Regal On Facebook: I'm Not Chinese And I'm Not The Crosstour

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

The US-spec Buick Regal is receiving a better-than-Crosstour reception at Facebook, where official photos are showing some slight visual differences from the Chinese-market model. Against all the odds, the US-spec Buick appears to have dropped the Chinese version’s aftermarket-worthy fender vent. A more-subtle grille is another unexpected but welcome maturation. Or is that regression? This Buick’s as clean as the Insignia, somehow doing without the acres of chrome and tacked-on baubles that too often signify “American luxury.” Predictably, the most common comment on the new Facebook page is “needs ventiports.” Chinese-market Regal, for comparison, after the jump.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Power6 Power6 on Oct 19, 2009
    The silver picture is a US production-spec Regal released by GM. I don't know much about the Facebook stuff, but it appears that picture was posted by a another user, it is part of the commenter pictures, not the official pictures posted by the Regal Facebook. Not that it isn't a production version, but it might not be. It certainly isn't an offical looking photo, looks like it was snapped while someone was getting into the car, you can see the motion blur and the drivers door is open.
  • Joeaverage Joeaverage on Oct 19, 2009

    George A - exactly. I like the Chinese version better and everything you said. psarhjinian - and exactly what you said. ANOTHER product that gets it right and then potentially quickly killed off. WHAT THE **** is GM thinking??? ONCE AGAIN GM CAN get it right in other countries but seems determined to **** it up repeatedly here. Are they TRYING to hand the American car market to some other company??? Sell me the Insignia with a manual 6-spd tranny and the German suspension and undiluted personality and I'll buy BUT don't orphan it in a year or two like the have repeatedly done with the Opels and Holdens. It doesn't make me want a GM North American bland-mobile instead - it just proves that GM is capable of some good stuff but WON'T sell it here for a price that a working man can afford. Of course I've known that since I lived in Europe 15 years ago. Good stuff to be had from GM but we can't have it. Sure they have the Impala and Malibu but to put it like my 9 year old might: YUCK! I don't want anymore of this! More 80% right styling. If they bring the right Opels here unaltered I don't care whether they badge them as Saturns or Pontiacs or Buicks or Oldsmobiles. Just don't F-them up and make them into floaty sponges for wafting down the suburban streets to your next doctor's appointment. We have a couple Buicks in the family. GOOD cars but so BORING. Get them here and I'll just do what the Sprinter guys do - buy the Mercedes badges and make the van into what it really is. Same with the Opels. Is this even a relevant conversation though since GM sold off Opel? Anyone? How can GM be SO STUPID to repeatedly F-up their product lines??? I am SO FRUSTRATED with them!!!! Sell Opels here already!!!! And don't quit in 24 months because you claim they aren't selling. Never mind that you have not promoted it like you have other Gm products. ADHD indeed... FYI - I'm not buying any products built in China out of principle. I might as well buy an American built Honda again (one of several Hondas I have been very happy with). It's about keeping the maximum number of American workers employed if I'm buying a domestic ya know? And so I gotta ask - are the ventiports generally stick on? Can I just pry them off? Not a fan of them...

  • ToolGuy From the relevant Haynes Repair Manual:"Caution: The 4.6L models require a special tool to extract the water pump from the coolant crossover housing. This special tool is expensive and the removal procedure is difficult. Have the water pump replaced by a dealer service department or other qualified automotive repair facility if the tool is not available."One version of the tool is Lisle 14440; I paid $10.82 (less 5% discount, plus shipping).You can see why I never attempt my own maintenance or repairs. 😉
  • Dave M. IMO this was the last of the solidly built MBs. Yes, they had the environmentally friendly disintegrating wiring harness, but besides that the mechanicals are pretty solid. I just bought my "forever" car (last new daily driver that'll ease me into retirement), but a 2015-16 E Class sedan is on my bucket list for future purchase. Beautiful design....
  • Rochester After years of self-driving being in the news, I still don't understand the psychology behind it. Not only don't I want this, but I find the idea absurd.
  • Douglas This timeframe of Mercedes has the self-disintegrating engine wiring harness. Not just the W124, but all of them from the early 90's. Only way to properly fix it is to replace it, which I understand to be difficult to find a new one/do it/pay for. Maybe others have actual experience with doing so and can give better hope. On top of that, it's a NH car with "a little bit of rust", which means to about anyone else in the USA it is probably the rustiest W124 they have ever seen. This is probably a $3000 car on a good day.
  • Formula m How many Hyundai and Kia’s do not have the original engine block it left the factory with 10yrs prior?
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