Topic: Buick Regal 95, $8000 in spare parts in 3 years (don't buy them)...

[Mr_meow]

I had just move to Canada 3 years ago and needed a car. I shop around for a while. I ended up buying a low millage Buick Regal 3.8, it was my first and now last nth American car. The Car was in arctic white, The Car  smell and look like a new car, and had 15,000 miles on the clock, the car was a base model, it has 6 air bags, and nice sound system, with ABS &  traction control. I was sold, and was happy to part with 10,000 + tax at a local dodge showroom. for two mouths all was fine, until I had to take the car for a oil change, only to discover it needed four new rotors, new disc, brakes pads, and bull joints, and suspension. this went on for a while every 3-500 clicks.  I would take the car in for a oil change , the car would always need some thing, I could never go in get a service with out the car costing me a grand. accept once.  I kept thinking I should sell this car, but my partner refused saying " we can't buy a better car than this for the money" This year alone its cost over 2000 dollars, new sump, new oil pump,  and few other things, Oh I almost forgot, it had weird starting problem, we could only start the car cold, if was even a tad warm the car would not start. no garage could figure it out, after 800 dollars, and lots of garages latter it turn out to be the crank sensor.  also one day the electrics  pack up and all the lights stop working, In 3 years it has cost me 8000 in repair bills, I have so much money sunk in to this car, I have no choice but to keep the car. The paint has all peel off. One winter, I was being very carefully, and brush the snow of the roof and all the paint peel off leaving a grey car. I seen many white Buicks with peeling painy like this one, I had roof respray by Macco. they pretended to fix the the problem, they just spray over the top of the old paint for 560 bucks, and now the same thing is happening again. so I have to wash the car by hand so lightly so the paint won't fall off so the car never really gets clean. the door trims have all fallen apart. the engine is strong, the rest of the of the parts that fixed or attach to engine is so total crap, it really is rubbish car.  
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Tried, tested and true, I keep thinking what total bull that is. I shall never by any other Nth American car for as long as live.
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[barrie1]

Welcome to the Forum Mr.Meow I am surprised to see this much repairs on a Buick. The strange thing I find is that your oil people seem to be finding all of this work. Are they to be trusted, as that is a lot of repairs for them to find. I would be going back to Maco and talking to them about the paint. They haven't done a good job either from the sound of it. The 3.8 is a very reliable engine in these cars and I am surprised why you are having so many failures. With the age now of the car I would expect some repairs but this does seem excessive.

[Mr_meow]

Barrie1 I wish that were not true. I still like the car. The macco used to be on Sir Jonny A, I now lived in London Ontario and its too late. I guess. butI have try every garage in the in the Kingston area for oil changes and always went to GM when the was a problem with car after oil change to get 2nd opinion. that the Canadian tire man came up with. but always turn out to be true. I have so much money suck into this car. I now now need 4 new rotors, and steering pump. which I just going to forget about for while, I'll just carry a bottle of fuild at all times.  

[barrie1]

If you are living in London now then you need a good garage. That I can help you with, as I also live in London. Do not buy the GM rotors as there is better aftermarket rotors for a lot less money as well.

[Mdxtasy]

Barrie's a good guy Meow...he'll give you the straight answer on the car and what needs to be done.

[barrie1]

I will put you in touch with the Best and Most Honest Garages in London. I have a somewhat chosen list of who is safe to deal with. I only deal with Business's that own the property they are on. They have to do a Perfect Job everytime and at a resonable price as well. I would be glad to help you out.

[Roadrunner]

There's an old saying I repeat to myself out loud when I hear of things like this. " If it costs more to repair than it's worth, it's time to get rid of it" That not only applies to vehicles.

[Mdxtasy]

Tell us more Jedi master.  What else can we apply this ancient Chinese proverb to?  

[Roadrunner]

The wife? JUST KIDDING! JUST KIDDING!! Jeez!

[ptros2]

Hi. Mr. Meow.  My father-in-law has a 1990 REGal GS with 280000km.  It too has the 3.8L engine.  The car has been solid until this year. He replaced the timing chain, catalytic converter and the whole exhaust 2 months ago.  Now he just found out that the calipers have  ceased and it needs a brake job.  The rack and pionion steering needs to be fixed and also a new ball joint is required.  He just got the car painted last year.  He's not gonna bother fixing it.  What a shame.  I guess there comes a time when you just have to stop sinking $$$ into such an old car.  Anyways he's parked it and put a for sale sign.  Anyone interested in buying it?  Peter.

[Mr_meow]

Ptros2 your are having a laugh with that millage. anyways I'm never going to buy another regal or any other nth american car.  

Like I said Barrie, I spent way too much on it thr regal already.  

This year

Oil sump and pumb. $900
Crank sensor. $800  
four new tires. $380
tune up to get through admisions.$280.

so I'm leaving for a while.  

If you want to email me with list, I will check them out next time out I need some fixing.
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(Message edited by mr meow on August 23, 2004)

(Message edited by mr meow on August 23, 2004)

[The Fuzz]

Your car went to university???