2003 Buick Regal GS review from North America

Nothing major has failed with the car really, but the few minor items were...

- Rear driver-side power window switch (made the pwr window intermittently inoperable). Replaced under warranty.

- Cigarette lighter failed. Replaced under warranty.

- Front brake pads needed replaced fairly early. Replaced under warranty at 33,000 miles.

- Both front fog light housings are very cheaply made and they tend to always hold water or condensation. I had one replaced under warranty because of it... Now the other is doing the same thing. I'm not bothering with it.

- Original tires wore very early compared to the 2000 Toyota Camry I had before the Regal. Replaced with Bridgestone tires at 39,000 miles when the originals were nearly bald.

The Regal is very reliable... I can say that much for it. I've been buying Toyotas (foreign cars period) since 1992 (mainly Camrys and one Avalon in 1995) because of a bad experience with a domestic car (1990 Ford Thunderbird) which had to be bought back by Ford after only 1 1/2 years of ownership because of NUMEROUS problems and failures.

The 3800 V6 engine and the well-known acknowledgement of it being a reliable engine are what brought be to the Buick showroom. The Supercharged version of that same engine in the Regal "GS" sold me on the car... After the $7,000 in dealer incentives and discounts that is. I got tired of paying near sticker price for Toyota's, so I did some research on other vehicles. The Regal was listed as a "Best Buy" in Consumer Reports from a reliability standpoint, and we all know most General Motors cars offer high rebates and incentives on new cars to help ease the massive depreciation hit. So it all worked out well for me, and I saved thousands on the Regal over what I would have paid for a new 2003 Camry.

The seats are cushy and comfortable (although not very supportive when taking fast turns). The brakes are adequate and the power of the engine is very good. Passing and accelerating fast is very easy in the Regal "GS". The Regals engine isn't as smooth as any Toyota V6, but it sure will smoke one at a stop-light. Ergonomics are okay. The digital climate controls are very confusing to operate though. The heated seats work very well and the Monsoon stereo is excellent. The leather and materials, although not quite Toyota quality, are pretty sturdy. I've loaded boxes, wood, tools and large toys for my 8 year old son in the car (on the leather seats) and have yet to see any tears or even wrinkles.

Over-all appearance of the car is okay. It's not an unattractive car at all... But it's not a head-turner. Maybe slightly so with the chrome wheels on the GS Regal. But if you're a Camry/Accord driver... The Regal won't be much of a different vehicle in terms of looks. I for one enjoy the subdued, almost classy appearance of the 97-04 body style. I think that General Motors never should have ended production of the Regal to build the funky looking Lacrosse personally. I'd get a used 2004 Regal over a Lacrosse any day.

In closing... I have nearly 60,000 miles on my Regal... Have never had "any" engine/transmission problems... Only typical American car issues like the premature wear of cheap factory tires and brake pads, all of which are inexpensive and considered to be basic maintenance anyway. After I turn it back in this August I'll probably go up-scale and get a 2006 Lexus GS (Toyota product). But if the Regal were still around, didn't look like the Lacrosse and still used the same (or modified) Supercharged 3800 V6 engine... I would jump on it in a heartbeat. By far the best American car I've ever owned. If you want an exceptional used car at a good price... Take a look at a 97-2004 Buick Regal.