The General's New Car-- Chevy Cruze

[hillclimber]

Dan Neil reviewed it for the wall street journal over the weekend, I believe it's under the Life/Style section.

I didn't get his review, he kept talking about the styling, which is subjective. I think it's handsome.

He admitted, iirc, that the interior was nice, the engine was smooth and it was quiet and rode nice. Those are huge steps for the General!

I like it. I like the eco version, in particular, which rides a little lower and has some sharp alloy wheels. I hope it sells, and it isn't too little, too late, they should've had this car on the market two or three years ago.

 

[BeanCounter]

Nice styling, if I must say so myself.
Although it doesn't look too different from what they've put out recently, there are a few bits of refreshing design, in my opinion.
Overall, a pretty aesthetically pleasing vehicle.

 

[addyguy]

I like it, I'd just buy the 1.8 NA engine.

Really don't trust a small, overworked turbo engine in an econo car, where you know QC isn't as high as it is for a top-end turbo car.

I wish they offered an option of the 2.4 Ecotec in it. some people are more comfortable with larger engines, and they would buy it with that on offer.

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Really don't trust a small, overworked turbo engine in an econo car, where you know QC isn't as high as it is for a top-end turbo car.

I don't know that QC isn't as high for the engine & turbocharger... but I do know GM's top-end vehicles haven't had the greatest QC either.

I wouldn't get one as it's unavailable as a hatchback, but I would be all over the 1.4 turbo in a heartbeart - it's the perfect mix of economy & performance for this vehicle. Especially if available in a diesel engine, but I think we all know GM's stance on compression ignition.

But still, there's something to be said for having a car related to Top Gear's original Reasonably Priced Car as a daily driver.

 

[Pesca]

A 2.4l in a compact car which is supposed to be economical doesn't make a lot of sense.
In a sport variant, if you want, but pricewise, it will compete with midsize cars without the same interior space.

 

[Pesca]

Originally Posted By: scurvy
..., but I would be all over the 1.4 turbo in a heartbeart - it's the perfect mix of economy & performance for this vehicle. Especially if available in a diesel engine, but I think we all know GM's stance on compression ignition.


+1 on that part.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: scurvy
Originally Posted By: addyguy
Really don't trust a small, overworked turbo engine in an econo car, where you know QC isn't as high as it is for a top-end turbo car.

I don't know that QC isn't as high for the engine & turbocharger... but I do know GM's top-end vehicles haven't had the greatest QC either.

I wouldn't get one as it's unavailable as a hatchback, but I would be all over the 1.4 turbo in a heartbeart - it's the perfect mix of economy & performance for this vehicle. Especially if available in a diesel engine, but I think we all know GM's stance on compression ignition.

But still, there's something to be said for having a car related to Top Gear's original Reasonably Priced Car as a daily driver.



+1

 

[StevieC]

IMO Econobox's usually have overworked underpowered engines which are usually stressed enough like that, then you add A/C, fat North-Americans who have the need to floor it to pass people all the time while running the A/C and hauling a bit of junk in the back of their trunks along with their big caboose and then they add a turbo to this equation?

ONN: Why do fat people usually pick cars that are too small for them and they look like they are wearing them?

Bad idea IMO for any company, not just GM.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: StevieC

ONN: Why do fat people usually pick cars that are too small for them and they look like they are wearing them?


I see that all the time down here...I see the fat people getting out of Beetles or other small stressed out cars [btw they can barely get in and out of them without holding onto something for support] while the skinny guys are getting out of Hummers,Expeditions,Tahoes,Panthers and other full size sedans.

 

[StevieC]

It's weird eh?

I have fixed many broken and bent door hinges for chunky people that use the door as support to hoist themselves up off the seat.

Usually the smaller cars have weaker hinges or thin metal areas that they are welded to so they break/bend easily.

 

[97prizm]

Here's the problem with some Americans, they want a really upscale, loaded sub compact for cheap, and that "European" feel. Unfortunately our car market is very different from Mainstream Europe. I think the cruze is a step in the right direction. It's been raced and won many times in the BTCC and WTCC (British and world touring car challenge series in Europe.) If someone wants a loaded small car of high quality, and fit and finish, then go buy a BMW 1 series or Audi A3. I don't think Americans know what they want sometimes. Saturn tried to give the Astra a "European" look and feel, but it seemed like people then complained about how "odd" it was. As long as GM keeps their part suppliers quality under control, I think the cruze will sell well.

 

[Nick R]

I knew I like how it looked, and the interior looked. But now, I'm pretty sure what I'm going to be getting to replace my cavalier, hopefully in a few years. It's going to be a close race between this (with the 1.8L obviously, I don't need the 1.4L T) and the new Ford Focus. I'd have to look at one in person, but it looks like GM has nailed it.

Edit: Add in the VW Golf to that mix, I took a look at one and really liked it.

 

[Geo_Prizm]

People who tested the car in Europe complain about how cheaply it was made, the components,the feel of the car and how loud the engine is. Cruze will not be able to compete with Corolla and Civic.It will share the fate of Cobalt.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: Geo_Prizm
People who tested the car in Europe complain about how cheaply it was made, the components,the feel of the car and how loud the engine is. Cruze will not be able to compete with Corolla and Civic.It will share the fate of Cobalt.


