Topic: Test Drive: 2011 Buick Regal Turbo

[Autos_Editor]

Compared with the Regal's standard four-cylinder motor, the turbocharged four 'makes a world of difference,' says Chris Chase.

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[sailor723]

Oh God, here we go again. Didn't we already have a review of this car that turned into a GM fanboy vs. GM hater bunfight that lasted forever. 

Is it just me or has the quality/frequency/variety of the articles here fallen off quite noticeably in the last couple of months?

[Jaeger]

Yep - I'm sure there is a lot new to be said about the Regal Turbo.    That poor dead horse can't get no rest.

Jaeger

[Snowman]

I like the styling of the Regal but with FWD cars you hit the wall of torque steer in the mid 200 HP range. Long gone are the days of the Grand National and GNX.

[Gardiner Westbound]

Not a turbo fan, especially in a daily driver sedan. As with this car, most are premium fuel gas hogs. Turbo lag usually handicaps low speed performance though there's no mention of it here. The higher operating pressure severely stresses internal engine components. Spinning at 200,000 rpm turbos generate 2,000 ºC temperatures that can cook engine oil and produce harmful sludge.

Typical turbo lifespan with good maintenance is 120,000 kilometers. Replacement is almost as expensive as a new engine. Some cars have two turbochargers, often combined with gasoline direct injection (GDI), another not quite ready for prime time technology. It's crazy!

Better to choose a car with a bigger non-turbo engine if you need more juice. The rule of thumb is to size an engine to 90-percent of your use. Never buy a used turbo without proof of meticulous maintenance.

[sailor723]

I like the styling of the Regal but with FWD cars you hit the wall of torque steer in the mid 200 HP range. Long gone are the days of the Grand National and GNX.

I think you have a point. For example, I always thought Nissan was pushing the FWD/HP envelope with the 3.5VQ in the Maxima's we had. Before people start beating up on the Regal Turbo too badly for being underpowered they should take that aspect of things into account.

[2latecrew]

Not a turbo fan, especially in a daily driver sedan. As with this car, most are premium fuel gas hogs. Turbo lag usually handicaps low speed performance though there's no mention of it here. The higher operating pressure severely stresses internal engine components. Spinning at 200,000 rpm turbos generate 2,000 ºC temperatures that can cook engine oil and produce harmful sludge.

Typical turbo lifespan with good maintenance is 120,000 kilometers. Replacement is almost as expensive as a new engine. Some cars have two turbochargers, often combined with gasoline direct injection (GDI), another not quite ready for prime time technology. It's crazy!

Better to choose a car with a bigger non-turbo engine if you need more juice. The rule of thumb is to size an engine to 90-percent of your use. Never buy a used turbo without proof of meticulous maintenance.

I'd be interested to the see the evidnece to support this claim.

I would think that I would have heard more from the 1000s of average turbo owners who require turbo replacments after 120,000km.

[sailor723]

1.) This is an underpowered,overpriced piece of domestic garbage....the Sonata is way better!

2.) This a groundbreaking step forward for GM, able to take on the best the world has to offer.....way better than that over-rated POS Korean trash!


There, that summarizes both main points of view so we can move on to other topics

[Ex-airbalancer]

It is a nice looking car
You can get 6 speed manual, that should make some people happy, but I do not think you will find any on the lot

Headwind a lot the 401 can screw up your mileage big time
I seen the Prius do under 4 l/100km and trip to Kingston and do 5 on the way back
I glad at times I have no mileage gauge in the pick up 

[Factger]

I think you have a point. For example, I always thought Nissan was pushing the FWD/HP envelope with the 3.5VQ in the Maxima's we had. Before people start beating up on the Regal Turbo too badly for being underpowered they should take that aspect of things into account.

I agree with that statement but if they offered a manual transmission in the new maxima I would buy one in a second . Even with torque steer and the G37 sport  being a couple thousand more.

[Jaeger]

Headwind a lot the 401 can screw up your mileage big time...

True, but both ways?   Trip was Ottawa to Toronto.... and back. 

Also interesting to note - price as tested approx. $41k - and another $3k to get nav. And we're not even at the GS model yet. 

Jaeger

[hemusbull]

Just 2.0 l but turbo, eventually drinking premium at rates of 12+ l/100kms (blaming the wind?)...What is the point of this car? Again and againg wrongly done Opel transplant in North America...Do these people really learn from their mistakes? Or they should kill Buick together with Saturn and Pontiac?

[Gardiner Westbound]

Not a turbo fan, especially in a daily driver sedan. As with this car, most are premium fuel gas hogs. Turbo lag usually handicaps low speed performance though there's no mention of it here. The higher operating pressure severely stresses internal engine components. Spinning at 200,000 rpm turbos generate 2,000 ºC temperatures that can cook engine oil and produce harmful sludge.

