Price Thoughts...
- Thread starter jlslatton
- Start date
Great price if you ask me!
Got any pictures of it? How do you like it so far?
Got any pictures of it? How do you like it so far?
jlslatton
New member
I don't have any pictures of it...yet. Let me know if you want anything specific.
Disclaimer...I'm coming off of owning a Jetta TDI for 10+ years.
Positives:
- Trunk is huge (compared to my jetta). I'm really surprised. Plus, the seats fold down!
- I like the instrument panel/gauge cluster.
- Shifts very smoothly.
- Rides well. A little bumpy but understandable given the vehicle class.
- Plenty of room inside.
- Buttons, etc well placed and easily accessible.
- AC blows nice and cool. Hey, it's a big deal in Missouri
- Engine looks as if you can actually work on it!
- Key fob is nice (flip style).
Negatives:
- Coming from my TDI which had lots of torque and where I shifted between 3k-4k rpm, I had to learn quickly with the sonic that you can't do that. I had gotten spoiled by the TDI torque and forgot how to drive a gasser stick Not as much torque. It really bogs down if you don't shift at 5K+.
- Road noise. Not terrible just wasn't expecting that much.
- A little bit of a stiff ride.
- I'm not crazy about the USB location (upper glovebox) but I suppose I'll get used to it.
- Driver arm rest is pretty much useless for me and a stick. I'm 5'10" and it's not comfortable to shift with it down. That'll be staying up unless I need to take a nap or something
- Headliner appears to have plastic "buttons" or something in it that looks out of place. I'm afraid those will come out relatively easy in the years to come.
- Upper glovebox hinges look kinda cheap and look as if they'll probably break in the future.
- No padding on door arm rest.
- Where your left foot rests after using the clutch (directly to the left of the clutch) is cloth/carpet. This should certainly be plastic of some kind. This is guaranteed to be impossible to get clean as it's pretty much your floorboard with a floor matt. Your foot has no where else to go (comfortably). This may seem small but I foresee issues.
That's it for now. I may update later with some more stuff.
Disclaimer...I'm coming off of owning a Jetta TDI for 10+ years.
Positives:
- Trunk is huge (compared to my jetta). I'm really surprised. Plus, the seats fold down!
- I like the instrument panel/gauge cluster.
- Shifts very smoothly.
- Rides well. A little bumpy but understandable given the vehicle class.
- Plenty of room inside.
- Buttons, etc well placed and easily accessible.
- AC blows nice and cool. Hey, it's a big deal in Missouri
- Engine looks as if you can actually work on it!
- Key fob is nice (flip style).
Negatives:
- Coming from my TDI which had lots of torque and where I shifted between 3k-4k rpm, I had to learn quickly with the sonic that you can't do that. I had gotten spoiled by the TDI torque and forgot how to drive a gasser stick
Not as much torque. It really bogs down if you don't shift at 5K+.- Road noise. Not terrible just wasn't expecting that much.
- A little bit of a stiff ride.
- I'm not crazy about the USB location (upper glovebox) but I suppose I'll get used to it.
- Driver arm rest is pretty much useless for me and a stick. I'm 5'10" and it's not comfortable to shift with it down. That'll be staying up unless I need to take a nap or something
- Headliner appears to have plastic "buttons" or something in it that looks out of place. I'm afraid those will come out relatively easy in the years to come.
- Upper glovebox hinges look kinda cheap and look as if they'll probably break in the future.
- No padding on door arm rest.
- Where your left foot rests after using the clutch (directly to the left of the clutch) is cloth/carpet. This should certainly be plastic of some kind. This is guaranteed to be impossible to get clean as it's pretty much your floorboard with a floor matt. Your foot has no where else to go (comfortably). This may seem small but I foresee issues.
That's it for now. I may update later with some more stuff.
any reason you didnt wait for the more economical 1.4t.
i guess im curious as to why anyone would choose the 1.8 powertrain with the lackluster epa ratings, though at this time one legitimate reason would be that the 1.4 is currently only going to be available as a 6 speed manual.
i guess im curious as to why anyone would choose the 1.8 powertrain with the lackluster epa ratings, though at this time one legitimate reason would be that the 1.4 is currently only going to be available as a 6 speed manual.
jlslatton
New member
Let's assume the price of gas is $3.50.
Let's assume the 1.8 gets 35 mpg.
Let's assume the 1.4t gets 40 mpg.
What is the price per mile?
3.50 divided by 35 = $.10
3.50 divided by 40 = $.0875 so let's just say $.09.
How many miles do I typically drive in a year? 12,000
What is the cost of fuel for the 1.8 over one year at $3.50 per gallon?
$1,200
What is the cost of fuel for the 1.4t over one year at $3.50 per gallon?
$1,080
What is the difference?
$120
It costs me an additional $120 per year for the 1.8.
Ok, what is the difference in cost between the 1.8 and the 1.4t. From the manufacturer's website, it's $700.
So, in around 6 years at the current price of fuel the 1.4t will pay for itself.
Why would I want the 1.8 right now? I need a car now, it's available, and it's a damn good price.
i guess if you needed a car right now. otherwise that looked like a good argument in favor of the 1.4, though my understanding is the 1.4 would require premium fuel....plus, who knows, maybe the 1,4 wont be rated at 40 mpg.
actually using the same gas, it would be closer to 4 1/2 years, not 6:
12,000 miles divided by 35 miles per gallon equals 342.857 gallons needed...at 3.50 per gallon equals $1199
12,000 miles divided by 40 miles per gallon equals 300.000 gallons needed...at 3.50 per gallon equals $1050
difference is $149 per year. difference would be made up in 4.6 years. (again, if the 1.4 must have premium gas, the numbers will be different)
for anyone who cares...i know we arent talking about huge sums of money here.
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btz2008
New member
I will have to get the 1.8 engine because I'd rather have a auto tranny. Too bad GM didn't offer the 1.4 in auto :/
But I still think the 1.8 is going to be a great engine. It will get waaay better mileage than my 98 monte carlo I currently have, it only gets I think 17/26mpg! I think 25/35 is a way better improvement
But I still think the 1.8 is going to be a great engine. It will get waaay better mileage than my 98 monte carlo I currently have, it only gets I think 17/26mpg! I think 25/35 is a way better improvement
yes, not offering the more fuel efficient version in auto seems like a big mistake by gm. id have to believe they will at some point.
RichieRocket
New member
buddy97, the 1.4T uses 87 octane fuel, see the sticky thread for the Sonic owner's manual for info.
On other threads there was discussion of using 91 octane only if you install the aftermarket tune for more hp and torque...
jlslatton
New member
jlslatton
New member
Remember, this is the sedan.
GVWR = 3690
Max capacity weight = 895
The sticker on the window didn't have epa numbers, price, or anything like that. It was really new on the lot.
mysterygtx
New member
The fuel economy gains are only one part of the draw to the 1.4L. The other half of that and just as important are the perfomance gains which increase driving enjoyment.
For me there would be only one option at engine here because of....
The turbo emblem on the back.
For me there would be only one option at engine here because of....
The turbo emblem on the back.
SonicQueen
New member
The turbo with auto transmission combination will be available in the Spring.
The turbo with auto transmission combination will be available in the Spring.
Cool
Did you find out from a dealer or an online source?