This 1989 Buick Regal is one of those cars I remember seeing everywhere when they were less than 10 years young, but they have seemingly all disappeared at this point. While certainly the type of vehicle your grandparents might drive, they were good looking cars, in this author’s opinion, even if not particularly remarkable to drive. This example has survived in impressive shape, with under 40,000 original miles and seemingly well cared for every step of the way. Find this pristine Regal here on eBay where it’s listed at no reserve and bidding is just over $3K at the moment.
Sure enough, the seller notes that it comes from the estate of the 91-year-old original owner, who purchased it new at Reichard Buick in Dayton, Ohio. The Regal comes with wire-style hubcaps and white line tires, and looks incredibly straight and true going down the sides of the cars – no major dings here. The seller notes that it has just 36,525 actual miles, and that the family the car belongs to is accepting offers before the auction ends. While the target market is likely small, anyone who has ever wanted a Regal of this generation has to be salivating over this one.
The interior may not be the high-zoot cabin some folks would want, as there’s no leather trim to be seen. However, the gray cloth is in mint condition, and the carpets look like they have never seen a solitary grimy shoe or ever been victim of a spilled coffee cup. The wood trim, fake as it may be, still looks handsome today, and I’d forgotten how modern the instrument cluster appeared on the Regals of this generation. There really are no faults to report inside the car, and the seller confirms the A/C still blows ice cold.
The 2.8L V6 may not have been particularly exotic, but it was at least a workhorse. I would assume given the cleanliness of the engine bay that this one has been dealer-maintained most of its life, but you’ll need to ask the seller to confirm that suspicion. While I’ve seen some sellers of clean, late 80s GM products claim that these cars are on the rise value-wise, I’m not sure I’d go that far just yet. They likely won’t ever be worth a whole lot, but nice ones certainly stand out given how many have gone to the scrap heap. This is one of the nicest Regals I can recall seeing in recent memory – and at no reserve, it seems like a fair deal.
These looked so much like the face lifted Century that I barely noticed them. This is really clean looking and would make a nice ride for the right person, but it reminds me too much of a Lumina coupe that I had and wasn’t a fan of. At least the 90 Lumina had the 3.1 V6 instead of the 2.8.
I had this exact car with the 3.1. It was an option in 89 and became standard in 90
Not a big fan of the 2.8, but I want it!!
If it had a 3.8 yes. Otherwise. Junk.
Hardly “junk”. Maybe not the type of car you like, but it’s in very nice condition.
The 2.8s were great engines in the W body cars. Not so great in The S-10 though.
Could be glass headlite covers.
An alternative to motorized shoulder belts, tho i am not sure if it’s safer to attach the upper mounting point of the belts to the doors instead of the roof!
Seems to have room for 4. Roof could be lower.
I always thought these looked super ungainly but you’d definitely stand out in this, and it’s certainly cheaper than other classics.
I knew a guy back in the day who bought a brand new 1990 Regal GS when he graduated from college with an accounting degree. I wonder how he looks back at that “achievement” now.
Yes, it’s cheaper than “other” classics, better be, because it’s not a classic. This is just an old car.
Your suggestion is that I should have omitted the word “other” from the first sentence. Unfortunately, the edit feature doesn’t seem to be available anymore.
The Regal or the accounting degree?
Nice car, but the jury’s out on that 2.8.
I owned this exact car. Same interior/exterior/drive train. It was fun and stylish, so what if it were a pokey puppy. Not in love with the seat belt arrangement, but it was different for the time. Also had a ‘90 GS with the 3800 and the works. That WAS a FUN CAR!
Jeff, i agree with you. the car isn’t going anywhere from the upside view, but it is a great driver. I question the 2.8 in it, would much prefer the 3800 which was a wonderful engine. No room, and too far away.
The 3.1 was the best engine
I had an 89 with the 3.1 and a 93 with the 3.8. 3.1 sold with 378K on it and the 3.8 was junk at 119K
Nice car but not enough doors.
Looks like perfect fodder for a “GS Stage 1” conversion, 455, M-21, beefy rear axle, and all!