1997 Buick Regal LS 3.8 V6 from North America

Faults:

I have had my Buick Regal serviced in the last 5 yrs 10 times for many different problems. I had my front driver headlamp replaced due to moisture, side lamps replaced due to moister. I had my center console fixed because the trim was popping up. I had my drivers side interior door light fixed twice because it would not stay intact. I had my radio replaced because cassette tape quite working. Same problem is happening again. My drivers side door sticks. I had the trim replaced and it still sticks. I have had my alternator replaced, water pump replaced, ignition wires replaced, and now I have to my head gaskets replaced, tire rods replaced and power-steering fluid gasket. My car is only 5yrs old and has

51000 miles. I think this is ridiculous. Plus I had to pay for a rental car for 2 days! Thanks to GM for a well made car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th February, 2003

17th Nov 2014, 08:17

Bought mine new in '97 and have had nothing go wrong that you would not expect in a 17 year old car.

The interior is still in decent shape, with no unexpected failures.

Replaced the water pump 3 times over the life of the vehicle, as well as the serpentine belt, 4 times, brake rotors, twice, two wheel bearings, due to bad ABS sensors, and struts all the way around, due to age, and the passenger side differential and housing, due to horsing on it with the traction control on (thanks Josh).

There are 386,212.8 hard miles on it as of November 17, 2014. I have always driven it like I stole it. Amazing handling, unexpectedly, even startlingly, good fuel economy considering how I drive it. I have never owned another vehicle that has been as dependable as this 1997 Buick Regal LS, and I have been buying cars and driving since 1985. I have owned 23 vehicles in that time. The only vehicle I had come close to this was a 1985 Buick Regal Limited, which chewed up transmissions, once again, due to my driving habits.

The 3.8 liter motor is basically bullet proof. The transmission had to be replaced at 175,000 miles due to my driving habits.

I have had no real problems with the trim on the interior, other than the tabs dry rotting with age and needing to be replaced occasionally.

I am still using it as my daily driver, as I have since I bought it.

I am thinking that you may have gotten a lemon, as I have had no real problems that preventive maintenance and changing my driving habits would not have prevented.