Finally starting test driving.

Jimdog · **March 01, 2010, 21:04:52**

I've got the diesel i30 booked for a drive on wednesday and I'm looking forward to it

I've already driven the petrol i30 and I loved everything about it except the engine, didn't seem to have a lot of power. Not to mention the salespeople were awful. Never going back to that dealership ever again.
Anywho, I'm hoping I'll like the diesel, and I reckon I will. Its pretty much come down to two cars for me, the i30 and the Holden Cruze. Truthfully I'd be pretty happy with either

Dazzler · **Reply #1: March 01, 2010, 21:10:23**

Hi jimdog Can't wait to hear your feedback after driving the Diesel..I'm quietly confident (hoping) it will swing you in favour of the i30...

bumpkin · **Reply #2: March 01, 2010, 22:10:54**

It's got to be an i30 over the Cruze, the Hyundai is an infintely better car in either fuel variant.

There was a three way test in one of the UK motoring mags with the Mazda 3, i30 and Cruze and the Cruze came firmly last on all aspects, from memory the gripes were roadholding, space, flimsy interior, least interior space, the list went on.................

The i30 came second but ran the Mazda pretty close and when taken for value for money won hands down.

Jimdog · **Reply #3: March 01, 2010, 23:13:55**

Quote from: bumpkin on March 01, 2010, 22:10:54

It's got to be an i30 over the Cruze, the Hyundai is an infintely better car in either fuel variant.

There was a three way test in one of the UK motoring mags with the Mazda 3, i30 and Cruze and the Cruze came firmly last on all aspects, from memory the gripes were roadholding, space, flimsy interior, least interior space, the list went on.................

The i30 came second but ran the Mazda pretty close and when taken for value for money won hands down.

I can't say I have many problems with the Cruze, since I'm a huge fan of it. I love the interior, looks very flash and upmarket for the price range, and the handling is good too. I actually thought it handles better than the i30. Plus the diesel engine in the Cruze is an absolute cracker. And the petrol seemed to be more powerful than the i30's petrol engine. I couldn't care less that it's a rebadged Daewoo to be honest.
But I could end up liking the diesel i30 more, we'll see

I'm gonna be driving the wagon though, the dealer said they don't have a hatch diesel available. It shouldn't be too much difference I hope.

Lakes · **Reply #4: March 02, 2010, 09:12:19**

hi Jimdog, will be good to see what you like.
i'm not really a car man just a driver, but the Cruise do look ok, i was having a look down into one that was next to me on the lights, looked ok to me, don't like the pussy badge

but the style looks ok. i think holden engineers would have set them up for australia , but thats just what i think. let us know what the two cars in diesel form compare like.

Dazzler · **Reply #5: March 02, 2010, 10:26:41**

Have you checked out this link...

http://au.hyundai.clientsites.carspecs.jato.com/au.hyundai/keyadvantages.asp?screen=compare&category=&init=752604520091001,748155920100104,784885020091008

Hope it works....

Mike SX · **Reply #6: March 02, 2010, 11:15:43**

Quote from: Jimdog on March 01, 2010, 21:04:52

I've got the diesel i30 booked for a drive on wednesday and I'm looking forward to it

I never felt happier with any car. The sheer value, driving comfort, running costs, convenience, and those little thoughful items makes the i30, surely unbeatable.

Lakes · **Reply #7: March 02, 2010, 18:30:10**

i'm seeing more of those Holden Cruise on the road, i think people that like holdens just buy them, but no idea if they are petrol or diesel Cruise? how do you tell? what size is the diesel motor they have? the Focus has a 2.0lt turbo diesel i30 1.6 so can't realy compare on economy the i30 is surprisingly heavy for a small car, have you checked out the weight of a diesel i30? but they look strong enough.

Nick Riffed · **Reply #8: March 02, 2010, 21:43:36**

Quote from: Ji.msg55571#msg55571 date=1267485235

I'm gonna be driving the wagon though, the dealer said they don't have a hatch diesel available. It shouldn't be too much difference I hope.

If the amount of Chevvy (as they are badged over here) Cruzes and petrol i30's that I go past in my 1.6CDRi i30 estate is anything to go by, no contest. Have a great test drive. Then order an i30.

Jimdog · **Reply #9: March 03, 2010, 02:26:48**

Quote from: Lakes on March 02, 2010, 18:30:10

i'm seeing more of those Holden Cruise on the road, i think people that like holdens just buy them, but no idea if they are petrol or diesel Cruise? how do you tell? what size is the diesel motor they have? the Focus has a 2.0lt turbo diesel i30 1.6 so can't realy compare on economy the i30 is surprisingly heavy for a small car, have you checked out the weight of a diesel i30? but they look strong enough.

