Holden Cruze (my review).. Bad economy!

[stevz]

The majority of the cruze criticism i have read in this thread is an absolute utter load of garbage. Minor things that have been completely blown out of proportion to rubbish the car simply because it is a Holden. I recently drove a 1.4t cruze and thought quite highly of it. I struggle to see how people come up with this exaggerated nonsense. I suppose if it had a ford badge on it the comments would be completely different.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by stevz

I suppose if it had a ford badge on it the comments would be completely different.

Not really, going from a WS Fiesta into an LV Focus, the interior build quality took a massive down turn, the Focus cost $8000 more and yet the WS Fiesta has the better interior, better stereo, less squeaks and rattles etc.

I think its fixed in the LW Focus though.

[stevz]

Dont get me wrong, I can appreciate constructive criticism and I'm definitely not saying the cruze is perfect, but I was referring more to those who post ridiculous one eyed drivel and exaggerated nonsense.

[2011G6E]

I think all thosefuel economy stickers on the windscreen of new cars are pretty damn optimistic...I tend to ignore them, or at best use them as a guide, not as gospel.

[FG_Frodza]

Originally Posted by stevz

Dont get me wrong, I can appreciate constructive criticism and I'm definitely not saying the cruze is perfect, but I was referring more to those who post ridiculous one eyed drivel and exaggerated nonsense.

Have a look at previous threads, I think you will be surprised at how unbiased this forum really is, I think the are less harsh on Fords on the LS1 forums than we are here on AFF.

Has is occurred to you that maybe the Cruze is just genuinely a bad car that doesn't deserve to sell half the number it does especially when you have the Focus on offer?

[burnz]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

I think all thosefuel economy stickers on the windscreen of new cars are pretty damn optimistic...I tend to ignore them, or at best use them as a guide, not as gospel.

yep i tent to smash them,,4.7/100..1280klm ave to a tank

[GK]

Originally Posted by stevz

The majority of the cruze criticism i have read in this thread is an absolute utter load of garbage. Minor things that have been completely blown out of proportion to rubbish the car simply because it is a Holden. I recently drove a 1.4t cruze and thought quite highly of it. I struggle to see how people come up with this exaggerated nonsense. I suppose if it had a ford badge on it the comments would be completely different.

Perhaps people are simply saying that this car isn't God's gift to motoring like the Gover press says it is!

GK

[GreenR]

I just asked my sister how the fuel economy is in her 2010 manual Cruze.

From Wagga Wagga to Melbourne. 7.5l / 100km.

[RAPID_BA]

I dont understand why you would buy one over a mitsubishi lancer. yes its an older shape but it looks better, much more polished car. decent performance and quality inclusions.

A friend of mine turned up at my house in a holden cruze and i shook my head. Its really of daewoo quality.

[EDManual]

A mate of mine has one, he is averaging around 11 l/100 in normal driving. Its an auto.

I think a manual would be a huge improvement in consumption to someone who likes driving.

[irish2]

Originally Posted by davway

what the hell do you expect from it?

I get between 15-18l / 100k's in a warm, carbed, 302, that has seen WOT on more than a few occasions.

[nickdl]

The Cruze is a pretty decent car. I haven't been in the new 1.6 Focus yet but I'd imagine that it's on par with the 1.4 and maybe slightly better than the 1.8 Cruze. You definitely get a lot for your money in the Holden and it's very roomy inside.

All these people complaining about the lack of power in the 1.8: get a bloody manual!! You won't have to worry about it being slow to kick down and the ratios are far better spaced helping power and economy.

It really isn't that hard to use your left foot and hand occasionally, and in smaller cars a manual box makes a much more rewarding drive and safer too.

[Jimmyd]

Originally Posted by nickdl

All these people complaining about the lack of power in the 1.8: get a bloody manual!! You won't have to worry about it being slow to kick down and the ratios are far better spaced helping power and economy.

It really isn't that hard to use your left foot and hand occasionally, and in smaller cars a manual box makes a much more rewarding drive and safer too.

Yes, by and large manuals behind a small 4cyl engine are more driveable, but renters only come in auto and don't forget the vast majority of passenger cars in Australia are sold in auto. Back to back driving a 10 year old 4 speed auto Hyundai Accent was a more rewarding experience with considerably more dynamic range and performance, albeit with a less substantial feel. Hell, even a 35 year old 3 speed auto Escort will run rings around these diabolical little horrors.

I even tried manual shifting the 6 speed auto to bypass the erratic gear selection issue, even then these things are flat out dangerous in traffic - will never drive another one.

This is not brand bashing - it is simply a dangerous car, would say the same without hesitation if it wore a blue oval badge.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by stevz

The majority of the cruze criticism i have read in this thread is an absolute utter load of garbage. Minor things that have been completely blown out of proportion to rubbish the car simply because it is a Holden. I recently drove a 1.4t cruze and thought quite highly of it. I struggle to see how people come up with this exaggerated nonsense. I suppose if it had a ford badge on it the comments would be completely different.

Get over it. This being a FORD forum there will be bias towards FORD.

As stated previously above, there is more Ford bashing here than on any other forum but there will always be the bias towards the blue side.

I am sure there is a general automotive forum where the bias might not be so noticable but then you will always come across those that have a preference for one brand or another

Believe me when I say this, there are way more red supporters that bag out the blue just because of the badge and that is totally their prerogative.

Absolutely nothing wrong with being a Ford enthusiast and an a general automotive enthusiast second

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

I dont understand why you would buy one over a mitsubishi lancer. yes its an older shape but it looks better, much more polished car. decent performance and quality inclusions.

Purely my opinion, but the Cruze is a far better car than the Lancer. Agree the Lancer looks better though.

[My poor XF]

Cruze had heaps of kit but was not particularly engaging to drive. I found it better to shift the gears manually as it moved from a standstill better. Had to work the engine hard to get it up and about.

I was more than happy to get back in my BA after 4 days with a Cruze.

As for the lancer, much better to drive, more power and better looking. Less interior gadgets though unless you get an aspire.

[Chopped]

We have both the Cruze(diesel) and Lancers at work. I prefer to drive the Cruze as it feels more powerful and I don't like the CVT in the Lancer. The Cruze steers better as well IMO. I think the Lancer looks better though.
(Both have cheap hard plastic interiors. like most budget cars do)

As for quality, the Cruze has just had it's wheel bearings replaced @ 70,000k! and been back three times for a faulty airbag light.

The Lancers are at about 20,000k with no probs so far . . . . .