2011 Infiniti G37 Sedan Review

The 2011 Infiniti G37. Sleek styling, strong performance.

It's always nice to visit an old friend after a long absence and find that the things you liked the most aren't gone, haven't changed.

The Infiniti G37 sedan doesn't come around often enough in the press fleet...2006 (when it was the G35), 2009 and now. Two and a half years between visits. Not only does it never disappoint, it delights.

The '06 was a six-speed manual, but only 280 horsepower. The '09 had 328 horsepower, but there was an automatic (admittedly, a very good, very smooth seven-speed).

This latest visit put the good stuff together...the 328 horsepower 3.7 liter DOHC 24-valve V6, with a six-speed manual. Not only did I get to shift it myself and find the sweet spots in an engine full of them, but the Nissan press fleet people kept the options to exactly one...and a functional one at that: R-Spec high friction brake pads, a bargain at $370.

The fluid lines of the 2011 Infiniti G37 Sedan.

As with so many cars, not selecting options doesn't result in a low-ball version. The $39,450 asking price for the G37 Sedan 6MT (that's the official name for the six-speed manual version) has a huge list of standard equipment, including viscous limited-slip differential, sport-tuned suspension and steering, independent front and rear suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, Dual Flow Path shock absorbers, sport brakes with 4-piston front and 2-piston rear calipers and speed-sensitive power steering.

You're also treated to a rear sonar system, high-intensity discharge bi-functional Xenon healdights, fog lights, LED taillights, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, performance tires, sport headlights, a power moonroof, leather seats (12-way adjustable and heated for the driver, 8-way adjustable and heated for the front passenger), power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, memory seat, outside mirrors and steering wheel, push button start, an AM/FM/SiriusXM Satellite/CD premium Bose audio system with 10-sepakers, a 9.3 gigabyte Music Box hard drive and a USB connection for your portable device.

The 2011 Infiniti G37 Sedan Interior. It looks great even when you're in the seat, instead of looking down through the open sunroof.

The nav system comes standard, too...and includes XM NavTraffic (good) and XM NavWeather (better...a long summer drive with real-time radar in your dashboard can be a life-saver), plus the Zagat Survey restaurant guide. It's also got voice recognition, a rear-view camera, and a 7-inch color display. There's Bluetooth, HomeLink, controls for most of those things on the steering wheel, dual zone climate control and a bunch more (if you really want the full list, click here).

What matters most is this: The bones of this car are so completely and totally right. It is a fast, confident, balanced sport sedan...right on the heels of BMW (a gap it's been narrowing for years) at a lower price. So much of the equipment on the G37 Sedan 6MT enhances that...and (this is not always a given) none of it detracts from it.

A truly great car that breaks the $40,000 barrier only because of the destination charges. That's something to be applauded, bought and driven often.

EPA estimates: 17 city/25 highway.

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2011 Buick Regal CXL Review

The 2011 Buick Regal. A whole new look for GM's longtime old-guy division.

Turning points are usually things that become obvious well after the fact...noted by historians looking at the big picture. It's rare when we can see one in real time and realize it.

I could be wrong here, but I think we're looking at one right now.

It's been many years since Buick built a car enthusiasts could get (pardon the pun) revved up about. It was a Regal, too, come to think of it.

Well, 1987 was 1987 and 2011 is 2011 and Buick wisely resisted the urge to join the retro-mobile bandwagon and instead built a sedan for our times.

Slick European lines highlight the rear view of the 2011 Buick Regal.

Buick's aiming for an interesting spot in the sedan spectrum...sportier than Lexus, cushier than BMW (the American alternative to Infiniti, perhaps?), and the Regal hits that very small bulls-eye. Simply put, it drives better than any Buick of the last 25 years, perhaps than any Buick ever...and better than many contemporary sedans out there.

That's a big enough accomplishment for Buick, but here's the kicker...it does it with a four-cylinder engine under the hood. In fact, that's the only way you can get a Regal right now...your choice is turbo or non-turbo...and that's what we got...the stock engine. 182 horsepower. Doesn't sound like much considering what else is on the market, but it moves the Regal with authority, and mated to a six-speed automatic, it delivers pretty good mileage, too. 19 city isn't awesome, but 30 highway is a strong selling point these days.

$26,245 is the price of entry, bringing with it Stabilitrak, a full complement of airbags and curtains, battery rundown protection,  a six-month subscription to OnStar Directions & Connections with automatic crash response and turn-by-turn navigation, tire pressure monitoring, brake assist and ABS, 18-inch alloy wheels, power heated outside mirrors, halogen headlamps and fog lamps, leather seats (heated up front and 8-way power adjustable for the driver), remote keyless entry, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, power door locks, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, controls for audio and cruise on the steering wheel, a seven-speaker AM/FM/CD/SiriusXM audio system with USB port and Bluetooth, and two power outlets.

The 2011 Buick Regal interior will remind you of anything but Buicks past.

In our book, that's loaded. Especially for a tick over $26K. But Buick added one....just one...option package. It's called RL6, the Comfort and Convenience Package. It gives the front passenger the same 8-way adjustable seat the driver gets, along with 4-way lumbar, adds a 120-volt power outlet, Ultrasonic rear parking assist, a power sunroof, rear seat mounted airbags, GPS navigation and ups the audio system to a premium unit with 9 speakers instead of 7. 

It costs $4,785.

I think the Regal's one helluva car without it at $26,245. But I can't really object to anything in the option package either (other than satnav....say it with me now: "My phone does that."), and at $31,780 with destination charges, it's still one helluva car, and fairly priced for what you get. It's just not the jaw-dropping value it represents at almost five grand less.

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