Thoughts on the 2012 Chevy Cruze 1.8L?

[Avalon]

So I've been hunting around a little bit for vehicles, since mine is currently rotting away, and I've been working a very good new job now for 5 months.

Recently I test drove a 2012 Chevy Cruze LT 1.8L (the 1.4 turbo felt too laggy for my tastes) and really, really liked it. However, I don't know that I particularly want to BUY a new vehicle right now, but I do know that I want to get rid of my unreliable junker.

So, I played the $ game with the sales guys for a bit and they'll do an LT for $215/mo, $2000 down for a 36mo lease @ 12k miles per year. Would let me focus on other things besides fixing my car, and still save up for a house, or something else down the road. I only drive about 10k miles a year. How do you guys feel about leasing, and what do you think I should do?

*Edit*
Slight edit, the LT I was quoted actually has the 1.4L turbo.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Nice thing about a lease is if you end up not liking it in the long run, you give it back. If you DO like it in the long run, they often let you buy it, sometimes at a decent price too.

I haven't driven one but my friend did and he said it was pretty nice.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I believe the Cruze is now the best-selling car in the US. Personally I'd look elsewhere, but if you like it, it might be a good fit for you.

 

[Eli]

What's wrong with your current car?

$9700 would buy A LOT of repairs. You could practically make your current car brand new for that much money. It's nearly always cheaper to maintain a vehicle than it is to buy a new one.

I only say this because you said you're saving to buy a house.

 

[SparkyJJO]

What's wrong with your current car?

$9700 would buy A LOT of repairs. You could practically make your current car brand new for that much money. It's nearly always cheaper to maintain a vehicle than it is to buy a new one.

I only say this because you said you're saving to buy a house.

He used the term "rotting away" so I suspect it is a rust issue.

 

[Avalon]

It's a '99 Civic with 140k miles, has transmission, electronic, and suspension problems, plus some minor rust...the past three years I've put about $2k in repairs into it per year. That's $6k in 3 years...and my buddy, whom is a mechanic, is willing to buy it for $2k as a project fixer car.

So...saving $6k and getting $2k from selling it puts me at a realized $8k, which is close enough to $9700 to make me strongly consider going for it. I also reconfigured my car insurance to higher deductibles (which is fine with my new job), so I can actually save a little money even with the new car on my policy.

Hope that makes sense.

*Edit*
There's also been the thought of dropping $9k on a used car, but there's really nothing I'm interested in that I could get for $9k, plus I'd have to deal with the hassle of getting an auto loan, since I can only drop about $3.5k immediately. On top of that, even a decent used car can break down, whereas with this lease everything is covered under warranty so that's peace of mind.

 

[Eli]

Wow. What the heck do you have to replace in a '99 Civic with 140k miles that will cost 6k in 3 years?!

The thing with fixing cars is that you reach a plateau where it doesn't need anything else fixed, as long as it's a quality car to begin with as the Civic is.

I dunno, I mean I know that's not the fun route, but 6k is a lot of stuff. What else could go wrong that hasn't been replaced? Everything that you've replaced in the last 3 years should last another 100,000 miles.....

But yes, your analysis does make sense - assuming you're going to spend 6k on the car in the next 3 years. That seems almost impossible, does it not? 12k in 6 years? That's like two engines and two transmissions..

Edit: What exactly is wrong with the transmission? I dunno, I just can't imagine that you would have to put another 6k into it after already spending 6k in the last few years. Sorry, just trying to understand. I'm in the same boat, saving for a house.. Not having a car payment is a glorious thing.

 

[ElFenix]

nothing wrong with it. focus is better tho

 

[disappoint]

Why not a Honda CR-Z?

 

[Bignate603]

Why not a Honda CR-Z?

Because it's slow, overpriced, and it doesn't have much of a mpg benefit over cars with normal drivetrains? I'd rather get the Cruze, a Fiesta, a Focus, or an Elantra.

 

[Avalon]

nothing wrong with it. focus is better tho

I'm actually going to look at that tomorrow.

