Cruze Diesel = 46 MPG Hwy

[darcane]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I'm almost as anti-VW as they come, but it's hard to pass on a 50 mpg oil burner with good interior room. Many of the Golf models are considered reliable cars by consumer reports, although the Jetta generally isn't for some reason.

Maybe I'm looking for a year 2002 or 2003 Mk4 TDI; one that doesn't have a lot of emission control devices and gets the best fuel economy. Fueleconomy.gov shows the '04 and later models getting 4 less mpg.

Portland is my market, so that is convenient, but Seattle is within the range I'm willing to travel. Besides, I haven't been to Sea-town since I was a kid.

As much as I dislike VW, I absolutely loath stealerships. I'm going to avoid them if at all possible, but sometimes that is the only option when looking for a rare vehicle. I still don't know why trading in vehicles is more popular than selling private party. All of my experiences have been very easy and pleasant. I made $1000 from purchasing an Outback, driving it for a month, and then selling it. I'd like to see someone pull that off with a dealer purchased vehicle.

I'm basically sold on either the TDI wagon, and old Subaru Legacy, a Corolla, or a 2nd gen Prius.

Well, you are just like me then. I have never bought new, and only once ever bought from a dealership. I recently sold my '03 Silverado for $100 less than I bought it for after having it four years and 40k miles. That won't happen with dealerships involved.

The green '03 appears to be for sale by owner if the miles aren't too high for you. Looks like the original owner with good service records.

[GreenHornet]

Originally Posted by Blue Angel

Agreed... look at my fuel log in my sig (Eco MT). This is with careful driving, but I'm still averaging above the HWY figure of 42 MPG. The combined rating of 33 MPG is the same as the Eco.



The Cruze TD will have all of the Eco's toys, including the active shutters, belly pans, LRR tires etc. Some reports claimed the aero of the TD was even better than the Eco, but I have yet to see any details to back this up.

The TD will weigh more than the Eco. It is a loaded model with an automatic transmission, leather, even more sound deadening than a standard Cruze (the Eco has less), and a urea tank in the spare tire well. There's also no mention of special wheels, so I'm assuming the car has heavy cast wheels like the other Cruze models (the Eco has 17.8lb alcoa forged wheels, 17x7).



This is my fear as well. Very few people go looking to spend $26k on a Cruze, especially those who are looking for fuel savings... people who want a high tech "luxury car" are, unfortunately, not lining up at Chevy dealerships (yet).

My greatest fear is not that GM will give up on diesels, but that other manufacturers will based on GM's experiment. Let's face it; fuel efficiency is not the #1 concern of the average buyer in our markets. At $26k there are MUCH nicer cars available than a Cruze, especially since the Cruze TD LOOKS the same as a base model... they could have at least dressed it up a bit with the LTZ RS body bits to make it look a little better! It doesn't even have fog lights!

I worked for Gm and specialized in the Cruze :-)

What I know is that automatics sell more pure and simple and they are only looking at the numbers of the many and not the few. So they think they can offset the price difference by going automatic. Personally I would have liked to see a manual option as well however they do have the automatic geared pretty well for fuel economy and the diesel powerplant. I think they will sell but I am unsure just how much. The cruze is appealing to many people but the fact still remains its diesel and here in the states it takes a back seat to gas powered vehicles. Only time will tell and I am looking forward to its debut in the US marketplace.

GH

[gone-ot]

The only saving-grace to GM's *current* diesel Cruze marketing *plan* is that diesels ARE highly sought in both Canada and Mexico, the *other* two North America markets that Lordstown builds 100% of Cruze vehicles for.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

The only saving-grace to GM's *current* diesel Cruze marketing *plan* is that diesels ARE highly sought in both Canada and Mexico, the *other* two North America markets that Lordstown builds 100% of Cruze vehicles for.

Both Canadians and Mexicans are more open-minded regarding Diesels, but I can't expect an average Mexican to not complain about the SCR.

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Both Canadians and Mexicans are more open-minded regarding Diesels, but I can't expect an average Mexican to not complain about the SCR.

True, especially when his donkey leaves more (tangible) pollution than a diesel does soot.

[tjts1]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

True, especially when his donkey leaves more (tangible) pollution than a diesel does soot.

How many donkeys would you have to trade in for a Cruze?

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by tjts1

How many donkeys would you have to trade in for a Cruze?

...uh, probably depends upon what is *inside* the bundles he's carrying (wink,wink).

[PressEnter[]]

Huh. I didn't know Canadians used donkeys.

[tjts1]

Well now you do.

[Blue Angel]

Loving that T-Shirt! Ha!

The Cruze TD's Canadian consumption is out: 4.2 L/100km Hwy

Chevrolet Cruze Diesel 4.2 L/100km Sets Highway Fuel Consumption Benchmark

Darn impressive... I wonder what it would do with a manual transmission and some nice tall gearing?