GM Builds Last Regal

**nsap** · 06-08-2004, 08:26 AM

By Debi Domby
Automotive News / June 07, 2004

The last Buick Regal was produced at General Motors' Oshawa 2 plant in Ontario on Tuesday, June 1. The plant began producing the car in May 1987. In a 17-year run, 1,389,991 Regals were built there. The Buick Century and Pontiac Grand Prix will continue to be built at the plant.

GM's Lansing, Mich., Grand River plant has begun producing the Cadillac STS. The plant, which produced 41 STS models in May, also produces the Cadillac CTS.

Link

Dodge Drivin' Paul · 06-08-2004, 09:37 AM

And what a great car it was. For the price, it was an excellent value. It would be right at home parked next to a more expensive Lexus ES 330, a BMW 3-series, or an Acura TL.

You can't beat a Buick.

dindak · 06-08-2004, 09:46 AM

Don't think they needed to kill a solid, well known name like Regal but o well.

RIP.

ponchoman49 · 06-08-2004, 09:48 AM

I especially like those Grand Sports with the 3800 supercharged motor. It was a pure blast pulling up next to a ricer with a bumble bee, coffee can muffler and blowing there doors right off. On the other hand you could cruise the highways going 75 all day and getting close to 30 mpg. That car had a dual personality.

MelvinJ · 06-08-2004, 09:55 AM

Not to mention that it was the most reliable family sedan this year in Consumer Reports, beating Camry, Accord, Altima, Passat, and all others.

PaleGreen · 06-08-2004, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dindak@Jun 8 2004, 08:46 AM
Don't think they needed to kill a solid, well known name like Regal but o well.

I totally agree! It'll take a long time before "LaCrosse" and "Allure" have any name recognition. Meanwhile, plenty of people know & like the Buick Regal.

I'll never fully understand marketing.

Sohl · 06-08-2004, 10:13 AM

I had a `91 Regal Grand Sport Coupe. It was a really nice driving car for long distance. I did have repeated problems with the power window on one side, and the in-dash CD player and other I.P. bits had some electrical gremlins. But I traded it in just under 100K miles with absolutely no engine or trans problems. I liked how the coupe styling was very unique and combined sportiness with elegance. Farewell, Regal.
--
Sohl

sheithappens · 06-08-2004, 10:44 AM

Don't forget to mention those reliable brakes that stuck on and wore out rotors, calipers and pads every couple thousand miles. GM denied that problem for years until a class action lawsuit was filed (and won). Many folks with those brakes loved the car I'm sure! :lol:

**paul8488** · 06-08-2004, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sohl@Jun 8 2004, 02:13 PM
I had a `91 Regal Grand Sport Coupe. It was a really nice driving car for long distance. I did have repeated problems with the power window on one side, and the in-dash CD player and other I.P. bits had some electrical gremlins. But I traded it in just under 100K miles with absolutely no engine or trans problems. I liked how the coupe styling was very unique and combined sportiness with elegance. Farewell, Regal.
--
Sohl

yeah, good call. the 2-door regal has such nice proportions. i really like the nose. and the rear and back window treatment. some even had 4 bucket seats (and 4-seater badging!). in a few decades i could see it being a 'classic' (other than vettes and F-bodies and the RWD impala, i don't know what else will be). okay maybe classic isn't the word... but i hope it still has a comfy spot in history and a few loyal fans in 2050!

T-Keith · 06-08-2004, 11:06 AM

I've had a bad experience with a Regal made when this plant started. My wife's old 88 Regal wasn't nearly as reliable as my US made 88 grand Prix. Glad they've got the quality up.

**Rex Raider** · 06-08-2004, 11:18 AM

Maybe the Velite will be called Regal when it arrives. (Doubful, but wishful thinking)

**BigAls87Z28** · 06-08-2004, 11:34 AM

I think that the Velite sedan will be more along the lines of the Park Ave replacment. Regal and Centruy are being replaced by LaCrosse, which IMO, is a good move on Buicks part. I like the Regal and am looking to get one as a daily, but the LaCrosse outclasses both car by a lot.

**Ming** · 06-08-2004, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigals87z28@Jun 8 2004, 10:34 AM
I like the Regal and am looking to get one as a daily, but the LaCrosse outclasses both car by a lot.

In particular if you get the Ultra.

Jay · 06-08-2004, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dindak@Jun 8 2004, 08:46 AM
Don't think they needed to kill a solid, well known name like Regal but o well.

RIP.

