What began as a quiet, upscale 1973 sedan, the Buick Regal ended its initial production run in 2004 and was relaunched to North America in 2011 (production and sales have been ongoing in China since 1999), and following a sporty mid-generation tweaking in 2014, Buick has gone all-new with Regal in 2018, with a sleek, sporty design increased horsepower, an upgraded cabin and advanced infotainment.

Heralded by Buick as “a sport sedan designed for everyday driving,” the five-passenger, four-door sedan has a front-engine, active twin-clutch all-wheel drive configuration and all-new, heated/cooled and massaging performance seats, while also adding a separate five-door sportback (hatch) design.

The Regal GS I tested was in the sedan line, and new for 2018 are a 3.6-liter V-6 engine; standard nine-speed automatic transmission and intelligent all-wheel drive with active twin clutch for improved vehicle control; five-link rear suspension; GS-specific, performance seats that are heated, cooled and massaging with adjustable seat and seat-back bolsters as well as thigh support; second-generation Continuous Damping Control capable of 500 adjustments per second; Interactive Drive Control with GS and Sport modes; unique sport front and rear fascias, side skirts and rear spoiler; standard 19-inch wheels; performance brakes with Brembo front calipers; sport-tuned exhaust system; sport flat-bottom steering wheel and metal pedals and an available head-up display.

Outside, Buick offers a sculptured Euro-sportiness with aggressive front and rear fascias, a rear decklid spoiler and GS badging front and rear. The 2018 Buick Regal GS has grown some and now measures 192.9 inches in length (a gain of 2.7 inches), 73.3 inches in width (up 0.2 inches), and 57.3 inches in height (a better road hugger now as it is 1.1 inches lower); on a 111.4-inch wheelbase, which is 3.6 inches longer. Curbweight is about 3796 lbs., a weight gain of 71 lbs.

Inside, the Regal features unique perforated GS-specific performance seats with integrated headrests and adjustable lumbar and thigh support bolsters. The seats are heated and ventilated and come standard with a massage function. The interior also features state-of-the-art infotainment, on-board WiFi and GS-specific pedals and sill plates.

The reconfigured cabin makes headroom a bit tight at 38.8 inches in front and 37.4 inches in row two, with the front as same as last year, and the rear 0.6 inches wider; legroom is an accommodating 42.1 inches in row one and 36.9 for the second row – the front remains the same and rear is 0.4 inches tighter; and shoulder room is 56.9 and 55.4 (0.2 inches wider up front and an inch wider in row two).

The 2018 Regal GS offers a cohesive and connected infotainment experience with an 8-inch diagonal touchscreen and 8-inch diagonal reconfigurable instrument cluster as standard equipment. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility both come standard. A full-color head-up display is available with an optional Driver Confidence II package that also includes several safety features including Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert and Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Automatic Braking.

Regal’s base engine is a cast aluminum 3.6-liter direct injection V- 6. Mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, the system is rated at 310hp and 282 lb-ft of torque. This represents a gain of 51 hp and a loss of 13 lb-ft over the 2.0-liter turbo I tested in last year’s Regal GS review. The 2.0 has been relegated to duty in the new Buick Regal Sportback model. The 3.6-liter system is EPA rated at 19mpg/city, 22mpg/highway and 27.0mpg overall, and my week of mixed-use tests yielded an average of 20.7mpg.

On the track, my GS accelerated sportily and I was more than a second-and-a-half faster than I was last year in the sprint with my 2.0-liter turbo. My zero-to-60mph time this year was 5.5 seconds during a 14.5-second-flat quarter-mile. On the highway, we had excellent passing power at speed, steering and balance were sportlike, and the suspension was Buicklike – stable and quiet … sporty, but traditionally Buick quiet.

The 2018 Buick Regal Sportback starts at $24,990, and runs through five trims, topping at nearly $40,000. The Regal GS Sedan bases at $39,070 with the 3.6-liter V-6 Engine with Stop/Start Technology, 19-inch Cast Aluminum with Technical Gray Gloss Finish, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Front and Rear Park Assist, High-Performance Heated, Ventilated Bucket Seats with Massage, Integrated Head Restraints and Power-Adjustable Bolsters, Brembo® Front Brakes, Rear Decklid Spoiler, Air Dams, Ground Effects and Pass-Through Exhaust.

