General Motors Fans

dieselone · January 2017

I know several people who own a Cruze and all are happy with them. A few issues here and there, but probably no worse than anything else.

uplanderguy · January 2017

I think the start-stop will bug me for awhile. I drove a Malibu briefly a year or so ago and found it irritating. Like most things in a car, I'd probably get used to it. Of course, since foreign manufacturers came up with it first, the domestics have copied the feature, LOL. A far cry, and arguably better, than back in the old days where GM was the one always copied and had the "Not Invented Here" syndrome, I guess.

dieselone · January 2017

Yeah, I think start/stop function would bother me too. I believe most vehicles will allow it to be disabled. For me it would depend on how seamless it it.

berri · January 2017

I'd want to make sure it can be disabled. I've driven several different stop start rentals and they all sucked.

roadburner · January 2017

The stop-start on my 2 Series isn't bad. It only operates in Comfort and Eco Pro modes. Switch to Sport or Sport+ and it is disabled. It can also be disabled permanently if you don't like it.

Mr_Shiftright · January 2017

dieselone said:
Yeah, I think start/stop function would bother me too. I believe most vehicles will allow it to be disabled. For me it would depend on how seamless it it.

It's not bad at all on the Cruze. I thought it was worse on my friend's E series Mercedes! You DO notice it but it's not annoying. I suspect that in a few days it will not demand your attention.

fintail · January 2017

In a MB it can be deactivated with the "Eco" button. I deactivate mine often, as it annoys the dashcam.

Some say BMW has the roughest - I can hear them restarting when I am on foot. My prior E also had it, smooth enough, but in stop and go traffic I doubt it matters - shutting off the engine for 5 seconds isn't going to save the world.

jpp75 · January 2017

fintail said:
In a MB it can be deactivated with the "Eco" button. I deactivate mine often, as it annoys the dashcam.

Some say BMW has the roughest - I can hear them restarting when I am on foot. My prior E also had it, smooth enough, but in stop and go traffic I doubt it matters - shutting off the engine for 5 seconds isn't going to save the world.

But it gets them an extra MPG on the EPA hamster wheel, that's what matters.

The stop/start on the Volvo has to be rougher than the BMW, the only real fault I have with the car.

iluvmysephia1 · January 2017

I like the new Cruze and hatchback Cruze. Good on Chevy for both of 'em.

dieselone · January 2017

It's kind of like cylinder deactivation which my Ram has and I hate it. When in 4cyl mode it sounds like a pop corn popper, then will occasionally buck when going back to 8cyl. I don't think it saves much or any fuel in the wild.

uplanderguy · January 2017

I'm about 85% sure I'll be buying a dark gray metallic (can't think what it's called) '17 Cruze LT, built in Lordstown in December. It was the one 'red tag' Cruze LT this dealer had (two dealers told me GM allows them to 'red tag' one of each model in a given period of time; appears true per their website as other LT's with same MSRP are more).

Sticker $22,325; dealer price $17,395, and I have $5,500 extra off in GM card cash and GM Goodwill cash.

I didn't shop other makes, but I think a new, NE Ohio-built car this well-equipped at $11,895 is a good buy.

They had a 'red tag' new LS at $15,600, but on an LS I couldn't get Sirius radio. So, as I always complain about, I had to bump up about $1,800 to the LT to get Sirius radio. LOL

sda · January 2017

Sounds great. Don't you get cruise control and some other nice features with the LT that isn't on the LS? My Accord didn't come equipped for Sirius/XM. Luckily I have an XM Skyfi adapter that I could plug into the AUX port.

The Skyfi also has a home docking station and a portable boom box, which has provided good flexibility. You can see it near the transmission selector and the white cord leading to the aux port.

uplanderguy · January 2017

Yeah, the interior is nicer on an LT, aluminum wheels look nice, and a bunch of newfangled stuff I'll probably never use, LOL.

It's not a beautiful car--pretty interchangeable, styling-wise, with Hyundais and Kias of that size I think, but again, at the price I doubt I could've beat it anyplace. Of course, I know much of that is the GM card cash and Goodwill cash I had.

