97+ regal gs.....how good are these cars?

[Green Machine 95]

currently I have a 95' olds aurora and I love it, but I really love the newer regals. How reliable are these cars, and is under the hood complicated?

Parts for my Aurora are so much money and I am considering buying another car, if I do I want to get a regal

[tman]

I would keep the aurora. It is definatly a nicer car. The GS likes to creep up on the speed if your not careful. I was driving my cousins, and looked at the speedo to find I was doing 95! In the 3 years my cousin's had it, a belt tensioner pully has flown off,($198) the rear ABS sensor fried($200 from warranty), and the cruise control servo failed($500)

[Green Machine 95]

yea I love my car, its pretty quick for being 4,000 lbs 8).........its just parts are expensive and im only 19

[tman]

So what? I'm 16, and I drive a park avenue! lol. If anything, upgrade to a newer aurora, or a park avenue. What specifically is going wrong on the aurora?

[Green Machine 95]

honestly I dont know, something is wrong with the computer I think tho, lights flicker when the car is on or off, the only way it doesnt is when i have my parking lights on or headlights on, and now my turn signals dont work so i cant drive it.

[tman]

You can too drive it, just learn these hand signals!

[Skavoovie]

The 97+ Regals are actually very reliable. Both on JD Power's and Consumer Reports 'good' lists. The 97.5 has been known to have a few problems, as it was the first year of the current style.

Plus, $1500 in bolt-ons will all but guarantee you high 13s... With your golf clubs in the trunk and the A/C on.

[gonetobama13]

I bought a 97.5 Regal LS new. I have close to 100K miles on it and have had only minor problems. I get 30+ mpg on trips. It has a decent (mid 7's) 0-60 mph, but mostly I use the very good power for on ramp acceleration and getting away from semis on the interstate. I plan to keep it at least another three years.

[Ruley73]

They are great cars. I would stay from the '97 models specifically because they have the weaker transmission. The '98 newer Regal GS has the newer and much heavier 4T65E-HD transmission. The idler pulley has been a problem at around 100K miles, but contrary to popular belief this is normal wear & tear item for any vehicle. These Regal GS cars are quick and capable of 0-60 in 6.6 seconds and high 14s in the 1/4 mile - dead stock!

[tman]

The tensioner pulley fails early because GM wanted to save $4 and put a plastic on on, instead of metal.

[Ruley73]

"The tensioner pulley fails early because GM wanted to save $4 and put a plastic on on, instead of metal."

Actually, it has nothing to do with the pulley being made of metal or plastic. The bearing just plain wears out and literally falls apart if neglected for too long. This happens all the time on all makes of vehicles.

[tman]

I'm sorry, I must be stupid!

I had to replace a tensoner on a 98 regal GS not 3 months ago, and the plastic pulley MELTED!!!!!

BTW- There are no bearings in it, it is a plastic pulley in a metal shaft.

[Ruley73]

It probably melted from the friction of the seized bearing causing it to misalign and make even alot more friction & heat with the belt. It takes much more heat than that produced with normal use to melt the plastic pulley. They don't just melt off under normal use. It must be a bearing NOT a shaft. I sell these parts everyday. What you said makes no sense. If it were just a bushing on there then how would the pulley be held in place yet able to spin freely? Definitely not with a 10.9 grade bolt in the center of the bearing like they all are.

I'm sorry, I must be stupid!

[tman]

Listen here spanky, I know what I saw, if there were bearings inside it, they werent there when I removed it! I didn't inspect the new one very closly, it may have had bearings for all I know! The fact remains, if the pulley were metal, my cousin(who owns the 98 regal I referred to) may have been able to limp home instead of getting a tow.

[gonetobama13]

In any case, guys... since I own a '97.5 Regal LS with close to 100K miles, is there any way that I or my mechanic can check to see if the pulley is on it's last legs without unbolting a lot of parts? Put another way, since I'd like to keep my car for at least another 3 years, should I just go ahead and replace the pulley before it blows? Thanks.

John K.