In Sport Red, with Ebony leather-appointed seat trim, my Regal GS added the Driver Confidence II Package for $1690, with Adaptive Cruise Control, Following Distance Indicator, Head-Up Display, Forward Collision Alert and Forward Automatic Braking. The power moonroof added $1000; The Appearance Package for $485 added wireless charging, LED headlamps with automatic leveling, cornering lamps and more. The Sights and Sounds Package added $945 for an 8-inch diagonal, 8-speaker infotainment and audio system with navigation; Premium all-weather floor mats were $140 and destination and freight charges were $925, for a sticker-as-tested of $44,255, but cash allowances and other incentives are available from the dealer to lower the price.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

Except for a little rain Thursday, the weather overall for Fall Carlisle was spectacular. Mother Nature was friend, not foe for the October 3-7 event that just took place for the 45th time at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds. With her support, thousands of vendors and tens of thousands of guests had a great time buying and selling all things automotive.

Though gates opened Wednesday for the first time to officially start the show, business was happening by Monday, as vendors set up and patronized each other, while an exclusive set of pickers also had access to the grounds. Starting with vendor load in on Monday, the all-new VIP Power Picker group was able to come on grounds early, park on grounds and have free reign of the swap meet and car corral. This package was just $99 and gave unprecedented access to the grounds at an amazing value.

As each day turned to the next, there was always something different happening. The stage hosted a DJ playing music, plus FREE metal fabrication seminars from Steve Mercurio from Pro Metal Shop of Danville, Pennsylvania. His display was flanked by a special build; a custom pet wagon called the Ruff Rod. This creation was auctioned Friday and generated over $1,500 in monies for Speranza Animal Rescue of Mechanicsburg, PA.
Additional event fun included a Friday trivia party with vendors and a Saturday vendor appreciation and send off dinner for Carlisle Events’ very own Diane Vaughn. In between, Thursday offered the first day of the three-day auction powered by Carlisle Auctions, while Sunday was a day to say goodbye until next year!

Speaking of next year, Carlisle Events is pleased to open its “home based” schedule as part of its 45th Anniversary season starting April 23. The five-day event will again offer a swap meet and car corral, while Carlisle Auctions supports a 500+ car, three-day auction.

Complete details on the auction can be found at www.carlisleauctions.com, with details on Spring and Fall Carlisle available at www.carlisleevents.com.

A little rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of the bidders and spectators who gathered at the Carlisle Expo Center and made the Fall Carlisle auction part of their early October plans. In fact, the temps were cool at times outdoors, while things were sizzling hot indoors! Well hot enough that over $5 million in sales transpired. With over 100 years of production available, there really was a little something for everyone.

Each day of the auction offered something special, including select consignments earmarked for charity. Some cars saw the sale dollars go direct to the local Carlisle branch of the Salvation Army, while Friday saw a custom built wagon auctioned off to benefit a local animal rescue. The wagon, fabricated by Steve Mercurio of Pro Metal Shop of Danville, PA, garnered $1,000 for the Speranza Animal Rescue, plus nearly as much in secondary donations. There were also specialty hours dedicated to Ford and Chevrolet, while also spotlighting trucks too.

As noted above, over $5 Million in sales were consummated. Of that $5 Million, $582,615 came from its top five sellers. Those sales include the following:

1) 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 - $181,900

2) 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Restomod - $133,750

3) 2010 Ferrari California - $100,580

4) 1966 Chevrolet Corvette - $88,810 

5) 1967 Chevrolet Corvette - $77,575

Of course there are some that didn’t sell and Carlisle Auctions is eager to work with buyer and seller to help close a deal on a “Still For Sale” consignment.

For complete information on this auction, its results and those cars that might still be available, contact Carlisle Auctions at 717-960-6400 or to learn more about this event or future auctions, including the next one taking place in Lakeland, Florida in February, visit www.carlisleauctions.com.

The Honda Civic debuted as an economical subcompact for the 1973 model year as an answer to the U.S. oil and gas crisis, and has been a top-seller for 45 years to buyers in the 35-and-under market. Originally a sub-compact, Civic has employed compact proportions since 1988, It is currently the No.2-selling car in America and eighth-best-selling vehicle overall, when trucks and SUVs are figured in.

The current 10th-generation Honda Civic was introduced in 2016 and has undergone few changes and augmentations since. Next year, look for Civic to enhance with a refreshed and sportier exterior architecture, tweaked interior, upgraded technology and infotainment, and improved handling. But there’s plenty to like for 2018. Ranked by Kelly Blue Book as one of the “10 Coolest New Cars Under $20,000", KBB editors herald Civic as “… a well-rounded car offered as a Sedan or Coupe that's comfortable, roomy, practical, efficient, packed with cool tech, and a blast to drive."