I'm not even sure about Cruise Control! But, I would expect it to have it.

fintail · January 2017

A Cruze without cruise control? How can that exist, it's in the name!

Go for the one with some toys, you won't regret it later.

sda · January 2017

fintail said:
A Cruze without cruise control? How can that exist, it's in the name!

Go for the one with some toys, you won't regret it later.

Indeed a Cruze without cruise seems contradictory. I checked the Chevy site and cruise is not available on the L and LS, is standard on the LT.

uplanderguy · January 2017

Thanks for doing my homework, sda!

dieselone · January 2017

Yeah, I couldn't imagine it not being standard on an LT. Looks like a winner to me!

iluvmysephia1 · January 2017

uplanderguy - early congrats. A friend has a white '16 Chevy Cruze sedan. Looks great in white, too. As a Kia guy, I see a lot to like in both the hatchback and the Chevy Cruze sedan.

berri · January 2017

A car with no cruise control - don't even basic Corolla's and Civics come with cruise standard? You'd better read the equipment and options lists very carefully before you select which model. I suppose you could add it on after the fact, but probably not cheap.

tlong · January 2017

Congrats Uplander! Let us know when you get your ride.

uplanderguy · January 2017

Picking it up this afternoon. By far the best-equipped car I've owned, as far as gadgetry.

Friday the 13th; hope that's nothing ominous, LOL.

Here's pics of the car on the dealer's website; don't know how long they'll be there before taken down. Long story short, GM wouldn't reimburse my second Goodwill letter, but the dealer bumped up my trade to make up for most of the difference. Ignoring trade, and with my GM card earnings and Goodwill cash, I bought this car for $12,895. I think that's a great price--but I know everybody likes to brag about what a good deal they got.

It's recent inventory; built at Lordstown in December.

http://www.serpentinitallmadge.com/vehicle-inventory.php?task=enlarge_image&id=617&title=2017 Chevrolet Cruze&picnum=1

dieselone · January 2017

I'd say that's worth bragging about. That's a great deal! Congrats! Nice looking car!

uplanderguy · January 2017

Thanks, I appreciate it.

I was a big fan of the old show "The Wonder Years", primarily because the Kevin character was only two years older than me. I remember the episode where Dad bought a new '69 Ford Custom 500. Kevin said, "When you brought home a new car, you were 'king of the neighborhood' for a day", and we saw their neighbors coming over to check it out. Those days are over of course, but it is a fun feeling the day you bring a new car home.

The Mom and the kids on the show were smitten by the Mustang the salesman showed them--I think they played the theme to "2001" IIRC, LOL--but the Dad said, "Got any Falcon wagons?". The family mouthed "Falcon wagon?". I remember that feeling.

Back to the Cruze--one small thing I like about the interior, that to me softens the look of wide expanses of black vinyl and plastic, is the cloth insert on the instrument panel.

fintail · January 2017

Wow, you really did it? Congrats! Post it on the CCBA thread too. Looks like a nice car, and will definitely have some future-shock from the Cobalt.

I remember that Wonder Years episode too, with the red Mustang convertible in the showroom.

uplanderguy said:
Picking it up this afternoon. By far the best-equipped car I've owned, as far as gadgetry.
It's recent inventory; built at Lordstown in December.

http://www.serpentinitallmadge.com/vehicle-inventory.php?task=enlarge_image&id=617&title=2017 Chevrolet Cruze&picnum=1

sda · January 2017

Bravo on the new Cruze! Very nice and newly born, Dec! cool. Give us a owner's review after you've had a chance to get to know it.

Michaell · January 2017

Congrats!

roadburner · January 2017

Nice car- now if Chevy would only build a 300 hp AWD SS Cruze hatchback I'll be first in line!

ray80 · January 2017

uplanderguy said:
Picking it up this afternoon. By far the best-equipped car I've owned, as far as gadgetry.

Friday the 13th; hope that's nothing ominous, LOL.

