30,000kms Cruze Detailed Report
As promised, here is a quick take on major features of the Cruze after it has completed 30,00kms.
Performance
Cruze is a seriously fast car. It's performance continues to dazzle me as even after completing 30,000kms I am still not in a hurry to upgrade WA with a powerbox (Otherwise, i am inherently impatient by nature and quickly upgrade to a powerbox or any such thing that can boost up the power ratings of a car. But, with Cruze, the stock power is plenty. I would like to term myself as a decently fast driver. I normally drive faster than an average motorist
Here is a simple example of my rev range usage pattern
80% (Stage 1)
1500RPM to 2300RPM
15% (Stage 2)
2300rpm to 3000rpm
2%-5% (Stage 3)
3000rpm to 4500rpm
The reason I use Stage 1 so often is because the Cruze does approximately 120kmph at around 2000rpm so majority of time there is
NO need to cross this range as Cruze will be in its nascent stage of it's power band with humungous amount of power still on tap when your at this power band.
Please note, its peak power of 150bhp comes at 4000rpm
Besides, it comes into powerband as early as 1300rpm (in any gear) and turbo kicks in at 1800rpm and beyond that all objects in front and sides quickly and miraculously appear in your rear (when viewed from your rear view mirror
)
In short, anyone who likes to drive reasonably fast. Choosing a Cruze would be a no-brainer
Ride
Ride has been a perfect balance till date and it's suspension set-up is quite decent. It's neither too stiff nor too soft. It aids a bit more towards a cushy ride than performanced oriented ride. I wouldnt have hated Chevy if they had firmed up the suspension a bit more to aid handling than provide a cushy ride.
Handling
Handling has been really awesome on the Cruze. I would rate the handling of Cruze 8/10 while I will give the T-jet or FiestaS 9/10 as I have personally experienced a Fiesta S and Punto take corners with much more aplomb then the Cruze. Well, you can still corner as well as the Fiesta and Punto but, then it wont be the safest feeling inside for the Cruze driver.
However, much of this can be negated by opting for a wider and better tyres that will help you retain some of that safer feelings while taking a corner at a high speed.
Build and Quality
It is built like a TANK. Period
Close the door and it "THUDS" and not closes. My wife and mom have a tough time opening and closing the door and keep complaining and say they feel like doors of "Tihar Jail" Not that I or they have ever been to Tihar Jail.....lol!
Not a single piece of metal, plastic or anything else rattles. At high speeds, you can hear only one sound and that is of "Deathly Silence" which sometimes overwhelms you.
Ah, I forgot to mention, there is one noise and that comes from where i rest my elbow on driver side door which has kind of got slightly depressed due to my elbow being there constantly and it ever so slightly squeaks and this sound comes only when i remove my elbow from that position.
Exterior
I havent paid much attention to the Cruze's exterior till date and got teflon coated twice and polished only once in last 2 years. But, the shine and its continous glow makes me super proud and car looks as if its 6 months old.
Interiors
Well, except for a few awesome bits like the gearshift, indicator chalks, steering wheel which are top-notch quality the remaining parts look a wee bit dull but, then iam used to it now. I have got the interiors cleaned professionally only once till date. I plan to get it done once again soon not that they need it but, i am a cleanliness freak and like my car spic-and-span from both inside and outside.
Sometimes I wince during day-time but, when it gets dark the entire cabin is turned into a fighter plane cockpit and i then immediately get into roleplay. Yeah, that of "Maverick" (Tom Cruise from Top Gun)
Tyres
After completing 30,00kms on my Continental Premium Contact 2 (CPC2), I would highly recommend these tyres to other Cruze owners as I have had a blissful run till date. Only 2 punctures and tread depth is still phenomenal and expect them to last another 20,000kms easily.
Tyres Performance- Pin-drop Silence is the key-word
- Sticks to the road like a leech
- Wet and Gravelly road performance is too be experienced to appreciate
Brake Pads
Many Cruze owners have been complaining about their brake pads not lasting too long. I really dont understand what's happening. If there is a symptom (screehing sound) then i can understand but, if the A.S.S is just recommending change during a service visit means in my humble opinion they are just fleecing the customer.
Mine even after completing 30,000kms is running on stock brake pads
During the 30K kms service update i was briefed that front brake pads will last another 5000kms and rear brake pads easily for another 10,000kms
Either, Iam blessed OR iam just a smart cookie.
Other comments:
•AC was never a strong feature of the Cruze. I was briefed by A.S.S that all Cruze LT have a problem with AC but, during the 30,000kms service they re-programmed the AC unit and from last one week its so chilly that Iam at a different temp level which never used before. But, the real test for it will come during afternoons and on long highway runs.
• I keep 32psi of Nitrogen in all 4 tyres and normally re-top up every 2 months and notice a loss of 3-6psi in each tyre
• My city FE has been a consistent 11.50kmpl right from the time i bought the Cruze. Highway FE ranges from 13.5kmpl-15kmpl depending on how you drive. Dont expect to cross 15kmpl. If you expect more than 15kmpl then expect to go through a torture trade-off of "Driving your Cruze at a deathly slow 120kmph on highways"
• Stock headlamps are sufficiently good and i never felt the need to upgrade though most of the Cruze owners are complaining the light spread isnt enough. I just switch the light throw switch to "0" when on highway and back to "3" when I am in city and i am happy with the results.
• Cruze can comfortably seat 4 people and will be a tight fix for an additional passenger. I may have sat in the rear seat for very short time during an epic 10 state epic 5500kms trip but, after that trip. Never!
•OE sound system sounds quite good for a non-audiophile but, for me it leaves a lot to be desired.
• Driver seat is extremely comfortable and provides sufficient lumbar support and provides a great view of the horizon. I dont like to constantly change my seating position and till date have given my car for valet parking just twice and when they changed the seating position ( iam 6ft. 1in) I gave them a piece of my mind.
In short, i dont like my driving seat position changed. Wish they offer memory seats in future for customers like me
• Ground Clearance. As apposed to what people think, I hardly scraped the bottom on speed breakers more than 3-4 times till date and is more than sufficient for most type of roads
Finally, after driving the Cruze in almost all terrain ( Highways, State Roads, Bad Terrain and Really Really Bad Terrain) it still has come out unscathed and everything about it still feels unsullied and uncontaminated.
Having bought the Cruze on a quick whim with no real though behind the buying process. In retrospect, I am really happy with my decision and hope to enjoy this car atleast for another 3 years (which is going to be the longest ever car that I will own till date)
P.S: White
Annihilator will certainly go through a power upgrade in next few months. Thanks for reading my story and keep tuned to this thread