Thoughts on the 2012 Chevy Cruze 1.8L?

[Doppel]

OP does that $2k include tax, title, tags, all that crap? Because otherwise there are MUCH better lease deals available now than this.

People running the numbers must also consider that even if you keep your car and have no repairs you are paying for depreciation.

$200/month (with NO money down, except tax title, etc.) is not a great deal of money to pay for a car that will have zero warranty costs and zero maintenance outside of fluids and modern safety features. Yeah, it will be more than keeping your used car (sounds like you got unlucky), but you have to spend your money on something and people rarely say "you're wasting money" on other crap, like movies, going out to eat, etc.

 

[SparkyJJO]

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.

You can idle along in an auto too, it is just stupid people doing 60ft/stop/60ft/stop/60ft/stop

 

[ElFenix]

You can idle along in an auto too, it is just stupid people doing 60ft/stop/60ft/stop/60ft/stop

problem is if you don't drive like a jackass you get 4 other jackasses jumping into the open space because they're under the mistaken impression that your lane is moving faster than the others.

 

[SparkyJJO]

problem is if you don't drive like a jackass you get 4 other jackasses jumping into the open space because they're under the mistaken impression that your lane is moving faster than the others.

Sometimes, but usually I can get the timing right that I don't quite leave enough space for those people to do their douche lanehopping. Even if one or two morons jump in every so often, who cares? Let them be idiots and waste gas flooring it to the next 60ft stop point.

It is quite satisfying to see someone in a huge hurry doing all sorts of lane hopping trying to get ahead, burning a lot of gas in their sudden maneuvers back and forth, and watch them get absolutely nowhere

 

[yh125d]

You can idle along in an auto too, it is just stupid people doing 60ft/stop/60ft/stop/60ft/stop

Not as effectively really. Every auto I've driven will idle along at about half the speed of a manual idling in 1st

 

[SparkyJJO]

Not as effectively really. Every auto I've driven will idle along at about half the speed of a manual idling in 1st

I would think it would be the other way, since manuals usually have a taller gear for 1st than autos do. Or so I thought, maybe I have the tall term backwards :hmm: Anyway, seems most autos can reach a higher speed in 1st than most manuals, that I've been in anyway.

Usually I find 1st in my auto just fine. I might give the gas a slight tap on occasion to bring the speed up a tad. If traffic starts moving a little quicker and more consistently, then it bumps into 2nd gear.

 

[Bignate603]

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.

You're upset that the base engine isn't as nice as the more expensive engine option?

 

[LTC8K6]

With the manual trans, the 1.8 and 1.4T get roughly the same fuel economy. With the auto, the 1.8 suffers a bit.

 

[Avalon]

Slight mistake on my part. Apparently the LT I was quoted at $215 w/$2k down (yes this includes all tax, tag, title, dealer fee, and acquisition fee) comes standard with the 1.4L turbo. So that's what I'm looking at.

I took a look at some Fords yesterday after work as promised, and while the 2012 Ford Focus looks really, really nice, I was honestly more impressed with the drive of the Cruze. However, the Fiesta is one fun little bastard, and impressed me much more than the Sonic did.

Unfortunately, the best the dealership was going to do on a base Fiesta S was $215/mo w/$2k down all tax/fees included, which was the deal I was offered the Cruze for. Not sure if I could justify getting a smaller, cheaper car, and pay the same.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

End of lease you'll be without a car. Time to re-lease another one.

 

[NAC]

OP, you want to save money - leasing a new car is not the way to do that. In fact it is the most expensive way to drive a car. It sounds like your Honda is a dud, and that is unfortunate. Depending on what was fixed though, you might be in the clear now.

If I were you I would keep the Honda until the next major repair is needed. Until then, keep saving, and looking around at used cars on Craigslist. Hopefully the Honda lasts a while without problems, and eventually you'll find a used car you are happy with. Worst case, the Honda fails, and you need to get a ride to a new car dealer and can buy/lease what you want for a price you are describing.

 

[Doppel]

That is not a bad price, but you can do better these days if you're not married to a particular car and just shopping on best leases. Earlier this year I saw a Maxima lease at $259/month with only tax/title/tag (so around $1500-1600) down. 2011 Altimas at $189, same money down.

In fact, I just looked locally and they are leasing 2012 Sentras $ 165 with $2k down (which covers taxes, etc.) OR $225 all inclusive--no additional money down. Or a 2012 Altima (NOT the 2.5S, which has nothing, but this one has bluetooth and alloys) at $195 with $2k down OR $244 all inclusive. Remember, each $1000 over a 3 year lease is around $25-30/month.

So I ask, do you think that LT is worth $50/month more than a Sentra or $20/month more than an Altima? That question is rhetorical Also the prices I quoted are without negotiation, though in my recent experience they're so low you are not likely to get more than $10/month better than that rate. Prices vary with area; you may be in a worse one or slightly better, but any way you cut it that's a pretty inexpensive way to drive a new car.

IMO if you want to save money now you keep your civic and just suffer any possible repairs. You've been so unlucky surely it won't keep costing $2k/year. If you need to replace it, and have the credit, I would not buy another used car right now. The market is a total clusterfvck on used cars now and it's not worth the hassle. Get new if you have to replace it, but be willing to get whatever the deals are. Seems to me the deals now are on Nissans. Last year it was Toyotas, they were virtually free, but not as much right now.

The problem with the Fiesta is it's new and you'll have that issue with some other cars, too. The Nissans I mentioned above are on models a few years old (not sure about any Sentra refresh--the Altima had an appearance refresh for 2010, but 2013 will be a new model year for the Altima). Nissan is clearly sh*ting them out of its factory like it's nobody's business and able to offer them for so little.