Chevy Cruze - Thinking about one

[Nick1994]

I've been thinking about getting into a Chevy Cruze. A Chevy dealer down the road from me has a couple in the $8k-$9k range, 2011 & 2012. About 80-90k miles. They have the 1.8L as well.

So how are they? I guess they have a timing belt. But then again so does my Camry which needs one fairly soon. Interference? How are the transmissions? A couple I looked at their Carfax and they had transmission replacements (different dealer).

Also, I see a 2011 Hyundai Sonata for sale, 118k miles, $6500. 4 cylinder, 6 speed manual. Any good as well?

I read supton's post from last year, which was very helpful. Was just looking for some more info, any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[silveravant]

Timing chain.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: silveravant
Timing chain.


The 1.4T has a timing chain. The LS with its 1.8 has a belt with a 100k mile service interval. AFAIK it's an interference engine.

They're solid cars. For their size, they're built like brick outhouses. Very solid over bumps and quiet on the inside. The interiors hold up pretty well. My 2012's interior is holding up well. So did the rental Cruze I had for a week with ~45k miles on it at the time.

At the moment we're driving the 1.8/AT drivetrain in a rental Chevy Sonic. It's quick enough, even if it doesn't feel all that quick. The 1.8 is thirsty, though. On a road trip we only averaged about 32-33 mpg, and are high 20's around town.

Transmission-wise, I'd pick the 2012 over the 2011. Mainly for better programming. Although the cars that had transmissions replaced should have received GM-remanufactured units with the latest TCM updates at the time of replacement. The 6T40 either fails early or lives a long life. I haven't heard reports of many failing early. The M32 manual is the same way. If it makes it through break-in without munching a 2nd gear synchro, it'll be fine.

 

[pbm]

Watch those 2011 and 2012 Cruzen for coolant loss and coolant ODOR. There's hundreds of pages on Cruzetalk about it as well as a class action lawsuit. GM wasn't very forthcoming with a fix.

 

[CT8]

Chevrolet heartbreak of America,

 

[Nick1994]

Looking on the dealer's website, looks like most are 1.4L turbo models.

My concern is the longevity of the turbo. The plus side is no timing belt though.

 

[SatinSilver]

You can get a 2012 Camry with a little over 100k miles for $10,700. Prob get them down a little on price. Just because you like Camrys so much.

http://www.faricyford.com/details/2012-Toyota-Camry-CanonCity-CO/11114841?cid=5

2012 Camry SE 142k miles for $10,600:

http://www.bellroadtoyota.com/pre-owned/toyota/camry/2012-red-se-3247953

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
You can get a 2012 Camry with a little over 100k miles for $10,700. Prob get them down a little on price. Just because you like Camrys so much.

http://www.faricyford.com/details/2012-Toyota-Camry-CanonCity-CO/11114841?cid=5

2012 Camry SE 142k miles for $10,600:

http://www.bellroadtoyota.com/pre-owned/toyota/camry/2012-red-se-3247953


I love that second one!!

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
You can get a 2012 Camry with a little over 100k miles for $10,700. Prob get them down a little on price. Just because you like Camrys so much.

http://www.faricyford.com/details/2012-Toyota-Camry-CanonCity-CO/11114841?cid=5

2012 Camry SE 142k miles for $10,600:

http://www.bellroadtoyota.com/pre-owned/toyota/camry/2012-red-se-3247953


142K?
Realistically a $6-7K car.
I'd doubt it would bring $5K at auction.
The darn thing could have been bought brand new for less than $20K by any reasonably alert shopper.

 

[mjoekingz28]

See if you can get a 100k service in the deal.....


Not for free, but maybe add it to the cost of the car if you are getting a loan!

 

[DemoFly]

If I were to buy one (and I would, not a bad car) I would buy a 1.8L with a manual. And only if it were 30% cheaper than an Accord, Focus, Forte or Elantra.

 

[gregk24]

From what I read they are not bad cars, but its not uncommon for them to eat water pumps and blow transmissions. If this is the car you want and you find one in good shape with a good maintenance history then go for it! If it were my choice I would probably go for the Sonata over the Cruze (again if its been well cared for).

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
From what I read they are not bad cars, but its not uncommon for them to eat water pumps and blow transmissions. If this is the car you want and you find one in good shape with a good maintenance history then go for it! If it were my choice I would probably go for the Sonata over the Cruze (again if its been well cared for).
I agree, $6500 for that Sonata is a screaming deal. I don't have the time to go real soon, hopefully it'll be there when I go look.

I won't have to finance the car

 

[Quattro Pete]

What's wrong with your camry?

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
What's wrong with your camry?
I'm just thinking of getting into a newer car. Nothing really wrong with the Camry, it's smashed in the left rear corner from being rear-ended last month and it was totaled. I might just wait for the best deal,

I'm a college student and was thinking of driving for Uber or another company. Not sure on that either.

 

[dareo]

Driving for Uber is a good reason to upgrade but if that does not hppen i would keep the busted and trusted camry until you have a career and maybe even a house, then buy brand new.

 

[Dave Hess]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
What's wrong with your camry?
I'm just thinking of getting into a newer car. Nothing really wrong with the Camry, it's smashed in the left rear corner from being rear-ended last month and it was totaled. I might just wait for the best deal,

I'm a college student and was thinking of driving for Uber or another company. Not sure on that either.


I would rather work retail or make pizzas. No way you should put all those miles on your car driving for Uber, tires are also expensive.

Seriously, Uber should be your last option...

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
What's wrong with your camry?
I'm just thinking of getting into a newer car. Nothing really wrong with the Camry, it's smashed in the left rear corner from being rear-ended last month and it was totaled. I might just wait for the best deal,

I'm a college student and was thinking of driving for Uber or another company. Not sure on that either.


I would rather work retail or make pizzas. No way you should put all those miles on your car driving for Uber, tires are also expensive.

Seriously, Uber should be your last option...

The thing is, my schedule varies all the time. Sometimes I have morning classes, sometimes it's night classes, mid day classes, it's too unknown.

 

[dareo]

The financial samurai has some good articles about Uber driving

http://www.financialsamurai.com/whats-it-like-driving-for-uber-mixed-emotions-of-hope-and-sadness/

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: dareo
The financial samurai has some good articles about Uber driving

http://www.financialsamurai.com/whats-it-like-driving-for-uber-mixed-emotions-of-hope-and-sadness/
Thanks for the article. Sounds like it's worth it to me. I don't really have anything to lose by trying it out.