There isn't any way of knowing whether a Cruze is a diesel or petrol just by looking at it. You'd have to ask the person driving it.
And the diesel engine is a 2 litre turbo. Petrol is a 1.8, the same as in the Astra I think.

Jimdog · **Reply #10: March 03, 2010, 06:22:14**

Quote from: Dazzler on March 01, 2010, 21:10:23

Hi jimdog Can't wait to hear your feedback after driving the Diesel..I'm quietly confident (hoping) it will swing you in favour of the i30...

Well, just got back from driving the diesel i30, and it was fantastic

Had plenty of kick right down low, barely any turbo lag compared to the Cruzes two seconds of nothing when you plant your right foot. Even got some wheel spin taking off a few times. Certainly blows the petrol i30 out of the water.
Going up hills it was noticable that it's not as powerful as the Cruze diesel, but at the same time it just seemed so much smoother and refined. It's certainly made quite an impression on me, more than the Cruze did 8)

Dazzler · **Reply #11: March 03, 2010, 10:33:35**

Quote from: Jimdog on March 03, 2010, 06:22:14

Quote from: Dazzler on March 01, 2010, 21:10:23
Hi jimdog Can't wait to hear your feedback after driving the Diesel..I'm quietly confident (hoping) it will swing you in favour of the i30...

Well, just got back from driving the diesel i30, and it was fantastic Had plenty of kick right down low, barely any turbo lag compared to the Cruzes two seconds of nothing when you plant your right foot. Even got some wheel spin taking off a few times. Certainly blows the petrol i30 out of the water.
Going up hills it was noticable that it's not as powerful as the Cruze diesel, but at the same time it just seemed so much smoother and refined. It's certainly made quite an impression on me, more than the Cruze did 8)

Great news although surprised about the up hill thing (that is the i30 Crdi party piece

) It will loosen up...

Pilbara Kiwi · **Reply #12: March 03, 2010, 19:00:52**

Well, I must say I am somewhat suprised as well, I found our Crdi CW to be quite nimble and peppy round the winding hilly stretch during our excursion out to Marble Bar.

That was with 2 adults and 2 kids onboard.

I did find 1 fault, tyre selection is not the best on SX models, especially with added weight and winding roads, Will have to upgrade tyres.

That said, the car has got 4300km on the clock now, it was a pleasure to drive out to Marble Bar, loved the torque round the hills.

I think the car is actually starting to loosen up, it's alot better to drive now, fuel consumption is far better then when I got it.

The diesel is certainly the right choice.

Nick Riffed · **Reply #13: March 05, 2010, 09:01:49**

Hmmm........Hills........I'd forgotten all about those!!

Lakes · **Reply #14: March 05, 2010, 09:51:11**

good to hear JimDog, i read today HSV Boss wants to do a cruise HSV in the future but did not say if petrol or diesel, but did say when they start esembly in SA of the Cruise.
i'm wishing Hy could open an i30 plant in Oz would be good to watch your car made.
but i'm enjoying my i30 too much still to change.

Jimdog · **Reply #15: March 15, 2010, 07:04:25**

Sorry guys, but it looks like I'll be buying the Cruze. I just took the diesel for another drive and I pretty much made up my mind right there and then. It's funny how for all this time saving for a car I was thinking it would be the i30, and now I'm almost ready to buy one, I've fallen in love with another

Such is life I suppose.

Dazzler · **Reply #16: March 15, 2010, 07:22:57**

Quote from: Jimdog on March 15, 2010, 07:04:25

Sorry guys, but it looks like I'll be buying the Cruze. I just took the diesel for another drive and I pretty much made up my mind right there and then. It's funny how for all this time saving for a car I was thinking it would be the i30, and now I'm almost ready to buy one, I've fallen in love with another
Such is life I suppose.

We gave it our best shot (to be honest I like the styling of the cruze)

No hard feelings m8 (hope you enjoy your new car)

Lorian · **Reply #17: March 15, 2010, 07:42:32**

I'd not even heared of a Cruze. Looks like a cross between a Vauxhall Insignia and Astra here in the UK. Preumably it's bigger than an i30?

Dazzler · **Reply #18: March 15, 2010, 10:17:29**

Quote from: Lorian on March 15, 2010, 07:42:32

I'd not even heared of a Cruze. Looks like a cross between a Vauxhall Insignia and Astra here in the UK. Preumably it's bigger than an i30?

