Oppoinions: Chevy Cruze

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno) 03/26/2014 at 19:54 • Filed to: Oppoinions

0

49

How does Oppo feel about the Cruze?

I think its a sharp looking little compact. Especially in red with the RS package. All trims except LTZ and the Diesel gets the option of a manual, which is nice. And it can be really cheap if you don't go nuts with options.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 19:56

2

Rs with Manual is nice, I'd prefer a Dart though.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 19:56

0

I've only been in a rental Cruze for a little while, but it was pretty impressive for what it was. The interior was a huge improvement over the last small GM car I was in.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 19:58

1

Nice little car. My sister had one and she liked it a lot. Bizarrely cruze control isn't available on the lowest trim option which is dumb. I'm assuming it's getting a little long in the tooth now though since it's been out for several years without a refresh though.

Hooker > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 19:59

0

I have had 3. A 1LT and two ECO's. One with manual and one with auto. I love the styling. The proportions are excellent (almost small RWD looking especially from the front 3/4). The interior is a comfortable, quiet place to spend your time. And it doesn't handle like a wallowing shit box like the Corolla. Actually, it handles quite well. I average over 35 mpg on the regular. A good used one with under 30,000 miles on it can be had (with manual and ECO) for about 13K. Also, the ECO is lowered and has suspension bits from the 2LT and LTZ trims which enhance it's handling bits. It doesn't have the semi independent Watts Z-link rear end (to save weight) but I have never noticed a negative difference.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 03/26/2014 at 19:59

0

A new model is due next year, if I remember correctly.

DrBunsen > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 20:01

1

I've had a 2012 Eco 6MT, for a year now, and I really like it. Gas mileage is pretty damn good (I've gotten up to 47mpg highway), and it's still fairly fun to drive. I'd definitely recommend it.

Jayhawk Jake > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 20:03

1

It's nice. But this is better:

Same platform, cheaper, hatchback.

hike > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 20:04

0

I liked it when they first released it, but I think it's due for an update to compete with some of the new offerings from the Japanese and the new Focus.

Jayhawk Jake > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny 03/26/2014 at 20:04

0

GM's small car interiors are pretty good now. Only complaint with mine is the armrest

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 20:05

0

I like it, quite a lot in fact. Aging a bit, I guess, and I think bland is what I'd like to call it, but bland in a good sense. That's a bit hard to explain, but from what little experience I have with it, it came across as one of the most honest cars you can have right now. In Brazil, the Cruze is sold as a mid size, and it does what a mid sized car is expected to do with confidence and without looking or being dull. It won't break on you, it has none of the styling gimmickry seen on so many of its competitors and it covers a wide market range, kind of like a workhorse, and I mean that as a compliment, as I actually really like workhorses.

I have weird automotive tastes. And I'd totally live with a Cruze.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jayhawk Jake 03/26/2014 at 20:05

1

If they'd bring this damn thing over!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > hike 03/26/2014 at 20:06

0

I think a new one is due next year

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 03/26/2014 at 20:09

1

I see what you mean, it's got everything you'd need, but nothing you don't.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Jayhawk Jake 03/26/2014 at 20:10

0

And I still think the headlights look fantastic.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > DrBunsen 03/26/2014 at 20:10

0

47? That's really good!

jariten1781 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 20:10

0

It's aight. Had a number as rentals and there was nothing to complain about. The restrained styling means it'll still look good (if it's in good condition) which is always a plus.

CPT Speedbump > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 20:11

0

Meh, Had one for a year, boring to drive, nooooo feel from the tires to your hands..at all. The stick feels amazing though, a bitttt heavy for what it is. Wasn't fun enough for me, hense why I got rid of mine.

CPT Speedbump > CPT Speedbump 03/26/2014 at 20:13

0

Also..rear drum brakes..... on a new car..wtf?

BeaterGT > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 20:14

0

I drive my friend's LT with the 6 speed all the time and I don't particularly care for it. It's perfect for her due to commuting but very low on the fun factor. Also it was bought brand new and there were fitment issues with the front bumper. I'm sure the other options are much better.

Milky > Hooker 03/26/2014 at 20:14

0

It might be a nice car, but come on really?

" ... almost small RWD looking ..."

DrBunsen > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 20:15

0

Yeah I made it all the way from western Ohio home to Maryland on about 11 gallons, I was pretty damn impressed.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 20:16

0

Exactly! Believe it or not, for me that's actually a big pro when it comes to cars. If it's something I won't use, might as well not be there so I don't have to worry about it breaking or malfunctioning or keeping the whole car from working thanks to a series of unfortunate coincidences. Which happens a lot thanks to my shit luck.

Bytemite > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 20:19

0

Much better options out there in the compact economy segment, possibly the most competitive segment. Where most cars benchmark the Corolla and Civic, this Cruze isnt really differentiating itself much in any terms whatsoever. When you look at the Focus, Dart, Elantra, Forte, Altima, Mazda3, or Lancer, it's just another compact car with nothing significantly better than the others in the market. The only way to attract the Civic and Corolla buyers is to tout a single thing that the car does much better than all others. The Cruze doesn't have anything like that.

Jayhawk Jake > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 20:25

1

I suppose...

Jayhawk Jake > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 03/26/2014 at 20:25

2

The whole car does IMO. It grows on you fast.

