1990-1996 Buick Regal Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Buick Regal. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Buick Regal.

1990-1996 Buick Regal Review

Buick's version was the first of the new midsize front-drive coupes introduced for 1988 and soon followed by the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and Pontiac Grand Prix. Regals came in Custom and costlier Limited trim. A Gran Sport option group featured Buick's Gran Touring suspension and 16-inch tires. All-disc brakes were standard; antilock braking optional on upper models. No airbag was available, but like other GM cars, front seatbelts could be left buckled to deploy automatically.

Year to Year Changes

1991 Buick Regal: After a bit of delay, a 4-door sedan finally arrived as an early '91, different from the coupe in styling despite sharing the same chassis. With the sedan came a larger (3.8-liter) V6 engine option. Regal was the only member of the GM midsize group to offer the 3.8-liter. Coupes gained a fresh face, courtesy of a new grille (body-colored with Gran Sport package) and turn-signal lamps.

1992 Buick Regal: Gran Sport was now a full-fledged model. Antilock braking became standard on the Gran Sport and Limited, but remained an option for Custom Regals.

1993 Buick Regal: A new electronic 4-speed automatic transmission went into '93 Regals, which also exhibited a redesigned grille and rode standard 15-inch tires. Reworked rear bumpers and taillights looked more like those on the bigger LeSabre.

1994 Buick Regal: Finally, Regals got a driver-side airbag, as well as standard antilock braking (ABS was formerly optional on the Custom). Despite the airbag, automatic seatbelts were retained. Limiteds now came only in sedan form. The Custom base engine gained 20 horsepower. Power windows were standard, and power locks would unlock automatically as the transmission was shifted into park.

1995 Buick Regal: Dual airbags arrived for '95 in a modified interior that featured a new dashboard and seats. Coupes now came in Custom and Gran Sport trim; sedans in all three price levels.

1996 Buick Regal: Regal's 3.8-liter engine, again standard in the Limited and Gran Sport but optional in the Custom, gained 35 horsepower, now totaling 205. This year's lineup includes a Custom coupe and sedan, plus sedans in Limited and Gran Sport guise. The 1996 Regal saw extended production as an all-new 1997 1/2 Regal appeared late.

1990-1996 Buick Regal Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration (3.8-liter V6)	Fuel economy (3.8-liter V6)

Passenger and cargo room	Seat comfort

Antilock brakes (optional until '94)	Steering feel

Ride	Engine noise (early models)

	Instruments/controls (early models)

	Performance (early models)

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Front-seat room is generous, and the rear is adequate for 6-footers. Both body styles are roomy, but leg and head room are better in the sedan, though the lower cushion feels puny for long-distance comfort. Front shoulder belts in the sedan were anchored to door pillars, so belts could ride on the neck of shorter passengers. Wide front pillars compromise visibility. The initial Regal's lack of power was remedied by the arrival of the 3.8-liter engine in 1992. It gives the car sufficient oomph to accelerate smartly away from stoplights and pass safely. The early 3.1-liter, in contrast, sounds strained when a brisk getaway is called for, generating more noise than power. With the electronically controlled automatic installed in 1993, shifts grew swifter and smoother. Gas mileage is better with the 3.1-liter. We've averaged better than 20 mpg. The 3.8-liter yielded no more than 17-18 mpg. Analog instrumentation in early Regals is not the greatest and some instruments are blocked by the steering wheel. The optional electronic cluster has poorly designed graphics and has to squeeze into the same tight space. Climate controls also are far to the right, but have big buttons. The new interior for 1995 cured many of these complaints. Ride/handling aren't bad, even with the base suspension. It seems to strike a sensible compromise between soft ride and capable handling, though slanting toward the former. Steering is on the light side, and the car leans heavily in turns. The firmer Gran Sport suspension provides taut handling and a well-controlled ride, but gets a bit harsh when rolling through pavement irregularities. Antilock braking works well, but takes high pedal pressure for a quick stop.

Value for the Money
A Regal might not be much to get excited about, but it's not a bad choice when prices are tempting. About 75 percent of Regals got the 3.8-liter V6, and that's the one that approaches Ford Taurus in appeal.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Buick Regal Limited Sedan	Rating

Performance	5

Fuel Economy	5

Ride Quality	5

Steering/Handling/Braking	5

Quietness	5

Controls/Materials	4

Interior Room	5

Room/Comfort (rear)	4

Cargo Capacity	4

Value within Class	6

Total:	48

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1990-1996 Buick Regal Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Automatic transmission: 4T60E transmissions may drop out of drive while cruising, shift erratically, or have no second, third, or fourth gear because of a bad ground connection for the shift solenoids. (1991-94)

Automatic transmission: 440-T4 automatic transmissions may shift late or not upshift at all. The problem is a stuck throttle valve inside the transmission. (1990-92)

Coolant leak: The 3.8-liter V6 may leak coolant into the engine from the intake manifold. A new gasket kit, revised throttle body nuts, and sealing compound is available. Redesigned manifolds are also available in the aftermarket. (1993-96)

Coolant leak: Coolant loss via plastic intake manifold is corrected by installing upgraded manifold and gaskets plus new PCV kit. (1995-96)

