Another Dumb Move By GM

[The Critic]

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/26/video-gm-dares-to-compare-chevy-cruze-to-the-old-hyundai-ela/

Dear GM, the 2011 Elantra is already out. What are you trying to hide?

 

[Spazdog]

ummmmm....maybe they couldn't find any Hyundai dealers that still had 2011 Elantras in stock?

 

[pbm]

Yeah:
It's kinda cheesy to compare it to a model that's already been replaced. I actually was shopping a 'leftover' 2010 Elantra yesterday but I didn't bite because I thought they should have come down further. They came to 14K (plus $200 fees and tax) on a car that stickers for 17800.
I can get $4k off a 2011 Cruze with my GM card $3K and $1K loyalty. What do you think of the Cruze LS with the 1.8 motor?

 

[Unearthed]

$18k seems a lot for that car. Shouldn't pass judgment though, haven't been in one.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
ummmmm....maybe they couldn't find any Hyundai dealers that still had 2011 Elantras in stock?

The dealers have plenty of 2011 Elantras.
One dealer actually added $1K to the sticker with 'Paint Protection--$495 and Fabric Protection--$495'. I walked right out when I saw their chutzpah.

 

[daves87rs]

That is kinda strange...

 

[unDummy]

What did you expect from government, no ahh union, no ahhh management, work?

Its hilarious.

 

[dtt004]

Hi.

Well, GM is desperate for customers. So I guess they are willing to do anything. But then again 90% of the people who view the commercial will be misinformed and say like WOW and go out and look at a Cruze.

Maybe a few will stop by this forum along the way and become informed. haha.

 

[Nick R]

Doesn't surprise me. I don't care for it, but the truth is that 98% of the auto buying population is completely clueless. THey'll be like"ooooh!". Also, in something similar the commercials for one of the upstate ford dealerships advertside the 2011 Fusion, all new 2012 focus, edge etc... But the videos they show are of the old models. 2009 fusion, previous model focus, edge.... That is a big "derp"

 

[NHHEMI]

That is NOT something unique to GM. I have seen almost every mfg do it from Ford to Toyota. Just recently I was watching a Ford truck ad where they were comparing their 2011 model truck to 2010 GM and Dodge trucks. Both GM and Dodge had 2011 models out so why not compare 2011 to 2011?

Is it right? Not really but also not a huge deal to me either. Is it something new or GM only? No again. I put it right there with "best in class" advertising. The mfg's change and twist what "best in class" is to make their product look better vs the competition. I always love the "best in class power" claims. Those are complete bull as they almost always leave out the competitions most powerful option. They pick a smaller motor. Example is using the 4.7L in comparisons against the Dodge Ram and not using the 5.7L HEMI.

If you believe what car mfg's say in their advertising, at least about the competion, you are a fool.

 

[mechanicx]

It's a lame comparison video. But hasn't basically the same car as the Cruze been in Europe for 3 years or so? The Cruze is new to the US but not entirely new. I don't know who did this video or when but it looks like a poor advertising contract job.

 

[pbm]

Any opinions on the Cruze 1.4T vs. 1.8?

 

[steve20]

I'm a GM guy myself, with 3 currently stabled. I would go for the Corolla


Steve

 

[mechanicx]

I would want the bigger motor without the turbo complications. Don't you have to get the base model manual to get the 1.8? How you want the vehicle optioned might be the big factor.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: pbm
Any opinions on the Cruze 1.4T vs. 1.8?

1.8L has a timing belt while the 1.4L has a chain.

Based on the limited posts I've seen on the Cruze forum, the 1.4L is offering slightly better fuel economy and a bit more power. It isn't direct-injected either, so I wouldn't worry about the valve deposits.

 

[Shannow]

GM are sending Opel to Australia to compete against Holden...

Isn't that why Pontiac got axed ?

 

[KrisZ]

At least the girl is good looking, I prefer her over Lutz

This shows that GM is not really confident in Cruze, they should wip the Korean boys at Deawoo into shape, they dropped the ball on this car, that thing is just too fat.

 

[Jeff3126]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: pbm
Any opinions on the Cruze 1.4T vs. 1.8?

1.8L has a timing belt while the 1.4L has a chain.

Based on the limited posts I've seen on the Cruze forum, the 1.4L is offering slightly better fuel economy and a bit more power. It isn't direct-injected either, so I wouldn't worry about the valve deposits.


The Turbo 1.4L has 2 more horsepower.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: Jeff3126
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: pbm
Any opinions on the Cruze 1.4T vs. 1.8?

1.8L has a timing belt while the 1.4L has a chain.

Based on the limited posts I've seen on the Cruze forum, the 1.4L is offering slightly better fuel economy and a bit more power. It isn't direct-injected either, so I wouldn't worry about the valve deposits.


The Turbo 1.4L has 2 more horsepower.




They list an Eco model which shows the 1.4T with manual transmission but apparently it isn't out yet.
Typical GM, they offer the 'hotter' engine with an A/T only.
Is the 1.8 exactly the same as the one that was in the Saturn Astra? The Astra 1.8 Ecotec needed to have the valves adjusted manually while the 2.2 Ecotecs had automatic adjusters.

 

[NateDN10]

Originally Posted By: Jeff3126
The Turbo 1.4L has 2 more horsepower.


Actually, they both make 138 HP, but the 1.8 makes 123 lb-ft of torque vs 148 lb-ft for the 1.4T.