Cruze 1.8?

[supton]

How have base Cruze's held up?

I'm goofing off this morning, so of course that means surfing the web. I've spied two cars.

2012 Cruze for $7,400

and

2015 Cruze, new for $15k.

I know the 1.8's use a timing belt, so the used car has a ($500?) job coming up. Putting that aside, how have these base models held up? Seems like GM has sold a bunch, and they ought to be getting into my price range before long. Not sure my wife will let me go with an automatic, hence base & stick.

 

[Dave Hess]

I had a Cruze LTZ rental for a week and I must say it was a very nice car (auto trans).

 

[jmsjags]

You should check out the 1.4L's. They get better fuel economy AND have more power to boot. Not sure why you would want the cheap engine unless you just don't want to deal with the turbo.

 

[SZR48207]

I rented a 2015 Cruze with the 1.8 and found it to be more than adequate for city and highway driving. Gas mileage was excellent and interior noise not too bad.

The only complaints are the placement of the 12V socket and the lack of a spot to rest a smartphone.

 

[Nick1994]

Wow, that used one looks like an awesome deal! 36 mpg and a free 3 year/100k miles warranty at the dealer. Young so rust probably hasn't started much at all.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: jmsjags
You should check out the 1.4L's. They get better fuel economy AND have more power to boot. Not sure why you would want the cheap engine unless you just don't want to deal with the turbo.


Had a turbo, it was nice. Just being frugal these days. Don't forget, my last car I drove to over 300k. I'm quite capable of sticking with something past its due date; and conversely, I'd be apt to be disappointed with repairs that I deem too early. Like any sort of engine work before 200k.

Just killing time on a Sat morn. I was looking at my usual Toyota suspects, then decided to open up the search, spied the used one, so I looked at them new, and realized that the basest model could be had for like $15k. Well cheaper than a Toyota. So, doing the typical shopping & numbers running.

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Wow, that used one looks like an awesome deal! 36 mpg and a free 3 year/100k miles warranty at the dealer. Young so rust probably hasn't started much at all.


I have to wonder what kind of warranty it is, and through whom. How good is it, etc. Then there is always that fear of prior owner's abuse towards the clutch, etc.

Plus I suspect it's really a 3yr/15k warranty in the end--covers the car for the next 3 years, and until it has 100k on the clock. Now if it was 3yr/100k (thus in warranty until 185k!) that would be quite the warranty!

 

[SatinSilver]

You might be able to get them down even more on the used one. At least $7k I'm thinking. Maybe even to $6k since they seem desperate to move it. Weird thing is owner number two and three only owned it for a few months. Same dealer involved so maybe ask them about it.

Great price on the new one plus probably another 1k of wiggle room on that one. Since dealers usually always leave something on the table when advertising a unit.

 

[iahawk]

my Mom is driving a '14 Cruze with 1.4...that thing is rock solid. It has build quality like I've never seen from GM (granted, my GM experience was all 70's - mid 90's).

Body feels like it's built from 1 solid chunk of steel!

The 1.4 has been fine...no experience with the 1.8. Lack of turbo is probably a good thing in the long run.

 

[SatinSilver]

Plus they're built about an hour away from me in Lordstown, OH. Sure beats the Cavalier and Cobalt which seemed to have a terrible suspension.

 

[pbm]

The 1.8 has a timing BELT so I wouldn't buy it based on the expense of changing it every so often.

I had a 1.4T (timing CHAIN) that was a nice car but it stunk of coolant and needed frequent coolant top-offs.....GM wouldn't or couldn't fix it so it's gone and so is GM in my future.

Look up the class action law suit ...apparently it was very common....

 

[bluestream]

Search Chev Cruze antifreeze smell..

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Search Chev Cruze antifreeze smell..



Affects the 2011 - early 2013ish 1.4T's. NOT the 1.8's that the OP is looking at. I haven't had that issue on my 1.4T Cruze, now at 123k miles. Bought the car with 7 miles on the odometer, so I'd know if it had an issue.

A 2012 LS is still pretty plain-Jane. The 2015 at least has factory Bluetooth for connecting a phone. Both lack factory cruise control, which is simply the steering wheel switch. There's a DIY-able kit available for a few hundred to put in a dedicated cruise control switch on the steering column.

For the transmission, after 5000 miles dump the swill they put in for Amsoil Synchromesh. Much better shifts warm and cold. Rapid shifts are also noticeably more cooperative, such as shifting 6-4 at 60+ mph to pass.

The interior on my car has held up pretty well, even to moving a lot of stuff and an energetic puppy. The trunk opening has constantly surprised me with just how big it is, and what can fit into the trunk.

Not going to comment about the engines except to say that the 1.4T is murder on oil. The 1.8 is fine on semi-syn dexos1 since it's very easy on oil.

I'd give a Cruze a good look. I'm still very happy with mine after putting well over 100k miles onto it.

 

[oilmaven]

The Cruze has been "redesigned" (actually, more of a major "refresh") for 2016 (GM is selling the previous model as a 2016 until the new car is available sometime soon). The new Cruze is more stylish (subjectively), cranks out about 15 more hp and a little more torque from the same 1.4L turbo (the 1.8L is discontinued in the new model)and is over 200 lbs. lighter than the previous model (should be quicker and better handling).

I'm curious to get a look at one as soon as they're available...looks like GM did a good job on it.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: oilmaven
I'm curious to get a look at one as soon as they're available...looks like GM did a good job on it.

I like the front of the new one, but the side profile and rear are kind of blah. However, the hatchback version looks interesting, but I'm guessing the US will not get the hatchback...

 

[sciphi]

Quattro, Chevy's site does list the hatch for the US market. http://www.chevrolet.com/cruze-hatchback.html

Also, the 1.4T going into these is a completely different engine than the 1.4T in the current Cruze. All-aluminum and direct injected. The current 1.4T is aluminum head/iron block and port-injected.

OP, if you're interested in a new Cruze with the 1.8, move fast. They won't be around for a lot longer.

 

[yesthatsteve]

The Carfax linked on that page shows two owners last year that each had the car for only a few months. I'd be concerned about two possibilities - 1) There were problems and both owners traded out of it quickly, or 2) Repo, which can mean no maintenance (if the buyer doesn't have money for payments, he/she isn't likely to have money for fluid & filter changes).

 

[supton]

I missed those details on the carfax, thanks for pointing out. Explains the price.

I'll probably wind up waiting (again) but was interested in the opinions.