Chevrolet Cruze Station Wagon Diesel

[petrolhead611]

Chevrolet are apparently abandoning car sales in Europe but will provide parts and service for 10 years.The few remaining new cars are being offered at huge discounts which make them just about the cheapest station wagon to buy in the UK;wondering whether to buy as my daily driver workhorse. What is the forum opinion of this model?

[pavulon]

my opinion would be that they should sell that very wagon in the US.

[CHICKS]

Most of us live in America and have no idea what you're talking about. We have the Cruze here, just not that one....

[CHICKS]

Originally Posted by pavulon

my opinion would be that they should sell that very wagon in the US.

Agreed, it sounds awesome.

[oldE]

Isn.'t it basically a Vauxhall with a different grill?
We don't have the Cruze wagon in North America.

Pity it is a vehicle I would look at.

Best
Les

[petrolhead611]

Mechanically it is the Vauxhall or Opel Astra, all of them are apparently made in the same factory in the Czech Republic. The body panels are unique to the Cruze. I can get one if I hurry for 60 percent of the price of a comparable car, eg Vauxhall Astra or Ford Focus

[Jim Richards]

We can get the Cruze in the US with the turbo diesel, but not as a wagon. Pity.

[petrolhead611]

Just wondering what reliability record the Cruze has in its home market, and whether they rust in the relevant states.

[Robert Adams]

Wow, sure looks like a winner to me! I'd consider buying one. Take a drive see what you think!

Cruze Station Wagon USA - Bing Images

Owned several turbo diesels over the years and loved them. If I could make an economic case I would do it again, but I don't drive 1/2 of what I used to and hoping to soon have the 73.5 on the road.

Interestingly, the link mentions a USA model wagon. Could this car be on it's way to the US market and its not on anyone's radar yet? Chevy has the turbo diesel sedan available now, so maybe it's coming.
With the millions if not billions GM is going to have to layout over their latest recall, maybe they can't afford to make it available?

For what its worth, the new Auto edition of Consumer Reports should be out shortly if not already; take a look. CR seems to give the gas engine model a neutral on reliability but praise it for handling, cabin comfort & crash worthiness in their 2013 edition.

[petrolhead611]

In the UK they offered Cruze sedan, hatchback and Station wagon, with several petrol engine and 3 turbo diesel engine options.The 2 litre automatic gulps fuel compared with the either of the 1.7 litre manual versions( 20 miles per gallon worse in the 2 litre but obviously it accelarates better with 165 bhp rather than 110 or 130 bhp)
Is the Cruze considered an OK car in the USA?

[recycled sixtie]

Sounds interesting. I would do some research on Chevy products - Consumer Reports etc etc. Lemon Aid.

I am generalizing here and not being anti American but from what I have experienced and heard of small Chevies are reasonable handling, economical but don't have the rock solid long term reliability of Japanese cars. They don't have the build quality. My golfing partner sold his last small Chevy 3 years ago at 50k miles as it had niggling problems. He bought himself a VW Jetta.

Questions I would ask myself are :
Is this the first year of the diesel engine
Is it for you or your wife?
Sounds like a bit of a flyer but if you get it at a huge discount then possibly?!
Guy

[petrolhead611]

Its for me, and I generally drive 30K miles per year( my last Mazda did 268K miles, the Renault before it 450K miles, on their original engines). The 1.7 litre tubo diesel has been Vauxhall's mainstay diesel for years. Back in the 80's I had the first generation Astra(my one and only Vauxhall in all my 47 years of driving) which needed a new petrol engine at 50,000 miles which is why I am hesitant about this car even at the bargain price.

[recycled sixtie]

I am familiar with the old Vauxhalls -namely my parents used to drive the Vauxhall Wyvern and Viva in the UK. That goes a long way back!We are talking 1950's and 60's respectively.

So how much is the dealer asking for this diesel Cruze? My old school friend in Tynemouth had a small Mazda diesel sedan which he used to tow a trailer(caravan). I really like Mazda and so did he....I cannot imagine a small Chevy handling as well as a Mazda though.

Cheers, Guy.

[petrolhead611]

Handling wont be as good as the Focus, which is the sharpest in its class in the UK, but it is accepatable apparently..

[recycled sixtie]

My wife has a 2002 Camry which is totally reliable and totally boring to drive.
I have a 2001 Boxster base which has great handling bought used and expect to spend $$$$ on it.

To me what you are looking at is a mediocre handling car with good fuel consumption(I know how much a gallon of petrol costs in the UK - hideous!) and you are buying it at a great price.

The question is what do you value? Economy? Good handling? Long term reliability?
After a Focus which I think is a great car I think that you will find the Cruze hohum for driver satisfaction . However you should test drive it. You could be surprised!
G.

[VincentVega]

Is the Cruze considered an OK car in the USA?

My very scientific assessment. I rarely see them and when I do they are driven by kids. It seems like a decent car for basic transport, just dont expect anything more. The diesel is too new here and it sounds like it might be a different model anyway to give any real feedback.

[Robert Adams]

Could only find one recall on the gas version; diesel models are to new here to even register on a scale at roughly 3200 units sold in 2013 compared to VW Jetta at around 26,000. I assume though that the drive train issue is across the board on model offerings? Think I would pass unless they are selling them at 50% off or something, then maybe worth the risk. You have many more diesel options in the UK then we do and therefore can afford to be more selective. On the other hand, the wagon sure looks cool! See how it handles?

Chevrolet Cruze Recall Information- Autoblog
Chevrolet Cruze Recalls - Latest Recall Reports - Motor Trend Magazine

[FLYGEEZER]

Nice looking wagon. I might consider looking at one if they were available in the US.