What do regals compare to today?

[TexasT]

I've seen far more functional 1980 Buicks than 1980 Toyotas...

Have to agree. GM as well as the rest of the domestic mfg build reliable vehicles. They are every bit as reliable as the foreign stuff. Much of the problem is maintenance. If you don't maintain it it isn't going to last.

I'll put my '87 Regal up against any '87 foreign anything. Especially since my Regal has been beat on since day one. I'll put my '94 Suburban up against any '94 foreign truck. They both have well over 100k miles and are driven. I have four children so the interior takes a beating.

Don't get caught up in the 'consumer reports' manipulation. I'll take my Buick every day of the week. If Buick would build a rear wheel drive coupe, I'd buy one. Sadly "they have no plans for one' according to the emails I get back when I email them requesting one.

 

[DrRansom442]

I've seen far more functional 1980 Buicks than 1980 Toyotas...

It's been awhile since I've even seen the name "Datsun" and where did all those RX-7s go? I haven't run accrossed a club comprised of all Japanese vintage "iron" (maybe I should say aluminum). I see more old British cars and they have a worse reputation than our beloved American cars.

 

[custom442]

As far as I know, all G bodies were a pretty popular seller. They were not economy cars and they were not luxury cars. They were right in the middle and lots of people could afford them.

The higher trim oldsmobile's were considered luxury, they had options the same as Cadillac, Lincoln, and the foreign makes.


To answer the thread question, in my opinion they would be similar to the current Malibu with fancier options inside. I guess the equivalent is the Lucerne.

 

[custom442]

I've seen far more functional 1980 Buicks than 1980 Toyotas...

It's been awhile since I've even seen the name "Datsun" and where did all those RX-7s go? I haven't run accrossed a club comprised of all Japanese vintage "iron" (maybe I should say aluminum). I see more old British cars and they have a worse reputation than our beloved American cars.

I see the same amount of Datsun Z's as old mustangs or camaros here in Houston. I've also seen more RX-7's than G body coupes. I think it's what area you live in mostly.

 

[2000.malibu.ls]

I see the same amount of Datsun Z's as old mustangs or camaros here in Houston. I've also seen more RX-7's than G body coupes. I think it's what area you live in mostly.

there are 7 g-bodys ive seen in my town, 2 el caminos, 2 cutlasses, 2 regals, and a grand prix. Ive never seen a rx 7 here, and there is only one datsun z that i know of.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

It was a high volume, bland family car in it's day, like the Camry, Taurus, Lumina, Malibu, Accord, etc. Today.

As for what is on the road now, Japanese cars of this vintage and older did not have the best rust resistance, but were mechanically superior to American cars. That and geographical preference means you see more old American cars in the rust belt and union states than you do Japanese, while the trend is somewhat different in other parts of the country.

 

[Geesie]

Not only were the Japanese cars poorly rustproofed in the 70s and most of the 80s (I mean poorly even for the time) but mechanically they were only 'better' while the 55MPH national speed limit was in place. The engines and transmissions (especially the 70s Japanese cars) failed rapidly when regularly driven above 60.

 

[jonnyslick]

I live in Crossville, TN ... I see like dozens of g-bodys on a daily basis. Out of all the older cars you'll run across here ... 9 times out of 10 it'll be a G-body. When I lived in Las Vegas, I hardly ever saw a G-body, and when I did it was a low-low. Really like someone said above depends on the area.

Now as far as to what they compare to today (and I'm speaking from the 2 door G-body's) I'd have to venture to say maybe the new GTO or Mustang. You gotta' figure that on the streets Monte's and GN's would go at it with Camero's and 'Stang's. I'm sure if the current Monte Carlo was made on the same lines as that of old (2 door, 4 seater, V8, RWD) it would still be racing Mustangs today. You might even be able to throw in the 4 door Charger into the mix as a comparison as well, or even the G8.

It's really kinda' sad that there is no mid-size, 2 door, RWD cars with decent power to speak of anymore.

 

[2000.malibu.ls]

It's really kinda' sad that there is no mid-size, 2 door, RWD cars with decent power to speak of anymore.

hell, its not even about the power, if they came midsize 2 doors with a beefy 4cl or v6 rwd im sure the youth crowd would love em. But see the thing is, that consumers want fwd for traction, 4cl for mpg, and 4 doors for the family to ride along.

 

[jonnyslick]

^ True ... which is why we live in a land of complete crap-boxes.