Need advice: Buying a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze for 7L. Worth it?

Car has done 47k kms and was in mechanically in good condition. It had a suspension replacement worth 1 lac done recently as per my mechanic and the owner.

BHPian saikishor recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I found a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ MT for sale via my trusted mech. Our Beat has been maintained by this guy since the past 6 years. My mech told me about this car a week ago, and the asking price as per him was 7 lacs.

Today I finally found time to go and check the car. Car has done 47k kms and was in mechanically in good condition. It had a suspension replacement worth 1 lac done recently as per my mech and owner. It came to my mech for a driveshaft repair, and that was when the owner decided to sell it off.

Me and my friend drove the car for a good 7-8kms, and absolutely loved the engine. Clutch was a little hard but I guess that is how it is on these big diesel cars. Brakes were weak, my Beat has better brakes. Car has minor dings here and there. Windshield is cracked. Right front fender also appears to be repainted.

Now after the test drive, I spoke to the owner on my mech's phone. He quoted 7.2, and I was clueless for a couple of seconds. Later my mech told me his original price was 7.5 lacs. I quoted 6, stopped at 6.1 and told him we will meet in person on Sunday, so that my dad can also have a look. Honestly speaking, I didn't like the way the owner spoke to me on the phone. But I loved the car, hence told him we'll speak in person on Sunday. I have pictures of the car, but do not want to post them as I don't want to mess with the owner's privacy.

Regarding maintenance, I have confidence on my mechanic. He specializes in Chevy's and I have complete trust in him, hence the decision of a preowned Cruze.

Please provide assistance on this. Also do let me know if someone has a good condition 2016+ TS registered Cruze for sale. I found one good example from Meghalaya(car is listed on TBHP classifieds, incase anyone is interested) but backed out due to the ridiculous RTO charges.

Here's what BHPian kosfactor had to say on the matter:

Suspension work and drive shaft replacement on a car that has run 'Only' 47K kms? Please walk away , you really need to introspect how much you want to trust that mechanic.

Here's what BHPian ashivas89 had to say on the matter:

Apologies in advance for for my pessimism.

Avoid like the plague. Here's why:

1. It is a sellers market out there and every car is marked up considerably. 6-7L for a car whose maker left the country several years ago is asking a bit too much.

2. When you have had enough of it and plan on selling it, a seller's market is not guaranteed. You may have to just give the car away.

3. It is a diesel engined car. It will be nowhere near as easy to maintain as your beat.

4. A friend owning an ex GMTCI maintained Captiva (which he bought at just 3 years old) is facing colossal headaches with the 2.0L TCDI engine and mechanics are advising him to live with it because they are too scared to open the engine and fix the issues.

5. Big Chevys sold in our market, unless maintained immaculately, don't hold up as well as German/Japanese engineered cars (body panels, plastic bits, interiors, rattles etc..)

6. Again, once problems start emerging, it will be a money pit. That 2.0L Diesel thrust which is likely what has you convinced, wont feel like it was worth it.

Here's what BHPian Nissan1180 had to say on the matter:

You mentioned that the owner is trying to sell it because of the driveshaft repair. That itself is a reason to suspect something amiss. The Cruze was an expensive car and unless the current owner is buying something better, why would he sell it over a fixable issue and take the huge depreciation hit? He’s fed up probably.

Also, you mentioned that there are issues with the clutch, brake, and windshield. You also mentioned that you did not like the owners communication.

With so many red flags, the decision is yours. Not trying to discourage you, but your mechanic would always prefer that you buy this car because it can become a consistent revenue source for him .

Here's what BHPian IshaanIan had to say on the matter:

The only thing going for this car is that it is a 2017 model (last year that the car was available?) and has done only 47k kms. From there on everything goes downhill. If the car is immaculately maintained, why is the owner selling it like this? I understand you said he's moving abroad, why not sell it to a relative of his? I suspect it has something to do with the premature drive shaft repair work. Also suspension replacement is quite suspicious as well these are usually things that get attended to after atleast 1 lac kms.

Not to mention the windshield is cracked and there are dings all over the car? Please stay far away from this car. I understand that you are into Chevy products having owned a Beat, but firstly ask yourself do you need a diesel sedan? Is your running really that much that you want to buy yourself a diesel sedan? Or would something like an Accord work out as well? If you absolutely must have the Cruze then please wait for a better car and a better deal to come by. I would not even bother paying 3 lacs for this car the way you have described it let alone part with 6 believing it to be fair.

Here's what BHPian VKumar had to say on the matter:

Being very honest, the car isn't worth even 5, the enthusiasm and everything else goes out of the window once you face an issue that may result in the car sitting in the garage waiting for some part - that kills both enthusiasm as well as the confidence.

I see you are smitten by the performance, I would suggest you look for something like a Laura TSi or a used Accord or anything else like that, the Laura in itself is a money pit - but the depth of it as a money pit is lesser than that of the Cruze.

My close friend had a Cruze and was happy too (I wrote in the relevant thread) with parts availability and service, but things went down once he faced an engine head repair for which a lot of time was consumed, but the job done wasn't up to the mark still - later he sold the car for around 4 lac rupees (that's what a 6 year old and 33k kms done Cruze commands in Delhi).

I would prefer to stay away from a Chevrolet even if its coming to me at a throwaway price, I prefer reliability and ease of maintenance above the money I save in buying these cheaper options - all the sweetness of the deal turns 2X bitter the day you face an issue with them.

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