To answer the questions I'm getting about the cars thus far, these are my experiences.
Cruze
Engine: The 1.4LT is interesting. At first hitting the gas, there isn't much go power. Half a second or so delay before the turbo spools up and it pulls very strongly. It takes some getting used to, and traffic will be a little bit interesting if you don't get used to it. But it's a torquey little engine, and it has plenty of grunt.
Transmission: The 6T40 they used is also interesting. I wasn't sure about it at first, it seemed a little bit strange. But I drove around town and on the highway for a bit today, and the shifting has either gotten more predictable and it is indeed "learning", I'm getting used to it, or or I'm adjusting my driving style to the transmission. Probably all three. Either way, it shifts very smoothly, if a bit slowly, especially the (I think) 3-4 shift. The Torque converter does lock up fairly nice and early (~1500RPM, which is ~40mph). It tries to stay in higher gears going uphill on the highway, which is nice. If you give it some gas, it does take a second sometimes to downshift, but it does downshift. OVerall the throttle response is good, but different, not what most people are used to.
Ride: So far it's very planted, and composed on the highway. Smooth riding. Over bumpy surfaces though, like a rough patch of pavement, it doesn't absorb the bumps quite as well as the Focus did, but the mustang was much, much worse. And it's quiet. I mean, REALLY quiet. With the fan and radio off at 75, you can hear just a whisper of road noise, it is very well muted and insulated. The equinox is similarly quiet, and that was one of the reasons my mom liked it so much. They make the expedition, mustang, my car, and the jeep (which is about as quiet as train wreck) all sound very noisy inside.
Interior: Overall the interior is well designed, and well executed. The designers really payed attention to the details. Most materials have a good feel to them, solid and somewhat soft touch. There are a few harder plastics, but they aren't really cheap feeling. The cloth around the interior (like on the dash) is interesting, I would have preferred it in the leather version, but it isn't bad. The leather on the steering wheel is phenomenal, and the steering wheel itself is well designed, it just fits well in your hands, no matter where you hold it. The stitching on the leather on the inside did bother me a bit at first, but I quickly got used to it. The telescoping steering wheel is just awesome. The 8 way manual driver seat does take some finagling to get it right, but the seats themselves are very comfortable. The bolstering felt a little odd at first, but they are actually very comfortable, lumbar support is excellent, and they are well upholstered. Again, the attention to detail is very very good. The back seat is fairly comfortable, legroom is similar to the Focus, and headroom is a bit more, I can sit upright without hitting my head. Center console is very tiny, room enough for sunglasses, ipod for the USB ipod integration, and GPS charger. Elbow, headroom is excellent. Controls and buttons have nice feels to them, especially the volume/tune, and temp/fan knobs. They feel very good, and feel expensive when you turn them, in a good way.
The radio is pretty easy to use as well. Headlights are very good. one of my favorite things is the intrument panel though, I love GM clusters, they just look sharp.
On the information display in the cluster it displays...
-Current speed in MPH (Which is what it is on 90% of the time
-2 Trip meters
-Average Fuel economy
-Average Speed
-Fuel Used
-Tire Pressure (PSI for all 4 tires)
-OLM
When you turn the cruise on, it tell you for a few seconds what it is set at (70 vs 71 for example. No more guessing)
The doors shut with a nice solid thunk, which is something I haven't heard on any cheaper vehicle before.
The 215/60/16 tires a much cheaper than the 215/45/17s I had, but if I get all my maintenance done at the dealership, we get free tires for life. Idk if I'm going to take advantage of that, again depends on how much I like these tires (Firestone FR710)
Trunk is pretty large. Not as deep as he Focus, but wider, and just as long. One thing that does bother me, is the use of gooseneck style hinges, instead of the fancy lever/hinges that the focus had.
That's all I can think of for now, more to come later.
Oh, I did drive 110 miles today, about 75% highway, 25% city, and averaged 28 mpg with the A/C on at all times. I expect that to improve, especially with more highway. About to a bit more than what I got with the focus with 90% highway. Oh yeah, and the A/C is excellent as well.
One thing, the 45% Domestic content stamped on the tags is from the original, engine from Austria (Shows 19% Austria on tag) and transmission from Mexico) Mine and dads are USA on both, so I'm guessing that puts domestic content around 75-80% at a guess.
Comments, questions are welcome.
I do have one question though. I've heard that VW, and some Ford DI engines may have potential deposit problems, but I haven't head anything- good or bad, about GMs- anyone have any more information, I suppose time will tell, the Cruzes are SMPFI, but the nox is DI.