GRM's opinion of the Chevy Sonic?

maybe GM widened the track a bit … mine seems MUCH wider than my Mom's Fit … though it is taller

wbjones wrote:

evildky wrote: I have a problem with GM 4 cylinder cars, they tend to disappear from the roads after 10 years or so. This one being from GM korea maybe it will fair better?

mine (a 2014) was made in Michigan

It was developed by GM Korea, it's made in nearly every country that sells it, USA, China, Russia, Korea, Mexico,Thailand etc.

I test drove a normal one (not the RS) a few days ago and really liked it. There is a ton of aftermarket support for it, downpipe, exhaust, switchable tunes, E85 tunes, turbos. With just a chip you are close to the ST at 238wtq 188whp. It handles great, very toss-able and light at 2660lbs. Plus it makes peak torque at 1800rpm so it doesn't feel like a 1.4 thanks to the turbo. The 6-speed manual transmission shifts great and really drops the RPMs on the highway.

Don't get the RS version as it looses the 40mpg highway (down to 32!) rating thanks to the different gearing in the trans, and it doesn't have any addition hp, just suspension changes.

Feels very modern and European-ish, I think it's a great car, but I haven't driven a FiST either so definitely drive both for at least 30 mins. They have been making the 1.4T / 6spd manuals since 2011 so you can pick one up for $8-$10k, I even saw a flood damaged one that ran and drove for $5.5k - R title obviously but everything worked and no check engine lights on. I say go for it!

I think it is REALLY great looking little car. Not a fan of the dash, but I am an old guy so take that with a grain of salt. This is a car that Chevy should be offering factory performance kits for, it could be the hot rod of the day.

berkeley you all, quit putting these thoughts in my head. It violates two of my four rules. Stop peer pressuring me.

I'll add what I add every time. I owned a Cruze with the same engine/tranny (in a much heavier car). It was amazingly fun/torque-y and had the best shifting transmission I've ever driven.

Pedal position and throttle response sucked though. Also, getting it rolling is a bitch, it has no torque until you hit ~1800 or so, I rarely if ever stall and I stalled that car a few times.

that one strikes a cord rimshot

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/fiesta-st-vs-sonic-rs/87216/page1/

This is my thoughts on the matter. Keep in mind, this is in Canuckistan, Fiesta ST's are significantly cheaper in the USofA.

love mine so far … 2500 mi …

for some reason a dragon green sonic and a set of purple Sparco Assetto Gara's is calling my name. I would call it the hulk.

I test drove a brand new non-RS 1.4T hatch. I liked driving it, and the Chevy dealer was churning out all sorts of rebates to get me to buy it, but ultimately went with a used Fit Sport.

The Fit just seems more fun to drive in stock form, which was a big factor in my DD search. I'm trying my hardest to keep from dumping money by modding my appliance vehicle. I get loads of emails and social media updates from a performance place that I got lots of goodies for my Ion Redline, that now supplies the same kind of stuff for the 1.4T cars. I knew the temptation would be too great...

That being said, I'd still consider one. I've seen a handful of reports of bolt on and tune 1.4T Sonics running 1/4's well into the 14's with no change in fuel economy.

I have had my 2012 Sonic LT with the 1.4T and 6 speed manual since October of 2011. So far it's been a great little car.

With just the tune and nothing else, I put 140hp and 170 lb/ft of torque to the front wheels on a Mustang dyno.

I took it to the drag strip once and my best time (I'm not a drag racer BTW) was a 15.2 in the 1/4. That was with 42psi in the low rolling resistance tires.

I'm sad to say that I feel the same way about the Sonic that I do about everything else GM sells. It looks good on paper, and it will probably be a decent, fun car... until the odometer turns 60k. Then it will start falling apart.

EvanR wrote: I'm sad to say that I feel the same way about the Sonic that I do about everything else GM sells. It looks good on paper, and it will probably be a decent, fun car... until the odometer turns 60k. Then it will start falling apart.

That's why you shouldn't make decisions based on feelings

EvanR wrote: I'm sad to say that I feel the same way about the Sonic that I do about everything else GM sells. It looks good on paper, and it will probably be a decent, fun car... until the odometer turns 60k. Then it will start falling apart.

I couldn't disagree with this more. It's so far from accurate it's not even funny.

GRM's own David Wallens tried the Sonic suspension upgrades that Chevy offers as factory catalog parts and was impressed. link

Nick_Comstock wrote:

EvanR wrote: I'm sad to say that I feel the same way about the Sonic that I do about everything else GM sells. It looks good on paper, and it will probably be a decent, fun car... until the odometer turns 60k. Then it will start falling apart.

I couldn't disagree with this more. It's so far from accurate it's not even funny.

