Chevy Cruze first drive

[Bignate603]

looks like a good car. people will always find ways to complain, esp. about GM.

Exactly. It looks like the kind of car they should have been making and it actually places them in a niche where they don't have to compete directly with Ford's Fiesta or next generation focus which seem to be geared towards more sporty handling. Their Malibu was well received by the automotive press and is a financial success and it looks like they want the cruze to be a mini-malibu.

I think it would be a great car for many many people. Hell, if I were shopping for a car I'd go and take it for a test drive to see how it was. I need a comfortable commuter car with good mileage. If it's quiet that would be a huge plus that I'd be willing to pay extra for.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

I always wonder why people trash the Cobalt so much. It's not a bad little car. I had one for a rental once. (Up-level, but not SS.) It was light-years better than the Cavalier it replaced.

As for the Cruze... too pricey and weird engine options. Of course it will probably have discounts of $1500-$2k within a year. But who the hell would go with a Turbo 1.4L when there's a NA 1.8 that makes practically the same power for less money, in a car that's all about saving money? Who the hell would get full-leather LTZ trim on a compact car? I like the way the Cruze looks, but that's about it.

 

[Arkaign]

Seems okay, but I'm still bewildered by the two motor options being so very close in power/fuel economy. It would probably be pretty entertaining in SS guise, with the 2.2L turbo and tight suspension setup.

 

[mb]

The fvck. Only a total beggar of personal pain would put $5k of options into a Cruze unless it comes with a substantial powertrain bump. I generally think people who option out cars more than just a little bit are suckers. I think it's money poorly spent. For example, you can get a base Prius for $23k or you can put $7k into it which will get you leather, better stereo, a few bits like that. You have to be frankly stupid as sh*t to do it. You can get a Sienna for $26.3 or one for $45k (buys you AWD as the only change to powertrain and the rest is who knows what). !!

Yep. I never understood that. If you're buying an economy car, don't deck it out until it costs as much as a much nicer car. The only exception is when there's a true sport model if the economy car, like the Cobalt SS, Neon SRT-4, Evo, etc., none of which I'd personally buy anyway.

When I was looking at Fusions, there were several people optioning out Focuses until they cost nearly as much as a I4 Fusion of the same year. Sure, you might not get the same wheels, leather interior, etc. on the Fusion, but at least you're getting the 2.5L over the 2.0L on the Focus, and a 6 speed auto instead of the horrendous 4 speed.

Yeah! Seriously! Let's not let people buy what they want! They're so stupid!

 

[StageLeft]

Yeah! Seriously! Let's not let people buy what they want! They're so stupid!

Reading comprehension fail. The text is still above, though; you have another chance. Go get 'em, son!

 

[OFFascist]

So its a 3/4ths size Malibu the same way the Corolla is a 3/4ths Camry?

For the price though I paid about $19k for my 2007 Camry LE. Why would anyone want to pay about the same for this smaller car?

 

[mb]

The fvck. Only a total beggar of personal pain would put $5k of options into a Cruze unless it comes with a substantial powertrain bump. I generally think people who option out cars more than just a little bit are suckers. I think it's money poorly spent. For example, you can get a base Prius for $23k or you can put $7k into it which will get you leather, better stereo, a few bits like that. You have to be frankly stupid as sh*t to do it. You can get a Sienna for $26.3 or one for $45k (buys you AWD as the only change to powertrain and the rest is who knows what). !!

Yeah! Seriously! Let's not let people buy what they want! They're so stupid!

Reading comprehension fail. The text is still above, though; you have another chance. Go get 'em, son!

You're right, I guess I don't get it.

You obviously do think highly of people who option out cars more than just a little bit. You really do think they should be able to do what they want with their own money, and it doesn't bother you in the least, certainly not enough to complain about it on the internet. You obviously have no problem with people who spend $45k on a Sienna or $22k on a Cruze, or spend an extra $7k to get leather, better stereo, a few bits like that. And you don't think any of them are stupid as sh*t, right? Right. Got it.

 

[Bignate603]

So its a 3/4ths size Malibu the same way the Corolla is a 3/4ths Camry?

For the price though I paid about $19k for my 2007 Camry LE. Why would anyone want to pay about the same for this smaller car?

1. It's MSRP starts $2k less than a 2010 Camry.
2. It's quieter than the Camry
3. 2010 Camry gets 22/33 mpg, this gets 40 on the highway.
4. Not everyone wants a big car.

 

[OFFascist]

1. It's MSRP starts $2k less than a 2010 Camry.
2. It's quieter than the Camry
3. 2010 Camry gets 22/33 mpg, this gets 40 on the highway.
4. Not everyone wants a big car.

Well then a Corolla is cheap then.

