What cars have you recently rented? - Page 8

pauldun170 · 05-31-2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeNetworX

Why do you look so concerned about what's in your rear view mirror? lol You look like you are waiting for a machette weilding psychopath to jump out and charge the vehicle or something.

Homeslice · 05-31-2011, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeNetworX

Why do you look so concerned about what's in your rear view mirror? lol You look like you are waiting for a machette weilding psychopath to jump out and charge the vehicle or something.

...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeslice

The one thing I couldn't stand was how the center headrest blocked my view out the rear window.

Sixxxxer · 02-14-2011, 09:26 PM

Days of Thunder Style??

CasterTroy · 02-15-2011, 03:26 PM

ROAD TRIP style

101lifts2 · 05-29-2011, 09:26 PM

2011 Chevy Cruze LT

1.4L Turbocharged 4cylinder Inline
6speed Automatic

Pros: Build Quality, Quiet, Electric Steering, Brake Progression, Solidity, Center electronic speedometer (as with analog)

Cons: Funky Transmission Shifting, Fuel Economy, Lack of a manual trunk release

I spent a week and 370 miles with a 2011 Chevy Cruze. Overall I was VERY impressed with this car. This is by far one of the best small cars I've ever driven and definately the best small car GM has ever made.

Engine
When driving, you wouldn't know this is a turbo model because you cannot hear any turbo noise, though you do get a little surge of power when the RPMs start to climb. The power is better than adequate, but nothing great. The motor moans a tad more than it should, but it is not loud by any means and cruises smoothly on the freeway.

Transmission
This is the biggest weak point with this car. Under light or heavy acceleration, the transmission shifts smoothly and are controlled well. However, start to play with the accelerator and the the transmission gets lost easily. Sometimes the transmission would sit in a low gear for a few seconds with no accelerator input before the upshift would occur. Quite annoying when it happens. I would recommend the manual model.

Chassis
The chassis is a perfect compromise between Japanese aloom and German thud. While I do like my 2010 VW Golf better, the Cruze handles well, soaks up bumps well and doesn't transmit any vibration to the cabin. It's a damn good chassis that results in a very quiet interior noise level on the highway.

Steering and Brakes
I like the steering alot. The full electric assist is a tad light, but I like a tad lighter then stiffer. The calibration on this was done perfectly IMO.

The brakes are firm and work progressively. They seem like typical good Japanese brakes, but not as strong as German. The pedal feel is typical good Japanese.

Interior
The controls are well placed and the gauges are easy to read. Lack of a compass is a downside, but the electronic speedometer that can be changed in the center of the IP works well. Some of the plastic aluminum good gaudy, but it is tastefully done without being too obtrusive. The build quality is excellent with use of good materials. IMO, the Cruze interior is better than Civic, Sentra and Corolla.

Conclusion
If you are looking for a small well built car, then the Cruze is a good choice. After 370 miles, I only averaged 29.8 MPG, so the diesel model in 2013 should be a good alternative IF GM would mate the 1.4L Turbo to a manual transmission or have North America develop the transmission shift logic.

Homeslice · 05-31-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 101lifts2

IMO, the Cruze interior is better than Civic, Sentra and Corolla.

The Cruze is impressive, but it's a "world car" designed in conjunction with Opel and Hyundai or something, last I checked. So, Americans can't take all the credit for it.

GM's last "home grown" small cars were the Cobalt and G5, and thankfully they're gone now.

Gas Man · 06-02-2011, 10:06 AM

I've drove a rental impalla many times. The backseat headrests are HORRIBLE!! They do just like he said, makes the back window almost uselss.

Other than that, the car is ok for what it is, but what it is... I hate. It's basic 4 door sedan blahness. It embodies everything I hate about normal cars. Trust me I have gave it lots of thought recently while on my new car hunt.

101lifts2 · 06-02-2011, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeslice

The Cruze is impressive, but it's a "world car" designed in conjunction with Opel and Hyundai or something, last I checked. So, Americans can't take all the credit for it.

GM's last "home grown" small cars were the Cobalt and G5, and thankfully they're gone now.

The Cruze is a combination of Opel, Daewoo and GM North America, but mainly GM-DAT (Daewoo Automotive Technnologies). The final assembly is Lordstown, OH.

fasternyou929 · 05-31-2011, 11:23 AM

My truck is in the body shop after a run-in with one of America's finest "guests". No license, no insurance (but had bogus insurance information to provide at the scene, a nice touch).

In the meantime, I'm stuck driving a Mitsubishi Galant. I remembered these being nice cars in the late 90's, or at least respectable. The model I have drives like a skate board - loud as hell, lousy handling, tons of play in the steering wheel, plastic interior that would make GM proud, and overall just very uninspired. And too slow to get out of its own way.

If this is the kind of car that appeals to the masses, no wonder it's hard to find a car with an edge anymore.

