I'm considering a new Cruze and after much research on this site and others, still remain torn between the 1.8 LS or a 1.4T LT1 in a manual. I have a full size truck and SUV so this car will be used for 100% commute to and from work. I drive right now about 140 miles round trip, 4 days per week, and 1 day about 200 miles, so figure on about 750 miles a week.
I'm not looking for any fancy features like the touch screen radio or such. I'm looking for the best mpg, reliability, and all weather (Pennsylvania winters) ability as possible.
Everyone seems to say the 1.4T is worth the extra money...I guess I'm just not seeing it. I can get a LT1 manual for $16,400 OTD with all the rebates and stuff. The LS I can get for about $15,000 OTD.
I would need a 3 to 4 year payback on the MPG to justify the LT1 over the LS...it looks like they are rated 1 MPG combined different. Discount the timing belt change cost because I do all my own work thus the cost would be minimal. Are there real world difference of more than 1 to 3 MPG between the 1.8 and 1.4T???? My math tells me it needs to be about 5 to 7 MPG to be worth it, provided the 1.4T doesn't require 89 octane.
Thoughts??
I'm not looking for any fancy features like the touch screen radio or such. I'm looking for the best mpg, reliability, and all weather (Pennsylvania winters) ability as possible.
Everyone seems to say the 1.4T is worth the extra money...I guess I'm just not seeing it. I can get a LT1 manual for $16,400 OTD with all the rebates and stuff. The LS I can get for about $15,000 OTD.
I would need a 3 to 4 year payback on the MPG to justify the LT1 over the LS...it looks like they are rated 1 MPG combined different. Discount the timing belt change cost because I do all my own work thus the cost would be minimal. Are there real world difference of more than 1 to 3 MPG between the 1.8 and 1.4T???? My math tells me it needs to be about 5 to 7 MPG to be worth it, provided the 1.4T doesn't require 89 octane.
Thoughts??
