- 156,683
- 2,995 fair
- Aurora, IL
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- autoshopper.com
2000 buick regal review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Nice ride, good performance and comfortable seating for five. introductionthe buick regal embodies the virtues that go with buick's marketing slogan: premium american motorcars. Those virtues include roominess, a smooth ride quality and a long list of features. Regal goes beyond this, however, treading remarkably close to pontiac's excitement territory. this excitement is particularly true of the supercharged regal gs, which can match pontiac's nifty grand prix gtp stride for stride, sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in about 6. 5 seconds. That's quick acceleration by any measure and particularly for a conservative-looking mid-size family sedan. But we're not complaining. Regal ls starts at $22,340. Gs retails for $25,185. trim and feature differences notwithstanding, the major distinction between the ls and gs lies beneath the hood. The ls is powered by a normally aspirated version of gm's ubiquitous 3800 series ii v6, rated at 195 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque. The gs also has 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels with slightly more aggressive tires and firmer suspension tuning. The gs takes this look a bit further with a body-colored grille. Buick departed from tradition by substituting a horizontally barred grille for the familiar chrome waterfall. These two share the same platform (along with the pontiac grand prix, oldsmobile intrigue, and chevy lumina). Aside from basic dimensions, however, they are as much alike as milk and champagne. interiorthe regal is the sportiest of the buicks, a trait that's reflected inside. Although the controls and instrument panel design look tame compared to a pontiac grand prix, it's pretty daring by buick standards. An attractive cowling curves over the instrument panel and the dashboard, in turn, sweeps nicely into the door panels. major instruments are readily visible through a large, leather-wrapped steering wheel, whose upper half is open to afford just such a view. The buick regal's seats are more comfortable for long trips than those in the pontiac, however. On the gs, they are six-way power adjustable. Heated outside mirrors are standard on all regals. Optional heated seats 225) are a welcome addition in the depths of a northern winter. part of gm's formula for winning the mid-size sedan wars is packing in more comfort and convenience features than its target competitors, and the regal is rolling proof of this. Just hitting the highlights, the regal ls comes equipped with dual-zone air conditioning, excellent audio, power windows, mirrors and door locks, antilock brakes (abs) and low-speed traction control. the gs is loaded. Low pressure is the prime cause of reduced tire life and can substantially reduce traction, particularly on wet pavement. interior room is a major asset of the regal. Unlike many mid-size cars, three adults can sit back there comfortably, without territorial squabbles or contortions, and they can do so for extended periods. The center seating position isn't quite as comfortable as the outboard spots, and it lacks a three-point belt, but in general, the regal will shame its import competition for rear seat roominess. new for the 2000 model year is a split-folding rear seat to make hauling long items such as skis, fishing rods and tent poles easier and more convenient. An integrated child safety seat is optional. Speaking of safety, the regal stacks up as contemporary, though not outstanding. Anti-lock brakes and traction control come standard. It has the required dual front airbags, plus side impact protection. A side-impact air bag is an option for the driver's seat on leather-trimmed models, but is not available for the passenger side. driving impressionthanks to its excellent torque, the 3800 series ii v6 that comes on the regal ls can haul this big sedan out of the blocks in a hurry. Gm's 3800 series ii is an excellent engine and it delivers 200 horsepower. The series ii has stood the test of time, but has been refined over the years and is widely used by general motors. Projected fuel economy is 19/30 miles per gallon city/highway. though it's a good engine, the normally aspirated 3800 series ii above pales next to the supercharged engine that comes on the regal gs. Supercharging adds 45 horsepower to the output of the 3800 v6, but the bigger benefit comes in the form of mass quantities of torque. While the regal ls comes with 225 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm, the gs boasts 280 pound-feet at 3600 rpm. Because the regal gs is so quiet, its power means that it requires some extra attention to the speedometer as the supercharged v6 quickly tows the regal beyond legal speed limits. Both ls and gs come with traction control. The gs comes with full-range traction control, which uses the braking system and engine power controls to reduce loss of traction on slippery surfaces. On the other hand, its ride quality is distinctly smoother and more compliant and it handles well. The front springs and front stabilizer are stiffer, while a rear stabilizer bar is added. Rear shock absorbers and front struts are tuned for higher dampening rates for more body control. As a result, the steering is accurate and exceptionally quick. likewise, braking performance is a definite cut above, with good control and pedal feel. Power Windows✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ Heated Seats✔ Bucket Seats✔ AM/FM✔ Air Conditioning✔ Climate Control✔ Alloy Wheels
2,995 Aurora, ILAurora, IL at autoshopper.com