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Comments
Basically, both referred me to my local dealer. Neither Monsoon or Buick Customer Service can answer me what magazine (if any) is "Monsoon" compatible. My local Al & Eds (a large car stereo dealer in southern California) rep says that only the Kenwood KDCC715 10 disc magazine will work with the system. yet I recall reading a post many months ago in this forum that Panasonic makes a compatible magazine.
Does anyone have a 'magazine' installed with their Monsoon system???
...that you all will welcome me, the host, into this forum since, as something of a Christmas present, we traded my wife's Neon in on a '98 GS with everything but the heated seats. I had negotiated a deal prior to her seeing the car and took her to see it yesterday. They offered my $4500 for her Neon and $14500 for the '98 with 30K on the odometer. It was a lease turn-in, black and dingless and with one scuff in the rear bumper. Chrome wheels, moonroof... everything but the seats but she was OK with that.
This is the first automatic I've owned, or rather, co-owned. My wife put a bicycle pedal through her knee as a kid and has a bad "clutch" leg. She's been complaining about driving a stick for a while since the pain gets worse every winter. Since the torque on this GS is so fat, I don't mind giving up the effeciencies of a manual. It has a few more months of the warranty left but I've already cleared a pulley and intake for installation. I'm wondering...
What synthetics are recommended for this car? I've already replaced the engine oil with Mobil1 but what about the ATF? Redline? I've used Redline in several cars with excellent results. I tried calling Thrasher for last few days but they must be on holiday. Surely, I'll stick with GM's supercharger oil. I'm thinkin' 270hp by summer... Any thoughts?
Later,
L8_Apex
Sedans Host
Hell, trying to post a message is like impossible in this new format...Hello Mr. Host.
Most:
1. Acceleration - nothing less than awesome. As we all know, the supercharged 3800 is one mongo torquer. What a blast to touch the gas!
2. Comfort - the seats couldn't fit me any better.
3. Solid - like all Buicks this car is built like a tank.
4. Reliablity - zero mechanical problems (except for #2 below).
Least:
1. Styling - the word bland comes immediately to mind. This is a well-engineered car but from an aesthetic perspective the Regal is not going to set too many hearts aflutter. When I first got my 92 Taurus (last new car before the Regal) some person in a parking lot would always be asking about the car. In the year I have owned the GS I have never had a single stranger come up to me and comment on the car or even ask a question about it. So while (thankfully) it is not as gruesomely butt-ugly as the new Impala, Buick should hire some Chrysler designers and put a pretty shell around that sweet mill of theirs.
2. I have had the #$%=@& infamous dash rattle since the day I got the car. Arrrgghh! Dealer tried (unsuccessfully) to fix it.
3. I have the gray leather interior. The gray carpeting is too light of a shade. Despite regular cleaning the carpets look perpetually dinghy and soiled.
4. The entire interior could be more refined. I also have a 2001 Passat (wife's car) and the difference between its interior and the Regal's is dramatic. The Passat is sophisticated the Regal is pedestrian. From the quality of the leather to the overall look and feel the Passat has it over the Regal in spades. Yet both cars sticker for about the same $$$. Take the Regal's (wobbly) console - borderline cheesy. And that ugly gap in the back of the console! What are these engineers thinking? And despite the mammoth dashboard the glove compartment is too small even hold the binder that contains the owner's manual! These kinds of knucklehead design aspects really bug me.
5. I find myself fiddling way too much with the Climatronic system just to get comfortable. I thought the point of it was set and forget.
6. I was expecting that the Monsoon sound system would sound better than it does. It's certainly adequate but somehow I was expecting to be more impressed.
What do you like most/least about your Regal?
I like the looks of my GS very much. I have had many people come up to me and ask what it is and say they like the way it looks. I agree about the interior light gray color, it seems to show everything. My floor mats are trashed from all the salt and wet slush from the past few weeks. I have yet to have a rattle. I do have a few creaks when it's really cold, but even BMW's would have that -15.
Concerning the aftermarket intake and SC pulley: Are you really sure you wife needs even more power from the car?
The car really is "invisible". Does not attract even a slight attention. Can tell several stories demonstrating the point.
Though, I consider it as an advantage, not a deficiency. The same with my wife, and with our friends.
Host! It's great to have you join the club! Now you really have a stake here:-) Which is good for all of us! I'd love to get the HP up a bit on my GS,let us know what your plans are. I am not the world's greatest machanic so I need something, EZ, fast and cheap. Also, I am a dreamer! Have fun!
