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Expert
Posts: 1531
  
Location: South |
My car was totaled and looking at the 14' Cruze, Focus and possibly Dodge Dart.
I have an hour commute to work everyday plus am driving 45 minutes back and forth 5 days a week to class.
I want something fuel efficient, easy to handle, holds up well, compact etc.
Can anyone offer any insight? I have only test drove the Focus and Cruze so far and they seemed pretty comparable.
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
  
Location: In the Hills of Texas | I like the Edmund Reviews on cars..
Here's the one for the Chevy Cruze.
http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/cruze/2013/?sub=sedan
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
| I don't really have anything to compare to, but I would test drive each one and see which one is the most comfortable to you. I think all three of those are fairly comparable as far as size, gas mileage, etc. I know that I had a Dodge Dart as a rental trip one time and the interior was not comfortable for me. So that would be my only recommendation - test them all! |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | I had a 2012 Chevy Cruze LS. I never got the gas mileage it was rated to get and I didn't drive it hard. Over all I didn't like it and wouldn't have another one. Mine had warranty issues, however, and our local shop was a PITB to deal with. My brother had a Cruze as well that he got brand new, one of the Ecos, and he got terrific gas mileage with it, but it had a 6-speed manual transmission. Best thing about the Cruze was the financing incentive and the Sirius radio.
Personally I'm a fan of the Ford Focus, but after a couple of GM cars I am a committed Ford person (at least as far as cars go, love my Dodge Cummins pickups). So far I've not had trouble with Fords like I have had with GMs, but there is always the chance as cars are mechanical and they all will break eventually.
I haven't ever driven a Dart, but they seem to be popular around here. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 126
Location: Ohio | I have a 2012 chevy cruze eco (manual transmission). I drive a little over an hour to work (~65 miles), all highway. It is rated to get 42 mpg highway, but I consistantly get 45-50 mpg. I love it, have had it about a year and a half. |
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Location: Philly | currently looking as well, but the next size up. in the size with the dart and cruze, I'd look hard at the Hyundai elantra (the Kia counterpart of it - cant think of its name) and the Honda civic. several friends have the new accord and they have been getting 33-35mpg just as a comparison
Edited by thomas paine 2014-01-01 9:45 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 448
Location: lone star state | I owned a 2012 ford focus. Had transmission problems and later found out that they have a history of transmission issues. I recommend steer clear of the focus. Cars.com is a great site for comparing.... |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10794
Location: Kansas | If you're in the market for something used, you might seek out the Pontiac G6. Why GM quit making Pontiacs I'll never know but I love my little G6. Buick also has a Verana that looks pretty cool
One of the girls at work has a Cruz and seems to like it a lot.
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Expert
Posts: 1218
Location: Too far from home | I had a Ford Focus for about 2 months and did not like it. It was very small, the seats were hard etc, though that is typical with cars of that size. I hit our neighbors pug (I know. Horrible.) and tore the bottom out of it. Found out after that why I was having so much trouble. It had been wrecked before. I bought it from a dealer too. If you buy new, you shouldn't have that trouble. The only things I would say is that it had great "git up and go", but was REALLY low to the ground so road noise/vibration was an issue. I know there are major issues with the "Sync" system, so it might seem really cool, but it's only cool when it works...and mine didn't. Hope you find a good one!
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I work at Enterprise so I'm pretty familiar with cars.
Forget the Dart. It looks cool, but it's cheap and drives even worse.
The Focus probably gets the best mileage compared to the mileage is SUPPOSED to get. I was getting like 27 on my trip in Oklahoma. But I was driving like a maniac. However, it feels like you're in a cockpit.....not a lot of room. Also, the radio area has a lot of useless buttons that really clutter up that panel, which bothers me. A lot of people don't like the transmission. It has a weird way of idling/shifting which allows it to get better gas mileage. But, it's fun to drive.
I've only been in the Cruze for a couple of days. Better than the Dart, but nothing special stuck out to me. Can't speak on the long term gas mileage
I did rent a Hyundai Accent, and while it was plain Jane, I liked it's tight handling and I was getting 35-40 mpg. It was pretty zippy as well. I like that the Hyundai's have XM radio capabilities right off the bat. The Elantras are nice too, but have a little looser steering which I don't care for.