Typical turbo lifespan with good maintenance is 120,000 kilometers. Replacement is almost as expensive as a new engine. Some cars have two turbochargers, often combined with gasoline direct injection (GDI), another not quite ready for prime time technology. It's crazy!

Better to choose a car with a bigger non-turbo engine if you need more juice. The rule of thumb is to size an engine to 90-percent of your use. Never buy a used turbo without proof of meticulous maintenance.

I'd be interested to the see the evidnece to support this claim.

I would think that I would have heard more from the 1000s of average turbo owners who require turbo replacments after 120,000km.

Phil Bailey has written extensively about it. A typical Bailey comment, “Turbocharged engines have an inherently shorter life span – ask any SAAB or VW 1.8T owner. But a GM four cylinder engine with a blower? Order your extra head gaskets when you order the car.”
www.baileycar.com

It was the subject of a recent negative Motoring 2011 Bill Gardiner commentary.
http://www.motoringtv.com/bill-gardiner-s11563#Episode_5_-_Turbo_charged_engines_good_or_bad?

Typing “turbo longevity” into Google will yield 1,190,000 hits. There's lots of reading material.

[Weels]

Not a turbo fan, especially in a daily driver sedan. As with this car, most are premium fuel gas hogs. Turbo lag usually handicaps low speed performance though there's no mention of it here. The higher operating pressure severely stresses internal engine components. Spinning at 200,000 rpm turbos generate 2,000 ºC temperatures that can cook engine oil and produce harmful sludge.

Typical turbo lifespan with good maintenance is 120,000 kilometers. Replacement is almost as expensive as a new engine. Some cars have two turbochargers, often combined with gasoline direct injection (GDI), another not quite ready for prime time technology. It's crazy!

Better to choose a car with a bigger non-turbo engine if you need more juice. The rule of thumb is to size an engine to 90-percent of your use. Never buy a used turbo without proof of meticulous maintenance.

I always thought the same... but with my S60 i'm amazed at the mileage i'm getting...and i'm not gentle on the go pedal - the midrange is really addictive....no lag either, you would never know it's a turbo except for a faint whistle you can hear with the windows down.
My mileage according to the computer is sitting between 10.8 - 11L.  Hwy mileage seems to be around 8-9 and city 12-13, and it will run happily on regular juice. 

There certainly have been some terrible turboed engines in the past, but the modern turbos today in GM, Hyundai & Volvo's etc are good or better than anything else on the road.  The T6 in the S60 is easily the best engine of any vehicle i've owned.

[2latecrew]

Not a turbo fan, especially in a daily driver sedan. As with this car, most are premium fuel gas hogs. Turbo lag usually handicaps low speed performance though there's no mention of it here. The higher operating pressure severely stresses internal engine components. Spinning at 200,000 rpm turbos generate 2,000 ºC temperatures that can cook engine oil and produce harmful sludge.

Typical turbo lifespan with good maintenance is 120,000 kilometers. Replacement is almost as expensive as a new engine. Some cars have two turbochargers, often combined with gasoline direct injection (GDI), another not quite ready for prime time technology. It's crazy!

Better to choose a car with a bigger non-turbo engine if you need more juice. The rule of thumb is to size an engine to 90-percent of your use. Never buy a used turbo without proof of meticulous maintenance.
First result http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=208648
Talking about 2500 to 300k plus life

WRX forum talking about 311k

I just wanted to know where the 120 KM idea came from. That

[Jaeger]

Typing “turbo longevity” in Google will yield 1,190,000 hits. There's lots of reading material.

Well, that settles it then.

Incidentally, I just googled "Toyota reliability" and discovered as many hits.  I guess that means Toyotas are unreliable.

Well if it's on the internet, it must be true!  Everyone knows that. 

Jaeger

[Erik]

Seems like a fair review. I wish I could have driven the manual. Wasn't crazy about the autobox.

Still a very nice car. Just wish I fit better.

[Danno001]

I am a fleet manager with well over 1,000 light trucks in my fleet, most with turbos. Give me a non-boosted engine with similar output everytime. Years 1 - 4 are OK in maintenance for turbos. Years 5 - 10, ouch.

[Weels]

I am a fleet manager with well over 1,000 light trucks in my fleet, most with turbos. Give me a non-boosted engine with similar output everytime. Years 1 - 4 are OK in maintenance for turbos. Years 5 - 10, ouch.

Woudl assume those would be turbo diesels you're talking about?

[quadzilla]

Headwind a lot the 401 can screw up your mileage big time...

True, but both ways?   Trip was Ottawa to Toronto.... and back.

If it was over two days it could happen but I imagine very rare on the same day.