It took a half-hour training session to teach her the ins and outs of the turn signal/wiper/cruise lever. That thing is really anti-intuitive. My parents had an '83 Monte Carlo with the exact same design in different plastics. I can't believe GM hasn't figured out a better way to do this in the last 20 years.
yurakm, only one of my vehicles (my one and only lease) has remained stock. My wife and I carpool (she works across the street) and trade vehicles back and forth quite a bit. If one of us is running out for milk or something of the sort, we usually take the car since the truck gets lousy mileage and is a pain in the neck to back in the garage. (It's a tight fit and fits best that way.) We really don't have a his and hers car; we time-share but officially, on paper, the truck's mine, the car's hers.
I want the power and she doesn't mind. She knew about this compulsive behavior when she married me. I run full synthetics and am religious about maintenance. With the exception of my daily driven 13 second Mustang 5.0, the mods have never seemed to affect driveability or reliability. My only concern is the auto. I knew my manuals could handle the power before; I'm not sure about this automatic. Maybe a cooler?
Later,
L8_Apex
Sedans Host
You may already know this but the GS does have a "heavy duty"
transaxle (as does the Grand Prix GTP).
Now, *how* "heavy duty" it is, I don't know, but as I understand,
it is different than the transaxle that the LS has.
Enjoy....
AS for upgrading my GS, I doubt it. Though I am not yet at the average Buick owners age of 66, I am getting there and have slowed down just a bit;-) But who knows!
Also, I heard the stories of dash rattles and dim climate control displays. While I've never heard any rattles in my '97, I just experience the dimming of the display! Went all the way out. Banging my fist on the side brought it back. Loose connection? Has anyone had this fixed, and know what is causing it?
Thanks! And hope everyone had a great Christmas!!
Any thoughts on the climate control lights dimming problem?
Note to Edmund's - PLEASE RESTORE THE LIST ALL MESSAGES FEATURE
it list performance figures for all types of cars. 99GS the info in the Super Charger fill level is in your owners manual section 6-14 I believe.
What does anyone know about removing the driver's side headlamp assembly in order to get more air to the supercharger! Does it work?
Have fun!
Happy New Year and I hope Edmonds get this new format right soon!
I have seem some comments from Anti-GM and Anti-Buick folks that tend to label Regals as cars for "Old farts over 60 years old"...NO WAY!!! This car is as fresh and contemporary as any Japanese toaster sedan such as the Accord and Camry...I think the latter are the TRUE "Old fart" cars of the new generation...dull, boring, overpriced, overatted and underpowered.
Anyway, enjoy your Regals...you have one fine automobile!
1 - Anyone aware of any "known issues" with transmissions on the 99 Regals?
2 - What are my options regarding working with Buick to get some sort of warranty exception?
Any help and opinions would be appreciated.
Anyway, on a more serious note...at 36 years of age, I don't know that I qualify as "younger." But I do agree that Buick could do a better job of marketing the Regal GS to the younger set. (I have a 2000 LS -- see prior posting of mine -- and it's powerful enough for me. You folks with the superchargers must really have some fun!)
My take is though, I like comfy luxury cars, always have. Hey, I looked at Park Avenue and LeSabre...but Regal for me seems to strike the right balance between luxury and "youth." I won't say mine is sporty, it's a white job with a grey leather interior) but it has all the comforts, rides beautifully, and has a sunroof! I love this car, and hope to have it for many miles! So far, no rattles, pings, or complaints...other than I have to get out of the heated leather seats in this cold we've been having in Missouri!
jdinstl
I just took delivery of a '99 AS with 21K. It is my first domestic car in 20 years (I've been happy with Japanese cars for a long time). I must admit that I'm a little concerned about repairs being that my wife and I keep cars for 8 years. I also remember the carp that GM produced years ago. And, my wife still abuses me with "you drive a Buick, you must be an old art" stuff; I'm 49.
Anyway, I'm still getting used to the "feel" of the car as compared to what I was used to (Accord, 626 Turbot, Civic).
1. Although there is good corning power, there seems to be little feedback through the steering wheel.
2. Boy, the car is smooth. Both the ride and all the controls. I guess that means I was "ready" to get this car.
3. I LOVE the power. It is faster than my 626 Turbo
4. I'm not used to the size of the car yet. It is wide. Also, there is so much SPACE.
5. The stereo system is AWESOME (and I don't have the Monsoon).
Overall, I really am starting to enjoy the car.
