Originally Posted By: The Critic
Although I didn't drive either of them, I was in a '99 Grand Prix last weekend that had the GM 3.8/4T65E combination. The engine was noisy, rough and wasn't anything special in my book.
I have driven a 1994 Regal, 1997 Bonneville, 2000 Intrigue, 2001 LeSabre and 2006 Lucerne with that powerplant and transmission combination throughout three different generations of the engine (Series I in the 1994, II in the 1997, 2000 and 2001 and III in the 2006) as well as the transmission from its original development (my 1994 had the first year that transmission was electronically controlled) to the most current model and found all of them were smooth running, torquey, quiet engines with transmissions that new how to pick and hold the right gear for the situation and you could "select" the gear with the throttle decisively.
Then again, the "lowest end" of these cars was that 1994 Regal. Of GM products, I am not sure why, Pontiacs always seem to be the worst put together. My experience with the LeSabre and Lucerne are what turned me on to newer Buicks and I really liked the Regal I had, although by the time I got into it, it was mechanically sound but full of electrical problems. Buicks seem to be pretty solidly built and buying one or two model years old, extremely good value for money. GM products still suck for resale value, but I'll gladly let someone else eat 45% on depreciation and then keep it until it dies.
