Crispy Cruze!

So I have been thinking that now that I am over 50 maybe I should get an adult car. I have been studying the Cruze as a possible but I was turned off because they have been burning to the ground. In fact after reading some posts I was kinda turned off. I don't want to die in a fiery crash just yet.

In the last three months Chevy has sold over 180,000 Cruzes.

So how many Cruzes are going up in flames? The government is looking into TWO complaints! http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/02/nhtsa-investigating-chevy-cruze-jeep-wrangler-over-engine-fires/

The fire posts left me with the feeling that they all burned up as soon as you sat in them.

So all of this just to ask, do you find that people who post on car specific web sites over hype problems? I feel they do and it makes getting a clear impression of a potential purchase difficult.

(Miata.net excluded from this:-)

Most people are so biased and clueless when it comes to cars, you can't believe a word they say.

Dying in a fiery crash isn't soo terrible, but dying in a Cruiz has to top the list of crappy ways to go

Sensationalism. New cars almost never spontaneously combust.

That said, if the Cruze is anything like the Sonic my father owns, it's a very forgettable driving experience. It'll get you where you're going though.

Go spend 10 minutes in an FRS/BRZ thread on Autoblog. It'll give you a whole new perspective on life and cars.

I think it's blown out of proportion. The Jeep Wrangler has me raising an eyebrow because there have been 8 reports, but the Cruze is selling well and I hadn't even heard about the couple of reported engine fires until you posted this.

The fires aren't a big deal, but man the Cruze sucks. My neighbor bought a new one, the "Eco" and berkleying hates it. I've driven it, and I'm with him. Utterly boring and soulless with no performance at all and it still gets E36M3 for gas mileage.

There are soooo many better options out there. Focus SE Sport, Elantra, Veloster, Mazda3, and even the new Dart (haven't driven that yet).

what is your definition of E36 M3 for gas mileage?

my in laws displayed 34.2 average on the non eco 6 speed version when i drove it the other day. and they do probably 60%hwy/40%other. that sounds just fine to me. my uncle has the same car as them(cheapest 6 speed on the lot) and does mostly highway to work and is displaying and measuring about 39mpg.

it is very soulless and i could not adjust the tilt wheel up enough to get my leg under it without squeezing, but it was smooth and other than the little too big 1-2 rpm drop when shifting it felt like a good little appliance. i never wish to drive it again but for the masses it seems like a decent little ride.

Javelin wrote: The fires aren't a big deal, but man the Cruze sucks. My neighbor bought a new one, the "Eco" and berkleying *hates* it. I've driven it, and I'm with him. Utterly boring and soulless with no performance at all and it still gets E36M3 for gas mileage. There are soooo many better options out there. Focus SE Sport, Elantra, Veloster, Mazda3, and even the new Dart (haven't driven that yet).

The Cruze isn't a terrible car; it's attractive and practical. However, it doesn't appeal to any of us because it is indeed boring. What we need, then, is an enthusiast's version, something to replace the old Cobalt SS Turbo. Perhaps a hot 2 door coupe with the 260 hp turbo engine. Perhaps something like this:

Sultan wrote: So I have been thinking that now that I am over 50 maybe I should get an adult car.

Being over 50 is exactly a reason not to get an adult car.

I didn't get an opportunity to get play cars till after the kids were grown and that happened right around the time I turned 50.

Other than the fact that the guy who did the front flares didn't talk to the guy who did the rear flares (or the photoshoppers responsible), that's a car I'd like to see on the road.

Javelin wrote: The fires aren't a big deal, but man the Cruze sucks. My neighbor bought a new one, the "Eco" and berkleying *hates* it. I've driven it, and I'm with him. Utterly boring and soulless with no performance at all and it still gets E36M3 for gas mileage. There are soooo many better options out there. Focus SE Sport, Elantra, Veloster, Mazda3, and even the new Dart (haven't driven that yet).

Wow, and I still regret taking a 500 over a Cruze at a rental lot.

(and isn't the Cruze more of a B car, like Fiesta, 2, Mini? Or am I way off base there?)

The0retical wrote: Go spend 10 minutes in an FRS/BRZ thread on Autoblog. It'll give you a whole new perspective on life and cars.

I don't have the emotional energy to spare, but I'll assume:

Too expensive

Not enough power

A _ is a better deal

A _ will spank it

Ugly

Ricers

Ugly ricers

etc...

alfadriver wrote:

Javelin wrote: The fires aren't a big deal, but man the Cruze sucks. My neighbor bought a new one, the "Eco" and berkleying *hates* it. I've driven it, and I'm with him. Utterly boring and soulless with no performance at all and it still gets E36M3 for gas mileage. There are soooo many better options out there. Focus SE Sport, Elantra, Veloster, Mazda3, and even the new Dart (haven't driven that yet).

Wow, and I still regret taking a 500 over a Cruze at a rental lot. (and isn't the Cruze more of a B car, like Fiesta, 2, Mini? Or am I way off base there?)

No that is the Sonic.

In reply to 93EXCivic:

Ah, right. Thanks.

patgizz wrote: what is your definition of E36 M3 for gas mileage?

Jerry's is displaying 30+ as well, but mileage as measured (GPS miles / gallons pumped) is closer to the 25-27 range. Not bad, but when it's claiming 5 better itself and it's rated for 10 better that's pretty crappy. Not the driver, either. They also have a Camry Hybrid and routinely get 30-35 in that.

alfadriver wrote: (and isn't the Cruze more of a B car, like Fiesta, 2, Mini? Or am I way off base there?)

No, that's the Spark / Aveo / Sonic for GM. The Cruze is the next size up (Focus, Mazda3, Elantra, Civic, Corolla, etc).

