Hey guys...my GP is finally time to be retired. NO, I am not getting rid of my Bonneville...are you guys crazy?

So, what is the opinion on the 2012+ Regal GS? I have a line on one with very low mileage, this one is the pearl color, and it is a 6spd manual GS model. Does anyone here have one, or have any thoughts before I buy? It seems nice, and I am just looking for a spunky DD car that gets good mileage for the long drives to and from work. It had a hella lotta pull when I pinned it out in second-third gear on my test drive, that is for sure...

Appreciate any input...this is what it looks like for your reference...255hp and 295tq, and with a DP and alternate tune, I am told it gets closer to 300hp and 360tq. My thought would be a mild BBV that makes a little noise, and a cutout for those days that I might want to play. I am not sure about the Insignia package update or not...but that is also an option, since this really is just an imported Insignia.

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2000 SSEi - Hoddmann ported LIM and GenIII, 3.2 MPS, 1.8 SLP's, SSAC's, 3" Catback, AL104, 180tstat, Custom FWI, Cartuned

You might wanna ask myfirstbonnie he just got a 2013 GS
your-other-rides-pics-and-videos/topic40790.html?hilit=buick

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2000 ssei gone but not forgotten

Current fleet:
2009 G8 v6, 2009 Avalanche LTZ, 2013 Volt

I really hope Buick decides to add these to the line up for 2015.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/2015-buick-grand-national-and-gnx-25-cars-worth-waiting-for-20142017-future-cars

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'01 Bonneville SLE
'93 Grand Prix SE Coupe 3.4L Twin dual overhead cam

I like it! Boost + manual trans is always good in my book.

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Jerry /// Past: 95 SSEi (June 2010 COTM) -- 04 GXP (July 2011 COTM)
91 Honda Civic Wagon DX 2WD (fuelly) -- 208,000km -- 92hp -- Autocross Warrior
09 Lexus LS460 AWD -- 94,000km -- Daily Driver
09 White Hot G8 GT -- 155,000km (fuelly) -- LS3 Cam -- GM LS3 CNC Ported Heads -- Kooks 1 3/4" Long Tube Headers -- Solo Catback Midsection -- Hooker Maxflow Mufflers -- Pat G Tune -- Rotofab Intake -- Tein S-Tech Springs -- GXP FE3 Dampers -- BMR Subframe Cradle Inserts -- BMR Subframe Connectors -- Forgestar F14 Gold 18x9 +40 -- Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/45/18 -- Maverick Man Carbon Fiber Spoiler

These cars are very nice and have amazing handling for a FWD car.

Most gripes I've noticed concern its weight and how its gas mileage is low for a four cylinder. In stock form it has more power than 97-04 GS's but it's 1/4 mile is about the same. I'd imagine with a tune it would do a lot better though.

If FWD is what you're looking for then I'd say go for it!

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2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD crew cab, 6.0, Z71. The project mover.
2002 Regal GS: 3.4 pulley, E85, and quicker than my old 99
1982 Pontiac Grand Prix L67, T56, GT45, T56, Holley EFI; It's pretty quick Mod list here

I like the car in general, but it would not be on my shopping list if I were in the market.

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Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Sold to neighbor
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... new plow truck
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

We love ours. We have the automatic since it was an end of the model clearance and we got a decent deal to get the last one off the lot. Wasn't even a week later and they had the 2014's sitting out.

They are an Opel design, but since 2012 they have been built north 'o the border in Canada.

The only thing I do not like is the lag they have tuned in them to protect the transmission. The fun thing is to put it in GS mode and then hold in the TC button and it turns off stabillitrack and TC. Still not full performance from the turbo, but it does make for a lot of fun.

In GS mode, the suspension is quite stiff and makes the car handle really well. Sport mode is a little softer, but still better than normal mode.

You will not get a typical Buick ride from this car. Even in normal mode it is still quite firm. The 20" wheels do cause a little more road noise in the cabin, but it is tolerable.

There are a lot of buttons which has been the major complaint and they did clean it up for the 2014 model. There are 5 ways to do somethings, but when you find what you like, it works as needed. The 5 ways are:

1. the touch screen
2. the buttons
3. steering wheel controls
4. console knob
5. voice commands

Overall, we love this car. I have been looking at mods, but they won't happen for awhile if at all. We have a nice long warranty and will not be voiding that.

For gas mileage, this will not get what a normal 4 cyl does. We are getting around 25-26 on all highway driving and around 20 in town. The problem is the same thing with the 3800 SC, the fun pedal is just that, FUN. The first thing I always do when getting in is turn on the GS mode. It is a fun car to drive which leads to a diminished MPG. If you want gas mileage, give up the performance and handling and get the NA 4 cyl.

I haven't driven the manual, but I am sure it adds to the fun.

I've driven both an auto and a manual and love them both. Very very fun car and well built inside as well. I love how they look too. As mentioned above though, this isn't a car you buy to hyper mile.

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-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 250k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 101k miles

Something else to consider is that with the 2014 model AWD is now an option but it limits you to the automatic transmission. The AWD version also adds ~300 pounds, but the AWD versions are faster to 60, and have better 1/4 mile times.

