Test drove a '14 Cruze Eco 6speed yesterday.

"Tohru" (tohrurokuno) 09/26/2014 at 10:12 • Filed to: Test Drive, Tohru's Winter Car

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This is the exact one I test-drove.

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I liked it. The cloth seats were reasonably comfortable, it has good acceleration, it rides smoothly, and it feels a lot more refined than the fortwo I test-drove two months ago. There seems to be enough room in the engine bay to do a V8 conversion, which leaves lots of room to work on the EcoTec if it needs it. Seriously - it's the first modern FWD car I've looked at where you can see the entire steering rack from above with the motor installed. It's also got electric steering - no power steering fluid, and good steering feel.

However: The clutch is very soft and completely linear, making it hard to feel the engage point. The MyLink radio looks like it'd take me a week to get familiar with - I didn't play around with it much because I was driving. With my resting position while driving, my right knee hits the temperature knob on the HVAC (Why is the HVAC all the way down there anyways?). The fuel door is on the right. It has the fancy switchblade keys, which means spares are $180/each. The one I drove had the ECO Convenience Package, which includes rear back-up camera. Having never driven a car with a back-up camera, THAT SHIT IS WEIRD YO. Like, I want to check over my shoulders and watch the mirrors, but there's this screen in the dash that wants you to watch it instead.

Through my work I can get GM Supplier pricing, so an Eco optioned the way I want (i.e. manual trans and nothing else, thanks) comes in at $17,662.

The dealership had had a Diesel Cruze on the lot, but it was sold about 5 hours before I got there. They said they'll call me when they get one in so I can try that too.

Is it worth that price? Eh, maybe. Am I going to buy one? I'm not sure - there's a lot of tempting stuff on the used market. But I do like it.

Sweet Trav > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 10:16

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i too test drove a Cruize eco. i liked the engine, but not much else.

mcseanerson > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 10:18

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Would you like it better if they gave us the hatch because I sure would.

Milky > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 10:22

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IMO I would just hate to spend on a new car and have it be outdated in a short amount of time.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 10:23

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With my resting position while driving, my right knee hits the temperature knob on the HVAC (Why is the HVAC all the way down there anyways?).

That's so nefarious it sounds like a Toyota design.

Also, isn't being more refined than a fortwo damning with faint praise?

Sweet Trav > mcseanerson 09/26/2014 at 10:24

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THERE'S A HATCH!?

ly2v8-Brian > Sweet Trav 09/26/2014 at 10:27

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There certainly is

As Du Volant > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 10:29

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I've been driving a '12 Cruze Eco as a demo for the past month. I like it. It's not fancy or super fun, but it's decently comfortable for commuting, powerful enough to keep up with traffic, and the stereo isn't bad. It's a simple car designed for a simple purpose and it does it honestly and well. I'm averaging 40.5 MPG right now, 80% highway driving, when I'm commuting I do the speed limit in the right lane to save on fuel. If you go faster the mileage will drop a bit but it's still pretty damn good.

I agree with you on the clutch feeling vague, the first few days I was driving it I kept grinding second when pulling out into fast-moving traffic.

Is there anything certified pre-owned in your area? Buying new is rarely worth it no matter what the price, you're going to lose your ass in depreciation no matter what.

Sweet Trav > ly2v8-Brian 09/26/2014 at 10:29

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Can we just get the Astra again?

CalzoneGolem > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 10:38

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The Kia Soul has tons of space in the engine bay.

mcseanerson > ly2v8-Brian 09/26/2014 at 10:44

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Looks so much better.

duurtlang > Sweet Trav 09/26/2014 at 10:54

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You already get the Astra. The Buick Verano is a rebadged Astra. A rebadged version of the rare (in my part of Europe) and impractical sedan version instead of the popular 5 door hatch, 5 door wagon or 3 door hatch/'coupe', but it's still an Astra.

There was a Cruze wagon as well. Was, as Chevrolet as a volume brand is being discontinued in Europe.

ly2v8-Brian > Sweet Trav 09/26/2014 at 10:55

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I know that feel. I wish a three door OPC was sold here, but no of course not.

ly2v8-Brian > mcseanerson 09/26/2014 at 10:57

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It is quite the looker

Sweet Trav > ly2v8-Brian 09/26/2014 at 10:58

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id be ok with a three cylinder diesel version.

Tohru > mcseanerson 09/26/2014 at 10:59

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If it was a hatch on the lot there might have been talk of financing.

mcseanerson > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 11:01

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I know, I'd already be out looking at them too if we got the hatches.