Here's pics of the car on the dealer's website; don't know how long they'll be there before taken down. Long story short, GM wouldn't reimburse my second Goodwill letter, but the dealer bumped up my trade to make up for most of the difference. Ignoring trade, and with my GM card earnings and Goodwill cash, I bought this car for $12,895. I think that's a great price--but I know everybody likes to brag about what a good deal they got.

It's recent inventory; built at Lordstown in December.

http://www.serpentinitallmadge.com/vehicle-inventory.php?task=enlarge_image&id=617&title=2017 Chevrolet Cruze&picnum=1

Congrats. I like my 14' eco version pretty well

Mr_Shiftright · January 2017

uplanderguy said:
Picking it up this afternoon. By far the best-equipped car I've owned, as far as gadgetry.

Friday the 13th; hope that's nothing ominous, LOL.

Here's pics of the car on the dealer's website; don't know how long they'll be there before taken down. Long story short, GM wouldn't reimburse my second Goodwill letter, but the dealer bumped up my trade to make up for most of the difference. Ignoring trade, and with my GM card earnings and Goodwill cash, I bought this car for $12,895. I think that's a great price--but I know everybody likes to brag about what a good deal they got.

It's recent inventory; built at Lordstown in December.

http://www.serpentinitallmadge.com/vehicle-inventory.php?task=enlarge_image&id=617&title=2017 Chevrolet Cruze&picnum=1

RE: Friday the 13th---If it's any consolation, today is also "Blame Somebody Else Day".

uplanderguy · January 2017

Seems like every day is "Blame Somebody Else Day"! LOL

Well, with 27 miles, so far, so good....LOL

I forgot the title to our Cobalt so had to run it over to the dealership this morning. I mentioned that I hadn't experienced the stop-start in the new Cruze once yet. Walked to the service writer who asked if I'd had the defrost on and I said 'yes', and he said that disables it--whenever the compressor's on. Makes sense I guess.

Turned that off, and didn't experience it the entire seven or so miles home, either, though.

Looked in the owner's manual and it's disabled at under 41 degrees F. It's been 28 or so here.

Good; thought I might already have a warranty stop!

uplanderguy · January 2017

BTW, while waiting to sign paperwork, wife and I were looking at the slide-out showroom panel showing Corvette colors and interiors. Lots more choices there than in a Cruze! We both liked a new color we hadn't seen; a dark plum color not unlike my old '85 Celebrity Eurosport. And you can get matching leather inside!

In fact, they had one this color in inventory outside, but it had black wheels. Yuck.

Mr_Shiftright · January 2017

That's actually a pretty good idea, to disable when very cold.

berri · January 2017

Nice deal Up, even if I did counsel you to step up your game and go for the Malibu. Now about those black wrap around shades...

uplanderguy · January 2017

You know berri, I like the new Malibu, but in LT guise you only get silver-painted aluminum wheels instead of polished. Why does the Cruze LT have polished wheels? Another mystery of life.

I love the Impala, but just too much car and too much money for me.

I think the Malibu LT should have polished wheels, and the Premier ('e' at the end? I can't recall) should have a bright molding down the side somewhere, somehow, like the top-level Impalas do. No one ever asks me about product decisions though!

If so inclined, one can go to my Edmunds page and find more out about me, then go to my Facebook page and see a pic of the car I posted there. I'm the old fat guy in front of the car, LOL. Of course, I know that's a lot of work to see a pic of the car, LOL!

berri · January 2017

I'm sure the Cruze will work out great. It seems to get a lot of good reviews.

uplanderguy · January 2017

I just noticed the window sticker is not in the glovebox with all the other owner's stuff.

Long story short, my "salesman", who seems about 12 (LOL), was off on my delivery day and another young salesman delivered the car.

I just called my salesman and he acted like he didn't know if they normally provided the window sticker or not. Sheesh. I think it's required to give it to the consumer.

