BREAKING: Buick Regal Getting A Manual Transmission

[CheetahDC]

Holy moly, when was the last time a Buick had a manual transmission?* Can't wait to hear more specs on this car!

*Wikipedia's Skylark page says 1990 was the last year for the manual transmission in that car. So someone born when the last stick shift Buick came out in the states will be, or will be close to, legal drinking age in the US.

[red_rider]

ballsy. I guess this shows that GM is serious about changing Buick.

[Ultra Magnus]

So is Buick trying to lure ex Pontiac fans back into the fray? If so they need more than a manual. How about the OPC/VXR drivetrain, suspension, wheels and tires with a manual. That would be a start.

[johnstarnes]

I miss downshifting in tight curves in my old 1985 Nissan pickup...I can imagine the feel of this Buick manual!

[neshapop]

No surprise here, these will be built in Europe anyway where manual transmission is almost THE LAW.

[SigEpCutlass]

Originally Posted by megeebee

How many manual/AWD 3 series do you think they sell? It's NOT the difference between life and death for GM.

GM needs to keep their focus solely on the PRODUCT. This is an example of how GM is doing so. Manual transmissions are important to the enthusiast crowd, and GM needs to continue to provide options to this niche. I guess GM has been reading the rants from members such as myself about the manual trans.

In regards to AWD, I beg to differ. AWD is now a request of many buyers, especially those of us who live in the rust belt. This Buick needs to go head to head against the Legacy GT, TSX, and A4. Acura doesn't offer the SH-AWD on the TSX, but Audi has Quattro, and Subaru has their Symmetrical AWD. In addition, having AWD available would help differentiate the Regal as a premium offering over say the Malibu.

Subaru is becoming increasingly popular because their AWD system is for real. No I'm not talking about the STI boy ricer crowd, I mean for average people. Subaru has high performance versions of it's Legacy or Outback with a turbocharged engine, AWD, and a manual trans. Subaru has been bucking the market for the past two model years by increasing their market share, and posting year over year gains.

If Buick offers a h/o V6 or a h/o turbo 4, 6spd manual, and AWD I'll pass on a Camaro for one. I honestly believe that it would be a killer combination that would definitely change the perception of Buick for the better. I've been practical my entire life getting what I need over what I want, and the more I think about it I would hate to subject a Camaro to a Chicago winter. I wouldn't feel quite so bad about the Buick when I'm having fun with the manual trans & the AWD system in the snow!

[skylark68]

Sounds very interesting. I'm glad it's an option. It seems like Buick is trying to change its image from a car for the over 70 crowd to something much younger almost overnight. I guess in hindsight though, Buick has done this over the past decades every so often.

[Elvisuperman]

It looks like the General is finally starting to get it...

[vcs2600]

Great move, but buy them while you can. GM has a history of offering Manuals that disappear from the option list after a year or two.

[fastball]

This is great news. It's about time GM offered more manuals..... they were telling everyone a few years ago that manuals would cease demand here in the states. Go tell that to the numerous Honda, BMW, and Audi drivers I see with manuals.

Tell you what, I would seriously consider refinancing my house to get a primo condition 1987 Grand National if it came with a true, factory built 5 speed manual.

I have absolutely no interest in the car whatsoever with the 4 speed auto.

I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in ANY car that is an automatic.

[Tony's BlkGTP]

Originally Posted by megeebee

How many manual/AWD 3 series do you think they sell? It's NOT the difference between life and death for GM.

No, it's not a life and death issue, but it is nice if GM will give the buyers that choice to enjoy a feature like this instead of saying no, we don't offer it. That small number of buyers just might select a GM vehicle instead of the competition and then spred the word to their friends about what a great product GM is putting out.

[kenman923]

I wonder how many manuals they will really sell. I guess there are still people that still would buy one with a manual.

[AMcA]

I hope the nice folks at GM are reading this and comprehending that even if they don't sell boatloads of manuals, their mere availablity gives the car great reputational mojo.

[Tony's BlkGTP]

Originally Posted by Ultra Magnus

So is Buick trying to lure ex Pontiac fans back into the fray? If so they need more than a manual. How about the OPC/VXR drivetrain, suspension, wheels and tires with a manual. That would be a start.

I really think and hope that will be their next move once production is shifted to NA. By then, I should be ready for a brand new car and I will definitely select manual tranny with a h/o V6 and awd. It would be even better if they make a 2 dr version or they give us the Riviera very soon.

[igotzzoom]

Watch...This is what will happen: Manual will be offered for one model year, then dropped for "lack of interest." It's happened many times before. So all I can say is if you're hankering for a "hand-shaker" Regal, act fast.