regfootball

How many LaCrosse Supers were made?

just tell them you never asked for it and you aren't paying for it and that there is a chevy dealer every 5 miles down the road that will gladly take your business as you request. scotchguard is worth some, but at 599 for what amounts to a 5 dollar can of spray, you might as well spend the extra for leather instead of a spray can to protect the burlap on the seats. i've always been asked if i want it, but none of the last 3 4 times i bought did they press the issue. I just take a moment to fake like i am considering it, contort my face a little to make it seem agonizing just to gratify their effort. If they every did force the issue I would just say 'sorry i changed my mind we do not want the car anymore'. it would be smarter to apply that 600 bucks to an extended warranty or even buy a unit with the RS package, something tangible. Regarding warranties, never bite on the first quote. Ex warranty prices are very much haggle-able. SOmetimes they will buckle and go down to half of their first quote. An extended warranty for 20 bucks a month vs. 40 or more is not all that bad of something to consider depending on if it extends a lot of protection on your car and is transferrable. I don't see a lot of dealers that force it on every car anymore though, the protection packs and stuff.

The Cruze is nice but it has just enough annoyances about it to make you want to look at other competitors and not want to buy it unless they fix all the problems, is my opinion. I think just fixing the tranmission thing would be a great start. But on the whole you have to be honest and say despite a couple things it is a really nice car, especially for GM. It's about time.

I find it curious that Chevy effed up the powertrain programming on both the LS and the LT/Z. Did they really have no time or take no effort or were they simply given the mandate to squeeze an extra 1 mpg outta the rabbit? I can't wait to drive the Eco because i think it will actually be pretty zippy with that growly turbo. 29 mpg with an LS is not bad real world considering how heavy the car is. But I bet its slower than molasses.

i think that touchy steering you refer to, it does initially feel touchy but i think you'd also get used to it really quick and i think that's an asset for it, actually. might be an issue in slippery conditions that way, but i don't think its to the point of too fast.

I took another cruze out today, an LTZ, i just added my notes to my cruze test under reviews, but it must have been an older one because it still had the transmission BS going on. I sure hope they fix it soon. I believe they will figure it out..... eventually......(like 2013)

I'm not gonna beat a dead horse on the engine / trans / powertrain thing. While I don't want to say the powertrain issues are a full deal breaker to say 'don't buy the car', I just think considering some of the other competition, I am certain the non-commital nature of the powertrain will indeed weed out some buyers who might like the car but not feel good about the car's indecisiveness. Some buyers will be lost. Again, at lower speeds and rpm, and from stoplights etc., getting going, there is too much wait and indecision and inconsistency on what the car wants to do and will do. Sometimes it works fine. Sometimes it really does not. It behaves inconsistently. Once the car is going and at speed, there is less erratic behavior, although it still likes to hunt sometimes too. The shifting itself if it decides to do it when you would expect it to, is quick and smooth. I do not think this behavior is turbo lag. I do not think its entirely about any lack of powerband (although an extra 20-30hp/tq would really help this car and probably the trans programming a lot). The problem here is that the engineering work to mate the trans and engine has failed. A job not done. Taken separately, this is a nice motor (although small). The transmission is no doubt a nice unit. They just simply do not work together. It needs to be fixed. If a flash can do it, then fine, get it done Chevy. It's like the employee who is qualified, experienced, pedigreed, and sometimes does great work, but they have a constant tendency to always remind you of how hard they work, or what a great service they are doing for you and how much they toil and sacrifice for you.......and you can never depend on them consistently. Or they will just frustrate you with periodic incidents of letting you down. After a while the bosses and coworkers tire of the drama queen aspect of it. Some folks have a tolerance for it and maybe some never care or notice. For others it just makes them ask 'why can't they just go about their business transparently, without drawing SO MUCH attention to themselves?'. That's really all else I'll say about it. It spoils what could be an A car. It's there, it just depends on how much it bothers you, but it will go out of its way to remind you that life is such a hardship when instead it should just be easy and uneventful.

I took part of a lazy day to go test drive what was a supposedly Cruze Eco manual today, but since the Eco was 'in transit' I took out an automatic equipped LTZ instead. Red, black leather, non RS, sunroof. 24,415 MSRP. I will get a chance to fill in the blanks later and I will be able to go test the Eco when they get it on hand next weekend hopefully. more later..... so, I figured the most expedient way to write this retest up is to basically go back and compare notes with what I previously wrote, and see what indeed is the same and what may have changed. I was glad to see I don't think there is a lot about what I previously wrote that I would change. Maybe I would add some additional thoughts. So regarding the HIGHS, what I would note as changed or extra... Pretty much everything about the cockpit and interior stands. I didn't think the leather was A quality but it was not at all anything that would draw criticism. Perhaps the tan leather would have been nicer. The dash still had the cloth inlays. The interior overall is still very excellent. View out the front is very panoramic and the dash layout is inviting and fantastic. I noted that the rear window to see out the back of is pretty small / mail slottish. I'd like to see a bit more power seat adjustability. I could never really get the angle and position. I really liked the fan switch and auto temp switch but in honesty using the mode button for climate control was a bit annoying although after awhile to see the vent position displayed on the main screen it all started to make sense. The radio is the same way, I think it just takes too many buttons and menus to adjust audio functions and this only adds to driver distraction. Overall sometimes the Cruze conspires to make overly complicated radio and hvac functions that used to be simple. The screen is in a handy spot I am not sure why they don't make a rearview camera to use this screen instead of just reverse sensing. I'm not a fan either of central locking on the dash, but I admit it was located close to the finger when driving. The actual radio buttons and their layout felt great and I did not mind their locations. Plastics while not expensive certainly are low gloss and attractive. Steering feel and quickness I thought was perfect. The turbo motor itself I still classify as frisky (except....) LOWS additional comments The backseat leg room is a major problem and I will add ingress and egress for 6 footers like me it all is what is called PROBLEM. Look under the hood and see all the open wasted space and that tells you exactly where all the extra 2-4 inches of legroom ended up. A v6 would probably fit in there. But why, if there is no backseat? I still had problems with the shape of the driver's seat, specifically the too narrow backrest and weird backrest shape. 20 year old college chick may think its fantastic however. Seat recline lever is stupid, in a nutshell. I could not get the steering wheel up high enough, I have this problem on the Lambdas and other GM's too. WTF? But at least I did not feel so much the gauges were blocked this time. Backseat room, still a problem with the head converging on your noggin. Low rider, but that is why it feels sporty. Cheaply lined trunk. Steering this time around felt fantastic, the 18" tires must have helped there. The 18" wheels though and low profile tires added some extra harshness to the ride IMO. Maybe I am getting old but I would dare say the car rode too stiff. The flat cornering is great though. Handling is pretty nice on this car. They just need to get rid of the crash and add some suppleness to the suspension for bumps. The cold weather maybe added to the sensation of that. Note: car was super quiet, although I thought i was feeling too much vibration on hard acceleration. One new low, not sure why but the windows could not stay defrosted, even when assaulted with blasts of air from the supremely powerful HVAC fan. It was like a blow dryer. I think my additional commentary from the initial review is still pretty much intact. I will comment on powertrain problems in the following post, because I think while probably not a deal breaker for a fair amount of people, I think it just really ruins a bit of the driving experience and really puts a black mark on the car.

