Is Chevy Cruze a good overcall vehicle?

[soulcougher73]

In a few months we will be getting a new (new/used) to us vehicle. We'd like an economy car that we would run into the ground until it stopped being feasable to keep it running.

A few months ago for fun we drove the new Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra. We both definatly liked the Elantra better as it felt much larger (which is probably technically is) while the Focus felt crampt like a cockpit which we didnt like.

But as ive thought about it more i like the Elantra's looks while i like them right now will feel old and dated in years to come. But the Cruze to me has a more typical econonomy sedan look that is not to overly stylish and i think would stand the test of time better look wise (to me at least).

Rated fuel economy on all the newer economy cars are roughly in the same ballpark so that really isnt a plus or minus it seems for any one brand.

Do you think the Cruze would last 10+ years with little to no maintenance and be reliable? Ive never owned a Chevy before.

Any other cars to consider? Jetta?

Dont like the Corolla or current Civics.

 

[gevorg]

Cruze is a great car, especially comparing to other American cars, but

Do you think the Cruze would last 10+ years with little to no maintenance and be reliable?

Maybe, very few cars can, it really depends on how you use and take care of your car during those 10 years.

 

[LTC8K6]

Right now you can get a pretty good deal on a new 2012 Fusion. It may be out of your ball park, but they have some very good deals because the new 2013 model is coming. The 4 banger Fusions get good mileage. 23/26/33

 

[boomhower]

Do you think the Cruze would last 10+ years with little to no maintenance and be reliable? Ive never owned a Chevy before.

If you take care of it it should be fine, of course that will vary with how many miles you put on it and how well you maintain it. Preventive maintenance is always cheaper than repairs from not doing it.

 

[desy]

Blowing out 2012 Altimas too
Now is the good time of yr to buy vehicles as well as dealers want to move old stock or used metal and low demand

 

[amitkhan2167]

Cruze is a great car, especially comparing to other American cars, but

Maybe, very few cars can, it really depends on how you use and take care of your car during those 10 years.

Chevrolet Cruze is one of my best favourite car untill when Toyota Camery was not launched but now when I saw these two cars in front of my eyes I could not stop myself to take a ride of the cars but at some point Cruze is good and other points Camery is also good. Price wise camery is little bit higher than the cruze.

 

[Vetterin]

I have a 2011 Cruze Eco 6MT and totally enjoy it. It is a pretty solid car and a big step up for Chevy in the compact class. I have 25,000 miles on mine and no problems so far. I drive just about 380-400 miles a week (50/50 city/hwy) and actually am averaging 43 mpg. I do know there are complaints about the auto trans in the early models. Long term reliability still remains to be seen so the choice is still up to you.

 

[AdamK47]

It's a Chevy, so therefore, henceforth, and so forth.

 

[Mermaidman]

Cruze is the best looking compact out now, except for the rear end. I agree with the OP: The Elantra and Focus designs are going to age poorly.

I've driven the rental versions of all three, and the Cruze feels the most "solid." I didn't like the Focus (cramped, bad controls for radio & vent, clunky auto trans.). Elantra was overall good if you don't mind the looks, and surprisingly good fuel mileage; maybe I got lucky.

Blowing out 2012 Altimas too
Now is the good time of yr to buy vehicles as well as dealers want to move old stock or used metal and low demand

2012 Chevy Malibu also on clearance. Great time to be buying midsize cars if you don't mind getting the previous generation.

 

[Arkaign]

Rentals are not a perfect way to look at a car, they're usually crappier versions of the vehicle in strange ways. Though certainly things like ergonomics aren't really going to change. I really like the 5-speed Focus, though I'm not a fan of the current DCT or whatever auto they're using at all. For the Cruze I prefer the 1.8 to the 1.4T by a fair stretch as well. Pricing wise you can almost get a Sonata for Focus price, so if you don't want a small hatch you can get a nicer more practical vehicle for similar $$.

 

[chusteczka]

Just about any modern car can last 10+ years with proper maintenance. Modern engines are strong, it is the electronics that a person needs to be aware of. Another important factor is the ease of maintenance.

I owned an Oldsmobile Achieva from 1993-2006 and now own a 2006 Chevy Cobalt. The car is solid with no problems.

However, GM has always built cars that make personal maintenance difficult. I just changed the headlight yesterday on my Cobalt and broke several plastic clips having to remove the whole headlight unit just to change the bulb. The whole headlight unit on the Cruze similarly needs to be removed to replace the bulb.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Might consider Mazda 3 as well.

 

[Arkaign]

Just about any modern car can last 10+ years with proper maintenance. Modern engines are strong, it is the electronics that a person needs to be aware of. Another important factor is the ease of maintenance.

I owned an Oldsmobile Achieva from 1993-2006 and now own a 2006 Chevy Cobalt. The car is solid with no problems.

However, GM has always built cars that make personal maintenance difficult. I just changed the headlight yesterday on my Cobalt and broke several plastic clips having to remove the whole headlight unit just to change the bulb. The whole headlight unit on the Cruze similarly needs to be removed to replace the bulb.

Hahaha, I think engineers are just straight-up assholes sometimes. My '08 focus is the same way, it's retardedly complicated to do something that should be immediately accessible. I have a new TC, haven't looked yet, but it does seem to be a trend. I remember on my Prelude it was literally a 10 second job to change a headlight bulb, vs. a massive hassle on the Focus.

 

[desy]

Like my old Versa change cabin filter, had to remove the glovebox to get to it , really?
Tailight blub .75hrs shop rate, WTF so I looked up the step by step, yep complicated

 

[HopJokey]

What is your budget OP?

