1996 Buick Regal Review
1996 Buick Regal Review
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Used Regal for sale
Appraise This CarBuick Regal model years
Buick Regal types
- Sedan
- Coupe
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
The Series II 3.8-liter V6 is standard on Limited and Gran Sport, optional on base Custom models. Standard equipment now includes dual ComforTemp climate controls and a cassette player. Revised wheels, available in chrome, are standard on the Gran Sport. Base V6 is upgraded, and both engines feature long-life engine components.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Buick Regal Gran Sport 2dr Coupe and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $5.35 per gallon for regular unleaded in California.
Monthly estimates based on costs in California
$311/mo for Regal Gran Sport
Regal Gran Sport
vs
$251/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
The current front-wheel drive Regal started life in 1988 as a replacement for the hugely successful rear-wheel drive coupe of the same name. Blocky styling and vinyl roof treatments gave way to rounded corners and a less ostentatious amount of chrome trim. Sales dropped like the proverbial rock, leaving Buick scratching its head in puzzlement. The addition of a four-door in 1990 helped somewhat, but sales levels never climbed back to mid-Eighties highs.
The Regal is an attractive car, depending on how it's optioned out. GS versions sport the best appearance, eschewing chrome and skinny tires for a more luxury-sport look. This year, Regal Limited and Gran Sport get the powerful Series II 3.8-liter V6 engine, which pumps 205 horsepower through an electronically controlled four-speed automatic. Torque is up as well. Base Custom models make do with the standard 3.1-liter 160-horsepower V6.
Four new colors debut for 1996, and dual ComforTemp climate control is now standard. Revised wheels are available on Gran Sport, including an optional chrome finish. Extended-life spark plugs and long-life engine coolant find their way under the hood. Also included on all Regals are antilock brakes and dual air bags.
With base prices starting at about $20,000, Regal is a relatively good value. However, there are plenty of coupes and sedans on the market that offer more style and performance than this rapidly aging effort.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Buick Regal.
5 star(69%)
4 star(25%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(2%)
1 star(4%)
36 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
Best Ever!
Best Ever, 05/05/2007
1996 Buick Regal Custom 4dr Sedan
Bought used with 46,000mi and have 120,000. Has been unbelievably reliable. Outside of new tires and routine brake work, only replaced the belt, a radiator and an alternator. Always starts up like a dream. Most comfortable seats. Great engine. Bought an '01 Regal based on experience with this one, but it doesn't even come close in driveablilty or reliability.
4.38 out of 5 stars
Exceptional in every way............
Dean, 11/23/2009
1996 Buick Regal Custom 4dr Sedan
Bought this car from private elder couple who never smoked. Interior well laid out, engine 3.1 v-6 has plenty of power, and in comparison with foreign makes gets a reliable 29 mpg on the road with 25 in town. Full size seating for 6 with great fuel economy,(I would put it up against Toyota or Nissan any day) Handles great, very reliable with minimum maint. and above all very good fuel … economy.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Loved My Regal, Great Car!
Tizzy, 06/28/2010
1996 Buick Regal Custom 4dr Sedan
Owned this car for 5 years and it has been very good to me. I was a college student when I first purchased it, so I did a lot of commuting home and back to school. 168,000 mi and still going strong! Smooth ride, good gas mileage, very few issues, never left me stranded!I was never the best about routine maintenance, that being said, I've still never had any major issues and my car has … always started up every single day. Would recommend to anyone looking for reliability and durability. Excellent 1st, 2nd or 3rd car.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Awesome car
none, 01/09/2007
1996 Buick Regal Custom 4dr Sedan
We bought a 1996 Buick Regal for $3000 with only 62,500 miles on it. It is the smoothest car out of our 2 other cars. The engine is a tiny bit loud, but that is because of the age. The sound of the radio of 100x better than our other Buick. Sound quality is superb! I feel very comfortable in this car going 80mph. Although this car is 10 years old, the quality is still superb.
1996 Regal Highlights
Sedan
Gran Sport
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $311/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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