Y U Call My Name So Hard?

"190e30-Now with COSWORTH" (190e30)
09/09/2013 at 18:49 • Filed to: None

To celebrate getting my first job today, I've been looking at cars a grand or two upwards in the market from usual (wishful thinking). Every time I look at these, I see !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Kids in my school, always eager to learn what I'm onto next so that they can put it down and make themselves feel better about their dad's old hand-me-down Lincoln, see !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Normally, I could care less what other people say, especially about my car preference, but this time it's gotten to me. I've always been about owning something interesting, something crazy or with pedigree. I can't tell if that's what this is, or just a dressed-up econobox with no performance to back it's pretty looks.

Does anyone know someone who owns one who can voice their opinion on it? I'm most worried about the handling. Sloppy, lazy steering is a big no-no with me, and I love that feeling of trying to wedge myself in my own seat while taking a corner at decent speed.

DISCUSSION (13)

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
09/09/2013 at 18:59

I'm going to do something that I actually hate when other people do:

I don't drive the Cruze. I actually have a 2011 Aveo as my daily driver (when there's no snow on the ground). The Aveo can't really be that much different than the Cruze right? Other than weight, and a little difference in size, I can't see too much of a difference. The Aveo actually handles extremely well as a daily driver. I've never tracked it (I'd probably get laughed right off the track just for showing up) but I have pushed it a little here and there. The slightest turn of the steering wheel and it starts to turn. The ride is very smooth (something you would expect in a newer car) and the gas mileage is pretty decent (35ish mpg). Acceleration? Well, you can't have everything.

From an enthusiast perspective, it's fun (on dirt roads), but there are definitely more fun cars out there. From a drive-to-work perspective, it's perfect. I actually love the car. If you have a family, it can fit a car seat in the back so you'd probably have more room in the Cruze.

I hope this helped!

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec?
09/09/2013 at 19:10

That's actually very helpful. Although its not necessarily the Cruze I started with, I really don't see how they could be TOO different. And I don't know exactly what they did with the RS model performance-wise (gotta research), but whatever they did do, I can now be confident at the least it will be fun. If they could make the Aveo fun, then I guess it sort of proves that they can make a fun car, whether its something tiny or a bit bigger.

Gracias!

Tom McParland > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
09/09/2013 at 19:13

There are a few folks with Cruzes on Oppo. But Y U NO Mazda3? I have a '10 3s GT 6-speed and if you want good handling and feedback it's hard to beat in that class. Plus you could probably pick one up CPO or used for a good price.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
09/09/2013 at 19:14

All I have to say is test it before you buy it. I absolutely hated my Aveo (performance reasons) until I got up here in Alaska and found some good ol' dirt trails and found out that with the right mods, it could be a kickass little rally car! It's fun when you can slide the rear out!

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > Tom McParland
09/09/2013 at 19:23

I haven't considered too deeply. I just always used to look at the Cruze with the RS package and think, "Hey. That seems like a pretty cool car for its price."

Unfortunately, I finally managed to track down the spec sheets...I know power isn't everything, but with a whopping 138hp and a 0-60 of 10 dead, its not exactly quick. I know that you can have plenty of fun in a car like this without power, but that seems a bit low. That being said, the slowest car I've driven was my Audi with a fairly close 8.1 0-60 (when stock, probably closer to 9 now. Plus I'm very gentle) and that feels entirely useable.

Tom McParland > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
09/09/2013 at 19:34

My 3 has the 2.5L which is not great on gas (about 29 hwy) but with a 167hp you are looking at 60 in about 8 seconds. Which around town is pretty punchy and decent on the highway. Keep in mind that my last car before the Mazda was a Subaru Legacy GT turbo wagon 5-speed, so the power downgrade was hard on me.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
09/09/2013 at 19:44

owning something interesting, something crazy or with pedigree

The Cruze is none of these. I drive the Holden version regularly as a hire car, and some of my clients use them as company cars also (diesel hatch version at that).

Safe, comfortable, economical. A great daily commuter. A fantastic alternative to a current gen Corolla. The interior is really nice for something in that segment.

But not interesting or crazy by a long shot. Pedigree is arguable.. but the car you buy has far from what races in BTCC or WTCC

Milky > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
09/09/2013 at 19:55

Just throwing this out there .... do you need a new-ish compact sedan? There is a whole big world out there of different cars, and a lot of them are quite fun.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
09/09/2013 at 19:55

I've driven one. They're certainly not bad. And although the 1.4T isn't much straight off the lot, it does have some room or upward mobility. With a tune and some bolt ons, 170-180hp and 220-230tq is easily attainable. I would just get the 2Lt to ensure it has the sport suspension. RS is pretty much an appearance pack on the Cruze.

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
09/09/2013 at 20:02

"I'm" not big on tuning (in quotes, because I'm 16, whihc in turn means I'm obviously still living with my parents. I absolutely love light tuning/swaps, but my Dad's 100% against. Resonably, I guess, but it's a shame).

I learned that after I wrote the post. So they're trying to market a sport package, on a small, I4, turbo-powered sedan, without any performance improvements whatsoever? No thanks. The 2LT sounds ok though.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
09/09/2013 at 20:18

The 2LT is where any performance upgrades lie. It gets sport suspension and discs all the way around. Paired off with a 6-speed, and it's a decent car. More like 7.9-8 to 60.

Same with the Dart Rallye.

Bad72AMX > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
09/09/2013 at 21:23

I'll admit my bias, but having driven both, the Dart GT 2.4L is a much more dynamic and more comfortable car, at the expense of some fuel economy. Its quick, handles pretty well, is very well put together, has great options and availablity, and is good looking. If you want to stand out, Orange and Lime Green are available, as are numerous other interesting colors.

Long Live the Longdoor > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
09/09/2013 at 21:34

I've had one for almost 3 years now. On the whole I like it. It's quiet and pretty good on gas.

The power delivery is very different than anything else I've ever driven (my first turbo car), the lag when accelerating from a stop can be a little annoying (when you put your foot down and nothing happens for half a second).

Mine has a tune and an intake which certainly improves things. The improved power is certainly grin inducing. I'd say away from the 2011 models (first model year), I'm a bit concerned on how my car will hold together long term, from what I understand the 2013's are significantly better.

With regards to handling, I don't have the RS package, but it handles great IMHO. I can certainly carry my speed through corners and enjoy a nice twisted backroad. The stock tires are pretty garbage (they didn't last long), I've since upgraded to some toyos which have helped things out.

If you have any questions, just let me know.