Well, my complaint would be that it is a Chevy which have always been a mediocre car at best. The other thing is that something like 2% of the Cruze sold are Diesel, so good luck finding a Chevy mechanic that can work on the Cruze engine without destroying it.
Even with the VW TDI's, some dealers can completely FUBAR a timing belt job, so ya, I would say proficient Cruze diesel mechanics are as rare as hens teeth.
Even with the VW TDI's, some dealers can completely FUBAR a timing belt job, so ya, I would say proficient Cruze diesel mechanics are as rare as hens teeth.
Probably more of a nod to how terrible some dealer mechanics can be regardless of car brand. Granted, a gasser T/B has no adjustability and is harder to get wrong than the T/B on a TDI.
I think the root problem is something called flat rate. It seems that the fast and sloppy mechanics are rewarded while the mechanics that do quality work are penalized.
I think the root problem is something called flat rate. It seems that the fast and sloppy mechanics are rewarded while the mechanics that do quality work are penalized.
Having spent a few years around mechanics and repair shops, I don't think flat-rate is a big issue.
A poor mechanic will do anything to beat flat-rate, including cut corners that ought not to be cut.
A good mechanic will do everything he can to do quality work, and still beat flat-rate.
It's the sloppy part that's bad, not the fast (or slow) part.
My favorite car ever was an early model Corvair. Before 1955, Chevrolet didn't produce anything as radical as a V-8. In 1960 they introduced a horizontally-opposed air-cooled 6, and many mechanics had trouble wrapping their heads around something that radical.
Not sure how the average dealership mechanic reacts to the Cruze TD.
a 2.8L Duramax turbo diesel Colorado mid-size truck is coming out later this year. Perhaps, over time, the dealerships will get better with the turbo diesels...
I'm very pleased with my 2014 Cruze Diesel. I recently went from Burlington, VT, to La Plata, MD, and back. I averaged 52.2 mpg. The car was very smooth and quiet. The leather seats were comfortable. I have no complaints.
I considered one before buying my "d".The main reason I went with the "d" is that I had more money available than was required for the Cruze and the "d" offered features which the Cruze didn't.I was,however,quite surprised by the test drive...pleasantly so.And I was reassured to see that both the engine *and* transmission were made in Germany.
I bought my 2014 CTD (Cruze Turbo Diesel) new on June 2, 2014 and as of today I have 32650 miles on it. I am averaging 750 miles per tank. Never been in service except for routine maint. like oil changes and stuff... sorry was in once for a recall forgot about that. I love it, got it because I commute 82 miles round trip daily and right now due to the low cost of fuel in my area its about $35 a week to fill it ( I fill every sunday whether I need it or not). I looked at the VW TDI and was way more impressed with the CTD. Also the VW has a bigger fuel tank but gets less miles per gallon... that was a deciding factor to go with the CTD... Good luck buy a CTD
The cruze 2.0 TD that I test drove shifted fine and down shifted as the vehicle slowed. I was very pleased with it. That Colorado has me thinking for sure...but I love the handling of my Golf.
I've had a Cruze Diesel since Dec 2014. I love mine, by best 25 mile average so far has been 62.8mpg my 250 mile and 500 mile averages are lower because half my daily driving is on 2 lane roads with frequent stops.
I have the Trifecta Tune on mine, noticeable increase in power, and transmission shifting profile updated. The car is a VERY smooth and refined feeling car now with more than enough power to drive confidently without having to floor the go pedal.
Tonight I drove 60+ miles 95% highway miles cruise set for 60 mph except for a few toll booths I have to slow down or risk an EZ pass not being read, NO traffic, averaged 50.8 mpg in Northern Virginia with winter blend fuel where its really not flat like the midwest or the coast. But mileage is very dependent on your driving conditions.
EPA mileage quotes are not real-world driving. My 2013 Jetta TDI is rated at 30/42, but I am getting 35-38 in town, and 56 highway mileage. When I take the freeway, I average 48 mpg at a steady 80 mph (a legal speed limit in northern Utah). Mileage is dependant on the driving habits of the operator.
I have looked at the Cruze diesel: the trunk is smaller, the back seat has less room, and, IMO, the build quality is inferior to the Jetta.
If I lose my Jetta over this diesel fiasco, I will go to an electric car, hopefully the eGolf if it is available in Utah at that time.
I have owned a 2003 Jetta tdi and now for the last 3 years an 06 Jetta tdi dsg.
I think this 06 jetta tdi 1.9l and the smooth shifting 6 speed dsg trans and is best driving handling sedan I have ever driven, have not bothered to do a mpg test, just know it is really good as it gives the VW quoted 800-1000km to a tank. Only problem is the cost of parts and labour intensive repairs.
Also interested in the new Colorado/Canyon diesel to replace my 07 Canyon 4x4.
ive seen a many dealer "car" with issues... vw tdi
06 jetta... they sell a cat too, cause its plugged.. which breaks turbo... so they do all that and never wonder why the car has a miss... #3 exhaust lifter exploded due to bad cam.... guy sells car for 1k after spending 3k at dealer due to 4k to fix head...the miss is what plugged the cat...
97 passat tdi.. 180k.. guy selling cause dealer tells you need a new turbo... i ask guy when was intake cleaned last.. thats not it.. the dealer says the turbo is bad... hand him $700 drive car home.. clean intake.. fixed...
so yup... dealers i trust.... to make me goood $$ cause they suck
ive seen a many dealer "car" with issues... vw tdi
06 jetta... they sell a cat too, cause its plugged.. which breaks turbo... so they do all that and never wonder why the car has a miss... #3 exhaust lifter exploded due to bad cam.... guy sells car for 1k after spending 3k at dealer due to 4k to fix head...the miss is what plugged the cat...
97 passat tdi.. 180k.. guy selling cause dealer tells you need a new turbo... i ask guy when was intake cleaned last.. thats not it.. the dealer says the turbo is bad... hand him $700 drive car home.. clean intake.. fixed...
so yup... dealers i trust.... to make me goood $$ cause they suck
One of my favorite dealer stories is a guy had the steering light on for his electro-mechanical steering. The tech dutifully pulled the codes and recommended replacing the rack for something like $2500. turns out his problem was a loose ground. The owner fixed the problem on a Saturday and didn't have to spend any money.
Really, independent and tire shops can be guilty, as well. Just about any shop can be incompetent.
I'm not comfortable in a Cruze, feel like I'm in a box and the walls are closing in on me, don't like suspension, Jetta slightly better than a Cruze, only slightly. Then there is a Passat SE TDI, if your looking at diesel's this is the one! Cruze don't come close to a Passat. I drove a Cruze Trenton to Atlantic City, then quickly gave it back. I've owned 06, 10, 13 Jetta's and 13 and 15 Passats. The 15 I just turned in, that was a mistake, my back up is an 05 Passat TDI. Chevy Equinox in 18 will have a TDI engine and I see Cruze TDI will go hatchback, I'll keep driving my 05 and see how the new GM diesels turn out, you cannot compare a Cruze with a Passat in a diesel
One of my favorite dealer stories is a guy had the steering light on for his electro-mechanical steering. The tech dutifully pulled the codes and recommended replacing the rack for something like $2500. turns out his problem was a loose ground. The owner fixed the problem on a Saturday and didn't have to spend any money.
Really, independent and tire shops can be guilty, as well. Just about any shop can be incompetent.
Common stories! The best are the ones where you go to a National Tire shop, purchase 4 tires, get home, the lug nuts are on the ground in your drive way
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