1.8 in that aspect "Should" be less but you never know how the previous owner treated that car especially if it was a lease. We've seen/known folks with cars that came with free oil changes and didn't bother to do 1 and claim the car is crap when that bites them. End of the day there is no way I could have lived with the 1.8 for the entire loan period.

 

Something to also consider is the 1.8 fuel economy. The 1.8 gets significantly worse fuel economy vs the 1.4T. So that will add to running costs as well. For me, I'd never consider a 1.8 Cruze over a 1.4T Cruze.

 

Okay. I've never driven one of them. But I would say at least it isn't worse than the 1.4 turbo in regard to maintenance...

 

The 1.8 has a couple common issues that aren't that expensive to fix - the thermostat/housing leaks, and the intake manifold tuning valve sometimes breaks/sticks. Both should cost <$300 to fix, and the 1.8 has proven to be a fairly reliable powertrain in the Sonic/Cruze platform. Other than that, the major maintenance with the 1.8L is the timing belt change due at 100K miles ($500-800 depending on the shop). That said, it does feel very underpowered in day-to-day driving compared to the 1.4T, which in turn feels pretty underpowered itself.

The 1.4T does have a number of common issues that I would say ding the reliability of the car. Water pumps, PCV issues (x3 in the lifetime of a normal Cruze), turbo underboost codes, etc. The turbo replacement - out of warranty - can be quite expensive. I can't imagine why a intake manifold/valve cover replacement would cost $1400; it's ~$400 worth of parts and two hours or so of labor. The 2014-2015 1.4T Cruzes are more reliable than the earlier ones for sure.

This forum and being able to turn a wrench or locate a better independent mechanic will help you save $ on whatever issues may come up.

Is a 2016 Gen 2 out of the price range being considered? So far, the new 1.4T has proven to be quite reliable when a good oil is used to avoid LSPI.

 

The 1.8 has a couple common issues that aren't that expensive to fix - the thermostat/housing leaks, and the intake manifold tuning valve sometimes breaks/sticks. Both should cost <$300 to fix, and the 1.8 has proven to be a fairly reliable powertrain in the Sonic/Cruze platform. Other than that, the major maintenance with the 1.8L is the timing belt change due at 100K miles ($500-800 depending on the shop). That said, it does feel very underpowered in day-to-day driving compared to the 1.4T, which in turn feels pretty underpowered itself.

The 1.4T does have a number of common issues that I would say ding the reliability of the car. Water pumps, PCV issues (x3 in the lifetime of a normal Cruze), turbo underboost codes, etc. The turbo replacement - out of warranty - can be quite expensive. I can't imagine why a intake manifold/valve cover replacement would cost $1400; it's ~$400 worth of parts and an hour or so of labor. The 2014-2015 1.4T Cruzes are more reliable than the earlier ones for sure.

This forum and being able to turn a wrench or locate a better independent mechanic will help you save $ on whatever issues may come up.

Is a 2016 Gen 2 out of the price range being considered? So far, the new 1.4T has proven to be quite reliable when a good oil is used to avoid LSPI.

The Intake Manifold Labor Guide on Alldata is 3-4 hours for R&R of Intake and then you have to add the valve cover. Those numbers do seem kind of high, but if someone reads this thread in the future, you're not going to get a mechanic to do an intake manifold on a 1.4 GEN 1 for an hour.

 

I opted for the 1.8l for the very reason of reliability. I was looking for a car that wasn't going to give me a lot of little issues to take care of on a budget. I have a coworker who has a 2014 with the 1.4t and has had most of the problems mentioned above with it, so his experience steered me away. Hopefully my 1.8l will live up to my expectations for reliability!

When I first got the car back in April and drove it for a few weeks, I was kinda disappointed with how under-powered it was. Over time though, I have gotten more accustomed to it and the shifting required (6 MT trans) and know what gear I need to be in to get moving quick. Now I can say that it is even a bit fun to drive.

 

Keep us updated on how she holds up over the long term. How many miles do you have on it as of now?

