2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco...FAILED!

[Thai]

Hey all,

My brother just got a 2012 Cruze Eco with 6 MT. He got a good deal on it too. Low mileage...under 10 miles on odometer when purchased.

Just this morning, 139 miles on odometer...check engine light went on...computer cut power...stranding my brother on the side of the road. OnStar towed it to local dealer. For obvious reason, my brother is pissed!

Diagnostic from OnStar shows bad throttle sensor.

Waiting for dealer response....

 

[Mf Baker]

yeah, sounds like he got a GREAT deal!!!

 

[terra4r]

ECO cuz it needs a tow truck to meet it's expected mileage range? lol.

 

[Sputnik]

Hey all,

My brother just got a 2012 Cruze Eco with 6 MT. He got a good deal on it too. Low mileage...under 10 miles on odometer when purchased.

Just this morning, 139 miles on odometer...check engine light went on...computer cut power...stranding my brother on the side of the road. OnStar towed it to local dealer. For obvious reason, my brother is pissed!

Diagnostic from OnStar shows bad throttle sensor.

Waiting for dealer response....

No such thing as a good deal on a domestic car, tell your brother to buy a Prius!

 

[Thai]

No such thing as a good deal on a domestic car, tell your brother to buy a Prius!

Prius was his 2nd choice...but a new Prius costs too much money...he wanted to stay below $20k. Even a used Prius commands ridiculous money! But, yeah, if he could not get a good car below $20k, then he would cough up the money for a Prius. Before this morning, the Cruze was a "good buy".... :dammit:

 

[Kung]

I'm not normally on a 'tripwire' when it comes to vehicle problems - but with 110 miles on it or so? I'd bring it back and return the sucker.

 

[Sputnik]

Prius was his 2nd choice...but a new Prius costs too much money...he wanted to stay below $20k. Even a used Prius commands ridiculous money! But, yeah, if he could not get a good car below $20k, then he would cough up the money for a Prius. Before this morning, the Cruze was a "good buy".... :dammit:

Yea, I only said odious because I figured your brother wanted a hybrid.
But Id rather buy a regular efficient 4 cylinder. There a tons of good options out there that are under 20k and will last you forever:
Honda civic
Toyota corolla
Scion tc
Volkswagen jetta (not the most reliable)
But you get my drift? Try to stay away from domestics, they tend to have issues

 

[JohnsD90]

Sister bought a 2011 TDI jetta with 6M, black pleatherette and navigation for $21k even, 5k miles no problem, average MPG is 43 and has been rising.

You could have him look into that, it drives and feels like my other sisters 07 A4 despite being a FWD jetta.

 

[Sputnik]

Yea the tdi version is an awesome car,

Btw I would demand my full refund back from chevy, if they even so as stutter, mention the word lawyer

 

[Mf Baker]

yeah, being stuck on the side of the road after just over 100 miles and about $4k of depreciation do not a good car make. :wow2:

 

[Mf Baker]

i know its like not as 'cool', but get a second gen prius with low miles, or something like a 93-95 prizm. those are very easy to consistently get 45+mpg hwy in, and run about $4k at the very most typically. :thumb3:

 

[JohnsD90]

Yea the tdi version is an awesome car,

Btw I would demand my full refund back from chevy, if they even so as stutter, mention the word lawyer

Ya the jettas aren't the most reliable... 284k miles on the MKIV TDI I'll give ya the interior quality tho, it's not the highest lol

 

[Glock_19]

Yeah I would've gotten a Camry before the Cruze. Around here a certified pre-owned 2010 Camry SE with 30,000 - 50,000 miles runs about $16,000 - $18,000.

It'll last much longer than that Cruze and still get 33mpg highway.

 

[Thai]

Yea, I only said odious because I figured your brother wanted a hybrid.
But Id rather buy a regular efficient 4 cylinder. There a tons of good options out there that are under 20k and will last you forever:
Honda civic
Toyota corolla
Scion tc
Volkswagen jetta (not the most reliable)
But you get my drift? Try to stay away from domestics, they tend to have issues

Crash test ratings rule out Corolla. Scion Tc has too few doors...my brother has a booster and a full infant car seat.

Civic is nice, but Honda probably demands a premium since it just came out. In addition, my brother wants MT with BT handsfree.

And Jetta...yeah, no thanks...a million and one reliability/durability ratings can't be wrong!