A functional, economical and driver-experience-friendly vehicle, Honda Civic comes in four-door Sedan or two-door Coupe styles, multiple engine choices and trims and a bevy of colors – nine exterior shades: White Orchid, Taffeta White, Lunar Silver, Crystal Black, Rallye Red, Modern Steel, Aegean Blue, Cosmic Blue, and Burgundy Night.
Since 2016, the Civic Coupe (the model I tested) has displayed sporty and sophisticated exterior styling and a cabin to match. Civic has sleek, swept-back bodylines, a sharp and aggressive face, and bulging wheel arches. The hood features sharply defined character lines that draw the eye forward and down to the Civic's aggressive face, highlighted by a chrome-plated Honda “wing” that runs the full width of the front fascia and is flanked by available LED headlights in an in-line configuration.

Building on the foundation of its ultra-rigid and lightweight body structure, the Civic Coupe utilizes a fully independent suspension with a multi-link rear design mated to a rigidly-mounted rear subframe for a high degree of lateral stability. The Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ body structure and rear frame structures, aid in occupant protection while minimizing weight for better fuel efficiency.

With angular unibody construction, the compact Civic Coupe measures 176.9 inches long, 54.9 inches high and 70.8 inches wide on a 106.3-inch wheelbase for a curb weight of 2899 lbs.

Inside, the cabin is packed with high-quality, soft-to-the-touch materials and such convenience features as remote engine start, electronic parking brake, walk away door locking, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats and rain-sensing wipers.

The cabin plays into its compact nature and measures a hunched 36.5 inches up front and only 34.5 inches in row two. Legroom is comfortable at 42.3 inches in row one and 35.9 inches in the rear seats and shoulder room is 56.9 and 52.6.

The 2018 Civic Coupe brings back its two engine choices and both have been designed to provide highly refined, responsive and fuel-efficient performance. A 2.0-liter DOHC, 16-valve, port-injected, inline 4-cylinder engine with i-VTEC™ valvetrain producing a peak 158 hp and 138 lb-ft. of torque is standard on the LX and LX-P trims and earns ratings of 30mpg/city, 41mpg/highway and 34 mpg/combined.

Civic Coupes in EX-T, EX-L and Touring trims are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter DOHC, direct-injected 4-cylinder engine with variable cam timing and electronic wastegate, turning out 174 hp and peak torque of 162 lb-ft. The system gets a 31/41/35 mpg rating. My week of drives averaged 34.1 mpg with the 1.5-liter.

The ride is reliable, stable, road-hugging and compliant, with solid passing at speed and responsive steering. A zero-to-60mph sprint was completed in a hand-timed 7-seconds-flat, and a quarter-mile run was hand-timed in 15.4

With a solid rep as a safe car, the Honda Civic coupe consistently earns the top rating of “Good” in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) crash tests and a perfect 5 stars in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests.

The 2018 Honda Civic Sedan starts at $18,940, and the Coupe bases at $19,350. available in five trims with two engine choices and either manual or automatic transmission, the LX trim is the base model; the LX-P trim that adds push-button start, remote start, Smart entry and power moonroof, starts at $21,150; the EX-T, which adds the 174-hp turbo engine, dual-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto ™ and Honda LaneWatch™ starts at $21,800; the EX-L with leather-trimmed seating, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and auto-dimming rearview mirror starts at $23,725; and the Touring trim comes in at $26,425 with Honda Sensing™, Honda satellite-linked navigation system, LED headlights with auto on-off and 450-watt premium audio system.

My test Civic in Touring trim, with its 1.5-liter Turbo and automatic transmission, was bathed in Aegean Blue Metallic exterior paint and came with a Black/Gray interior. My test ride added Body Side Molding for $217, Door Edges Guards for $59, a Moonroof Visor for $138, splash guard set for $104, a cool rear wing spoiler for $442, all-season floor mats for $155, a cargo net for $49, interior console illumination for $250, interior illumination for $125, and a wireless phone charger for $305. With destination charges of $895, my 2016 Honda Civic Touring as-tested stickered at $29,164.

Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

When Nissan created the Datsun 240Z in 1969, it launched a unique automotive nickname designation, “the Z-Car.” That first “Z” was powered by a 2.4-liter engine (hence the “240” portion of the name) that offered 151hp. Over the next 49 years, the “Z” has been upgraded and upnamed to a “260Z” (with a 2.6-liter engine), “280Z” and “280ZX” (with a 2.8-liter engine), “300ZX” (with a 3.0-liter engine), the 350Z (with a 3.5-liter engine), and the current alpha-numeric, “370Z” (with a 3.7-liter 332-hp engine).