It's actually smaller on the inside (slightly)

See here..

http://www.holden.com.au/vehicles/Cruze

Lorian · **Reply #19: March 15, 2010, 11:42:39**

Ah, OK we don't get those here.

bumpkin · **Reply #20: March 15, 2010, 12:30:27**

Yes we do, it's a Chevrolet here

http://www.uk.chevrolet-cruze.eu/

bumpkin · **Reply #21: March 15, 2010, 12:37:36**

Might be of interest................

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/showroom/?make=24&model_store=1235&model=1235&trim_store=CHECCRU0002&trim=CHECCRU0002&x=9&y=8

Lakes · **Reply #22: March 15, 2010, 18:17:56**

in the end, i think some people spend more time looking at new cars than driving them, if a car had two seconds of throtle lag before it responded, would be frustrating for a driver. but we have people here (Dazz is one

) that like Holdens. & the Holden engineers in Australia have managed to make a Koreen girl look a bit like an Aussie

myself i don't trust something thats had a makeover. so i'll stick with whats working fine for me now.

eye30 · **Reply #23: March 15, 2010, 18:39:17**

He may be back soon to P/X the Cruze

tk421 · **Reply #24: March 16, 2010, 03:41:57**

Jimdog,

Are you buying the CD or CDX?

Do you have a drive-away price for the diesel CDX?

Tim

**Reply #25: March 16, 2010, 04:48:37**

I had a virtual look at the Cruze. A couple of things I didn't like were:

1 No hatch configuration. I find hatches just so much more useful than sedans.
2 Low roofline in the rear and particularly at the door. After spending last weekend constantly banging my head getting into my friend's Mazda 6 I've come to appreciate its importance.
3 The cruise controls are on the left instead of the right. My right thumb falls easily to the controls while resting my elbow on the door rest. Perfect.

I stopped looking... however it's so often the little things that can be a deal breaker for me. Like not reversing the driver controls when swapping left to right-hand drive. I drove Fiats for years and I know you get used to it but it's just cost-cutting that shouldn't happen.

Jimdog · **Reply #26: March 16, 2010, 04:51:15**

Quote from: tk421 on March 16, 2010, 03:41:57

Jimdog,

Are you buying the CD or CDX?

Do you have a drive-away price for the diesel CDX?

Tim

Will be the CD for me. I like the CDX but I don't feel like I need the extras it has like heated leather seats, rear parking sensors and bigger alloys.
But it's definitely gonna be the diesel CD, the petrol donk in the Cruze is hopeless.
The price I got quoted for the CD diesel auto is $27,000 driveaway, but I didn't get the price for the CDX.

Jimdog · **Reply #27: March 16, 2010, 04:56:11**

Quote from: Pip on March 16, 2010, 04:48:37

I had a virtual look at the Cruze. A couple of things I didn't like were:

1 No hatch configuration. I find hatches just so much more useful than sedans.
2 Low roofline in the rear and particularly at the door. After spending last weekend constantly banging my head getting into my friend's Mazda 6 I've come to appreciate its importance.
3 The cruise controls are on the left instead of the right. My right thumb falls easily to the controls while resting my elbow on the door rest. Perfect.

I stopped looking... however it's so often the little things that can be a deal breaker for me. Like not reversing the driver controls when swapping left to right-hand drive. I drove Fiats for years and I know you get used to it but it's just cost-cutting that shouldn't happen.

I think there's going to be a hatch version built when the Cruze starts being built in Australia. So I read anyway.
The cruise controls on the left side didn't bother me particularly, I liked having the audio controls on the right. One thing that does annoy though is the fact that there's no drivers footrest. According to one of the Holden dealers it was removed so the car would retain its 5 star ANCAP rating.

Dazzler · **Reply #28: March 16, 2010, 09:25:20**

Quote from: Jimdog on March 16, 2010, 04:51:15

Will be the CD for me. I like the CDX but I don't feel like I need the extras it has like heated leather seats, rear parking sensors and bigger alloys.
But it's definitely gonna be the diesel CD, the petrol donk in the Cruze is hopeless.
The price I got quoted for the CD diesel auto is $27,000 driveaway, but I didn't get the price for the CDX.

I think from what the website says the CD only comes with steel wheels

Jimdog · **Reply #29: March 16, 2010, 10:11:36**

Quote from: Dazzler on March 16, 2010, 09:25:20

Quote from: Jimdog on March 16, 2010, 04:51:15

Will be the CD for me. I like the CDX but I don't feel like I need the extras it has like heated leather seats, rear parking sensors and bigger alloys.
But it's definitely gonna be the diesel CD, the petrol donk in the Cruze is hopeless.
The price I got quoted for the CD diesel auto is $27,000 driveaway, but I didn't get the price for the CDX.

I think from what the website says the CD only comes with steel wheels

My mistake

But I like the look of the CD wheels anyway. Better than the SX i30 wheels to be honest.