Black Beauty Buick
Alternator, driver's door handle, exhaust donut gasket, driver's seat (the leather started to tear).
The greatest V6 engine ever including reliability, fuel economy and smoothness. 2 door styling had a nice look to it, didn't care for the 4 door versions.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 20th November, 2024
Couldn't beat it with a Benz
The alternator quit at 106,000.
Driver side door handle deteriorated and had to be replaced.
A plastic coolant connector broke at 110,000, blowing coolant onto the belt, which dislocated, so power steering and power brakes as well as the alternator failed as an ultimate result. This series of events took less than a second. $40 easily cleaned this up, including a new metal connector. None of the effected parts were damaged by this incident.
The ABS mechanism failed due likely to rusting at 106,000. My dealer kindly covered the $450 to replace it. Good luck.
The brakes are currently rusty and ready for all around replacement at 111,000, but they are strongly reinforced by a good hydraulic compressor and they still stop on a dime. They tend to rust in older GM sedans like this.
The steering wheel audio controls malfunction when exposed to heat or tilted to the left. They are still useful though, and the buttons are well laid out and convenient to use for radio.
Cruise control feature required a replacement actuator motor. $100.
The air conditioning is ridiculously weak. Nobody has a remedy for this since it is in proper working order.
The HVAC blower has failed and been replaced. This is because its impeller blades are plastic and once one of them brakes off in there, they all pretty much get chewed up by the first one to go.
The HVAC duct and outer AC evaporator have collected a lot of dust and mud and consequently had to be cleaned. This car has no filter to prevent this, although in 1992, most would not have. A seriously weak HVAC in this model can be improved by cleaning the evaporator, although skilled labor of four hours or more could be necessary.
Silly little electrical problems of a mysterious and unpredictable nature are common in GM vehicles from this era (as well as the present). Don't be surprised by goofy electronic slip-ups.
Stylish exterior details are attached by steel bolts that are not properly treated to prevent rusting. It is clear that these ornaments will eventually fall off.
The 3800ml V6 from GM is outstanding by ANY standards. Its acceleration is better than many new expensive cars that I occasionally drive. As many others will testify, every 3800 is superb.
My Regal contains a forced induction system with this engine, so I get 30 to 40 miles per gallon.
The ride is very smooth.
This winter the temperatures dropped below -25f (that's right) and the car started and ran without hesitation.
Comfort is excellent, although it is rather difficult to get in and out of this car for me. I am tall. My smaller newer sedan, a Sentra, is actually easier to get in and out of, although the Regal is far more comfortable.
Eight standard factory installed speakers are quite good. Good bass, good treble.
Windshield wipers are sleek and work great.
I personally think that the interior styling is superb.
High beams are exceptionally bright.
Seat belts are well designed with dual rollers.
These antilock brakes really do help on the slippery stuff.
Horn has a nice angry sound, kind of like a huge Kenworth.
This is one of the best cars ever made. I will always tend to prefer cars like this one because of its superior performance and "wow" comfort. I call this vehicle my cheeseburger. A- overall. (nobody gets an A+)
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 23rd January, 2009