@Eli - Well, last year I replaced my plugs, wires, ignition coil, brake pads, and tires, then took it in to a repair shop to have the serpentine belts replaced, a couple leaky gasket seals, my engine mounts, the front left outer CV axle, the rear struts, the water pump, thermostat housing, and timing belt (not all in one visit, just over the course of the year...stuff I couldn't replace myself)

So, that's one year to give you an example...I think that was $2500...but that year was higher than the others.

Right now I've got a faulty oxygen sensor, airbag sensor, non functional horn, the transmission sometimes sticks in neutral when shifting to reverse, shifts very hard to 2nd, the front struts are leaking, most of the boots are dry and torn, I hear another CV axle clicking when I turn, and the AC appears to be having issues when idling...I also need to replace the starter, I can do that...and the alternator is original and will probably go soon with my luck. Could be why I'm having those idling issues?

So yeah...don't know what to tell you, my car is a lemon. I *might* not have to spend quite that much money, but I think $3000-4000 is a reasonable guess with the amount of stuff I know is wrong with it, over the course of a couple years. Only thing that hasn't gone bad so far is the engine, aside from it still leaking oil, but...knock on wood, don't want to jinx that. It starts and it moves lol.

 

[exar333]

I got the Cruze a couple times as a rental, not too bad. I like it much better than the Corolla, and it is on-par with the Focus. I would say the choice between the Focus and Cruze comes down to personal taste and what fits better/more comfortable for you. Both are good choices.

 

[CraigRT]

I got the Cruze a couple times as a rental, not too bad. I like it much better than the Corolla, and it is on-par with the Focus. I would say the choice between the Focus and Cruze comes down to personal taste and what fits better/more comfortable for you. Both are good choices.

It is indeed funny just how bad the Corolla is. We have one at work as a pool vehicle. I always take the Sienna van instead, it is way nicer to drive and even be in, than the abysmal Corolla.

 

[PricklyPete]

My wife and I had a Cruze 1.8L when we were in California last spring for two weeks. Overall the car is very nice for a C segment economy car. My two biggest gripes were the steering and the automatic transmission/throttle. The steering was vague and the transmission didn't know its mouth from its ass. The engine was unremarkable, but it got you where you needed to go. That being said, the car was very comfortable, cruised the California Highways wonderfully, and wasn't a complete dolt on Route 1 up the coast.

If I were going to buy a Cruze, I'd go for the ECO model with the manual. To be honest though...if I were in the market for a similar sized car...I'd be all over the new Mazda 3 with SkyActiv. ~40MPG with superior Mazda fun to drive factor.

 

[Vetterin]

All I can say is the 1.8L is the Cruze POS as it has exactly the same hp and 25lb LESS torque than the 1.4L and gets much less mpg. Mated to the 6 sp manual the 1.4L is a really fun car to drive but if you're stuck on an automatic you will notice some quirks. I've got 10,500 miles on my Eco 6 sp and am still averaging 43.3 mpg.

 

[dug777]

It is indeed funny just how bad the Corolla is. We have one at work as a pool vehicle. I always take the Sienna van instead, it is way nicer to drive and even be in, than the abysmal Corolla.

We hired a 2010 Corolla auto, and I hated it (sluggish, not great fuel economy), but then we hired a 2011 six-speed manual recently, and I was impressed. It felt like a different car....we got excellent fuel economy, the motor had plenty of balls, it ticked over nicely at cruising speeds in 6th (in fact, I used 6th all the time, per the instantaneous mpg readout it was a very handy gear).

I disliked the 'flying-bridge' in both instances, but it was a lot less irritating with a manual, but either way it takes-up space it doesn't need to

With the manual, we were flogging it through the twisty black-top on NZ's South Island, and it seemed quite sufficiently entertaining to me, although the wife prevented me from too much misbehaviour

 

[Avalon]

It is indeed funny just how bad the Corolla is. We have one at work as a pool vehicle. I always take the Sienna van instead, it is way nicer to drive and even be in, than the abysmal Corolla.

