Focus or Cruze

[Blokey]

I bought a 2015 Cruze LTZ 1.4T in Oct '16 so I'm familiar with the '15 Cruze. The '15 is basically the last year of the 1st gen Cruze and so most, if not all, of the issues with the earlier models had been resolved (coolant leaks and turbo failure w/ the 1.4T). I've put 30K miles on mine since I bought it (I'm at 75K miles now) and the only issue I had was the HVAC blower motor failed. I've been averaging 39 mpg (90/10 highway/surface streets). I started having a rough idle @ ~70K miles but a new set of plugs fixed that (easy to do even for me). The 1.8 uses a timing belt but the 1.4T uses a timing chain. First gen cars are port injected, not DI. My LTZ handles well - I recently replaced the tires with a set of 225/45-18 Nitto NT555s. Oil changes are easy, the 1.4T uses a cartridge filter and about 3.5 qts 5w30 Dexos1. The 6 spd auto has a small drain plug so I've done a couple ATF d&fs; the fill level is determined by a plug in the side of the transaxle case accessible after removing the driver's side front wheel. I don't bother with that, I just measure the amount of fluid drained and replace with Dex VI - I've gone through a 12 qt case of CAM2 Full Synthetic Dex VI with some LG red so my transaxle has fresh fluid. The cabin air filter is accessible behind the glove box.

 

[4WD]

107k on 2013 Cruze … did the plastic valve cover with built in PCV and some plastic hose … dealer covered that.

Oil and ATF very easy to change … same method, it measures a gallon of ATF so perfect for a jug of Maxlife … recommendation from me is 30k on ATF … It darkens fairly quick …

 

[Stevie]

Rented an older cruise with turbo and small engine when I went on road trip to buy my SLK a few years ago. It was very quiet and smooth on the highway and got great gas mileage. I would never buy a Ford all 4 I've owned had the transmissions fail prematurely at great cost.

 

[Dylan1303]

Cruze is not di. Gen 2 cruze is 2016.5 im not sure if they are di, but 2011-2016 are port injected. All gen 1 1.4 cruze have a pcv that will fail. Its a $450 fix since you have to replace the intake maifold. Or you do a pcv mod witch costs about $100 and never have to worry about it again. Also if you ever want more power theres two companies than tune them. They also are know for bad leaky waterpumps. But if they have had it replaced under warranty odds are they got the updated waterpump that doesnt leak. Other than that the cruze is a good car. I test drove a auto and a manual. I didnt like the auto i always felt it was gear hunting. So i got the manual. Manuals need a fluid change right away. The factory under filled the mtf. It had a few rare cases of overheating 6th gear.

 

[pbm]

I've owned both a brand new 2011 Cruze and a brand new 2014 Focus (that I traded in the POS Cruze on)…..the Cruze was nothing but problems...the Focus has 40K and I haven't had one problem....it's a 5 speed manual though....

 

[Brigadier]

Originally Posted By: bradepb
Daughter needs a new car and she is liking these. probably 2015 or 2016.
Which one?
I don't know much about these two but am leaning toward the Cruze even though I have always been a Ford guy.
Please no suggestions for a Toyota,Honda etc. that just wont go with our family, lot's of ties to the big 2 companys.


Also take a look at a 2015+ Escape, S 2WD with the 2.5l engine. I am quite impressed with the one we got our son. No turbo, no GDI.

 

[Jim K]

I would get a Corolla. Oops, I already did

 

[Lubener]

Originally Posted By: WyrTwister
Originally Posted By: dogememe
Cruze. The dual clutch automatic in the Fiesta and Focus is junk.


Exactly what I was thinking . We were used car shopping for a used car , June of 2017 . Started out looking at the Focus and the Fusion . Then I ran across the dual clutch issue ( Focus ) on youtube . That ruled out the Focus . I never did find out is Ford had eventually solved the problem .

Ended up with a used Buick Lacrosse . Much nicer car . Bought a 2006 one in cherry condition with 37,000 + miles on the clock . Verified with CarFax .

Good luck with that 4T65E on that Buick as well!

 

[WyrTwister]

Is it problematic ?

 

[wag123]

Nothing wrong with timing belts, they just need to be replaced every 100k miles or so. They beat the heck out of the problems that some manufacturers are having with timing chains/tensioners/guides/sprockets (like the Ecotec 2.4L).

 

[StevieC]

If it has to be automatic then the Cruze, otherwise Focus Stick.

 

[bradepb]

Thanks for all the reply's, she went with a Cruze.

Got a 2016 with 28,000 miles for $13500 after a little haggling . The sticker on the car was $15,800 but of course they don't expect to get that. There special "internet price " was $13888 so we still got a few hundred knocked off.

It is certified so we got an additional 12,000 mile 12 month bumper to bumper and 6 year 100,000 mile power train coverage.

It does not have start stop

I came to find out the Cruze was updated mid 2016 with a new body style and a few other changes including start stop. I am glad she got the earlier version just to avoid the added complexity of the car. The car rides and drives very nice for a small low priced car, I was pretty impressed. I just noticed the front end looks funny in the picture because I had the hood popped.