 

2014 1.8l LS
bought in 2015 with ~25kmi, currently has ~130kmi

- (~$800) timing belt, which included Timing Belt, WP, Idler, serpentine belt, serpentine Idler, camshaft seals, etc. done ~95kmi
- (~$40) full Syn oil/filter changes when dummy light says so (~6kmi)
- (~$10) copper spark plugs, about every 3-4 oil changes (~20kmi)
- (~$50) Tranny drain/fill, about every 3-4 oil changes (~20kmi)
- (~$10) Synthetic Brake Fluid flush, annually
- (~$20) Radiator Flush, Prestone DexCool 5/150, annually
- (~$150) front brakes, pads and rotors, ~80kmi
- (~$400) Tires, Michelin 90kmi tires. Have a little less than half life left on these. Stockers will last about 30kmi if you’re lucky.
- (~$150) Optima Red Top, ~80kmi
- (~free) intake manifold since valve was busted, warrantied work, ~60kmi

EDIT: I also replaced the window guides/regulators for the driver and passenger sides, about 100kmi and about $80 each

Pretty sure that’s the extent of my maintenance costs to date. I tried to take it down to mileage so you can make a better cost tree out of it. The gas mileage is negligible and not a factor if you consider how much more a turbo will burn under realistic driving conditions. MPGs for an NA motor are fairly stable.

Specifically, I didn’t want a turbo. This was a commuter and I didn’t want to have more “things” to worry about. Ive had plenty of Turbo’d cars.

 

[QUOTE = "Hazlitt777, post: 3194467, membre: 26345"]
Tenez-nous au courant de la façon dont elle résiste à long terme. Combien de miles y a-t-il à partir de maintenant?
[/CITATION]
je suis rendu a 162.000 km et changeur prestone et bougie seulement sur mon 1.4 turbo 2012.tres satisfait

 

[QUOTE = "Hazlitt777, post: 3194467, membre: 26345"]
Tenez-nous au courant de la façon dont elle résiste à long terme. Combien de miles y a-t-il à partir de maintenant?
[/CITATION]
je suis rendu a 162.000 km et changeur prestone et bougie seulement sur mon 1.4 turbo 2012.tres satisfait

Translated by Google:
[QUOTE = "Hazlitt777, post: 3194467, member: 26345"] Keep us informed of how long-term it is. How many miles are there from now? [/QUOTE]

I am at 162.000 km and prestone changer and candle only on my 1.4 turbo 2012.
very satisfied

Hello,

Please post in English for the benefit of us all. If you want, post in both languages for clarity. Use Google to translate for free.

Merci de poster en anglais pour le bénéfice de tous. Si vous voulez, postez dans les deux langues pour plus de clarté. Utilisez Google pour traduire gratuitement.

 

An update on my 1.8L Cruze's reliability, as I now have just over 61,000 miles on it. I've done all the standard maintenance (oil/filter, air filter, cabin filter, brake flush, trans oil).

The only "issues" have been:

• Under warranty, had the passenger side axle shaft seal replaced twice and then the axle shaft itself replaced to stop a slight leak from the seal.
• front brakes have pulsated since about 12,000 miles. Tends to be worse in the summer. I've lived with it until now, but have parts to replace, just haven't found the time yet.
• Just this week, discovered the thermostat housing is leaking coolant from the joint with the oil cooler pipe. It leaks just a little every night after the car cools off.

So all in all pretty good. I'm a little concerned about the prospects of coolant leaks, as it seems to be a common problem from my browsing on the forum. Also seen a few problems on here with oil in coolant. Is that typically an issue with the oil cooler or head gasket?

 

Almost always the oil cooler unless the car is overheated. Even then, they usually don't mix from the HG, just overheat (and popped HG is more common on the 1.4).

Make sure to adjust the rear drums when you replace the front brakes so the fronts aren't doing all the braking.

 

Hazlitt777 said: Keep us informed of the way it resists long term. How many miles are there from new now?
Jc. replied in French: I have turned to 162,000 km and Prestone Coolant and plugs only on my 1.4 Turbo 2012. I am at 210,000 km now and changed the pcv system intake many and valve cover lid. The rest original 2012 Turbo!