What I have done to get peace of mind, replace just about everything under the hood with genuine GM parts or better built after market parts. I never use cheap parts or anything made of inferior quality and I never use junkyard parts on my car. I also do all my own work, I do not trust anyone with my car.... ever!

Oh, I have replaced all of the gaskets. Even replaced the upper and lower radiator hoses. The engine is solid and leak free. It'* just everything else.

I guess, maybe I'm not liking this car so much because I'm missing the 99 SE so much.

Now you know how I feel...
What'* been helping me as of late is putting money into making it look good. Kinda cancels out the minor short-comings

Sounds like you're almost trying to justify a new car, but don't have anything to go on.

I would worry about that engine less, than I would a similar vintage L36 with the composite UIM issues.

Go pickup a mid 90'* VW and then tell us how much you worry about electrical issues

That regal is a *very nice* car.. I'd rather have an L67 over the 36, I see so little L67'* with gasket/etc leaks.