It's funny that you mention that, because I test drove a 2011 Corolla and absolutely hated it, but it was an automatic.

@Vetterin, yeah I noticed the 1.4L turbo w/auto was very quirky. There was some definite lag when the turbo was kicking in that felt unpleasant to drive. I'd consider a 6 sp but I'm hesistant since I live in Orlando and am constantly in traffic. Driving manual in bad traffic makes me feel uneasy. I liked that the Cruze auto came standard with a "manual" shifter.

Should be off work in about 5 hours, and will go check out the Fiesta/Focus. I could go check out a Mazda, but it won't be until later this weekend as I'm out of free time :\

 

[IcePickFreak]

I've had a 2012 Focus SEL this week for a rental while my car is getting fixed from getting lightly rear-ended and I'm pretty surprised with it actually. Was a bit of an adjustment going from a 6L V8 to a 1.6L 4cyl but once I got use to working the gas a bit more it's actually a fun little car to drive. If it had a manual gearbox it'd be even more fun, it handles like a little go-kart. The interior isn't bad at all either (my rental has leather.) If the Cruze is on par with the Focus, I'd say either isn't a bad choice.. pending what kind of price you can get one for.

 

[saratoga172]

Mazda 3 is a solid car. I see you're looking at something with decent gas mileage so if you can wait a month or so the new SkyActive engines will be in the Mazda 3's. It's a 2 liter that gets about 40 highway and 28ish city. I want to say 140's on HP and TQ as well. They look pretty solid. I'd look at the sedan models.

I've got a 2011 hatchback with the 2.5 and I average about 26-27mpg in 70/30 city/highway driving. I usually get about 30-32mpg highway. Very peppy car and a lot of fun to drive. Nice sporty feel to it. Sedan should be similar as far as driving goes.

Mazda is known for having a nice driving car.

Other good suggestions. New Focus is very nice.

 

[exar333]

It is indeed funny just how bad the Corolla is. We have one at work as a pool vehicle. I always take the Sienna van instead, it is way nicer to drive and even be in, than the abysmal Corolla.

I would choose the van as well. The Corolla is scary taking interstate turns >60mph. The car is floaty and squirrely all at once, with a very harsh AT. I got a 2012 as a rental as well, and it was more of the same. If anything, the car got uglier (didn't think that was possible) and was not any sort of improvement. I cannot believe people buy that pile.

 

[yh125d]

Well whatever you get, I wouldn't let the traffic factor keep you from considering a manual. I have a manual fusion and I prefer it in all types of traffic. When other people are driving 60ft then stop, 60 ft then stop, 60 ft then stop, you can just idle along in 1st gear saving the brakes and frustration. And when you do have to stop, just give the e-brake a couple clicks instead of sitting on the brake for 30 seconds like you would in an auto.

 

[Eli]

Wow. It really does sound like you got a lemon. Some of that stuff is pretty crazy for only 140k miles. I don't really blame you for wanting a new car.

Though it's not fair to include things like brakes, plugs, tires.. you'll have to replace those on any car. But yeah, I see where you're coming from... I say get the Cruz Eco.

 

[ElFenix]

.if I were in the market for a similar sized car...I'd be all over the new Mazda 3 with SkyActiv. ~40MPG with superior Mazda fun to drive factor.

i want to see a grudge match between a mazda3 skyactiv vs. a focus SFE

 

[PricklyPete]

i want to see a grudge match between a mazda3 skyactiv vs. a focus SFE

Truth be told, I haven't driven the new Focus or the new Mazda, but I test drove a 2.5 Mazda 3s and it was great for the money. A little less power, slicker stick shift, and better gas mileage sounds perfect for me (not to mention hatch not available in the Cruze).

 

[mazeroth]

Cruze Eco all the way. One video review on Youtube had it getting around 50 mpg on the highway during a 700 mile or so highway trip in California. Not bad!