Remember, although compact 4-cyl can get 40 mpg, this is ONLY on the highway at probably 60-65 mph. In city, all of them get mid-20s. This is where a midsize-like hybrid (like Prius) takes the cake...bigger size with much better fuel economy.

Sister bought a 2011 TDI jetta with 6M, black pleatherette and navigation for $21k even, 5k miles no problem, average MPG is 43 and has been rising.

You could have him look into that, it drives and feels like my other sisters 07 A4 despite being a FWD jetta.

Again, reliability and durability are not strong points...and lags behind Chevy too! This is a car that will be with my brother a long time. Maintenance cost past warranty period is important. And with the TDIs, you got to factor in the required additive at oil changes too.

Ya the jettas aren't the most reliable... 284k miles on the MKIV TDI I'll give ya the interior quality tho, it's not the highest lol

John, i know that you like to be optimistic...but your Jetta is probably the exception rather than the rule...if you are being honest with us about your Jetta's reliability.

 

[Thai]

Dealer got back to him: PCM module is the problem. It will take 5-7 days to get it. Chevy's legal office will contact him soon. I guess that they are expecting my brother to demand a refund. Actually, my brother is looking to get free 7 year/100k mile extended warranty.

But, i don't know...what would you guys do? Could be a freak incident/defect?

 

[JohnsD90]

Crash test ratings rule out Corolla. Scion Tc has too few doors...my brother has a booster and a full infant car seat.

Civic is nice, but Honda probably demands a premium since it just came out. In addition, my brother wants MT with BT handsfree.

And Jetta...yeah, no thanks...a million and one reliability/durability ratings can't be wrong!

Remember, although compact 4-cyl can get 40 mpg, this is ONLY on the highway at probably 60-65 mph. In city, all of them get mid-20s. This is where a midsize-like hybrid (like Prius) takes the cake...bigger size with much better fuel economy.



Again, reliability and durability are not strong points...and lags behind Chevy too! This is a car that will be with my brother a long time. Maintenance cost past warranty period is important. And with the TDIs, you got to factor in the required additive at oil changes too.



John, i know that you like to be optimistic...but your Jetta is probably the exception rather than the rule...if you are being honest with us about your Jetta's reliability.

I am far from the exception to the rule, head over to TDIclub, I am nowhere near the front of the pack milage wise, and while 284k is impressive there are MANY other MKIV TDI's with many more miles. But interior trim piece durability could be increased, stupid crap breaks, like armrest lid, saggy headliner, the clips to hold the door in. Those type of issues are the only kind I ever come
accross on it. Other than that crap It's normal maintanence ie Brakes, Bushings (after 250k they start to go), timing belt/water pump every 100k, CV Shafts, wheel bearings, Clutch, and an occasional seal that needs to be replaced.


Anyway good to hear Chevy is lined up to pay.

 

[Quentin]

Did he get the manual? Autoblog just reviewed it and was less than impressed with the 3, yes 3, OD gears.

 

[Thai]

Did he get the manual? Autoblog just reviewed it and was less than impressed with the 3, yes 3, OD gears.

Yup, he got 6MT...wow, 3 ODs?! No wonder it is getting 42 mpg!

 

[034RUNNER]

No such thing as a good deal on a domestic car, tell your brother to buy a Prius!

I hope you're kidding but that's about the most ignorant statement I've ever heard. It's one thing to be a Toyota fan boy but to throw out such a generalized ignorant statement is another. I hate to break it to you but LOTS of older domestics are extremely reliable. It's not just our precious, God given Toyota 4runners that can rack on high mileage while owners sing a praise of reliability. When it comes to deals, it doesn't matter what the make is for the most part. If we were talking about a VW/Audi, etc, I might agree with you considering what expensive headaches those are 9 times out of 10.


As for the Cruze, well what can you say. Sh** happens. Sure you can say, that's Chevy for you, but guess what, freak incidents occur no matter what kind of car it is. It sounds like the car was a good choice for him for the most part, so I personally won't sit here typing out what he should have gotten, but I will say I would much rather have a Cruze than a Prius.

Thai, I think your brother should work with them to get what he wants. I'm sure they'll be more than willing if he does not want a refund and whatnot.

 

[Glock_19]

I guess that they are expecting my brother to demand a refund. Actually, my brother is looking to get free 7 year/100k mile extended warranty.

Wow, Chevy is getting off easy! I don't think he should have any problem getting a free warranty out of them. I would definitely get that warranty at the very least just in case it's a lemon. We had a new Grand Cherokee that was a lemon and that warranty paid for itself 3 fold before we sold it a year later.