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2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD crew cab, 6.0, Z71. The project mover.
2002 Regal GS: 3.4 pulley, E85, and quicker than my old 99
1982 Pontiac Grand Prix L67, T56, GT45, T56, Holley EFI; It's pretty quick Mod list here

Thanks for the feedback. The stick was fun, and if I can get decent mileage and have a button or two to push to smoke someone, then it sounds right.


I drove a 2014 auto yesterday, and although I love the digital cluster, I preferred the slam gear baby. The auto will always have an edge to 60mph in this car over the stick, due to the long stroke shifter I think, but its way more fun. AWD just says to me, more to break and need to fix.

I am almost sold...

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2000 SSEi - Hoddmann ported LIM and GenIII, 3.2 MPS, 1.8 SLP's, SSAC's, 3" Catback, AL104, 180tstat, Custom FWI, Cartuned

Can't you get the same engine in the Verano? It doesn't have the same swagger, but it is lighter.

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WHITE WHINE - 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over) 15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers & a 10" Alpine Type R Sub, all the watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, Monroe Reflex struts, red calipers
2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser, 3.45 diff and various Camaro suspension bits, LED Taillights

Verano also has more HP then the regal iirc

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2000 ssei gone but not forgotten

Current fleet:
2009 G8 v6, 2009 Avalanche LTZ, 2013 Volt

Looking at the specs, the Verano seems a little detuned relative to the Regal. But not a whole lot.

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WHITE WHINE - 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over) 15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers & a 10" Alpine Type R Sub, all the watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, Monroe Reflex struts, red calipers
2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser, 3.45 diff and various Camaro suspension bits, LED Taillights

The Verano kinda looks like a dung bounce...the Regal is pretty sharp. I doubt the Verano can handle like a GS on 20's

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2000 SSEi - Hoddmann ported LIM and GenIII, 3.2 MPS, 1.8 SLP's, SSAC's, 3" Catback, AL104, 180tstat, Custom FWI, Cartuned

I love the GS. I'd hit it in a second.

The Verano is much smaller, than an already small Regal. I've driven an NA Verano and it was actually surprisingly decent, but given a choice I'd still take a Regal. And a manual version of it at that.

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Will
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily

I really love the GS. I think they are sharp looking cars, interior is pretty nice as well. I drove a 2014 with an auto at a car show back in January and was very impressed with the way it drove. Granted I haven't driven many cars in my short driving career, but I loved it. Very peppy and responsive in GS mode, and sounds pretty good for a 4 cylinder

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-Noah

Drove a Verano today just to see...its a tinbox in comparison. Parked up at the local Tims, and walking out to it, was tempted to pretend I owned the Kia SUV beside it. It would need lots of upgrades and even then...

Gonna work on a deal tomorrow, and see what transpires.

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2000 SSEi - Hoddmann ported LIM and GenIII, 3.2 MPS, 1.8 SLP's, SSAC's, 3" Catback, AL104, 180tstat, Custom FWI, Cartuned

Where are you buying from? My G8 came from just up the road from you at the GM dealer in Orangeville.

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Jerry /// Past: 95 SSEi (June 2010 COTM) -- 04 GXP (July 2011 COTM)
91 Honda Civic Wagon DX 2WD (fuelly) -- 208,000km -- 92hp -- Autocross Warrior
09 Lexus LS460 AWD -- 94,000km -- Daily Driver
09 White Hot G8 GT -- 155,000km (fuelly) -- LS3 Cam -- GM LS3 CNC Ported Heads -- Kooks 1 3/4" Long Tube Headers -- Solo Catback Midsection -- Hooker Maxflow Mufflers -- Pat G Tune -- Rotofab Intake -- Tein S-Tech Springs -- GXP FE3 Dampers -- BMR Subframe Cradle Inserts -- BMR Subframe Connectors -- Forgestar F14 Gold 18x9 +40 -- Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/45/18 -- Maverick Man Carbon Fiber Spoiler

Ooh. So you're planning on throwing 20s under the Regal?

That outta be nice!

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1996 Bonneville SSEI "MeanGreen BonneB" - 121k Miles

20's are optional stock

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Jerry /// Past: 95 SSEi (June 2010 COTM) -- 04 GXP (July 2011 COTM)
91 Honda Civic Wagon DX 2WD (fuelly) -- 208,000km -- 92hp -- Autocross Warrior
09 Lexus LS460 AWD -- 94,000km -- Daily Driver
09 White Hot G8 GT -- 155,000km (fuelly) -- LS3 Cam -- GM LS3 CNC Ported Heads -- Kooks 1 3/4" Long Tube Headers -- Solo Catback Midsection -- Hooker Maxflow Mufflers -- Pat G Tune -- Rotofab Intake -- Tein S-Tech Springs -- GXP FE3 Dampers -- BMR Subframe Cradle Inserts -- BMR Subframe Connectors -- Forgestar F14 Gold 18x9 +40 -- Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/45/18 -- Maverick Man Carbon Fiber Spoiler