The time is almost up on my 2012 Cruze. I get reimbursed through my job for using my personal vehicle for work. This basically amounts to a free car, but there are catches to the "deal". First, the car must have a minimum sticker price of appox. $18,500. I can get a more expensive car if I want, but that is basically money out of my pocket. Second, the vehicle must be no more than a certain number of years old. I can choose a plan of anywhere from 4 to 7 years, which is based on the model year. As I have been driving about 40k per year, I chose a 5 year plan last time, as that equals about 200,000 miles. Above that amount of miles, I run a higher risk of expensive repairs such as transmission and engine. The longer the term, the less I get in reimbursement per month, in incremental amounts.
I get GM supplier pricing through work. My current Cruze sedan is getting a hair bit cramped for work purposes. The trunk, back seat, and even the front passenger seat are full of boxes of parts for work. I have to remove items from the trunk multiple times a day to get to other items in the trunk. A hatchback style replacement vehicle would be much more convenient.
So the choices come down to these, along with the reasons why.
2017 Cruze hatchback.
Pros:
GAS mileage! Better fuel economy means more money in my pocket.
No more bad PCV valve covers and associated intake manifold check valve issues.
Cons:
Low ground clearance. I drive in bad weather, and snow storms are a factor. I have further to travel to get home with my new territory this year, and I would like to be able to make it home at the end of the day. However, I can call into work and take a vacation day anytime I don't feel that it is safe to drive.
New design, and potential new car problems (such as start/stop feature). The engine bay is cramped, and would be more difficult to service for a shade tree "weekend mechanic" such as myself.
Price. MSRP is higher on the 2017's. I need (want) cruise control, as I spend a lot of time on the highway, so a lower trim (LS) is really not an option I would lean towards.
2016 FWD Trax.
Pros:
Higher ground clearance in winter time driving. I'm a "dedicated" employee, and hate taking days off if there's work to do and I'm not already scheduled off. My customers are important to me. Again, I would like to be able to make it home at the end of the day.
Price. I can get a good deal on a leftover marked down Trax with the LT trim level, even after GM supplier pricing. Since I have basically lost a whole year of reimbursement through work, I can change the plan at work to 6 years (2016-2022) and still end up at about 200,000 miles after the 5 years that's left. Reimbursement would be slightly lower, but not a deal breaker.
Known (and reliable overall, imho) engine. PCV valve cover is easy to replace, and probably everything else compared to a 2017 Cruze. My 2012 Cruze with this engine has NEVER broken down and left me stranded in 191,000 miles.
Cons:
Worse gas mileage. This is the big one. Money in my pocket is king. Considering I put 5 to 6 thousand dollars worth of gas in my car per year, it adds up.
Dated styling.
2017 FWD Trax.
Pros:
Again, higher ground clearance in winter time driving.
Updated styling. (The 2016 Trax's are meh.)
Again, known engine. Same as with the 2016.
Cons:
Again, worse gas mileage.
Higher 2017 price, same as with the 2017 Cruze.
Final Comments:
Unknown to me is what transmission is in the FWD Trax. Is it the same Aisin transmission as in the Cruze (with just minor differences due to being in the Trax? Does anyone know?
Currently, I am leaning towards the new hatchback because of the fuel economy. The biggest factor that could change my mind is if the hatchback doesn't seem to offer any additional cargo capacity over the sedan, and the Trax does (higher roofline)? I will be comparing them side by side once the hatches are delivered.
So what do you think?
Finally, if you actually read all this. Wow. And thanks! lol
I get GM supplier pricing through work. My current Cruze sedan is getting a hair bit cramped for work purposes. The trunk, back seat, and even the front passenger seat are full of boxes of parts for work. I have to remove items from the trunk multiple times a day to get to other items in the trunk. A hatchback style replacement vehicle would be much more convenient.
So the choices come down to these, along with the reasons why.
2017 Cruze hatchback.
Pros:
GAS mileage! Better fuel economy means more money in my pocket.
No more bad PCV valve covers and associated intake manifold check valve issues.
Cons:
Low ground clearance. I drive in bad weather, and snow storms are a factor. I have further to travel to get home with my new territory this year, and I would like to be able to make it home at the end of the day. However, I can call into work and take a vacation day anytime I don't feel that it is safe to drive.
New design, and potential new car problems (such as start/stop feature). The engine bay is cramped, and would be more difficult to service for a shade tree "weekend mechanic" such as myself.
Price. MSRP is higher on the 2017's. I need (want) cruise control, as I spend a lot of time on the highway, so a lower trim (LS) is really not an option I would lean towards.
2016 FWD Trax.
Pros:
Higher ground clearance in winter time driving. I'm a "dedicated" employee, and hate taking days off if there's work to do and I'm not already scheduled off. My customers are important to me. Again, I would like to be able to make it home at the end of the day.
Price. I can get a good deal on a leftover marked down Trax with the LT trim level, even after GM supplier pricing. Since I have basically lost a whole year of reimbursement through work, I can change the plan at work to 6 years (2016-2022) and still end up at about 200,000 miles after the 5 years that's left. Reimbursement would be slightly lower, but not a deal breaker.
Known (and reliable overall, imho) engine. PCV valve cover is easy to replace, and probably everything else compared to a 2017 Cruze. My 2012 Cruze with this engine has NEVER broken down and left me stranded in 191,000 miles.
Cons:
Worse gas mileage. This is the big one. Money in my pocket is king. Considering I put 5 to 6 thousand dollars worth of gas in my car per year, it adds up.
Dated styling.
2017 FWD Trax.
Pros:
Again, higher ground clearance in winter time driving.
Updated styling. (The 2016 Trax's are meh.)
Again, known engine. Same as with the 2016.
Cons:
Again, worse gas mileage.
Higher 2017 price, same as with the 2017 Cruze.
Final Comments:
Unknown to me is what transmission is in the FWD Trax. Is it the same Aisin transmission as in the Cruze (with just minor differences due to being in the Trax? Does anyone know?
Currently, I am leaning towards the new hatchback because of the fuel economy. The biggest factor that could change my mind is if the hatchback doesn't seem to offer any additional cargo capacity over the sedan, and the Trax does (higher roofline)? I will be comparing them side by side once the hatches are delivered.
So what do you think?
Finally, if you actually read all this. Wow. And thanks! lol