We bought a Kia Soul and love it. If it got a little better. I leave I would be head over heels but it's still at 21-25. Getting 30 on straight highway trips. |
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 Living within my means
Posts: 5128
Location: Randolph, Utah | Frodo - 2014-01-01 9:23 PM
If you're in the market for something used, you might seek out the Pontiac G6. Why GM quit making Pontiacs I'll never know but I love my little G6. Buick also has a Verana that looks pretty cool
One of the girls at work has a Cruz and seems to like it a lot.
2nd this! I love my G6, bought it in 2010 with about 13K miles on it. Only issue has been with the sunroof and the motor went out, it was expensive to fix so I just don't have a sunroof. Other than that I have 90K on it now and no issues, only done oil changes and tires. FYI thought if you hit a jack rabbit when it is -20 degrees it will do about $1200 in damage to the bumper! Yes I know from personal experience! 
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | Out of three listed, I like the Focus best.We have two in the family, one has 200k miles, the other 300k miles. I've never driven the Dart, but I do like how they look, they look fun to drive. To throw a wrench in your plans, have you looked at the Fiesta? I bought a 2013 and I'm completely in love with it. I have a long commute too, about 80 miles round trip a day, plus running errands at night. I've already racked up 36k miles on it. I get 39.8 MPG in it... it costs me $24 dollars to fill up if I'm on empty. It handles great (we have lots of back country roads and it's a blast to drive).
I did custom build my car, as I'm pretty picky about my cars. I got the 5 speed because I like shifting, but I think that the automatic actually gets one mile per gallon better than the 5 speed transmission. It's small and I can park anywhere downtown, which really helps me out. The only thing I can ding it on is that it is a 1.6L so it's slow as turds until you can get up to speed.... however, you are not going to have anything fast if you are looking for good MPG.
Here is mine. It's a 2013 Ruby Red with the sports package. It is a Titanium, so it comes with leather heated seats, SYNC (which I cannot live without now), a sunroof, 10 airbags, Sirius, and I have the push button start. I'm one of those that spend a lot of time in my car, so I want a good comfortable ride, but fun to drive.
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 Expert
Posts: 1367
Location: mi | I have a purchased new 2013 Ford Focus. I average in the low 30 mpg range just driving day to day. Not stop and go traffic but not Express way either. On long road trips we get close to 40 mpg. It does have a funny feel to the trans but I am used to it now. Has good get up and go and is comfy for me. I looked at the same 3 cars when we were getting ready to buy this one. And it really ended up coming down to price. We got the A plan so the Focus was cheapest. Had a 2008 Focus prior to this one and sold it with over 100k miles and had zero issues with it up til that point. I am not sure any of them would be a bad choice.
Wanted to add that we also considered the Fiesta and while it is just about the same length as the Focus it is considerable narrower and my hubby who is 6' was rubbing his knees on the arm rest of the door so just not comfy for him to drive and at the time he had the longer commute so it was going to be his day to day car. Had it just been for me to drive I probably would of went with the Fiesta just based on price alone. I was looking for cheap and good gas milage.
Edited by ajs2002 2014-01-02 8:34 AM
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Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | ajs2002 - 2014-01-02 9:32 AM I have a purchased new 2013 Ford Focus. I average in the low 30 mpg range just driving day to day. Not stop and go traffic but not Express way either. On long road trips we get close to 40 mpg. It does have a funny feel to the trans but I am used to it now. Has good get up and go and is comfy for me. I looked at the same 3 cars when we were getting ready to buy this one. And it really ended up coming down to price. We got the A plan so the Focus was cheapest. Had a 2008 Focus prior to this one and sold it with over 100k miles and had zero issues with it up til that point. I am not sure any of them would be a bad choice.
Wanted to add that we also considered the Fiesta and while it is just about the same length as the Focus it is considerable narrower and my hubby who is 6' was rubbing his knees on the arm rest of the door so just not comfy for him to drive and at the time he had the longer commute so it was going to be his day to day car. Had it just been for me to drive I probably would of went with the Fiesta just based on price alone. I was looking for cheap and good gas milage.
