My mom went out today and traded her 2007 Pontiac G6 1SV sedan for a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco (in Ice Blue Metallic)... it's actually a pretty nice car.

i drove it and even on an 80degree day, with the A/C on and 8 miles on the odometer, it pulled the hills with a fury. All from a 1.4L Turbo with a 6-speed manumatic.

I likey, but still no coupe.

They need a hotted up version. I like that you can finally get a manual with the 1.4 turbo motor. When they first came out, it wasn't even planned. If the Cruze came as a hatchback, we'd consider getting out of the Astra for one.

I think GM was kind of unsure what models of the Cruze would be in demand at first; they looked at sales then asked around probably to make some changes.

Posted by Agent Skelly I think GM was kind of unsure what models of the Cruze would be in demand at first; they looked at sales then asked around probably to make some changes.

these cars are in high demand here... there were only three on the lot. the pretty one (red/maroon) had already been sold. The six-speed manual 1.4L Turbo was sold and my mom's car had just arrived yesterday morning and she bought it.
I was hoping she'd hold out for an LTZ trim with the RS appearance package.

I think these are the entry level cars GM needs to start making money.

Posted by wannabeotaku I think these are the entry level cars GM needs to start making money.

i drove it again today and it really is a great little car. I think it's the details that make it pretty good. The interior is not as bland as my car. the addition of the upholstery to the dashboard is a nice touch as is the little bit of chrome. At first look, the radio, hvac and steering wheel controls look a little intimidating, but once you're operating the car for longer than 10 minutes, it's right where you want it. Coming down hills, the car holds itself back nicely so you don't have to ride the brake. It reminds of a bus or truck that had that feature (you let off and the trans starts braking or something)... the turbo comes in fast and in a passing situation, it really does get up and go. I still find it hard to believe that it's just a 1.4L under the hood.

Downside? The seat adjustments are kind of in odd spots and the seatbelt receiver is a little too far down for my fat hand to stuff the seat belt into.

this fall, GM introduces the Chevrolet Sonic and I really am liking what I see. Even Car & Driver who hate all things GM liked the Sonic.
http://www.chevrolet.com/sonic/

How are the centre controls? (radio/hvac/etc?)

In most GM stuff that has gone to the new dash design like the Cruze, I find the radio and stuff a total clusterfuck to operate... the big assed knob in the middle of the radio should be for volume or tuning, not sound type!

As for the Sonic, looks like an Aveo with Joey-Modded headlights. More Daewoo shit.

looks like a lemur or something

Posted by bandi How are the centre controls? (radio/hvac/etc?) In most GM stuff that has gone to the new dash design like the Cruze, I find the radio and stuff a total clusterfuck to operate... the big assed knob in the middle of the radio should be for volume or tuning, not sound type! As for the Sonic, looks like an Aveo with Joey-Modded headlights. More Daewoo shit.

the big 'knob' in the middle is the play/pause for the CD player... on/off-volume on left side, channel select on the left.

the Sonic is a shortened Cruze underneath with the same powertrains.

I think it's the bigger Buick stuff (I've been trying to forget that part of my life), that the big knob in the center is for something totally useless, like audio-type... and whenever you go to turn the volume up or down, you reach for that one and screw everything up.

I'm glad that the Cruze is selling well because it means good things for a domestic auto maker and jobs for people in Ohio.

However, I really dislike the Cruze. I find it to be not just boring, but a bit ugly. I test drove one... barely fit (and nobody would've been able to sit behind me) and did not find the driving dynamics to be nearly as good as Chevy's trying to make them seem. It's little more than a better-assembled Aveo that's the size of a Cobalt.

And oh my god... the chin on that thing. It makes me think of Jay Leno meets trollface.

edit: But Sam - congrats to your mom getting a new car! I'm glad she likes it and you enjoy it some too... it's just not for me.

I think it looks like a little Malipala (Malibu/Impala)... which is geared towards the geriatric. At least the Cobalt was sporty looking.

But yeah, congrats to Mom on the new car! Hope she loves it.

the front yard this afternoons (taken with my shitty phone)

Posted by Samurai the front yard this afternoons (taken with my shitty phone)

I'll take some new ones next time I come over. :)

I hate Samsung with a passion, their camera's really suck, it's why I buy Motorola...Samsung takes shitty photos. One reason I was kind of glad I washed my last Samsung, it also took shitty photos.

click to view

That's Sam's rearview mirror, taken yesterday near the Conklingville dam at Lake Sacondaga, here in NY.

I love Motorola, they at least make a good cell phone camera.