This. I've plenty of customers with 150-250k on modern GMs that don't even have interior rattles.

Nick_Comstock wrote:

EvanR wrote: I'm sad to say that I feel the same way about the Sonic that I do about everything else GM sells. It looks good on paper, and it will probably be a decent, fun car... until the odometer turns 60k. Then it will start falling apart.

I couldn't disagree with this more. It's so far from accurate it's not even funny.

Well, I only have anecdotal evidence to go by. Like how all FOUR window regulators failed on my GF's old 2006 Malibu. One every other month, starting at 60k. It will take a lot for GM to ever get my business after that

I'm not a huge fan of the Sonic form factor, but I do like the fuel economy and ease of engine upgrades. Low 15s with a tune isn't bad for an econobox. Wonder if its getting deep 14s with other bolt ons. Still wish it was not so tall/had a wider track.

I DD a 150K+ GM car. Its had a few issues, but nothing out of the ordinary for a 17 year old econobox. Far from falling apart.

EvanR wrote:

Nick_Comstock wrote:

EvanR wrote: I'm sad to say that I feel the same way about the Sonic that I do about everything else GM sells. It looks good on paper, and it will probably be a decent, fun car... until the odometer turns 60k. Then it will start falling apart.

I couldn't disagree with this more. It's so far from accurate it's not even funny.

Well, I only have anecdotal evidence to go by. Like how all FOUR window regulators failed on my GF's old 2006 Malibu. One every other month, starting at 60k. It will take a lot for GM to ever get my business after that

I'll play your little game.

It's too bad Toyota Corollas are such pieces of junk. My mother in-law gave us hers that had less than 90k on it and fully maintained from new. Two weeks later a rod came through the block leaving my 8 month pregnant wife stranded on the side of the interstate in 100 degree heat, while I was working three hours away. It will take a whole lot for Toyota to get any of my business after that.

Nick_Comstock wrote:

EvanR wrote:

Nick_Comstock wrote:

EvanR wrote: I'm sad to say that I feel the same way about the Sonic that I do about everything else GM sells. It looks good on paper, and it will probably be a decent, fun car... until the odometer turns 60k. Then it will start falling apart.

I couldn't disagree with this more. It's so far from accurate it's not even funny.

Well, I only have anecdotal evidence to go by. Like how all FOUR window regulators failed on my GF's old 2006 Malibu. One every other month, starting at 60k. It will take a lot for GM to ever get my business after that

I'll play your little game. It's too bad Toyota Corollas are such pieces of junk. My mother in-law gave us hers that had less than 90k on it and fully maintained from new. Two weeks later a rod came through the block leaving my 8 month pregnant wife stranded on the side of the interstate in 100 degree heat, while I was working three hours away. It will take a whole lot for Toyota to get any of my business after that.

I don't blame you. If I had that sort of experience with a Toyota, I wouldn't buy one, either.

You guys suck! Though almost every one of them listed on CL around me has a rebuilt title, and an auto

Nick_Comstock wrote:

EvanR wrote:

Nick_Comstock wrote:

EvanR wrote: I'm sad to say that I feel the same way about the Sonic that I do about everything else GM sells. It looks good on paper, and it will probably be a decent, fun car... until the odometer turns 60k. Then it will start falling apart.

I couldn't disagree with this more. It's so far from accurate it's not even funny.

Well, I only have anecdotal evidence to go by. Like how all FOUR window regulators failed on my GF's old 2006 Malibu. One every other month, starting at 60k. It will take a lot for GM to ever get my business after that

I'll play your little game. It's too bad Toyota Corollas are such pieces of junk. My mother in-law gave us hers that had less than 90k on it and fully maintained from new. Two weeks later a rod came through the block leaving my 8 month pregnant wife stranded on the side of the interstate in 100 degree heat, while I was working three hours away. It will take a whole lot for Toyota to get any of my business after that.

well played sir

EvanR wrote: I'm sad to say that I feel the same way about the Sonic that I do about everything else GM sells. It looks good on paper, and it will probably be a decent, fun car... until the odometer turns 60k. Then it will start falling apart.

I'm also going to disagree with this, although I will say that 10-15 years ago it might have made sense... You also help illustrate why it's been an uphill battle for GM to continue recovery. It will take time for them to distance themselves from cars like their minivans and Grand Ams, and their cost cutting interiors that were typical back then.

The post 60k factor that would make me shy away is value. When I go to replace the Sonic down the road, how much more might it have depreciated than a similar non-GM offering?

shelbyz wrote: The post 60k factor that would make me shy away is value. When I go to replace the Sonic down the road, how much more might it have depreciated than a similar non-GM offering?

Hopefully a lot. I want them to be cheap when I look for one with 100k+ on it :)