Yap I know it is a bit boring. As for the ECO it is aimed at mileage and not fun.

My real point is do you find that car specific websites over blow issues? One the Forte site is all about squeaky dash boards.

gamby wrote:

The0retical wrote: Go spend 10 minutes in an FRS/BRZ thread on Autoblog. It'll give you a whole new perspective on life and cars.

I don't have the emotional energy to spare, but I'll assume: Too expensive Not enough power

A manufacturer finally actually built the car that all those guys said they would buy if someone built it, so now they're coming up with a bunch of rationalizations to explain why they haven't all gone out and bought one, rather than just admitting they can't afford a new sports car anyway.

Josh wrote:

gamby wrote:

The0retical wrote: Go spend 10 minutes in an FRS/BRZ thread on Autoblog. It'll give you a whole new perspective on life and cars.

I don't have the emotional energy to spare, but I'll assume: Too expensive Not enough power

A manufacturer finally actually built the car that all those guys said they would buy if someone built it, so now they're coming up with a bunch of rationalizations to explain why they haven't all gone out and bought one, rather than just admitting they can't afford a new sports car anyway.

Well put!

gamby wrote:

The0retical wrote: Go spend 10 minutes in an FRS/BRZ thread on Autoblog. It'll give you a whole new perspective on life and cars.

I don't have the emotional energy to spare, but I'll assume: Too expensive Not enough power A _______ is a better deal A _______ will spank it Ugly Ricers Ugly ricers etc...

you summed it up well.. and people asking why they should buy one over the similarly priced WRX

When I'm 50 my daughter will be in college, and I will be making my final plans about which late-model Porsche (or other equally non-boring car) I will be purchasing once she graduates.

mad_machine wrote:

gamby wrote:

The0retical wrote: Go spend 10 minutes in an FRS/BRZ thread on Autoblog. It'll give you a whole new perspective on life and cars.

I don't have the emotional energy to spare, but I'll assume: Too expensive Not enough power A _______ is a better deal A _______ will spank it Ugly Ricers Ugly ricers etc...

you summed it up well.. and people asking why they should buy one over the similarly priced WRX

I have to be honest. I like the look of the BRZ/FRS, I like the idea of having RWD and a small car. But I also kind of wonder why I would buy one over a WRX (I have an '09), which is in every way a better daily driver (and much faster to boot). Now - if I wanted a track or autocross toy, the BRZ would win hands-down.

But sadly most of us can't afford to have a late-model DD and a late-model track toy totalling over $50k between them. The WRX is more car for the money, IMO. When mine is paid off, I'll start looking for a 2-3 year old BRZ to have fun in :)

now to play the autoblog/nasioc/etc point:

I'd say the main issue with the BRZ is its lack of a turbo, on an engine that is readily adaptable to turbo, from a company that more or less specializes in turbo 4-cylinder cars. Subaru should have left the FRS the N/A for the Miata crowd , and distinguished the BRZ by making it a turbo car for more $$. As it is right now you basically just have 2 almost-identical cars with 2 badges that have way different images (IMO).

Put a light-boost turbo on the BRZ, give it an extra 50 horses for the price of a WRX, and everyone stops complaining. Plus it gives it alot of tune-ability which is not as easy on an N/A car. I'd say that's complaint #2 - Subaru people are too used to getting easy power with tuning and turbo upgrades. You can get 100hp extra out of a WRX for under $1k in mods and tuning. That won't be the case with the BRZ.

irish44j wrote:

mad_machine wrote:

gamby wrote:

The0retical wrote: Go spend 10 minutes in an FRS/BRZ thread on Autoblog. It'll give you a whole new perspective on life and cars.

I don't have the emotional energy to spare, but I'll assume: Too expensive Not enough power A _______ is a better deal A _______ will spank it Ugly Ricers Ugly ricers etc...

you summed it up well.. and people asking why they should buy one over the similarly priced WRX

I have to be honest. I like the look of the BRZ/FRS, I like the idea of having RWD and a small car. But I also kind of wonder why I would buy one over a WRX (I have an '09), which is in every way a better daily driver (and much faster to boot). Now - if I wanted a track or autocross toy, the BRZ would win hands-down. But sadly most of us can't afford to have a late-model DD and a late-model track toy totalling over $50k between them. The WRX is more car for the money, IMO. When mine is paid off, I'll start looking for a 2-3 year old BRZ to have fun in :) now to play the autoblog/nasioc/etc point: I'd say the main issue with the BRZ is its lack of a turbo, on an engine that is readily adaptable to turbo, from a company that more or less specializes in turbo 4-cylinder cars. Subaru should have left the FRS the N/A for the Miata crowd , and distinguished the BRZ by making it a turbo car for more $$. As it is right now you basically just have 2 almost-identical cars with 2 badges that have way different images (IMO). Put a light-boost turbo on the BRZ, give it an extra 50 horses for the price of a WRX, and everyone stops complaining. Plus it gives it alot of tune-ability which is not as easy on an N/A car. I'd say that's complaint #2 - Subaru people are too used to getting easy power with tuning and turbo upgrades. You can get 100hp extra out of a WRX for under $1k in mods and tuning. That won't be the case with the BRZ.

Hey now quit using logical arguments!

You're supposed to say what a POS it is and that a bone stock Mustang with a trackpack on it will destroy anything at the 25k price point. Nevermind the fit and finish. Nevermind the fact that finding a dealer that will even order one for you is next to impossible. Nevermind that the Mustang is a good deal larger and heavier.

I have to give it to you about the WRX though. I'm pretty sure that's the first time anyone has brought that up that I've seen.

i am at a lost that no one said MIATA...sorry, had to add it.