[TimV]

Considering the purchase of an older (1998 to 2002) Buick Regal LS or Pontiac Grand Prix (with the 3.8L.) Which get the nod the Regal or GP? Why? Do you go for the Supercharged 3.8L or stay with the basic 3.8L? Why? How big an effect does the Supercharger have on gas mileage? Cloth or leather seats?
Thanks,
Tim

 

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Re: Regal or Grand Prix? Turbo or No Turbo?

There wasn't a turbocharged 3,8 on these cars only a supercharged model . Supercharged versions are IMO best bet as the car is much more lively, doesn't burn a significant amount more fuel (unless you push the pedal too hard) and holds value better.

 

[Neanderthal]

Depends on what you want.
Soft ride and a bit more rear headroom, take the Regal.
Soft old-folks seats that cause backaches, take the Buick.
Tighter suspension, 16" wheels std. on the NA (unsupercharged) version, take the GP.
I bought a slightly used 02 Regal a few years back. The suspension was so soft I immediately ordered struts and 16" wheels with decent tires. The stock tires squealed and moaned, and felt like their G limit was about .50.
I later put on the GMPP anti roll bars, which helped enormously.

I personally would go with the non-supercharged versions, given equal condition. A Buick is less likely, generally, to have been hot rodded by a cigarette-smoking mullet, than an older GP. The SC version goes double.

I've seen the occasional very clean looking Regal GS, look like they're driven by the original owner and they look like they may have never seen WFO throttle.

Given equal condition, today I'd buy the GP.
For my wants, it would need less suspension work to make it handle like something better than a...Buick.
There's a reason the car mags call it "Buick-like handling."

Plus I like the red instrument lights.

It comes down to: The car's condition; personal tastes; accepting my incredible wisdom and taste at face value.

 

[big swede]

I think you will get more car for your money getting a non-supercharged model. It will be hard to find a supercharged 3.8 that hasn't been driven much harder than the standard model. If it's a going to be a daily driver you will be able to get one with less miles and a year of two newer if you don't get the supercharged model. Also keep in mind that you really need to burn premium in the supercharged cars. The leather is not that great in either car so that is pretty much of a toss-up so I would probably go with the condition of each interior more so than what the materials are.

With that said I drove a GTP for 100,000+ miles and it made an excellent daily driver.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Bonneville SSEi

I'd go with the Regal GS S/C because I prefer the luxury and more conservative look. I'm assuming though you're talking about a '03 or previous GP...? If it's an '04 or higher though I'd say GP

 

[F14CRAZY]

S/C "requires" premium fuel but if you put it out on paper the cost "premium" isn't much at all. S/C requires little more maintenance and unless you get into it, really no change in fuel economy

 

[1969CamaroSS350]

I drive a 2000 GTP Daytona Pace Car. On the highway the car gets excellent gas milage but the city isn't really it's strong suit. The only reason I have the supercharged model is because it's the Daytona, other than that, the reg GT moves fine for me.