My 2011 Regal Turbo - Six months later...

[neshapop]

...and still love it!!!

I have just over 9,400 km (almost 6,000 mi.) and I am going for first oil change and regular checkup tomorrow. I could squeeze more from OEM synthetic oil (oil life monitor shows 46%) but I wanted to check the things since I got it last August.

The car was fun to drive and very useful interior and cargo space, I bought Husky all weather floor liners to keep the interior clean from mud, snow, salt and sleet. Worked out really good.

Not so crazy about:
- fuel economy is just OK, 22 mpg combined with ~60/40 city/HWY so far. Quite thirsty car if you like spirited driving but if you go with the flow (drive like a typical city idiot or grandma on medications) you can get decent fuel economy.
- a bit sluggish from get-go but I am not traffic light jack rabbit racer, otherwise 2.0T shines and is more than adequate for daily driver machine.
- Espresso Bronze Metallic body paint looks great but it is getting dirty just like the black ones.

Overall 8.5 of 10.

[demonspeed]

I have just over 9,400 km (almost 6,000 mi.) and I am going for first oil change and regular checkup tomorrow. I could squeeze more from OEM synthetic oil (oil life monitor shows 46%) but I wanted to check the things since I got it last August.

Meh, just wait it out. Really.

[Envoy4Life]

What's the best MPG you've gotten on the highway?

[neshapop]

Meh, just wait it out. Really.

I could follow OnStar and OLM estimate and change oil after 18,000 km (11,000 mi.) but for the first time I will do it early. I know that OEMs add break in additives nowadays, but just in case...

What's the best MPG you've gotten on the highway?

32 mpg (7.1 L/100km) with moderate hwy pace, if I go 70-75 mph than it goes to 28-29 mpg. It is bad in the city (mostly jammed and traffic light ridden routes) and cold weather, but I not surprised by that. New Regal Turbo is better on gas than my old 3.8L Buicks with the same driver. Fuel economy also vary on gasoline grade, it runs on 87 or 89 bland but I gave up on them a few months ago.

[Envoy4Life]

Interesting. How long do you plan on keeping it, and would you buy the car again if you had a second chance? Also, how is it in terms of build quality? Any squeaks and rattles?

[neshapop]

Interesting. How long do you plan on keeping it, and would you buy the car again if you had a second chance? Also, how is it in terms of build quality? Any squeaks and rattles?

This time if the turbo shows decent reliability and Aisin 6 speed tranny (all gear ratios are a bit odd but I got use to it) goes way beyond powertrain warranty (5 years or 100K mi) I will keep it ~10 years.

Build quality is great, the chassis and body integrity are amazing, I heard some people complain about Oshawa built units but this German girl is very good looking and reliable. Rock solid car so far.

Oh...and I love USB integration, besides a few local rock radio stations to enjoy the rest is my 4 GB song/album collection. Really neat, no more shuffling with CDs. Bluetooth worked well and no issues so far. XM Radio not worth it beyond free trial.

[demonspeed]

Fuel economy also vary on gasoline grade, it runs on 87 or 89 bland but I gave up on them a few months ago.

Gave up? Any particular reason? Did you notice any difference in performance/mpg with going to recommended 91?

[neshapop]

Gave up? Any particular reason? Did you notice any difference in performance/mpg with going to recommended 91?

Fuel economy is the best with 91, no soot on the tail pipe tips, noise and performance beat the other grades. 89 grade is not much better than 87 and costs almost the same as 91.

I get travel expenses using my car anyway, around $2000 per year so it pretty much covers my fuel budget. If I am going to keep the car for a long time might as well pour recommended grade all the time.

[Envoy4Life]

This time if the turbo shows decent reliability and Aisin 6 speed tranny (all gear ratios are a bit odd but I got use to it) goes way beyond powertrain warranty (5 years or 100K mi) I will keep it ~10 years.

Build quality is great, the chassis and body integrity are amazing, I heard some people complain about Oshawa built units but this German girl is very good looking and reliable. Rock solid car so far.

Oh...and I love USB integration, besides a few local rock radio stations to enjoy the rest is my 4 GB song/album collection. Really neat, no more shuffling with CDs. Bluetooth worked well and no issues so far. XM Radio not worth it beyond free trial.

Very good. Do you plan on doing a remote start system?

[demonspeed]

Fuel economy is the best with 91, no soot on the tail pipe tips, noise and performance beat the other grades. 89 grade is not much better than 87 and costs almost the same as 91.

My wife is still hung up on the whole premium fuel thing. I keep telling her it's not going to be a significant cost difference (and she's caving!), but anything I can get from people about it is always best! Ours will be an auto, however.

[neshapop]

Very good. Do you plan on doing a remote start system?

Nah, I had it with my old 2005 Allure/LaCrosse as OEM option but I didn't miss it yet. But Trifecta tune looks very appealing, I may put it on in a few years. If I can get 260 HP and 290 lb-ft out of $300 add on I ma get my el cheapo GS.

My wife is still hung up on the whole premium fuel thing. I keep telling her it's not going to be a significant cost difference (and she's caving!), but anything I can get from people about it is always best! Ours will be an auto, however.

I have the one with the automatic, Aisin unit is for slushbox, the Opel's 6 speed is for manual option. If knew that my wife would not drive it I would get one with the stick. Oh, well...

[Envoy4Life]

Nah, I had it with my old 2005 Allure/LaCrosse as OEM option but I didn't miss it yet. But Trifecta tune looks very appealing, I may put it on in a few years. If I can get 260 HP and 290 lb-ft out of $300 add on I ma get my el cheapo GS.

Great. Then we can race!

Post some more pictures of the car!

[bballr4567]

Good stuff. Have you thought about an aftermarket shifter? CAI?

[JBsZ06]

Thanks for the update. I think the Regal turbo is a nice car. Best of luck with it.

[BlackGTP]

Good read - I'm considering the Regal Turbo.

Funny - I have a Malibu LTZ with the 3.6. As you said with the 2.0T my car feels like it runs substantially better when I use 91 octane. Engine feels smoother, mpg is better.