Unfortunately when you leave a model unchanged for 8 years the name becomes as worn out as the car it rides on (i.e. Sunfire). Albeit, 'Regal' still sounds a helluvalot more appealing than 'Allure'.

oldsintrigue00 · 06-08-2004, 12:30 PM

killing the regal was the wrong thing to do kill the century...the century didnt make the buick name the regal did...killing the regal is a mistake if i was in charge of the production i wouldve killed the century keep the regal for another yr or 2 or redesign it for 2006 with the caddy sts frame and build a new version of the malibu G6 frame for the low cost century replacement..

06-08-2004, 08:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
nsap Administrator Join Date: Jan 2003 Drives: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP 2009 Ford Focus SEL Posts: 15,021	By Debi Domby Automotive News / June 07, 2004 The last Buick Regal was produced at General Motors' Oshawa 2 plant in Ontario on Tuesday, June 1. The plant began producing the car in May 1987. In a 17-year run, 1,389,991 Regals were built there. The Buick Century and Pontiac Grand Prix will continue to be built at the plant. GM's Lansing, Mich., Grand River plant has begun producing the Cadillac STS. The plant, which produced 41 STS models in May, also produces the Cadillac CTS. Link __________________ E-Mail Me Engine Guide Updated!! -- Revised layout, more info., up-to-date

06-08-2004, 11:06 AM	#10 (permalink)
T-Keith 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 525	I've had a bad experience with a Regal made when this plant started. My wife's old 88 Regal wasn't nearly as reliable as my US made 88 grand Prix. Glad they've got the quality up. __________________ -T 87 Buick Lesabre T-type (supercharged) 88 Buick Lesabre T-type (daily driver)

06-08-2004, 11:18 AM	#11 (permalink)
Rex Raider Administrator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Drives: 2009 Camry Hybrid (company car) Posts: 11,787	Maybe the Velite will be called Regal when it arrives. (Doubful, but wishful thinking) __________________ Sure, I drive a Toyota, but at least I don't have to pay for it.

06-08-2004, 11:34 AM	#12 (permalink)
BigAls87Z28 GMI Mod/Camaro Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 9,542	I think that the Velite sedan will be more along the lines of the Park Ave replacment. Regal and Centruy are being replaced by LaCrosse, which IMO, is a good move on Buicks part. I like the Regal and am looking to get one as a daily, but the LaCrosse outclasses both car by a lot. __________________ Any Inside Info? Questions or Coments? Ideas? Email me at BigAl@GMInsidenews.com 1993 Caprice 9C1 1987 Camaro Z28 1972 Camaro RS

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06-08-2004, 09:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dodge Drivin' Paul 2.4 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 92	And what a great car it was. For the price, it was an excellent value. It would be right at home parked next to a more expensive Lexus ES 330, a BMW 3-series, or an Acura TL. You can't beat a Buick.

06-08-2004, 09:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
dindak 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Toronto area Posts: 2,181	Don't think they needed to kill a solid, well known name like Regal but o well. RIP.

06-08-2004, 09:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
ponchoman49 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,242	I especially like those Grand Sports with the 3800 supercharged motor. It was a pure blast pulling up next to a ricer with a bumble bee, coffee can muffler and blowing there doors right off. On the other hand you could cruise the highways going 75 all day and getting close to 30 mpg. That car had a dual personality.

06-08-2004, 09:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
MelvinJ 5.3 Liter LS4 V8 Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,653	Not to mention that it was the most reliable family sedan this year in Consumer Reports, beating Camry, Accord, Altima, Passat, and all others.

06-08-2004, 10:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
Sohl Walking Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 3	I had a `91 Regal Grand Sport Coupe. It was a really nice driving car for long distance. I did have repeated problems with the power window on one side, and the in-dash CD player and other I.P. bits had some electrical gremlins. But I traded it in just under 100K miles with absolutely no engine or trans problems. I liked how the coupe styling was very unique and combined sportiness with elegance. Farewell, Regal. -- Sohl

06-08-2004, 10:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
sheithappens 2.0 Liter Supercharged ECOTEC Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 162	Don't forget to mention those reliable brakes that stuck on and wore out rotors, calipers and pads every couple thousand miles. GM denied that problem for years until a class action lawsuit was filed (and won). Many folks with those brakes loved the car I'm sure! :lol:

06-08-2004, 12:30 PM	#15 (permalink)
oldsintrigue00 2.2 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 67	killing the regal was the wrong thing to do kill the century...the century didnt make the buick name the regal did...killing the regal is a mistake if i was in charge of the production i wouldve killed the century keep the regal for another yr or 2 or redesign it for 2006 with the caddy sts frame and build a new version of the malibu G6 frame for the low cost century replacement..

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