy a MB. Not sure why.
The reason I leased one was that it was the first model year, I liked the way it looked (bought it without test drive), AND I really DON'T give a s**t what anyone else thinks.....
I had an 88GT stick which was great fun. I am sure you will enjoy yours. But when you're stopped at a stop light and see a Buick GS slip in next to you, look out!
Buster27 - I see you also have a Suburban - in fact you've had a whole string of them! We love our 95 and use to pull the boat and haul the family on vacations etc. Great vehicle.
Best to all
Ken
I am surpised anyone would try replacing the radio, given the problem seems to be with the rear window defroster and the radio ant. in the rear window!!!
1. What really bothers me is that damn screw in the middle of the door handle.. in a $25,000 car couldn't they have figured a way to hide that damn thing? It is the same as a Lumina, and the Regal GS should not be compared to a Lumina by any means.
2. Also the cup holder and center console isn't positioned well, I am always bumping the damn drink holder open.
3. And the Shifter button should not be on the top of the shifter, should be on the side, so us lazy people can rest our hand on it.
4. Back to the center counsel, its too damn deep, I'm going to get into a wreck trying to find something in there.
5. Cigarette lighter.... can't we replace this area with CD or tape holders? why should a person who doesn't smoke have to have this space wasted... let it be an option for smokers. Otherwise use a damn lighter....
6. Would be nice to have the automatic opener switch in the roof or better yet on the dash somewhere (somebody figure this out) These are the little conveniences that make a $25,000 car worth the money. And keep me from having 2 remotes stuck to my visor.
Just minor things could make the Regal GS a better car. At least its got the supercharger...
tpken- Yes, I guess owning 5 Suburbans in the past 20 years makes me a confirmed Suburban fan. Nothing better for hauling people or trailers. You can have your behemoth Excursions, and trendy Toyota Sequoias. They're all just trying to catch up with the Suburban.
I agree with allot of your concerns. They are minor, however, for $25,000+ they should have been engineered out!
Supercharger worries...I did alot of homework, even talked to the tech at Pontiac when my 94 Grand Prix was serviced and her said in his 7 years he replaced 3. (Bonneville SSEi). He said for the most part it may only be a bearing that goes bad. The Supercharger is a 2500+ repair option if it needs replaced...BUT that is what an extended warranty. The one fault GM has is its altenators.
Just for fun, even tried it in the garage with
the defrost on. Sounded great!
As I mentioned earlier, you can only hear it when trying to listen to a weak signal station. A strong station is not effected by turning on the defroster. The mechanic thought he had fixed the problem because he had only selected local stations with a strong signal. Only when we selected the public radio station with the weak signal could he hear the static.
Maybe the supplier just sent a bad batch of rear windows the week our 2000 LS was produced.
Again, thanks for the info.
Many thanks
Ken
Regarding availability on regals..how many would you like? I have about 12 GS's and 9 LS's in stock.
Thanks for your input re the reception. It's been an interesting string.
Basically it was a matter of Bang for the Buck.
and I think it is a nice looking car. One I can haul the kid around it and when I'm by myself have some fun with that supercharger if you know what I mean. I have no patience for idiots on the road and I can't pass them fast enough!!! Also seats were much more comfortable than the Pontiac I drove which I liked because i have a good 45 minute commute to work.
If that helps you. I think the interior is nice but could use some refinement, other than that no complaints yet... my GS is giving me about 20 MPG around town and I'm happy with that.
In stop and go So. CA freeway driving, I am getting a little over 23 mpg. At freeway speeds with mixed terrain, I am getting a little over 29 mpg. Flatland, I am getting a little over 31 mpg. I love this mileage.
I also own a Mercury Sable. Comparable weight and engine size. I get around 15 mpg, 18 mpg and 23 mpg in the same conditions. Don't like this mileage but, this is my wife's car. She just drives it around town.
I agree that the Buick team hasn't caught up with the real world of cabin design, at least what So. CA drivers want. Still looks like it's a car from the '70s. Yes, I am afraid it still is my dad's kind of car. Of course, I am over 60. So, I guess it is my kind of car, too.
I compared the '01 Impala. The cabin design is a lot better in the Impala. Since I put on a lot of miles, comfort is a must. The Buick is the better sitting car, at least for me. The Buick doesn't have a lumbar support. I work around it. The Buick console could be a lot better and more convenient. I doubt they are going to anything about the cabine, until the next model design. They have a design studio in So. CA now.
I also agree that the Buick uses way too much plastic. But, I guess that's where the trade off comes in.
I can really tell the diference with the independant suspension and 4 wheel disk brakes. I find myself looking in the rear mirror a lot, wondering if the guy behind me has good breaks too....
Thanks!