Engine noise: Bearing knock was common on many 3.8-liter engines due to too much clearance on the number one main bearing. (1992-94)

Engine noise: An intermittent rattle at start up may be due to too much wrist pin-to-piston clearance. (1994-95)

Engine noise: An intermittent rattling noise at start up is often caused by automatic-transmission pump starvation or cavitation, or a sticking pressure-regulator valve. (1991-95)

Oil consumption: Models with the 3.8-liter engine are prone to excessive oil consumption often accompanied by spark knock during normal driving conditions due to failure of the valve-stem seals. (1993-95)

Steering noise: The upper bearing mount in the steering column can get loose and cause a snapping or clicking that can be both heard and felt. (1994-96)

Transaxle leak: The right front axle seal at the automatic transaxle is prone to leak and GM issued a revised seal to correct the problem. (1992-94)

Valve cover leaks: The plastic valve covers on 3.1-liter engines were prone to leaks and should be replaced with redesigned aluminum valve covers. (1994-95)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$555

Alternator	$215

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$1,075

Brakes	$200

Constant Velocity Joints	$470

Exhaust System	$470

Radiator	$340

Shocks and/or Struts	$1,856

Timing Chain or Belt	$170

NHTSA Recall History

1990 w/Kelsey-Hayes steel wheels: Cracks may develop in wheel mounting surface; if severe, wheel could separate from car.

1990: Brake lights may not illuminate, or will not stay lit all the time when brakes are applied, due to faulty switch.

1990: Front shoulder belt may not properly restrain passenger in an accident.

1990-91: Steering shaft could separate from steering gear.

1991 in 15 states: Corrosion due to road salt could allow one or both front engine-cradle bolts to pull through their retainers; steering shaft could possibly separate from steering gear.

1991: Front-door shoulder-belt guide loops may be cracked.

1992: Reverse servo apply pin of 4-speed automatic transmission may bind, which could cause loss or slipping of reverse, poor performance, or transmission to remain in reverse while indicator shows neutral.

1993: Manual recliner mechanisms on some front seats will not latch under certain conditions, causing seatback to recline without prior warning.

1993-95: Replace clear front side-marker bulbs with amber.

1994-95: Rear brake hoses can contact suspension components and wear through, resulting in loss of brake fluid.

1994-95: Strained wire can cause intermittent or nonexistent wiper/washer operation.

1995: Center-rear-seatbelt anchor plate could fracture in a crash.

1995: On a few cars, steering-column support bolts could vibrate, loosen, or fall out.

1995: Seatbelt anchor can fracture during crash.

1995-96: The driver's airbag could deploy inadvertently and injure the driver.

1996 w/3.8-liter V6: Backfire can break upper intake manifold, resulting in possible fire.

1996: Left front brake line can contact transaxle mounting bracket or bolt, causing line to wear through, resulting in loss of fluid and eventual loss of half the brake system.

1990-1996 Buick Regal Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1990
Regal	$1,000-1,300	$600-800	$100

1991
Regal	$1,100-1,500	$700-900	$100-200

1992
Regal	$1,200-1,600	$700-1,000	$100-200

1993
Regal	$1,400-1,900	$900-1,200	$200

1994
Regal	$1,600-2,100	$1,100-1,400	$200-300

1995
Regal	$1,900-2,400	$1,300-1,700	$300-400

1996
Regal	$2,200-2,800	$1,600-2,000	$400-500

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1990-1996 Buick Regal Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	2-door coupe	4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	107.5	107.5

Overall Length, in.	193.9	193.7

Overall Width, in.	72.5	72.5

Overall Height, in.	53.0	54.5

Curb Weight, lbs.	3232	3335

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	15.6	15.9

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	16.5	16.5

Seating Capacity	6	6

Front Head Room, in.	37.6	38.6

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.3	42.4

Rear Head Room, in.	37.0	37.8

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	34.8	36.2

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Only a 3.1-liter V6 was available in 1990 Regals, making 135 horsepower. A year later, Regals could be purchased with a 170-horsepower "3800" V6, which was essentially the same engine used in the Park Avenue and Riviera. That upper engine got a boost to 205 horsepower for '96. Meanwhile, the base engine gained five horsepower for 1991, reaching 140. For 1994, output grew by 20, to 160 horsepower, courtesy of a new fuel-injection system. A 4-speed automatic was the only transmission available, but electronic controls did not arrive until 1993 when the optional 3.8-liter engine rose a bit in torque output to 225 pound-feet. A massive power boost emerged for 1996 in the 3.8-liter engine, which got new valves and roller rocker arms and developed 205 horsepower.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohv V6	3.1 / 191	135-160	180-185	4-speed automatic: 20/29	4-speed automatic: 20.5

ohv V6	3.8 / 231	170-205	220-230	4-speed automatic: 19/30	4-speed automatic: 17.3

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1995 Regal

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	3

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: Canada

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 1990-1996 Buick Regal Review:

Buick Regal

Buick Regal Road Test

Buick Regal Reliability

Buick Regal Prices

Buick Regal Specs & Safety

Buick Regal Photos

Buick Regal Full Review