Sweet Trav > duurtlang 09/26/2014 at 11:05

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Buick Verano is rebadged Cruze. built in Lake Orion, Michigan Though all the cars share a common platform.

God is the Verano ugly.

duurtlang > Sweet Trav 09/26/2014 at 11:13

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May I present a counter point?

Look at the greenhouse and the swoop in the doors. The window in front of the front door and the window behind the rear door are absent in the Cruze. The second window in the rear door isn't present in the Opel and Buick. I could do the same for the interior. The Verano is almost identical to the Astra and very different from the Cruze.

Tohru > Milky 09/26/2014 at 11:18

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Eh, I've only owned used cars to this point so having the new hotness isn't that big of a deal. In fact, once the 2015 comes out I might use that as a bargaining point to get a grand or two knocked off the 2014.

Sweet Trav > duurtlang 09/26/2014 at 11:19

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Different fascia, obviously, different fenders, quarters and i cant tell, if the second rear window on the verano is slightly smaller than the Astra. Either way the Astra is the far superior looking car. GM screwed the pooch on this one.

Tohru > CalzoneGolem 09/26/2014 at 11:19

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I'm not a huge fan of the Kyaaaaa~!

Tohru > As Du Volant 09/26/2014 at 11:22

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Yeah, I know new isn't a good investment. The Cruze is just one of the many options I'm kicking around, including asking Tavarish to help me find a '00-'02 S500/S600 like the ones he's purchased.

I've never had a new car, though. While it's not a great use of money, I finally have a job where I could afford a new car.

CalzoneGolem > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 11:24

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It's a funky little hatch. It's cheap and safe. What's not to love?

The ride does suck on bumpy roads.

Milky > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 11:28

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That I totally understand. Just don't but outdated new and pay full price.

Jayhawk Jake > mcseanerson 09/26/2014 at 11:32

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We do, it's called the Sonic.

I kid, but really that's the closest we get.

BadMotorScooter > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 11:33

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I had a 12 Cruze Eco manual that I put 40k commuting mile on. It was actually a very good car. Great MPG, and handled reasonably well. My two complaints - The nonadjustable front lumbar was painfully uncomfortable. I have a weird back and am sensitive to seats. The seat comfort was primarily why I got rid of the car. Second issue is it is very boring. Not bad, just boring.

mcseanerson > Jayhawk Jake 09/26/2014 at 11:36

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I like the Sonic but the Cruze is a bit bigger and a good bit more refined.

Jayhawk Jake > mcseanerson 09/26/2014 at 11:57

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I know, just pointing out that's what we have.

Tohru > CalzoneGolem 09/26/2014 at 11:59

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I dunno, it just doesn't strike a chord with me. Plus it's a big boxy compact - if I was gonna get one of those I'd get a first-gen xB.

Tohru > BadMotorScooter 09/26/2014 at 12:00

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Yeah, I got the impression that living with it would be like living with my mom's beige-on-beige '03 Impala. Competent and will get the job done, but not exciting.

CalzoneGolem > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 12:09

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I've often thought about getting an Element or XB so I can park it next to the Soul. So boxy.

Tohru > Milky 09/26/2014 at 12:50

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Naturally.

Tohru > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 09/26/2014 at 13:01

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The fortwo has a certain charm to it. It's also the only other 2014 I've driven this year, so it's the only other thing I can compare it to. It's not as refined as the '06 DTS I used to drive as a shuttle car, but rides nicer than my mom's '03 Impala.

Gr8Dane > CalzoneGolem 09/27/2014 at 11:51

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I have an element, it's great fun parking near boxy things. :)

Djenkolic > Tohru 09/27/2014 at 19:05

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So, I had a '14 Astra Eco Flex in Deutschland last month, the 5 door. 6 speed, 1.4L squirrel wheel with a "turbo" it was Eco, but after driving it through Germany, France, Luxemburg, Netherlands and back it got a little uncomfortable - and it was under powered, did I mention that? But I am used to my torque monster mopar 4.7 L V8 (2000 WJ)

Tohru > Djenkolic 09/27/2014 at 19:29

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I currently drive an '88 Ram 50 2.0L (a.k.a. Mitsubishi Mighty Max), but normally I've owned big V8's - (5.7L '76 Delta 88. 5.0L '91 Caprice/'92 Caprice/'91 Custom Cruiser, 5.8L '96 Bronco, 5.0L '89 Bronco). So I know where you're coming from.