So my buddy stopped by just now....

Well, his wife did with his new DD... A '12 Chevy Cruze in "I need a ticket" bright red. It is just a RS trimmed LT model with a 6 speed. Overall, not a bad little ride. Steering wheel is TINY, but the electronic steering more then makes up for the lack of mechanical effort without being "overboosted". Handling could be better, WAY better. A slight lowering and an upgrade from the OE tires would help a BUNCH. Clutch is WAY too light, but that is to be expected with a hydraulic clutch in a modern car. Power is lacking, but much better then any other econobox out there. Seating isn't too bad either. Depending on the front seat occupiers, an adult can easily fit in the back seat behind each front seat decently. Fit and finish is very good for something from GM. Trunk can easily swallow all your luggage for a week long family vacation. MPG's....38 on an "easy" drive with lots of mountains in the way.

I'd give it an 8 out of 10, only because it needs more powah.

I want one. Of course, it would need some modifications.

funny how cars with decent power, adult carrying capabilities, and a good size are getting 40ish mpg now..

mad_machine wrote: berkeleying awesome how cars with decent power, adult carrying capabilities, and a good size are getting 40ish mpg now..

Fixed that for ya.

I find myself actually liking the Cruze a little bit...the sportier models actually look decent. Been a while since I liked a small car built by Chevy.

electronic steering? I hope you mean that the pump is driven by an electric motor and not that it's steer by wire! Steer by wire scares me....

I can't even sleep on an Airbus

Wait for the 2 door turbo.

more like a small electric motor attached to the steering shaft that assists the turning

I like the looks of the Cruze. Is there a 2 door turbo variant in the works and when does it come out?

I still think if I were in the market for a smallish 4 door car that gets good mileage and doesn't cost an arm and a leg, my first stop is going to be the hyundai dealer.

Motor is attached to the rack itself. After the Cobalt electric column fiasco, I believe they learned their lesson. When the motor "dies", I believe you will get manual steering.

is the turbo version going to be that super small 1.4 or 1.6 or whatever turbo ecotec they've been working on?

I will never understand why the words "I've got 20 grand to blow on a new car. I think I'll buy a chevy cruze!" would ever come out of anyone's mouth. If I can find one running in ten years, maybe I'll scoop it up for $200, throw a cage in it, and run 20 or so laps of Lemons. Probably not though.

I like that Chevy chose to race it, if only they would do so in the US.