The SS has been a blast since new and after 111k she's still alot of fun... but I just drove a 2013 Regal GS and Im in love... It confirms the need for the manual 6speed in the SS

 

My wife test drove a 2012 Regal. It was okay and a new on is still on her list as a possible replacement for the HHR but, being the old school type I am, I just can't get to a Buick that's not a V8 and rear wheel drive.

 

Two different autos completely, other then the engine.

For 35k I would go with a V8. My friend has his mint 04 Vette Z06 with 42k for sale for 20k OBO. 405 HP with 6-speed manual, probably identical MPG as the Regal at 17/28.

If you can afford 35k how about just keeping the HHR?

 

If your going that route wait for the grand national!! You'll be sorry if you like performance and you don't.....

 

or wait for the Cruze SS to be unveiled at the NAIAS in 10 days, if you want to stick with the bowtie brand.

 

I did note that the sweet GS 20" wheels are packing summer only tires... @ $485 a corner (ouch) whats funny is the euro cousin is a V6 packing 320 hp and AWD... Still not too sure if I am going to or not. My issue is I drive for work and they pay for my car and can only be 5 years old, so Its about to be too old.... sucks

 

Ugly as sin. Still can't compete with post-01 Vettes even though the GNX model will have the new GM LT1 engine.

I could of had a GNX back in the early 90s, bought a Mits 3000 VR4 TT instead, worst mistake ever being the old GNs are now worth around 100k and the VR4s are a dime a dozen.

 

BZERKED: I would say it's a very decent choice, if your finances allow it. It shouldn't be $35K, and it IS way more refined than any HHR. If you are looking to haul customers around in something and care about the impression you make, it wins over anything else that isn't sold under a foreign label.

I do work for GM, so I have that bias, but the Regal GS is very competitive, and, yeah, I DO really love those wheels, too! Better get some locking lugnuts... I know the D.

 

Big fan of the wheels here too. GMC will have something similar for their trucks too and they look great.

The GS is a great car but I am getting vibes it is near the end and Buick will make some major changes soon. The new Verano is not even a sports sedan and I believe it is already faster than the GS. This leads me to think they will have some big news and changes soon.

As for the new GNX and T type there is too little info out there and many wrong Ideas what we will see.

First off I expect it will be on the Alpha as predicted but I suspect it may have a snow balls chance of a V8 and if it does it will not be cheap. The only Alpha's I expect with a V8 will be the new coming CTS V and the Camaro. I do not even expect the ATS to get a V8. The future for the V8 will be trucks and mostly cars north of $40K. GM hopes to limit sales with higher prices and still profit on the lower volume.

I suspect the Buicks will see more use of a 3.0 and maybe a 3.6 TT. Also the cars more than likely will be sports sedans. Coupes are a difficult sale and with the Camaro on the Alpha it would be difficult to more a Buick coupe. Either way it will be a fundimentally different car than the one from the 80's. Too soon to tell much but with GM's other moves I think some will be suprised or disapointed.

We looked at the Regal for the wife and it is a very good car but an older model since it was around in Europe long before it got here. THe only only thing that killed it for us is she needed more trunk space and so we ended up with a Terrain. I had though if I ever had to replace the SS I would consider the Regal or what ever they have to replace it.

Right now the press is in love with the Verano. It is a little too small for me but is a sign of good things coming to Buick.

Note too GM is already working on a turbo upgrade for many of their future turbo cars so there is more fun to come.

As of now there is no sign there ever will be a Cruze SS. That could change fast with the new 2.0 Turbo.

Keep in mind GM is pretty hushed about anything more than 12-18 months out. The days of the 5 year lead in like the Voilt and 5th Gen Camaro are over. Right now the best kept seceret in America is the styling of the 2015 Camaro. No one is talking.

 

IMO, the Cruze isn't getting much new before we get the next one, which is coming up not much past the 18 mos. you mention. The Cruze diesel is coming in the Spring, but that's been announced for a while.