Later -
As far as the repairs concern...well, my prior vehicle was a GM product, a '93 Pontiac Transport, with the 3800 engine...the only thing it ever went in the shop for 7 years and 134,000 miles was maintenance. The occassional tune-up, oil change, transmission fluid flush and change, etc. Sterling performance. (This after two Fords, one that was in the shop 30 times it's first year -- that's not a typo!)
A co-worker of mine has a Regal, so before I bought mine I asked him how he felt. He loves his, no major problems, just do the maintenance, and it's been a great car. I think this guy's testimonial is the best, because his Dad owns a dealership and he was at one time a parts manager!
Take care, and enjoy the new GS! (I drive an LS, so you'll see me in your rear-view mirror!)
jdinstl
Thenimbleone,I sure am sorry to hear of the tranny problems on your 99 Regal LS.Yours is the first late model Regal I've heard of with a bad tranny.They are usually indestructable.Our 91 Regal Limited has 122,000 miles and the tranny has never been touched.I usually change the fluid and filter every 30,000-40,000 miles myself and the foot is on the brake everytime its put in gear or put to reverse.I guess in your case an extended warranty would look pretty good right now.I dont buy extended warranties myself as I got tired of paying for them and never using them plus I have the finances to stand some bad luck.I'd argue with Buick about it as much as I could.Did you talk to the District Zone Manager?If you do have to stand it $3,000 is too high.I would never have a GM dealer rebuild a tranny for me.They are too high priced and in our area pay poorly so dont have the best mechanics.All the good automatic tranny men in our area have their own shops and stay busy.I know a guy that could rebuild it for under $2,000.I would take it to several reputable places and get some bids.Good luck and let us know how things turn out.Did you buy the 99 LS new?
We continue to argue with Buick corporate - getting absolutely no place. After making some more noise at the dealer we were indeed offered a meeting with the District Zone Manager. We're waiting to hear back regarding the scheduling of that. The problem that I've had with private cranny shops is that they've told me that the car is too new and the software is not yet available to them. The other problem is that I lose any remaining credibility with Buick.
To recap - the car is a '99 Regal AS and is less than 10k miles out of warranty. Am I out of line asking for assistance on this? If so, I'm willing to suck it up and admit it, but it just seems like such a major repair so soon into what I'd hoped would be a long Regal life.
Thanks in advance for any help and opinions.
In two posts you've call your car a
"Regal AS"
I've got an LS, speed freaks have GS's.
What the heck is an "AS"
Preferred Equipment Group: Front/Rear Carpet Savers, Dual Visor Vanity Mirrors, ETR AM/FM Stereo w/Cassette & CD Player, Cargo Convenience Net, Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control, Leather Seat Trim, Driver Information Center, Gran Touring Package, OnStar, Steering Wheel Radio Controls, Rearview Mirror, Monsoon Speaker System, 6 Way Power Passenger Seat Adjuster, Driver Side-Impact Air Bag
Code: 1SJ
Preferred Equipment Group: GSE Pkg, 6 Way Power Passenger Seat Adjuster, Auto Dimming Rearview & Exterior Mirrors, Monsoon Speaker System, Steering Wheel Radio Controls, GSE Appearance Pkg, Power Glass Sunroof, 16" Chrome Wheels
Code: 1SR
One problem that I have is with my garage. Unfortunately, my fireplace takes some of the space that one would ordinarily use to open the car doors. I am afraid of chipping some paint off over time. Does anyone have any suggestions of a product that I would attach to masonry that could provide some protection to my doors? Door edge guards wouldn't work because of where one of the door hits (I also don't like the way they look.)
Zathrus
By the way, I have the heated seats with my 2000 GS and would recommend them. Great even for the mild New England winter.
The main difference of the GSE comparing with the 1SJ option package are the sunroof and chrome wheels. In other words, with the GSE you pay for sunroof and GM throws the chrome almost free.
A lot of people like the chrome wheels. Personally, I would rather pay to delete the option. But, with its narrow spokes, the Regal wheels are not tasteless as with most other cars.
On the flip side, less colors are available for GSE. White, Black, Bordeaux Red, and something else. Is it Jasper Green or Silver? Additional GS paints are dark-gray Graphite, and dark-blue Midnight (a very nice color).
As to the GSE appearance, the only difference I know about is it have three letters instead of two on the rear-right light: GSE, not GS. Probably, the owners know better.
By the way, did you test-drive a GS with a sunroof? I have impression, that it does not take a lot of space. Probably even less, than the dome light. Not sure, though: with my height this is not a problem.