Jayhawk Jake > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 03/26/2014 at 20:33

1

It's aged a bit quickly, but I think it's due for a redesign soon.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Jayhawk Jake 03/26/2014 at 20:35

0

My first thought was "ew, compact car" but man, it's extraordinarily well-proportioned. And that blacked-out bowtie is fantastic.

Jayhawk Jake > Bytemite 03/26/2014 at 20:35

0

I think the Cruze is just older now?

I might be wrong, but it's been around in its current guise for a while, whereas the Dart came along later, and the rest have had significant redesigns. I'll be curious to see what Chevy does with the next generation of the Cruze

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jayhawk Jake 03/26/2014 at 20:36

0

Or maybe the wagon!

Bytemite > Jayhawk Jake 03/26/2014 at 20:38

0

Probably, to our dismay, upsize and bloat the hell out of it.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > Jayhawk Jake 03/26/2014 at 20:44

0

I wouldn't say quickly, as it's been on the market for a while already, and I actually like it better than some newer sedans, but Chevrolet has this habit (at least in Brazil) of keeping a car around for far longer than they should. There's been a new Cruze in the works for a while now, I believe, or at least I remember seeing projections of what it'd look like years ago, but haven't heard from it since.

Hooker > Milky 03/26/2014 at 20:46

1

All I can say is that style is subjective. From where I sit, it's a well proportioned car. I'm not saying the overhangs are super short or anything, just that it's well proportioned. I just think they did a good job of wrapping a FWD car in an attractive wrapper. That's all.

Hooker > Jayhawk Jake 03/26/2014 at 20:49

0

You know they're on two different architectures, right? Sonic=Gamma 2 and Cruze=Delta 2. :)

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Bytemite 03/26/2014 at 20:51

0

It looks about the same size, but its adopting a sonic-like front end

Hooker > DrBunsen 03/26/2014 at 20:53

0

Mine is the same color, only one year newer! I really do like that color!

Hooker > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 20:54

0

I took my ECO 6MT (at the time) into the mountains. Killed it going up, coasted a lot on the way back. Tank over tank in one weekend was 41 and I thought that was just dandy going into the mountains. I have seen 47 average before on a reasonably flat highway drive. Neat little car for sure.

Jayhawk Jake > Hooker 03/26/2014 at 20:59

1

They are? Huh. Learn something new every day. Same turbo engine though...

Milky > Hooker 03/26/2014 at 20:59

0

All I gotta say is, its all about that wheel to door gap doe.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 20:59

0

Good car for GM. Not awful with an autobox (read: Avis rental car)

I'd take a Ford Focus over the Cruze. Heck, I'd even drive a VW Jetta over a Cruze (and I have traded a Cruze for a Jetta at Avis)

Forgetful > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 21:00

0

I respect the Cruze for its racing pedigree and I think it's a decent looking small sedan.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Forgetful 03/26/2014 at 21:02

0

I completely forgot they raced them!

Forgetful > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 21:05

0

They've won the WTCC drivers title 4 year straight.

NeilR > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 21:07

0

My dad has has a '12, it handles pretty darn well. Chassis seems pretty rigid, suspension doesn't allow the nose to dive on braking or roll very much in corners. Still pretty comfortable, one of the most quiet compacts I've been in as well.

Since his job bought it for him he didn't get to choose any options, so it's the base with the auto. Pretty well sorted auto as things go, it likes to rev and doesn't hesitate. He gets 32 or so mpg average driving mostly backroads.

At 40k+ miles so far, a few minor mechanical issues have come up; a broken coolant temperature sensor namely. The left front CV shaft is starting to make the tell tale ticking noise in right turns so it'll need to be replaced soon. It also appears to be leaking some ATF on the driveway, gonna have to look into that.

Forgetful > Jayhawk Jake 03/26/2014 at 21:10

0

Hooker > Jayhawk Jake 03/26/2014 at 21:15

0

Oh, their bits are very similar. And yes, same engine combos. Not sure about transmissions but I would assume so.

Forgetful > Jayhawk Jake 03/26/2014 at 21:18

0

I'd like to thank you for making it okay to like this little car. I didn't want to write it off as just another crappy little econobox because I like the looks, and your enthusiasm for it has erased any doubts I had.

I probably wouldn't ever buy one for myself, but I would probably suggest it to someone asking me for car buying advice.

I saw one at Timmies this morning. It was white with black rims that had a red stripe. It looked sharp, but it was a sedan which gets a little awkward around back.

Tried to sneak a potato because I didn't want the morning coffee crowd to see the guy driving an FR-S taking pictures of a Sonic.

Jayhawk Jake > Forgetful 03/26/2014 at 21:20

0

They're nice little cars, with enough unique features to set them apart from the Fiesta's of the world.

If performance was all that mattered, the FiST is the way to go. I prefer the whole package of the Sonic though, and I couldn't be happier with mine. Glad I've shown you the way ;)

hike > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/26/2014 at 23:03

0

I think you're right, or at least a refresh. It was mentioned in an article about all the new small GM engines.

TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! > Bytemite 03/26/2014 at 23:22

0

I have rented a new Civic, a 2013 Focus, a new Corolla and a Cruise for a week each over the last year.

I must say, for my money, it would be the Cruise or the Focus. They weren't really comparable, because the Focus was loaded, and the Cruise was a base trip LT.

That being said, over the course of a 4 hour drive home, the Cruise was very quite, very comfy, and quite relaxing to drive. The Focus had the notorious Sony stereo and my Ford touch, but it was still fine.

I would have to try the stick in both, but the Diesel in the Cruise might seal the deal as a great DD.