 

[mb]

Well then a Corolla is cheap then.

Yes but it's still a Corolla.

 

[Bignate603]

Well then a Corolla is cheap then.

I've driven a few base model corollas. I'd be willing to bet that the base model cruze is nicer. The stripped down corollas that I was in were miserable little cars.

 

[adlep]

You're right, I guess I don't get it.

You obviously do think highly of people who option out cars more than just a little bit. You really do think they should be able to do what they want with their own money, and it doesn't bother you in the least, certainly not enough to complain about it on the internet. You obviously have no problem with people who spend $45k on a Sienna or $22k on a Cruze, or spend an extra $7k to get leather, better stereo, a few bits like that. And you don't think any of them are stupid as sh*t, right? Right. Got it.

They all should spend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l91ISfcuzDw

On their car's options.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Seems okay, but I'm still bewildered by the two motor options being so very close in power/fuel economy. It would probably be pretty entertaining in SS guise, with the 2.2L turbo and tight suspension setup.

The 1.4L turbo engine is supposed to offer better fuel economy, but apparently it won't really do that until the Cruze Eco version is released, which apparently will be later than the release of the base model.

I don't know if they're going to do a Cruze SS or not, but if they did, I suspect it would have a 2.0L turbocharged EcoTech like the '09 Cobalt SS.

 

[boomerang]

For all of you complaining about the car based on price, amenities, handling, etc., you're complaining because you're not the target buyers for this vehicle. This is why it's not the right car for you and you feel left out and disillusioned.

This is a car designed to appeal to the masses. This car absolutely has to do that for GM. IMO, this is the car that is either going to bring them back or put them in the grave. What's driving that statement is CAFE standards. Everyone jokes that the Volt is the government motors car, but in reality it's the Cruze. If this car doesn't sell well, to a broad spectrum of the populous, the only way GM will be able to meet the CAFE standards is to greatly cut back on the manufacture and sale of larger vehicles with far poorer gas mileage. In doing so, they then shoot themselves in the foot.

On a related note, for any of you that consider yourselves to be people who wish to buy new, if you find this car to be too high priced, it's time to take stock of your overall financial situation. Cars are going to skyrocket in price due to government regulations. In order to reach the aggressive standards laid out by the government, thousands upon thousands will be added to the price of cars along with added complexities. You may want to take an objective look at where you are and where you're heading.

 

[Mermaidman]

You may want to take an objective look at where you are and where you're heading.

BAHAHAHAWAHAWHAHAHAH! Objective?! You're asking too much. (Great post, btw.)

 

[StageLeft]

You're right, I guess I don't get it.

You obviously do think highly of people who option out cars more than just a little bit. You really do think they should be able to do what they want with their own money, and it doesn't bother you in the least, certainly not enough to complain about it on the internet. You obviously have no problem with people who spend $45k on a Sienna or $22k on a Cruze, or spend an extra $7k to get leather, better stereo, a few bits like that. And you don't think any of them are stupid as sh*t, right? Right. Got it.

You're partially correct. I do think of them as stupid, so let's get that out of the way. That's what I said. However, I never said anything about not _letting_ them do it, as you appeared to read into my earlier statements.

And before you go calling me an idiot for my view--perfectly understandable--realize the unadulterated irony in calling me an idiot for calling others idiots.

I've driven a few base model corollas. I'd be willing to bet that the base model cruze is nicer. The stripped down corollas that I was in were miserable little cars.

This is true, they are. Buzzy little things.

 

[MovingTarget]

I wouldn't mind owning one of those. Power, handling, fuel economy, and comfort for someone as tall as I am in a compact car...seems like GM may have gotten it right this time. Of course, I would have to drive my Cavalier into the ground first (220k miles and counting), so it may be a while...

 

[darkswordsman17]

For all of you complaining about the car based on price, amenities, handling, etc., you're complaining because you're not the target buyers for this vehicle. This is why it's not the right car for you and you feel left out and disillusioned.

This is a car designed to appeal to the masses. This car absolutely has to do that for GM. IMO, this is the car that is either going to bring them back or put them in the grave. What's driving that statement is CAFE standards. Everyone jokes that the Volt is the government motors car, but in reality it's the Cruze. If this car doesn't sell well, to a broad spectrum of the populous, the only way GM will be able to meet the CAFE standards is to greatly cut back on the manufacture and sale of larger vehicles with far poorer gas mileage. In doing so, they then shoot themselves in the foot.

On a related note, for any of you that consider yourselves to be people who wish to buy new, if you find this car to be too high priced, it's time to take stock of your overall financial situation. Cars are going to skyrocket in price due to government regulations. In order to reach the aggressive standards laid out by the government, thousands upon thousands will be added to the price of cars along with added complexities. You may want to take an objective look at where you are and where you're heading.