 

[chusteczka]

Hahaha, I think engineers are just straight-up assholes sometimes. My '08 focus is the same way, it's retardedly complicated to do something that should be immediately accessible. I have a new TC, haven't looked yet, but it does seem to be a trend. I remember on my Prelude it was literally a 10 second job to change a headlight bulb, vs. a massive hassle on the Focus.

Honda provides thoughtful engineering by anticipating self-maintenance. I think my next car purchase from a dealer will include the condition the salesman can easily replace the lightbulb in front of me.

 

[disappoint]

Just about any modern car can last 10+ years with proper maintenance. Modern engines are strong, it is the electronics that a person needs to be aware of. Another important factor is the ease of maintenance.

I owned an Oldsmobile Achieva from 1993-2006 and now own a 2006 Chevy Cobalt. The car is solid with no problems.

However, GM has always built cars that make personal maintenance difficult. I just changed the headlight yesterday on my Cobalt and broke several plastic clips having to remove the whole headlight unit just to change the bulb. The whole headlight unit on the Cruze similarly needs to be removed to replace the bulb.

This.


is

not

true.


Stop spreading misinformation.

http://www.chevroletcruzeforum.com/index.php?/topic/1691-headlight-bulb-replacment/

The diagram by C77 in this thread was really useful for replacing the headlight bulb in the Cruze.

I recently replaced my bulbs from the stock OSRAM to Narva Arctic Blue 90 (3750K, H7 55/60w) with side lights (parkers) and it really makes an improvement. It should be noted that replacing the headlight blubs is very, very easy - it only took me 15 minutes. Far easier than replacing bulbs in an Astra or Vectra (my previous car).

I kind of regret not getting the Philips Crystal Vision 4200K. Those lights look great.

 

[Squisher]

Try changing the headlight bulb on a Prius. The official factory method requires the removal of the bumper cover and costs like $300 at the dealer. You can do it yourself from the top in about an hour, after practice.

 

[Vetterin]

For the Cruze I prefer the 1.8 to the 1.4T by a fair stretch as well.

That's interesting as while the 1.8 & 1.4T have the same hp rating of 138 the 1.4T actually has 23 more ft-lbs of torque. Also, the 1.8 can only be had on the Cruze' cheapest model, the LS.

 

[ultimatebob]

My 2012 Cruze Eco is a rock solid car. I'd recommend it.

Of course, any modern car should last 10 years if it is properly maintained. Don't skimp on that, since it will cost you in the long run.

If you want to try some other cars, I'd recommend the Mazda 3 and the Subaru Impreza.

While you're out there, can you also try a Suzuki Kizashi for me as well? I wouldn't buy one, but it looks like a fun test drive.

 

[ultimatebob]

That's interesting as while the 1.8 & 1.4T have the same hp rating of 138 the 1.4T actually has 23 more ft-lbs of torque. Also, the 1.8 can only be had on the Cruze' cheapest model, the LS.

The 1.4T gets better gas mileage as well.

 

[Arkaign]

That's interesting as while the 1.8 & 1.4T have the same hp rating of 138 the 1.4T actually has 23 more ft-lbs of torque. Also, the 1.8 can only be had on the Cruze' cheapest model, the LS.

Yeah I dislike drivetrain complexity and tiny motors on economy vehicles, and avoid roughly equal motor options with turbos if I can.

Similar to the 1.4T vs 1.8 in the Cruze, I prefer the 5.0 V8 to the 3.5 Ecoboost Turbo with the F-series :

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/10/review-2011-ford-f-150-3-7-vs-5-0-vs-6-2-vs-ecoboost/

The Ecoboost option has a bit more torque, but I don't like turbos for a vehicle I'd keep for a long time with heavy use, and it's more expensive as well.

I can totally understand the opposite viewpoint. I'm not anti-turbo, when they're truly performance-tuned like the WRX, Speed3, 335, etc, I think they make a great option.

 

[Arkaign]

The 1.4T gets better gas mileage as well.

Verrry slightly, while being more complex and expensive. It just doesn't jive with my conception of an economy car. The price gap between the 1.8 and the cheapest 1.4T is something north of $1,000+ and that will buy a lot of gas.

From Edmunds :

LS 1.8 : 25/36, $17,130
1LT 1.4T : 26/38, $18,560

 

[disappoint]

You know how I know you haven't test driven them both?

 

[chusteczka]

This.


is

not

true.


Stop spreading misinformation.

http://www.chevroletcruzeforum.com/index.php?/topic/1691-headlight-bulb-replacment/

You are incorrect and it puzzles me how you can feel so sure on a subject you are unfamiliar with.

The whole headlamp unit needs to be removed just to change a simple lightbulb. This involves loosening the plastic fascia and fairing by removing plastic pinsnaps that are easily damaged during removal. The plastic fairing can easily be damaged in the process. Plastic parts break easily. They are not made of high-quality resilient plastic. Some of those plastic parts are brittle.

That link you provided shows the headlamp already removed. Sure, once the headlamp is removed, the headlight is easily replaced. However, the whole headlamp should not have to be removed and the plastic fairing should not have to be loosened just to replace a headlight bulb.

Here is a video for a Cobalt. The Cruze has a similar headlamp unit design and I was not able to find a "how-to" for a Cruze.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1wJUeuwaUg


Edit:
Easy and difficult are subjective words. If a person is previously familiar with moving plastic fairings and disconnecting plastic pieces where the possibility of permanent damage exists with a replacement value of several hundred dollars, then I suppose it could be easy.