The 370 is still part of the official; name, but more often than not, Nissan and its customers are calling it the Z Coupe (no number).

Now in the 10th year of its sixth generation, the Nissan 370Z has been honed by engineers to artfully reduce airflow, and the exhaust note has been fine-tuned. Inside, the feel of the switches and textures of the seats have been elegantly upgraded and the exterior has been revised with a dark headlight treatment, dark tinted rear combination lights, new blackout rear lower fascia and new 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheel design.
Behind the wheel, the 370Z driving experience has been enhanced through optimized acceleration and torque profile tuning. Without changing the engine’s internal structure or components, engine performance has been improved through refinement of Accelerator Pedal Opening and Throttle Valve Opening angles. And manual transmission-equipped 370Z models feature a new motorsports-inspired EXEDY® high-performance clutch.

In addition, for 370Z Coupe buyers wanting to stand out from the crowd even further, a new Heritage Edition package is offered on the base 370Z grade – a cost saving of thousands over other trim levels. The Heritage Edition is available in two exterior colors. The Chicane Yellow Heritage Edition features black outside mirrors, gloss-black graphics and yellow interior trim, and the Magnetic Black Heritage Edition includes gloss-silver graphics and yellow interior trim.

Other 2018 enhancements include two additional speakers for the base 370Z audio system and the addition of an electric interior hatch release switch on the center console. Also, the new model year adds a bold new exterior color – Passion Red – to the 370Z Coupe color palette. The Passion Red paint uses a high brightness aluminum pigment in the base coat and Nano-pigment tinted clear coat to give it a vivid, jewel-like red color that looks different depending on the viewing angle.

The 2018 370Z Coupe's aerodynamic exterior design incorporates intentional styling cues from the original classic 240Z – including a short wheelbase, wide track, low center of gravity and fluid silhouette. As in previous years, the "dynamic motion" feel continues, with a dramatic roofline and a "low visual gravity." The sleek profile is defined by its upswept quarter window design that is echoed by the dynamic upward curvature in the lower rocker panel and the sense of the taut sheet metal molding itself around the wheels and frame.

The 370Z Coupe's well-proportioned body provides a 100.4-inch wheelbase, 167.5-inch overall length, 72.6-inch width and 51.8-inch height, giving it a classic sports car look and feel, weighing in at 3375 lbs. for the manual transmission Heritage version I tested.

The 2018 370Z Coupe is offered with a standard 332-horsepower, 270 lbs-ft of torque 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control and choice of 6-speed manual transmission with an available SynchroRev Match® synchronized downshift rev matching system, or a 7-speed automatic transmission with available paddle shifters. The manual system I tested is rated at 18/city, 26/highway and 21/combined, (automatic gains 1mpg/city) and a week of mixed-use driving and decided pedal mashing achieved an average of 20.1mpg on Premium unleaded fuel.

Acceleration is exciting and powerful in all ranges, and my Z finished off a smooth-shifting 4.8-second zero-to-60mph sprint and a 13.7-second quarter-mile.

The driver-oriented cockpit remains essentially unchanged. The traditional 2-seat Coupe layout is built around a deeply scooped instrument panel with a full-length center console separating the driver and passenger's seat. The design focus incorporates an innovative, driver-centric "three-layer" design with information, operation and holding layers. The well-appointed and cozy cockpit provides 38.2 inches of headroom, 42.9 inches of legroom, 54.6 inches of hip room and 54.4 inches of shoulder room.

Safety items include Nissan Advanced Air Bag System Driver and front passenger air bags with dual-stage inflation, seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor.

Pricing for the 2018 Nissan Z starts at $29,990 for the base 370Z Coupe, goes through six levels, and reaches $45,690 for the 370Z NISMO ® Tech version. The Z Roadster starts at $41,820.My test ride, in Heritage Edition trim in Chicane Yellow, started at $30,780, and added Heritage Edition unique exterior graphics, Heritage Edition yellow interior trim details, leather-wrapped steering wheel with yellow trim and Gloss black outside mirrors to the base vehicle. My test ride came with the 6-speed manual transmission, which is much more fun than the 7-speed automatic that would have cost an additional $1400. Optional accessories included a rear decklid spoiler for $610, front chin aero deflector for $167, carpeted “Z” floor mats for $140, In-mirror RearView Monitor with HomeLink® for $790, and splash guards for $245. With destination and handling charges of $885 the sticker-as-tested was $33,617.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.