Disillusioned is a bit much, don't you think?

As for pricing, you can try and blame it on CAFE and other regulations, but I don't have any idea why you're trying to say that people wondering why an econobox is pricing itself into the midrange segment while offering a toned down but similar experience to the midrange segment should "take stock of your financial situation".

We're trying to figure out why Chevy aimed their lowend econobox at the midrange segment, especially considering they already have a fairly popular midrange car already, and that's a market that is highly competitive already as well.

 

[boomerang]

Disillusioned is a bit much, don't you think?

As for pricing, you can try and blame it on CAFE and other regulations, but I don't have any idea why you're trying to say that people wondering why an econobox is pricing itself into the midrange segment while offering a toned down but similar experience to the midrange segment should "take stock of your financial situation".

The more I think about it, the more of a conundrum this car becomes. They're angling for a niche of the market, that just happens to be one of if not the biggest market segment in cars.

We're trying to figure out why Chevy aimed their lowend econobox at the midrange segment, especially considering they already have a fairly popular midrange car already.

This car is not an econobox. But if that's your approach to the car you will continue to be confused.

My point regarding the cost of cars is that the prices are shifting upwards. If one likes to drive new cars, it may be time to think about what it's going to take to keep driving them. They won't be getting any cheaper. I blame it on government regulations and you of course are free to pin it on whatever works for you.

In regards to your confusion about this car and it's relation to 'a fairly popular midrange car', that car isn't going to cut the mustard in the era of big government regulation we're in right now. It's going to have to go and the Cruze appears to be its replacement. You're seeing the beginning of the shift in GM's product line to smaller, more efficient cars. They're targeting their largest demographic by offering a car with many amenities and a commensurate price.

We've been telling anyone who would listen what the results of big government intervention at this level was going to do to the cars we buy and drive. That they were going to get smaller and more expensive. It's here, it's now, rejoice?

Behold the Cruze!

 

[LTC8K6]

So why would I pay another 10 grand for a Volt?

 

[Tristicus]

So why would I pay another 10 grand for a Volt?

Base price is 41k actually.

They are electric. You can be green and hip, yo.

 

[MikeMike]

This car is not an econobox. But if that's your approach to the car you will continue to be confused.

My point regarding the cost of cars is that the prices are shifting upwards. If one likes to drive new cars, it may be time to think about what it's going to take to keep driving them. They won't be getting any cheaper. I blame it on government regulations and you of course are free to pin it on whatever works for you.

In regards to your confusion about this car and it's relation to 'a fairly popular midrange car', that car isn't going to cut the mustard in the era of big government regulation we're in right now. It's going to have to go and the Cruze appears to be its replacement. You're seeing the beginning of the shift in GM's product line to smaller, more efficient cars. They're targeting their largest demographic by offering a car with many amenities and a commensurate price.

We've been telling anyone who would listen what the results of big government intervention at this level was going to do to the cars we buy and drive. That they were going to get smaller and more expensive. It's here, it's now, rejoice?

Behold the Cruze!

Also realize that the Cobalt was stripped down... in order for the Cobalt to match the Cruze in "features" such as power windows, etc... you need a Cobalt LT... with is $200 more than a Cruze LS, which has more features than the Cobalt LT

 

[Demo24]

Um, is it just me or does that make no sense for this car/segment? Now if we were talking about a Buick model, then sure that might be smart, but not an econobox Chevy.

Makes perfect sense to me actually. Many complaints about these small cars are: loud, buzzy, feel unsettled on the highway. Chevy basically counteracted all of those points. Yeah it's no sports sedan, and it's not trying to be. But if you have a really quiet interior, smooth motor, nice interior, good economy, and a nice price...well, those are good selling points. Sure the interior isn't utterly fantastic, but hardly bad either and that's all that is needed in the sub 20k category. And yeah the leather might be a bit excessive, but it is sort of nice and is a semi-useful marketing tool.


I like it. It doesn't look bad nor like anything else on the market. Plus I'm pretty sure this platform has potential when they aren't going for 'comfortable'.

 

[iGas]

IMHO, fugdly front end, busy rear end, but beautiful interior.

 

[iGas]

Yep people do have short term memories. If gas hit $4 now you'd see expeditions being given away with purchase of a GPS unit. Although I do think $4 was ahead of its time and was never realistic for 2008.

Cruze looks ok. Is there a hatchback coming? Anybody who's ever owned a hatchback knows how much ass they kick. A 40 mpg cruze with hatchback would not be bad at all.

$4 a gallon is going to happen again soon, because the market expectation for oil price is going to be north of $120 a barrel by 2012 and beyond.