strikerjamie
New member
Got a 1.6L 6 speed Auto
Which engine do you have? 1.8 or 1.4
- Thread starter JohnT
- Start date
Gsrdude
New member
Went with the 1.4t manual, had a Saturn Astra XR previously with the 1.8 manual.
I was a bit torn on the test drive of the Sonic, the Astra is def a better handling car stock for stock. Fuel economy and power goes to the 1.4t sonic though.
Got 0% for 60mo on the sonic, great trade in value on Saturn, and 4 doors. I took the Sonic.
Spings and wider wheels and tires, the Sonic will be it. So I bought the Sonic
I was a bit torn on the test drive of the Sonic, the Astra is def a better handling car stock for stock. Fuel economy and power goes to the 1.4t sonic though.
Got 0% for 60mo on the sonic, great trade in value on Saturn, and 4 doors. I took the Sonic.
Spings and wider wheels and tires, the Sonic will be it. So I bought the Sonic
Kuntryboy865
New member
1.4, after a nights worth of research which isn't much I decided I wanted the 1.4 or nothing.
sonic24740
Zippy
Had the 1.8 but it wasn't enough.. race car for me.. so i upgraded to the 1.4 
DRLA3186
New member
I followed the Sonic through the change from the Aveo and after a solid first year of production in 2012 I was determined to get mine in 2013. I already knew I wanted an LT hatchback with the 1.4T 6speed manual. I had no interest in LS as it had no 1.4T option, the LTZ viynl interior was a turn off, and the RS price tag didn't offer enough to really tack on the extra few thousand. I began my search in Jan 2013 and looked every week for a LT with a 1.4T on chevy.com. Once one popped up I contacted the dealership before they even had paperwork saying they were gonna get it in. I walked in and knew more about the car then my salesperson and his manager. I talked myself into a good deal and being the car was in transit for over 2 weeks it gave me time to walk away and get the price I wanted. Not going to go into numbers but my MSRP was 18,175 and I got a good amount under that.
For me the 1.8 and auto were never options. I get VERY bored driving an auto and driving a manual keeps me off my phone (bad habit) and focused on the road, not to mention is actually cheaper on car insurance.
The 1.4 had so many positives that I was looking for. Great gas mileage, solid performance, and any car that has a stock turbo from the factory is going to have a good aftermarket following. It was a no brainier especially for being only a $700 upgrade from the 1.8, I don't see how anyone could pass on it.
What really got me sold though was the price tag. Again not even considering the deal I got, the MSRP of the car and everything I was getting I couldn't say no. I feel there isn't a car elsewhere in the market that can truly compare to everything the Sonic has to offer.
My wants going in where to have a solid street car that gets good gas mileage, runs mid 14s on the 1/4 mile, and can have some fun doing autox. I've highly satisfied with my buy and think anyone who is looking for a new car under 20,000 should at least check the Sonic out, it has something for everyone.
-Daniel
For me the 1.8 and auto were never options. I get VERY bored driving an auto and driving a manual keeps me off my phone (bad habit) and focused on the road, not to mention is actually cheaper on car insurance.
The 1.4 had so many positives that I was looking for. Great gas mileage, solid performance, and any car that has a stock turbo from the factory is going to have a good aftermarket following. It was a no brainier especially for being only a $700 upgrade from the 1.8, I don't see how anyone could pass on it.
What really got me sold though was the price tag. Again not even considering the deal I got, the MSRP of the car and everything I was getting I couldn't say no. I feel there isn't a car elsewhere in the market that can truly compare to everything the Sonic has to offer.
My wants going in where to have a solid street car that gets good gas mileage, runs mid 14s on the 1/4 mile, and can have some fun doing autox. I've highly satisfied with my buy and think anyone who is looking for a new car under 20,000 should at least check the Sonic out, it has something for everyone.
-Daniel
Swordsmith
242hp/252 ft-lbs BNR EFI
I agree with everything you said here, except I have to correct your logic in this one place.
If the only reason not to get the LS trim was the lack of 1.4T option, then the true cost of the turbo upgrade is not the $700 difference between 1.8 LT and 1.4T LT, it is $1700; the difference between 1.8 LS and 1.4T LT.
I did exactly the same calculation, and decided that it was worth $1700 to me... but when people say the 1.4T was too expensive an upgrade and they bought the base LS instead, I have no quibble... that is serious money.
(on the other hand, the ones in 1.8 LT who are asking about aftermarket stuff that would cost more than $700, those boggle my mind a bit)
Darthgoon
New member
1.8L and 6 speed auto, I just need A to B transportation that gets decent gas mileage. I get other cars trying to race me all the time and I laugh because I am 40 years old and way past the age of racing someone else on the streets. I know one day some kid is gonna try to race me and I wont race with him then one of those brand new Dodge charger police cars with a Hemi engine in it flies past me and pulls him over. It WILL happen as this is a college town with tons of spoiled rich kids with expensive new cars that their Daddy bought them.
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RobbyS
New member
What is up with people trying to race us in these cars? It seems like whatever stop light I'm at, there's someone trying to race me in an old Hyundai.
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RobbyS
New member
I was on a "drag strip" and had an old mis-colored lifted '90s Chevy truck race me. I was trying to pass him and he got on it so I downshifted and took off. When he was in my rear view mirror, I noticed he had his daughter in the truck. Whenever I got to the stoplight, he flipped me off. What a great influence for that little girl.
barch88
New member
1.8 LT manual 5 speed. I used to have a Turbo Audi, loved it. To be honest I was in the position to get whatever car I could, couldn't be picky. The LT trim is nice, and I'm more into my car for looks rather than the engine. Still made in USA, at least some parts of it (including final assembly). So whatever. I'm happy, it's a fun car. I don't look forward to changing the timing belt at 97k but my Audi had one too so I'm used to it.
They all look the same and compared to what I used to have the MPG is still great.
They all look the same and compared to what I used to have the MPG is still great.
13TurboLTZ
New member
Had to get the 1.4T - also had to get the auto. Manuals gearing is too highway for me.
donovan1983
New member
1.8L here, mostly for cost reasons. For fun I have the 5-speed manual. Although a little under-powered at altitude, it gets the job done and gets great mileage. It also rewards a firm push on the gas pedal with a nice sound from the engine bay without droning excessively on the highway.
13TurboLTZ
New member
Timing belts are CAAAAKE. Probably one of the easiest DOHC you'll ever do.
