Is Chevy Cruze a good overcall vehicle?

[disappoint]

Irrelevant. That is a Cobalt, this is a Cruze. They are completely different. You may know about your Cobalt, but you clearly know nothing of the Cruze.

You have more than a puzzled look on your face, you've some egg to go along with it.

 

[chusteczka]

Irrelevant. That is a Cobalt, this is a Cruze. They are completely different. You may know about your Cobalt, but you clearly know nothing of the Cruze.

You have more than a puzzled look on your face, you've some egg to go along with it.

The Cruze has the same plastic fairing and headlamp design as the Cobalt, just with a different decorative shape.

At the least, it is something for the OP to consider.

 

[Arkaign]

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

I've tested the 1.4T, but not the 1.8. I've also driven an older Cobalt with the 2.2, and I actually preferred that to the 1.4T motor-wise, even though the Cruze is a very nice step up from the Cobalt in terms of fit/finish/ergonomics.

The 1.4T just felt really sluggish to me. At 138hp and ~3100lbs, I directly compared it to my Focus at 140hp (less torque though) at 2550lbs, and was supremely unimpressed with that aspect. That's like driving around with two very fat people sitting in your car by comparison, and anyone who's driven a 4-banger econobox knows that you can definitely feel that extra weight. That's a little irrelevant though as the new Focus is just as portly as the Cruze weight-wise.

All of that is pretty much beside the main point why I would prefer the 1.8 though if forced to buy a Cruze : It's an econobox. The fuel economy isn't impressive enough to be worth the extra cash, and for anyone who wants to drive the car until the wheels fall off, going with a smaller motor with more parts is just another thing to hassle with at some point. Say the turbo lasts to 200k miles, well what if I want to drive it for another 100k? I have to spend a fair amount of cash to deal with that issue.

SkyActiv Mazda3i trumps the 1.4T in every possible way other than a stupid looking front end and even lower quality carpet. No turbo, better motor, excellent fuel economy at 28/40. Speaking of fuel economy, by experience here in TX and probably most places that get insanely hot in the summer it feels like turbo vehicles get a pretty big penalty in response, at least in an '06 STI and my old DSM turbo piles of crap. Maybe the newer models are less affected by these heat waves.

 

[ultimatebob]

The Cruze has the same plastic fairing and headlamp design as the Cobalt, just with a different decorative shape.

At the least, it is something for the OP to consider.

It still looks cheaper to fix than the Xenon headlights in my old Audi... Those suckers had $650 computers in each one of them to keep them pointed in the right direction.

 

[ultimatebob]

I've tested the 1.4T, but not the 1.8. I've also driven an older Cobalt with the 2.2, and I actually preferred that to the 1.4T motor-wise, even though the Cruze is a very nice step up from the Cobalt in terms of fit/finish/ergonomics.

The 1.4T just felt really sluggish to me. At 138hp and ~3100lbs, I directly compared it to my Focus at 140hp (less torque though) at 2550lbs, and was supremely unimpressed with that aspect. That's like driving around with two very fat people sitting in your car by comparison, and anyone who's driven a 4-banger econobox knows that you can definitely feel that extra weight. That's a little irrelevant though as the new Focus is just as portly as the Cruze weight-wise.

All of that is pretty much beside the main point why I would prefer the 1.8 though if forced to buy a Cruze : It's an econobox. The fuel economy isn't impressive enough to be worth the extra cash, and for anyone who wants to drive the car until the wheels fall off, going with a smaller motor with more parts is just another thing to hassle with at some point. Say the turbo lasts to 200k miles, well what if I want to drive it for another 100k? I have to spend a fair amount of cash to deal with that issue.

SkyActiv Mazda3i trumps the 1.4T in every possible way other than a stupid looking front end and even lower quality carpet. No turbo, better motor, excellent fuel economy at 28/40. Speaking of fuel economy, by experience here in TX and probably most places that get insanely hot in the summer it feels like turbo vehicles get a pretty big penalty in response, at least in an '06 STI and my old DSM turbo piles of crap. Maybe the newer models are less affected by these heat waves.

Odd... The 1.4T doesn't feel sluggish to me. That said, I drive the Eco model so it's lighter.

 

[Jeff7]

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.

Coming from the engineering side, I'll say that bad ideas aren't always theirs. Management also exists.
If the higher-ups have a stupid idea, and want you to execute that stupid idea, you can either do it, or work somewhere else.
If you follow the latter, you're not going to work at one place for very long.

And I'd imagine that there are "oh shit" moments that arise as the deadline gets closer.

"There, done!"
"Neat. A question though....shouldn't there be two windshield wipers in the front?"
"...Well, yeah. Probably. Dammit."

 

[Throckmorton]

I took this pic today. Suddenly I like the Mazda 2

 

[Fenixgoon]

i sat in a cruze and was very impressed (my roommate had it as a rental)

 

[herm0016]

i have had 2 as rentals, and neither the 1.8 or hte 1.4t felt sluggish. its the first rental i have actually enjoyed driving in a while.

 

[BUTCH1]

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.

