2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco 6MT - First Impressions

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I want to comment on the Auto again. Critic, you drove a brand new one. It's well known that the programming in the transmission takes a few thousand miles to "learn", It is definitely much more normal now than it was initially. On the other hand, my dads still onlyo has about 700 miles on it (he rides the bike most days), and the transmission is still "odd".

There are a few little differences I can see between the LT and the Eco, mostly little detail things, though the trunk is massively differenct. The cruze has one thing that previous GM compacts didn't- attention to detail. Enjoy the car!
 
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Congratulations! I'm surprised nobody asked what oil you plan on running in it!
smile.gif
 
" She wants a good econobox with a manual . "

Have you tried the MAZDA 2 ? That manual is smooth as silk .
 
I have some QSUD 5w-30 lined up for the first change. The dealer gave me a free oil change card, so I'm going to use that one of these days. Still need to get filters, since it's a cartridge. The outside of the filter housing had Hengst cast into it.

Over 10 miles of rural and suburban driving, the DIC reported 51.3 MPG. That was with stop signs, traffic lights, and a very light foot otherwise. Something says this will be a real MPG queen once it breaks in. Can't wait to see what the first tank has for MPG.
 
Originally Posted By: odie
" She wants a good econobox with a manual . "

Have you tried the MAZDA 2 ? That manual is smooth as silk .


who says it is any better than the cruze's though or gets better mileage? seems like the cruze eco is a keeper.
 
Great choice sciphi...you got a proper transmission too. I don't really think there is a better small car on the market for the price of the Cruze Eco. Alloy wheels too!

Enjoy the new car!

P.S. - Where is the motor in that car????..I can't see it.
grin.gif
 
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Originally Posted By: Nick R
I want to comment on the Auto again. Critic, you drove a brand new one. It's well known that the programming in the transmission takes a few thousand miles to "learn", It is definitely much more normal now than it was initially.


I think that is more of an urban legend than truth; I've never seen that in any service manual. In fact, my Saturn's service manual IIRC had a specific relearn procedure that can be completed during a test drive.

I had a feeling that the transmission's behavior isn't going to change much because it had to shift the way it did in order to maximize the performance from the 1.4T. Also, remember the gearing and software is different for the 2012 as evident by the improved EPA ratings.
 
Originally Posted By: FXjohn
Originally Posted By: odie
" She wants a good econobox with a manual . "

Have you tried the MAZDA 2 ? That manual is smooth as silk .


who says it is any better than the cruze's though or gets better mileage? seems like the cruze eco is a keeper.

The Mazda 2 is probably more fun to drive. Mileage isn't everything.
 
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Nice!!
thumbsup2.gif


From all the reading it sounds like the Eco version is the best bang for the buck and this is what all Cruzes should be IMO. What's the point of putting a tiny engine with a turbo and making the car 3200 lbs.

Now imagine that engine in a 2700lb car
20.gif
.


IMO, the 3200 lb car should be better in the case of a collision.
 
Originally Posted By: GMFan
Great choice sciphi...you got a proper transmission too. I don't really think there is a better small car on the market for the price of the Cruze Eco. Alloy wheels too!

Enjoy the new car!

P.S. - Where is the motor in that car????..I can't see it.
grin.gif



Thanks! I agreed, which is why it's sitting in the driveway now!

My neighbors all have remarked on the alloys. They just set the car off so nicely, IMO.

This car just comes alive with the manual. The 1.4t likes to rev, and the manual's gearing lets it rev to get it going. It's also happy pulling at low RPM's without a shift, although it does prefer revving more thanks to the turbo. It's a totally different car than the automatic version. The auto is frankly boring to drive, since the engine just whines without providing much forward motivation. The manual just lets the engine pull and pull. Getting to super-legal speeds is fast and effortless.

The Eco 6MT truly is the pick of the Cruze litter. It's great on gas, and an absolute hoot to drive. I'm glad I got one before the rest of the world figures out the same thing.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: Nick R
I want to comment on the Auto again. Critic, you drove a brand new one. It's well known that the programming in the transmission takes a few thousand miles to "learn", It is definitely much more normal now than it was initially.


I think that is more of an urban legend than truth; I've never seen that in any service manual. In fact, my Saturn's service manual IIRC had a specific relearn procedure that can be completed during a test drive.

I had a feeling that the transmission's behavior isn't going to change much because it had to shift the way it did in order to maximize the performance from the 1.4T. Also, remember the gearing and software is different for the 2012 as evident by the improved EPA ratings.


