It's been three months since I took delivery of the Buick Regal CXL with the NA 2.4L 4-cyl. engine. It was CPO, with bumper-to-bumper warranty still left, and up to 4 oil changes/tire rotations at any GM dealer.
Oil: Still a medium amber color with about 3K miles on it; I haven't needed to add any. The OLM is dropping at 15% a month even now that the weather has warmed unpleasantly, and I will probably change at 4300-4500 miles, in mid-May.
Fuel: Seems to have settled down at 23-and-a-fraction mpg over a two-week period, 70% city, the same routes on which I drove the PA. The Regal gets about 10% better mileage than that car did, also on regular.
Things I've done to it: Tan Hexomat floor mats; a tan Berber carpet trunk mat; a hood and roof repaint to get rid of the acne the previous owner let it develop from parking under trees; and I've painted bright yellow the tip of the black hood release lever, which I could never find easily in dim light or bright sunlight. Planned: modest SS exhaust tips in the style of the Turbo models; addition of the GS-styled pedal covers.
Things I wish it had: The rear parking assist which beeps at you as you back toward something; the Head-Up Display on the windshield, which on the PA was like a little green ghost riding out ahead of you at night; and a "gallons used" in the fuel readout menu. Deeper, i.e., softer-riding, tires (though I've gotten used to the slightly stiffer way it rides), and chrome wheels. And a bit more hp for get-up-and-go -- though I use the manu-matic transmission now and then for some zoom going up a ramp or for passing.
Things I'm glad it has: The chunk sound when the doors close. The USB port for playing mp3s. The neat and symmetrical layout of gauges and buttons. The heated front seats, without which Miss Linda would whine during bitterly cold temps -- i.e., to her, less than 70 degrees. The feeling of driving a vault down the street.
Overall: It's a good car for me, lots of fun to drive. Its predecessor, the venerable '03 Park Avenue, was fun as well, but a different kind of serene fun, whereas the Regal seems even more energetic and willing to rev and run. No rattles or creaks. I've managed to store my gloves and sunglasses in the console compartments, and the glove box is much roomier than on the PA.
Bottom line: I find myself purposely taking a slightly longer route to work in the morning, with a bit more interstate mixed in -- just for the fun of it. . . .
Oil: Still a medium amber color with about 3K miles on it; I haven't needed to add any. The OLM is dropping at 15% a month even now that the weather has warmed unpleasantly, and I will probably change at 4300-4500 miles, in mid-May.
Fuel: Seems to have settled down at 23-and-a-fraction mpg over a two-week period, 70% city, the same routes on which I drove the PA. The Regal gets about 10% better mileage than that car did, also on regular.
Things I've done to it: Tan Hexomat floor mats; a tan Berber carpet trunk mat; a hood and roof repaint to get rid of the acne the previous owner let it develop from parking under trees; and I've painted bright yellow the tip of the black hood release lever, which I could never find easily in dim light or bright sunlight. Planned: modest SS exhaust tips in the style of the Turbo models; addition of the GS-styled pedal covers.
Things I wish it had: The rear parking assist which beeps at you as you back toward something; the Head-Up Display on the windshield, which on the PA was like a little green ghost riding out ahead of you at night; and a "gallons used" in the fuel readout menu. Deeper, i.e., softer-riding, tires (though I've gotten used to the slightly stiffer way it rides), and chrome wheels. And a bit more hp for get-up-and-go -- though I use the manu-matic transmission now and then for some zoom going up a ramp or for passing.
Things I'm glad it has: The chunk sound when the doors close. The USB port for playing mp3s. The neat and symmetrical layout of gauges and buttons. The heated front seats, without which Miss Linda would whine during bitterly cold temps -- i.e., to her, less than 70 degrees. The feeling of driving a vault down the street.
Overall: It's a good car for me, lots of fun to drive. Its predecessor, the venerable '03 Park Avenue, was fun as well, but a different kind of serene fun, whereas the Regal seems even more energetic and willing to rev and run. No rattles or creaks. I've managed to store my gloves and sunglasses in the console compartments, and the glove box is much roomier than on the PA.
Bottom line: I find myself purposely taking a slightly longer route to work in the morning, with a bit more interstate mixed in -- just for the fun of it. . . .