-the other site- hey, you were able to test a rare vehicle. i am guessing the blowing up turbo 2.8 GM didn't want to deal with anymore. I am sure a 3.0 is in the future and I am also betting the 3.6 the engine soon.

and now they discontinued the turbo?

essentially another thing to factor in to small cars with big prices, as you say the used can often become more advantageous. all the companies then use incentives to tweak the price month to month. when gas is 5 bucks i suppose there will be no incentives on the cruze.

Versa is garbage, and once optioned up, not a very good buy. Those guys are hacks.

I'd have no prob writing test drive articles of any vehicle if there was a new test fleet vehicle that showed up at my door each week.... but I don't think there are test fleets in my neck of the woods..... and even then i would have to sharpen my writing skills.

I have to admit the new SRX interior is bangup. But 56 grand for a Cadillac Vue is a bit steep. They seriously need to axe the chrome fender vents.

cheers BLU! hope everyone has a good 2011.

yes.

For a used compact, that CIvic is nice, but it still is a Civic....lol The dash on the Civic is a deal breaker for me. I would think the Cruze will be quieter, etc. True regarding the Malibu. The Malibu is decent, but myself I would even pick a Cruze over a Malibu I think. And once you factor in those Koreans the Malibu does lose its luster. When I mentioned the 8200 dollar diff, I meant your GM card + Maxx money from the price of the car. Does that mean the Cruze would be over 22k? Ouch......... My mind doesn't always process right away..... Whatever happened to stellar resale on Hondas?

yeah chevy has that info on their site. I can understand the caution on a new car on a college campus. The cruze must be fairly loaded for an 8200 dollar diff. Remember, Malibus and HHR's are great buys too but I know the appeal of a simple small sedan as well. Just saw an ad today from where i bought my Cobalt. New Malibus are like 5 and 6 grand off. 17 and change for an LS. I wonder how many Cruze buyers Chevy is upselling into Malibus right now.

The trader joes is 'pourable' so that when you refrigerate it, it is still spreadable. Since its so mixable, you can mix in any honey or molasses or a little salt if you want. but sometimes the plain peanut goo is just perfect.

Cruze, top safety pick, 10 airbags, 5 stars all around. Stab control standard. I just can't imagine turning a key on a cobalt now that the cruze is out, aside from having one already in my garage to antagonize me. I think if my cobalt didn't have the steering wheel audio controls and the bluetooth and USB i really wouldn't want to drive it much.

the front lower bumper never i liked in that style and I don't think white is its best color, but nonetheless for 4k that is a really nice vehicle.

Nutella is good, I gotta try Reese's definitely need to try that, but their cheap PB is so awesome its hard to deviate from. the Trader Joes almond butter is fantastic too.

Honesty is fine and very welcome. I just thought the dash was a little nicer than I expected it to be. I might even want to test drive one now.

Do we have a peanut butter appreciation thread? If not, here it is. The only real problem I am aware of with peanut butter is its pretty high in calories. But in return, you get full. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM OK, here goes. My faves in the peanut butter world. TRADER JOE'S the basic creamy unsalted or crunchy unsalted is the best best best! I add a little honey and stir it in, but even without its SOOOOOOOO good! MARANATHA. Expensive, but so worth it. The creamy no stir is awesome, the regular Maranatha is fabulous as well. SMUCKERS A little bland and I am not diggin the finely chopped added texture but otherwise for cheap PB is pretty good. JIF Jif Natural creamy is awesome. Jif Honey if you really have a sweet tooth. Jif with Omega3 is not bad for chance of pace. SKIPPY Skippy Natural pretty much a tie with Jif. Skippy natural with honey is darned awesome too, and not as sweet as the Jif Honey. SMART BALANCE Once they fixed the recipe, its different taste is a nice change of pace sometimes. Earthy. PEANUT BUTTER AND COMPANY "ripoff". What i love is when the oil pools up on top of the PB and you have a little drinkie before you stir it back in....MMMMMMMMMM what's all your faves?

i wanted an Axiom. Very stylish rig. nice call, viper. the Axiom is sharp in its own way.