Can't wait to get my truck back, if I get it back. This rental car will make me appreciate it that much more.

shmike · 05-31-2011, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fasternyou929

Can't wait to get my truck back, if I get it back. This rental car will make me appreciate it that much more.

Suck to hear about the truck. Is it bad enough that it may get totalled?

I saw a Galant the other day and thought: "I can't believe I thought that was a decent car, once upon a time."

02-14-2011, 09:26 PM	#3
Sixxxxer Like Gixxxxer But Not Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dirty Jersey Moto: 2008 ZX6R Posts: 4,891	Days of Thunder Style?? __________________ [FRSH] Candy Plasma Blue

02-15-2011, 03:26 PM	#4
CasterTroy ................ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NC Posts: 3,028	ROAD TRIP style __________________ “Being tolerant does not mean that I share another one’s belief. But it does mean that I acknowledge another one’s right to believe, and obey, his own conscience.” Viktor Frankl

05-29-2011, 09:26 PM	#5
101lifts2 WSB Champion Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Anaheim, CA Moto: 2009 Kawi ZX6R Posts: 5,570	2011 Chevy Cruze LT 1.4L Turbocharged 4cylinder Inline 6speed Automatic Pros: Build Quality, Quiet, Electric Steering, Brake Progression, Solidity, Center electronic speedometer (as with analog) Cons: Funky Transmission Shifting, Fuel Economy, Lack of a manual trunk release I spent a week and 370 miles with a 2011 Chevy Cruze. Overall I was VERY impressed with this car. This is by far one of the best small cars I've ever driven and definately the best small car GM has ever made. Engine When driving, you wouldn't know this is a turbo model because you cannot hear any turbo noise, though you do get a little surge of power when the RPMs start to climb. The power is better than adequate, but nothing great. The motor moans a tad more than it should, but it is not loud by any means and cruises smoothly on the freeway. Transmission This is the biggest weak point with this car. Under light or heavy acceleration, the transmission shifts smoothly and are controlled well. However, start to play with the accelerator and the the transmission gets lost easily. Sometimes the transmission would sit in a low gear for a few seconds with no accelerator input before the upshift would occur. Quite annoying when it happens. I would recommend the manual model. Chassis The chassis is a perfect compromise between Japanese aloom and German thud. While I do like my 2010 VW Golf better, the Cruze handles well, soaks up bumps well and doesn't transmit any vibration to the cabin. It's a damn good chassis that results in a very quiet interior noise level on the highway. Steering and Brakes I like the steering alot. The full electric assist is a tad light, but I like a tad lighter then stiffer. The calibration on this was done perfectly IMO. The brakes are firm and work progressively. They seem like typical good Japanese brakes, but not as strong as German. The pedal feel is typical good Japanese. Interior The controls are well placed and the gauges are easy to read. Lack of a compass is a downside, but the electronic speedometer that can be changed in the center of the IP works well. Some of the plastic aluminum good gaudy, but it is tastefully done without being too obtrusive. The build quality is excellent with use of good materials. IMO, the Cruze interior is better than Civic, Sentra and Corolla. Conclusion If you are looking for a small well built car, then the Cruze is a good choice. After 370 miles, I only averaged 29.8 MPG, so the diesel model in 2013 should be a good alternative IF GM would mate the 1.4L Turbo to a manual transmission or have North America develop the transmission shift logic. __________________ Train Hard Ron Paul - 2012 Mark of Excellence GM Last edited by 101lifts2; 05-29-2011 at 09:37 PM..

06-02-2011, 10:06 AM	#7
Gas Man Trip's Assistant Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Imported from Detroit Moto: 2009 HD Street Classic Posts: 12,149	I've drove a rental impalla many times. The backseat headrests are HORRIBLE!! They do just like he said, makes the back window almost uselss. Other than that, the car is ok for what it is, but what it is... I hate. It's basic 4 door sedan blahness. It embodies everything I hate about normal cars. Trust me I have gave it lots of thought recently while on my new car hunt. __________________ -Chris "Why pay somebody else to fuck up your bike?" Run Amsoil Product

05-31-2011, 11:23 AM	#9
fasternyou929 SFL Expatriate #2 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Moto: CBR1000 Posts: 2,043	My truck is in the body shop after a run-in with one of America's finest "guests". No license, no insurance (but had bogus insurance information to provide at the scene, a nice touch). In the meantime, I'm stuck driving a Mitsubishi Galant. I remembered these being nice cars in the late 90's, or at least respectable. The model I have drives like a skate board - loud as hell, lousy handling, tons of play in the steering wheel, plastic interior that would make GM proud, and overall just very uninspired. And too slow to get out of its own way. If this is the kind of car that appeals to the masses, no wonder it's hard to find a car with an edge anymore. Can't wait to get my truck back, if I get it back. This rental car will make me appreciate it that much more.