Faults:

Windshield to cowl seal passenger side.

Carpet replaced by dealership.

Carpet does not fit right. Dealer could not properly fix.

Interior windshield pillar trim shrinking

Front door trim/seal combination issues causing doors not to seal.

Window seals on front doors failing.

Heater control knobs fragile.

Radio knobs fragile.

Brakes have a shorter than normal service life.

General Comments:

This car was bought used from a Buick dealer in 2002. It was to replace an identical one totaled (same year, color, trim level). Dealership did not disclose the car had been wrecked and repaired.

The windshield to cowl seals at the ends of the windshield would only leak when parked with the nose up hill. Water coming down the windshield would leak down the firewall and leave a puddle. Dealership took 5 tries to find the issue. It came from their body shop not putting the seal back in when repairing the vehicle. This lead to the mildew & mold in the carpet and padding. Dealership replaced carpet and could not get it to fit properly. They put screws through the carpet into the floor pan!

Other than that, & brakes wearing out sooner than GM says they should, it has been a reliable vehicle. Used on road trips between 800-1200 miles once a year, and driven periodically. Was a daily driver for a few years, and when fuel prices are high.

Never has reached the recommended city mileage, yet gets 1 MPG better highway then advertised.

The door/trim issues are ones GM has not resolved. Annoying problems that do not effect the ability to drive.

Faults:

Electric window motor on front passenger window needed to be replaced. Cost $350.

Turn signal control yoke needed replacing. Very expensive repair. Cost $200 to trace back electrical fault, and $350 for the replacement. All told, it was over $700 including labor.

General Comments:

I've owned this car for 8 years now. Overall, it's been a good car. It drives very nicely, if a bit soft. It has adequate power, but certainly I wouldn't call it a fast car.

I've had 2 repairs over the last 8 years. Not too bad for buying it with 39k miles on it already. Neither left me broken down on the side of the road anywhere.

It's nice and roomy and has a good size trunk, although I wouldn't call it big.

At the time I bought it, this car was bigger, more stylish, less expensive, and provided more features and was generally superior too many comparable cars on the road like Tauruses, Luminas, Camrys and Accords. Certainly it was more luxurious for the money.

My biggest gripe about this car is the driver's seat. Soon after buying, I noticed the seat didn't provide a whole lot of support. After 9 years of use, it definitely needs new stuffing, or a new seat all together. Actually, it needed this after about year 4, but I've been too cheap to do it.

I recently purchased a newer car, however this car still runs great, and probably if I would have invested a few thousand in seat replacement, carpet replacement, and an intensive cleaning, it would have been restored to where I would enjoy driving it again.

Faults:

When I first started looking for a used car, I looked on this site to guide me on my choice. I didn't have much to spend, but found a 1998 Buick regal for 2200 (down from 2450). It had 140730 miles on it, but was a one owner and in beautiful shape inside and out. It was a trade in on a new car. My first repair was the intake manifold gasket for 425. But the dealership agreed to pay half since it happened on the second day of ownership. This was also the one problem listed on this site, so I wasn't surprised or mad. I love this car, but there is a noise I haven't had checked yet and wonder if any one can give me some insight? When I start the car there is a noise and sensation through the steering column of linkage moving or clunking? No other complaints only praises. My car before this, an Olds Aurora, was a nightmare.

General Comments:

Beautiful mid size car and so far reliable. Quiet engine.