No, even GM tells you that the transmission incorporates a learning feature, I seem to recall reading it in the manual, I could be wrong though. It learns how you drive, as many transmissions have done for years, including those from Ford, Toyota, Honda, GM, hyundai, etc. It's no myth.
Also, your saturn was a 97? Yeah this is 2011/2012.
 
Originally Posted By: sciphi
Originally Posted By: GMFan
Great choice sciphi...you got a proper transmission too. I don't really think there is a better small car on the market for the price of the Cruze Eco. Alloy wheels too!

Enjoy the new car!

P.S. - Where is the motor in that car????..I can't see it.
grin.gif



Thanks! I agreed, which is why it's sitting in the driveway now!

My neighbors all have remarked on the alloys. They just set the car off so nicely, IMO.

This car just comes alive with the manual. The 1.4t likes to rev, and the manual's gearing lets it rev to get it going. It's also happy pulling at low RPM's without a shift, although it does prefer revving more thanks to the turbo. It's a totally different car than the automatic version. The auto is frankly boring to drive, since the engine just whines without providing much forward motivation. The manual just lets the engine pull and pull. Getting to super-legal speeds is fast and effortless.

The Eco 6MT truly is the pick of the Cruze litter. It's great on gas, and an absolute hoot to drive. I'm glad I got one before the rest of the world figures out the same thing.


Manual is probably better, but I wouldn't say that the auto has no forward motion. The turbo definitely still helps, and between 2-3k it does pull very well. As it breaks in,. I find myself more and more liking the auto in this car.
 
Originally Posted By: FXjohn
Originally Posted By: odie
" She wants a good econobox with a manual . "

Have you tried the MAZDA 2 ? That manual is smooth as silk .


who says it is any better than the cruze's though or gets better mileage? seems like the cruze eco is a keeper.


Not knocking the CRUZE . Test the waters and make a choice .
 
No boost gauge. Once my ScanGauge II gets back, that'll have a boost gauge feature. I don't really care about the lack of boost gauge. It's nice to know, and will come in handy later diagnosing a turbo, intercooler, or charge pipe issue.

I'm liking my Cruze. It definitely isn't the right car for everybody, however. Test-drive a bunch of different cars and see what tickles your fancy.
 
Originally Posted By: Nick R
Originally Posted By: sciphi
Originally Posted By: GMFan
Great choice sciphi...you got a proper transmission too. I don't really think there is a better small car on the market for the price of the Cruze Eco. Alloy wheels too!

Enjoy the new car!

P.S. - Where is the motor in that car????..I can't see it.
grin.gif



Thanks! I agreed, which is why it's sitting in the driveway now!

My neighbors all have remarked on the alloys. They just set the car off so nicely, IMO.

This car just comes alive with the manual. The 1.4t likes to rev, and the manual's gearing lets it rev to get it going. It's also happy pulling at low RPM's without a shift, although it does prefer revving more thanks to the turbo. It's a totally different car than the automatic version. The auto is frankly boring to drive, since the engine just whines without providing much forward motivation. The manual just lets the engine pull and pull. Getting to super-legal speeds is fast and effortless.

The Eco 6MT truly is the pick of the Cruze litter. It's great on gas, and an absolute hoot to drive. I'm glad I got one before the rest of the world figures out the same thing.


Manual is probably better, but I wouldn't say that the auto has no forward motion. The turbo definitely still helps, and between 2-3k it does pull very well. As it breaks in,. I find myself more and more liking the auto in this car.

I'm sure the auto is fine for must us even if it doesn't meet The Critics standards, but for the number of gears it has, along with a turbo's torque curve, I thought the car would be quicker. Even my old beater 3 spd Neon does 0-60 in around 9 seconds with a 1st gear that runs to 50mph...
 
I'll get a 0-60 time in mine once my ScanGauge II comes back with its performance indicators. Or have a neighbor ride shotgun with a stopwatch.

Car and Driver reported a 0-60 time of 7.8 seconds for the Eco manual. They reported 8.0 seconds for the LT automatic. I'd believe C&D, this car is quick off the line. Their quarter mile was a 16.1 at 87 mph, while the LT's was a 16.4. So the Eco manual is just a touch faster on the track.

Nick, not trying to bash auto Cruzes, just trying to bring some numbers into play.
 
Sorry to pry . I presume going to Buffalo area saved you more money than at nearby dealers ? If so , how much discount did you get ? Thanks
 
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