It should be rock-solid being less than a year old!. I like Chevy drive-train's but the interior is another matter. I bought my Malibu new in '05, the adhesive that held on the vinyl to the door panels just failed, I had to re-glue all four and it didn't come out all that well. the knobs are also wearing off the paint and looking shoddy, hopefully GM has sourced these parts to a better supplier than they did for my car. Running wise it's been great, no problems at all in 7 years..

 

[Arkaign]

Odd... The 1.4T doesn't feel sluggish to me. That said, I drive the Eco model so it's lighter.

True, weight could make a giant difference there, I didn't test the Eco, the fuel economy is pretty impressive.

 

[Arkaign]

Coming from the engineering side, I'll say that bad ideas aren't always theirs. Management also exists.
If the higher-ups have a stupid idea, and want you to execute that stupid idea, you can either do it, or work somewhere else.
If you follow the latter, you're not going to work at one place for very long.

And I'd imagine that there are "oh shit" moments that arise as the deadline gets closer.

"There, done!"
"Neat. A question though....shouldn't there be two windshield wipers in the front?"
"...Well, yeah. Probably. Dammit."

HAHAHA that makes sense.

 

[Yuriman]

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

23/26/33 is definitely not good mileage.

 

[WilliamM2]

23/26/33 is definitely not good mileage.

It's good for a midsize car. Really shouldn't be compared to compact like the Cruze, that gets only 22/35 for the automatic, and isn't nearly as nice to drive.

 

[LTC8K6]

23/26/33 is definitely not good mileage.

Of course it is. With the deals available, it's a good choice.

 

[soulcougher73]

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.

Sorry i be absent in this thread since posting it. What does the ECO model bring that the other models dont have? Lower hp engine to get mpg?

 

[soulcougher73]

What is your budget OP?

I was thinking 20k.

 

[soulcougher73]

SkyActiv Mazda3i trumps the 1.4T in every possible way other than a stupid looking front end and even lower quality carpet. No turbo, better motor, excellent fuel economy at 28/40. Speaking of fuel economy, by experience here in TX and probably most places that get insanely hot in the summer it feels like turbo vehicles get a pretty big penalty in response, at least in an '06 STI and my old DSM turbo piles of crap. Maybe the newer models are less affected by these heat waves.

I owned a 2nd year Mazda 3 back in the day and had to sell it because the A/C sucked so bad and was a known issue but Mazda would do nothing about it. Living in KS it was unacceptable. I also do not like the front ends of the new 3's. Hopefully the A/C works properly now though as its been along time and a new refresh is out since ive owned.

 

[herm0016]

the eco has shutters on the grill, different bumper covers and spoiler for aerodynamics, light weight wheels and tires, the 6mt, and different gearing

 

[Zargon]

I took this pic today. Suddenly I like the Mazda 2

do these have the same rust problems the 3 does? if so stay away

 

[Vetterin]

Sorry i be absent in this thread since posting it. What does the ECO model bring that the other models dont have? Lower hp engine to get mpg?

There are really 5 main differences in the Chevy Cruze Eco:

The Engine / Transmission – The Chevy Cruze Eco has a fuel efficient, turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission standard. You can get an automatic, but it is an option. This is the same engine as the Chevy Cruze LT Turbo, but it comes with a standard automatic transmission.

Aerodynamics – The Chevy Cruze Eco took advantage of hundreds of hours of research and time in the wind tunnel that were spent spent developing the Chevy Volt to achieve the improvement in aerodynamics. The changes include a revised grille with less open area for the manual transmission model. The under-bumper opening features powered louvers that close when the car reaches certain speeds. A rear spoiler, underbody panels, and lower ride height drops the drag of the car by 10%.

Weight (Mass) reduction - The Chevy Cruze Eco has slightly shorter welds and thinner sheetmetal in specific areas. The fuel tank is smaller by three gallons. All in all, the Chevy Cruze Eco weighs between 125 and 188 less than other Chevy Cruze models.

Tires - 17-inch Goodyear low-rolling-resistance tires mounted on lightweight rims (also reduced the weight).

Taller Top Gears – The Eco has three overdrives which reduce the work rate substantially. There is a green upshift light which helps drivers maximize fuel efficiency by keeping the revs between 1500 and 2000.

Here's a Motor Trend article that will give you the whole story:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1205_2012_chevrolet_cruze_eco_first_test/viewall.html

 

[ultimatebob]

Oh, and the Eco model looks cooler, too

The 17" rims and the spoiler improves the styling.

 

[disappoint]

Aerodynamics – The Chevy Cruze Eco took advantage of hundreds of hours of research and time in the wind tunnel that were spent spent developing the Chevy Volt to achieve the improvement in aerodynamics. The changes include a revised grille with less open area for the manual transmission model. The under-bumper opening features powered louvers that close when the car reaches certain speeds. A rear spoiler, underbody panels, and lower ride height drops the drag of the car by 10%.

Here's a Motor Trend article that will give you the whole story:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1205_2012_chevrolet_cruze_eco_first_test/viewall.html

The rear spoiler drops the drag?

 

[HeXen]

i really like this site for reliable info

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/cars/

 

[LTC8K6]

The rear spoiler drops the drag?

Yes. Spoilers decrease drag, wings increase drag.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoiler_(automotive)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_(automotive)