The latest Corolla is the cheapest piece of junk I have ever driven. Everything about the car screams cheap. The Directional knob for the HVAC actually opens and closes the blend doors mechanically as you turn the knob, so it is notchy, difficult to turn and feels like it is going to snap something in the dash.

The Kia Forte is light years ahead of the Corolla. Even the Elantra that came out in like 2006 is a much better vehicle.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: Geo_Prizm
People who tested the car in Europe complain about how cheaply it was made, the components,the feel of the car and how loud the engine is. Cruze will not be able to compete with Corolla and Civic.It will share the fate of Cobalt.


The latest Corolla is the cheapest piece of junk I have ever driven. Everything about the car screams cheap. The Directional knob for the HVAC actually opens and closes the blend doors mechanically as you turn the knob, so it is notchy, difficult to turn and feels like it is going to snap something in the dash.

The Kia Forte is light years ahead of the Corolla. Even the Elantra that came out in like 2006 is a much better vehicle.


I agree with this, it's almost as bad as the cobalt.

 

[Geo_Prizm]

Well it is a Korean made car (just like Aveo) as far as I know.It is not a Michigan car.GM hopes it to be able to compete with Corolla.Cruze will disappear in 5-6 years because it will not sell like Corolla does.Kia Forte, another Korean car, will beat it and have a better chance of competing with Corolla and Civic.

Nick R, go for the Focus, I am not a Ford fan, will never buy a Ford ever but the new Focus is way better than this Cruze thing.

Dishdude, Corolla sells despite all the anti-Corolla campaigns.It may be inferior to earlier Corollas but it sells.

You can not just order a small car from your Korean subsidiaries and hope to capture small car market.GM should have dedicated its time, effort, brains and money to it starting from long ago. GM is just not the company to buy small cars from, or- in my case- any cars from.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Geo_Prizm
Well it is a Korean made car (just like Aveo) as far as I know.It is not a Michigan car.GM hopes it to be able to compete with Corolla.Cruze will disappear in 5-6 years because it will not sell like Corolla does.Kia Forte, another Korean car, will beat it and have a better chance of competing with Corolla and Civic.

Nick R, go for the Focus, I am not a Ford fan, will never buy a Ford ever but the new Focus is way better than this Cruze thing.

Dishdude, Corolla sells despite all the anti-Corolla campaigns.It may be inferior to earlier Corollas but it sells.

You can not just order a small car from your Korean subsidiaries and hope to capture small car market.GM should have dedicated its time, effort, brains and money to it starting from long ago. GM is just not the company to buy small cars from, or- in my case- any cars from.



Yes and no. It is DESIGNED by Daewoo in Korea, but it is BUILT at the Lordstown Assembly plant in Lordstown Ohio, where the Cavalier and Cobalt were made.

And without having looked at and test driven, I do not as yet know which one I like better.


I also think your mistaken that it won't sell. The Cavalier and cobalt are pretty cruddy, I know. I have one. But they still sold like CRAZY, I see more of them than any other car from the mid-late 90s with the possible exception of Jeep Cherokees. And since it is a MUCH better car than either of the examples mentioned, I feel that it will sell at least relatively well.


Edit: Also, the 2012 Focus wasn't designed here either. Nor was the Fiesta. Those were designed by Ford Europe. I believe the Fusion was too, but I'm not sure on that.

Edit Edit: http://www.city-data.com/forum/automotive/968405-chevy-cruze-made-lordstown-ohio.html

 

[Geo_Prizm]

Nick D, that is why the new Fords are preferable.During the last decade Ford dumbed down its offerings for the US customers, apparently this is changing with the new Focus and Fiesta.
I did not know Cruze is being built in the US.
You say Cavalier and Cobalt sold a lot.I see them a lot on the roads too.My brother in law has a 2006 Cobalt SS.He got the transmission,axles etc. replaced recently.
If Cavalier and Cobalt were loved, why do you think GM felt the need to cease their production?

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Geo_Prizm
Nick D, that is why the new Fords are preferable.During the last decade Ford dumbed down its offerings for the US customers, apparently this is changing with the new Focus and Fiesta.
I did not know Cruze is being built in the US.
You say Cavalier and Cobalt sold a lot.I see them a lot on the roads too.My brother in law has a 2006 Cobalt SS.He got the transmission,axles etc. replaced recently.
If Cavalier and Cobalt were loved, why do you think GM felt the need to cease their production?


Hah, I didn't say the Cavalier and cobalt were good, but they get the job done. So if something sells good, you don't upgrade it, or replace it? So with that in mind all automakers shouldn't have progressed past the mid 50s, those cars worked fine, and I'm sure their owners loved them. Progress must progress for it's own sake, or we'd still be driving Model Ts. The Cavalier was mostly unchanged from the 96 model year (redesign) to when it ended production in 2005. Time to move on. Why did Honda remake the Civic instead of still making this today?

 

[Geo_Prizm]

No, changing the appearance is one thing, and changing the model name is another.Why do you want to change your shirt several times a day?