Have You Ever Bought Something...

[Bailey Guns]

...that you thought would just be practical but turns out you really, really enjoy?

After years and years of driving gas-guzzling pickups, which I love, I bought a car strictly for the mileage. A 2015 Cruze turbo-diesel. If you would've told me that not only would I buy a small car but I'd like it, I would've told you to stop smoking crack. Turns out it's a really fun car to drive AND the mileage is fantastic. It's nice to buy something once in a while that FAR exceeds your expectations.

Snapped this at a stoplight today:

[buffalobo]

Tagged for regular updates.

What is your expectation of service costs vs gas? Overall maint cost vs gas?

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[Bailey Guns]

Tagged for regular updates.

What is your expectation of service costs vs gas? Overall maint cost vs gas?

Honestly, I have no idea. It's still under the 3yr/36k warranty for 6k miles and the powertrain warranty is 5yr/100k. Aside from the normal stuff (oil/filter changes, etc...) there isn't really any scheduled maintenance until 97k miles when the timing belt is scheduled to be changed. A tank of DEF (4.9 gals) is said to last between 8k and 10k miles so that's not really an issue.

What I'm more worried about is finding a tech at the dealer to work on the motor...at least for warranty issues. From what I've heard most have never seen one. I had mine delivered from a dealer about 250 miles away. I was talking to the sales guy (this is at a Chevy dealership) prior to delivery and asked him to please make sure the DEF was topped off. He told me the Cruze diesel didn't use DEF and said that had been verified by his service dept manager. Needless to say, they were both a little surprised when they found the DEF filler cap just where I told them it would be. If that's what can be expected in terms of knowledge of these cars, it has me a bit concerned.

[hurley842002]

You are quickly convincing me I want one of these (for the wife at least). It will be a couple years before I'm in the market to finance another vehicle (have to pay the Xterra off), perhaps I'll try to find a low mileage 2016 and buy the wife a car. We could damn near make it to her parents place in California on one tank of diesel, that's impressive.

[Bailey Guns]

You are quickly convincing me I want one of these (for the wife at least). It will be a couple years before I'm in the market to finance another vehicle (have to pay the Xterra off), perhaps I'll try to find a low mileage 2016 and buy the wife a car. We could damn near make it to her parents place in California on one tank of diesel, that's impressive.

They only made about 11,500 total for 2014 and 2015 model years and discontinued the diesel model due to slow sales. But, they're bringing it back in 2017 with a 1.8L (?) diesel engine. Between Europe and Australia GM sells almost 1/2 million diesel-powered compact cars per year. Americans just haven't warmed up to them yet...but I'm convinced they will.

[hurley842002]

They only made about 11,500 total for 2014 and 2015 model years and discontinued the diesel model due to slow sales. But, they're bringing it back in 2017 with a 1.8L (?) diesel engine. Between Europe and Australia GM sells almost 1/2 million diesel-powered compact cars per year. Americans just haven't warmed up to them yet...but I'm convinced they will.

That's good to know, thanks for the info. Spread the word Bailey, maybe the US will warm up to small diesels (probably not, because they make too much sense).

[Bailey Guns]

What is your expectation of service costs vs gas? Overall maint cost vs gas?

Almost a year. Total service costs have been about $85 and consisted of new wipers, O/F/L service and a gallon of DEF at about $2.80. And I just put tires on it today. Drove 130 miles to CDA to Discount Tire because of an awesome 4th of July sale. Curious how the Michelin fuel saver tires would do so watched the fuel economy closely on the way home. This is the result. Just like before it's a rolling 25 mile average. Yeah...60+ MPG is a good thing:

[buffalobo]

Have always been a fan of VW turbo diesels and small diesels in general.

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[Irving]

Welcome to adult hood.

[ray1970]

I always thought a little Toyota pickup with a small, four cylinder diesel would be pretty cool. Too bad they never offered one here in the states.