I'm sure either at the dealer, or Chevrolet Customer Assistance, can print a new one off. Not a big deal, but I am a 'dot the 'i' cross the 't'' kind of guy. I've always gotten this with new cars I've bought.

sda · January 2017

I really like the new Cruze and you got an exceptional buy. I just wonder how many prospective buyers are turned off before they even drive the Cruze with its high sticker price. Not everyone wants to try to negotiate a lower price or have to experience the stereotypical dealer buying games.

sda · January 2017

I bet the Ecotech engine with a 5 speed was a peppy and economical combination. I rented several Malibus with that engine and it performed well.

uplanderguy · January 2017

The two nearest Chevy dealers to me both have their no-haggle prices of each of their inventory online. I wouldn't think of only shopping from a window sticker, but then I've only bought new Chevys, LOL.

My Cobalt was fairly peppy, although that would not be the conventional wisdom I'm sure. It was 148 hp. The Cruze is 153 hp, with a turbo.

uplanderguy · January 2017

After no response from my somewhat lackadaisical young salesman, I called the dealer's Business Manager mid-morning today. He called me back in ten minutes and had found the window sticker in the trash over where the cars are washed and detailed and he will drop it in the mail to me today. Can't really ask for more than that.

tlong · January 2017

So uplander you haven't told us your impressions of the car!

uplanderguy · January 2017

So far, we're loving it. In fact, I told my wife I think she and I could live with a couple cars this size since our kids aren't at home.

I think the wheels, and interior look, seem more expensive than the car is.

Of course, it only has 47 miles (since the last time I drove it, anyway--my wife used it this morning).

It seems solid as a rock and roomier in both the front and back seats, and also in the trunk, than the exterior would lead one to believe.

My only complaint? I wish it wasn't 44% U.S. and Canadian parts content, instead of 80% like my Cobalt was.

I don't have the window sticker yet, but I'm thinking that the engine and trans were both assembled in the U.S., and of course final assembly was U.S. too.

I'm glad I got a dark color which I think makes the car look a little richer.

For the first time, I ordered WeatherTech floor mats for it. Haven't received them yet.

iluvmysephia1 · January 2017

Uplanderguy, post pics if you haven't yet. I dig the Chevy Cruze. Gives me that Nissan Versa S sedan 5-speed kinda feeling (that's a good thing).

tlong · January 2017

Thanks uplander for the update!
Even though a car choice is individual, we all feel your excitement with a new set of wheels. Thanks for sharing.

uplanderguy · January 2017

I do think there's more tire/road noise than either of my Cobalts, which have almost zero tire noise. But, even when new, my Malibu had more tire noise than our older Cobalts. I think with the rush for MPG, and reduced weight, soundproofing has come out over the years.

I long for the completely silent cars of the late '70's. I know those days are gone.

uplanderguy · January 2017

It's still on the dealer's site, here:

http://www.serpentinitallmadge.com/vehicle-inventory.php?task=enlarge_image&id=617&title=2017

Also on my Facebook page.

I don't know how to post pics here and aren't inclined to learn, LOL. I'm a low-tech guy, have a flip phone, and am constantly learning and unlearning new technology at work, so that when I want to relax, I want things simple.

uplanderguy · January 2017

I first-experienced the start-stop feature this morning, as it's the first day it's been above 41 degrees F. since I bought it. I won't say it's totally seamless. I don't like that feature, at least on day one, LOL!

P.S. Why aren't protective side moldings available on new cars, even as an option?

I wish for once I'd get invited to participate in a product-planning seminar by a carmaker!

berri · January 2017

Has GM improved on the vibration with its stop start?

uplanderguy · January 2017

I don't have anything to compare it to, but I can tell it when it's happening. Shifty said he thought it was smoother than his friend's Benz, but I wouldn't know anything about that.

sda · January 2017

uplanderguy said:
After no response from my somewhat lackadaisical young salesman, I called the dealer's Business Manager mid-morning today. He called me back in ten minutes and had found the window sticker in the trash over where the cars are washed and detailed and he will drop it in the mail to me today. Can't really ask for more than that.

I've always tried to preserve the window sticker of any new car that I've bought. For used cars I might get lucky if it was saved by the previous owner and it was stuck in the owner's manual folder. I still have the window sticker to my first 'new' car, an '88 VW Fox GL that stickered at $8165. The sticker for my '95 Jetta GLX VR6 was mangled so they printed a new on for me and it even has my name computer printed on the bottom of it.

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