I am six foot also, and my husband is 6'4". I like to be close to the steering wheel so I can shift easier, but my husband just puts the seat all the way back and he is comfortable. I thought it would be too cramped for both of us, but it's not bad at all.
I paid 20k for a fully loaded Fiesta with A plan, out the door. I think you can get them much cheaper if you buy one off the lot and you don't care about certain features. This was my first brand new car, so I wanted to make sure it had everything I wanted. |
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 Road Rash Expert
Posts: 5501
Location: Near San Antonio, TX | We have a ford Focus. It is a 2012, and has nearly 100,000 miles on it, and it has been a great little car. We have never had one problem with it, and I would recommend it. My husband can get about 35mpg, and I can get about 40mpg. It is small, quick, and compared to driving my dually, I tell my husband that car can park itself. It is just soooo super easy to drive.
Good luck!! |
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Expert
Posts: 1367
Location: mi | Murphy - 2014-01-02 9:42 AM ajs2002 - 2014-01-02 9:32 AM I have a purchased new 2013 Ford Focus. I average in the low 30 mpg range just driving day to day. Not stop and go traffic but not Express way either. On long road trips we get close to 40 mpg. It does have a funny feel to the trans but I am used to it now. Has good get up and go and is comfy for me. I looked at the same 3 cars when we were getting ready to buy this one. And it really ended up coming down to price. We got the A plan so the Focus was cheapest. Had a 2008 Focus prior to this one and sold it with over 100k miles and had zero issues with it up til that point. I am not sure any of them would be a bad choice.
Wanted to add that we also considered the Fiesta and while it is just about the same length as the Focus it is considerable narrower and my hubby who is 6' was rubbing his knees on the arm rest of the door so just not comfy for him to drive and at the time he had the longer commute so it was going to be his day to day car. Had it just been for me to drive I probably would of went with the Fiesta just based on price alone. I was looking for cheap and good gas milage. I am six foot also, and my husband is 6'4". I like to be close to the steering wheel so I can shift easier, but my husband just puts the seat all the way back and he is comfortable. I thought it would be too cramped for both of us, but it's not bad at all.
I paid 20k for a fully loaded Fiesta with A plan, out the door. I think you can get them much cheaper if you buy one off the lot and you don't care about certain features. This was my first brand new car, so I wanted to make sure it had everything I wanted.
It wasn't the length it was the width when he was relaxed and just cruising there was just something about the way his leg rubbed on the door that bugged him. I am only 5'4" and would of had no problem with it. My Focus was probably no more then that maybe even a little less. I did tell him no options Air and Auto that is it. Plus having A plan it was pretty reasonable. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 170
Location: up to my waist in you know what | I drove a Dart while my truck was in the shop, loved the contoured seats but hated everything else about the car. My hubby and I went and bought 2 new civics as we drive alot, already got rid of mine because I just couldn't handle the fact that when you press the gas the hamsters just don't move fast enough to comfortably pass someone. My hubs still has his and he normally drives about 140 miles a day for work. He averages 32-34 mpg and on road trips we get 39-40. Comes standard with a backup camera which is a huge plus if you have kids or animals lurking around.
Good luck on you decision! |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | I would stay away from the Focus and the Dart. Of the 3, the Cruz is the best option.
Take a look at some of the Hyundai models. The Elantra is a much nicer car than any of these 3, the Accent is fun too or I would go with it or a Honda Civic. Ford has the shortest standard mfg warranty out of any of these options. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399
| I had a focus LOVED IT. Got AWESOME mileage and literally drove it to hell and back. But then I traded it in for a cruze because they were the new thing.. HATED IT! Traded it back in for another FOCUs and again LOVE IT! I too have a long commute to work and live in snow covered tundra and I have yet to not make it in with my blue little beast. |
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 I Want a "MAN"
Posts: 3610
Location: MD | I have a 2011 cruze and really like it. I get great mileage drives really nice and smooth. The only thing I don't like are the back seats people complain about getting car sick because the front seats are so wide that they complain thats all they can see. I have a one year old and its managable but really too small for a car seat. In the front my dad is 6 foot and he says its the only car that he doesn't have to put the seat all the way back. It's really roomy in the front. |
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