A Buick recently entertained me—and not because I was watching a 106-year-old trying to park one by touch or climb it over parking lot island they didn’t notice.
I’m a performance car nut and child of the 80’s—and not long ago, the 2011 Buick Regal’s performance managed to bring a genuine grin to my face. This unforeseen occurrence took place a few nights back after leaving the gym in a Regal CXL and discovering I was 20 minutes late for a weekly coffee meeting with friends.
A race across town, down the highway, and around a number of on and off-ramps was required. If I hurried, I’d only be my standard 30 minutes late. Much longer, and I’d be subjected to relentless razzing about how I’m never punctual. Or the usual onslaught of sarcastic “Justin Time” jokes.
During my hurried cross-town trek, I did the usual: cranked some Alexisonfire, put the shifter in ‘manual’ mode, and hammered down.
An agile Buick?
Regal’s delightfully quick steering system and agile suspension tuning made quick work of the twisty stuff en route, and your writer arrived at the coffee shop a slightly-early 28 minutes late.
I was smiling when I walked inside, apparently. There were no tardiness-related jokes, but rather, the same question presented by everyone in my party.
“You just got out of a Buick…and you’re smiling?”
Fair question.
Large two-milk in hand, I explained how the latest Buick rides the same platform as the Opel Insignia from across the pond. Insignia’s platform is designed for entertaining dynamics and a high-end ride and handling feel. You know: that stuff the Europeans like in an affordable car, and the same stuff we Canucks shell out the big bucks for.
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| The new Regal’s dynamic demeanour is one of numerous ways Buick is hoping to attract young blood to their brand. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |
I’m a performance car nut and child of the 80’s—and not long ago, the 2011 Buick Regal’s performance managed to bring a genuine grin to my face. This unforeseen occurrence took place a few nights back after leaving the gym in a Regal CXL and discovering I was 20 minutes late for a weekly coffee meeting with friends.
A race across town, down the highway, and around a number of on and off-ramps was required. If I hurried, I’d only be my standard 30 minutes late. Much longer, and I’d be subjected to relentless razzing about how I’m never punctual. Or the usual onslaught of sarcastic “Justin Time” jokes.
During my hurried cross-town trek, I did the usual: cranked some Alexisonfire, put the shifter in ‘manual’ mode, and hammered down.
An agile Buick?
Regal’s delightfully quick steering system and agile suspension tuning made quick work of the twisty stuff en route, and your writer arrived at the coffee shop a slightly-early 28 minutes late.
I was smiling when I walked inside, apparently. There were no tardiness-related jokes, but rather, the same question presented by everyone in my party.
“You just got out of a Buick…and you’re smiling?”
Fair question.
Large two-milk in hand, I explained how the latest Buick rides the same platform as the Opel Insignia from across the pond. Insignia’s platform is designed for entertaining dynamics and a high-end ride and handling feel. You know: that stuff the Europeans like in an affordable car, and the same stuff we Canucks shell out the big bucks for.
 |
| The latest Buick rides the same platform as the Opel Insignia from across the pond. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |