Chevy sonic questions

[Cavell219]

Hi all I am thinking of trading in my 09 G6 GT for a sonic but I have a few questions before I go test drive.

I love the power of my V6 but need a little better gas mileage and the g6 needs some, well alot, of front end work so I am just thinking of trading in for this.

Is the turbo worth the extra 1800?

What is a reasonable price for an LT, LS, with the touch screen radio(full console).

The dealer by me as an LT, with 1.8, for 15,800 or so. Another thousand for the 1.4 turbo. Or i can get the LS for 14,800. This is before any haggling of course that is why I'm asking what people paid if they don't mind sharing.

Are there any little things or even problems you would like to share?

I am quite handy with cars and am ASE certified so most problems I could most likely fix but if I am buying new I would rather not have to fix anything soon.

Also is the power steering electric? I hope not..

Thank you all very much. I searched but could not find a thread that answered everything at least not on the first page, if there is one please point me in the correct direction.

 

[poncho167]

You might want to checkout chevy.com and build your own Sonic. It will price out your car. The Turbo is a $700 option now but may go up in 2014. Some dealers may try to sell it for a premium like anything else popular.

The 1.8L is a very good engine as well and would be the more economical choice. The 1.8L is also at the top in this segment with standard power.

I don't know of a car that doesn't have electric power steering. Electric power steering has been out for over 10-years now and most give a solid road feel. They provide less power loss, and less moving parts/maintenance.

 

[Leverus]

Yes, it's electric steering. As for 1.8 vs 1.4 turbo, I'd wager most here will say the turbo if you can spare the extra cost. It gets better mileage, has more power (especially with a tune) and is 6 speed vs 5 if you get a manual gearbox. That said, those of us with the 1.8 seem content with what we got, myself included. I can get good mileage out of it and it's more than fast enough for my needs. Test drive both and see what they feel like.

 

[Cavell219]

You might want to checkout chevy.com and build your own Sonic. It will price out your car. The Turbo is a $700 option now but may go up in 2014. Some dealers may try to sell it for a premium like anything else popular.

The 1.8L is a very good engine as well and would be the more economical choice. The 1.8L is also at the top in this segment with standard power.

I don't know of a car that doesn't have electric power steering. Electric power steering has been out for over 10-years now and most give a solid road feel. They provide less power loss, and less moving parts/maintenance.

I have and I was just wondering if anyone has gotten them cheaper or not..

Yes many cars have electrically assisted power steering but still have a rack and pinion...

GM had pure electric steering in some G6's and many G5's and they were recalled and even after their "hotfix" they still did not handle well in my opnion.

Yes, it's electric steering. As for 1.8 vs 1.4 turbo, I'd wager most here will say the turbo if you can spare the extra cost. It gets better mileage, has more power (especially with a tune) and is 6 speed vs 5 if you get a manual gearbox. That said, those of us with the 1.8 seem content with what we got, myself included. I can get good mileage out of it and it's more than fast enough for my needs. Test drive both and see what they feel like.

That's my plan. I liked my old turbo years ago but its's been a while.

 

[barch88]

inb4 "GET TURBO OR GO HOME" posts.

I have a 1.8 LT, no fog/wheel package. I paid right around 17k with tax, title, licence. I could have haggled down to like 16k if I wanted to, but I needed a car that day and it was fair for the LT Hatch. Not bad at all.

Spent another $500 on mods (tint, factory fog lights, minor stuff like vinyl for bowties, etc). I plan to drop another $200 for exhaust, $1000 for wheels, tires, lowering springs.

So in reality, you can buy a LT or LS even - I just don't think I could do without power windows, the touch radio I could care less about honestly, then spend another $1000 for new wheels, factory fog lights, etc...there you go, you have yourself an LTZ my friend. A lot cheaper than the dealer is charging and still a lower monthly payment. The ONLY difference you're not going to be able to change is the leather wrapped steering wheel, shift knob, etc...unless you purchase those from GM seperatly.

All in all, I guess what I'm saying is. Are you going to mod your car anyways? If so - get an LT or LS, just mod the heck out of it. You're going to replace all the factory stuff regardless. You're REALLY paying for those stupid wheels with an LTZ to be completely honest. RS is a bit different story, but still.

Turbo or 1.8 - they're not fast cars regardless so it's not like you're going to be winning many races with either motor. I just bought the 1.8 because it's cheaper, and like I said, if I wanted a fast car that I planned to do engine mods on, I'd frankly be looking at different cars. These cars are called "Economy Cars" for a reason - they're slow...lol, get yourself a V8 Camaro or something if you want a fast car. Fast cars and good MPG don't mix, face it.

I've owned Turbo Audi's and VW's. Some people on these forums are going to try and say the 1.8 has a timing belt and is going to cost more to maintain in the long run, which is honestly bull****. It's a $300-$400 dollar job every 95k miles, I think you'll be alright. My 1.8 gets 28-29 city, 43 highway with no inclines. Beats sticker rating, just to give you an idea on MPG. Plus if you are into modding, if a super charger kit gets released with the 1.8 they are going to be dominating the 1.4 Turbo motor. Not that I care about engine mods anyways. Only thing I'd do is exhaust just for the sound/look.

 

[Cavell219]

inb4 "GET TURBO OR GO HOME" posts.

I have a 1.8 LT, no fog/wheel package. I paid right around 17k with tax, title, licence. I could have haggled down to like 16k if I wanted to, but I needed a car that day and it was fair for the LT Hatch. Not bad at all.

Spent another $500 on mods (tint, factory fog lights, minor stuff like vinyl for bowties, etc). I plan to drop another $200 for exhaust, $1000 for wheels, tires, lowering springs.

So in reality, you can buy a LT or LS even - I just don't think I could do without power windows, the touch radio I could care less about honestly, then spend another $1000 for new wheels, factory fog lights, etc...there you go, you have yourself an LTZ my friend. A lot cheaper than the dealer is charging and still a lower monthly payment. The ONLY difference you're not going to be able to change is the leather wrapped steering wheel, shift knob, etc...unless you purchase those from GM seperatly.

All in all, I guess what I'm saying is. Are you going to mod your car anyways? If so - get an LT or LS, just mod the heck out of it. You're going to replace all the factory stuff regardless. You're REALLY paying for those stupid wheels with an LTZ to be completely honest. RS is a bit different story, but still.

Turbo or 1.8 - they're not fast cars regardless so it's not like you're going to be winning many races with either motor. I just bought the 1.8 because it's cheaper, and like I said, if I wanted a fast car that I planned to do engine mods on, I'd frankly be looking at different cars. These cars are called "Economy Cars" for a reason - they're slow...lol, get yourself a V8 Camaro or something if you want a fast car. Fast cars and good MPG don't mix, face it.

I've owned Turbo Audi's and VW's. Some people on these forums are going to try and say the 1.8 has a timing belt and is going to cost more to maintain in the long run, which is honestly bull****. It's a $300-$400 dollar job every 95k miles, I think you'll be alright. My 1.8 gets 28-29 city, 43 highway with no inclines. Beats sticker rating, just to give you an idea on MPG. Plus if you are into modding, if a super charger kit gets released with the 1.8 they are going to be dominating the 1.4 Turbo motor. Not that I care about engine mods anyways. Only thing I'd do is exhaust just for the sound/look.

Good post,

I am definitely not paying for an RS/LTZ.

The LT is most likely what I will get, with my GM college discount I am able to get an LT with the 1.4T, remote start, bluetooth...etc for 16 before tax which is fair in my opinion but I will drive both on Monday after work.

Good point on the timing belt, is this an interference engine? It's VVT so most likely and waterpump driven. I have done some neons before now that was not fun. :sadbanana:

Modding is something I may or may not do, not high on my list but wouldn't mind doing it one day but like you said, it's like my G6 the car isn't a racing car it can be "fast" but there are plenty more faster cars out there.

What are you doing for the exhaust? Do they have a GTR after market out or something like that? For 200 it can't be a full setup, maybe from the cat back?

 

[13TurboLTZ]

Great cars but drive one first. May not be for everybody. Its gonna be a big leap from the G6. But I love my 1.4 auto. The sticks are cool but SOOPER long gearing. The 1.8 isn't bad either, lotta getup right from the start - no waiting for a turbo to spool.

 

[Cavell219]

Great cars but drive one first. May not be for everybody. Its gonna be a big leap from the G6. But I love my 1.4 auto. The sticks are cool but SOOPER long gearing. The 1.8 isn't bad either, lotta getup right from the start - no waiting for a turbo to spool.

Yeah I know but to be honest I very seldom put my foot past 45% in my G6 there have been a few open throttle slap stick at red-line nights but my insurance and wallet didn't like the tickets so that is past me.

I have driven many turbos, and small engine cars or go-karts as we called them in the shop, and they do enough for me but I agree no rash decisions until i test drive.

But i want to trade in the G6 while I owe about 2k less than what it's worth, it won't be long before that changes..

 

[EzekeiL]

Sorry, Ima be that guy...get the turbo... it gets better MPG, it has more power (with the potential for more power cheaply via tune and some basic upgrades), and it makes cool noises...worth the sticker price to me! but everybody is different so do whatcha do!

 

[Cavell219]

Yep, turbo is well worth the small price you pay. and if you were to mod then you would get a bigger noticeable difference in power. I still can't seem to put together why/how people get the LT or LTZ with the 1.8, the prices just don't add up to me (and most others too). but if you go with the ls, it's only a 1.8 avail, crank windows and a below standard radio.

Yeah I am going to be getting the turbo I think, it only adds like 4$ a month to finance haha. I was given a good offer for an LTZ with sunroof for 17000...
Looking around that's an amazing price so I may take it Monday!

 

[barch88]

Yeah that's good stuff man. An LT (1.8 or 1.4) will be awesome. LS is just TOO base for my liking. Oh, and about my exhaust - I was quoted $160-$200 for a custom straight pipe and tip.

 

[Cavell219]

Yeah that's good stuff man. An LT (1.8 or 1.4) will be awesome. LS is just TOO base for my liking. Oh, and about my exhaust - I was quoted $160-$200 for a custom straight pipe and tip.

That's not a bad price.

 

[poncho167]

Of the 80,000 or so people who buy the Sonic every year, I bet only half care about what engine they get.

 

[Calculon]

My thought would be neither one is exactly a speed demon so why spend the extra cash. Now if you have a long commute and would benefit from the better mileage, that would seem to make a better case for the turbo. I have the 1.8L and it's plenty peppy.

 

[$ub$onic]

My sonic was the one on the lot. If it would have been a lt I would have ordered one with the turbo. What's 700. But since it was a Ls I was not worried about it. My car has treated me very well so far.

 

[sx sonic]

If you have zero intentions on modding the only real advantage of the 1.4t is noticeably better MPG and a timing chain (which frankly only matters to the sonic lifer's that keep the car until it dies).

Power wise they're pretty damn near identical stock with slightly better low end torque for the turbo. There is NO lag on the 1.4t, it's a placebo effect that some people seem to have about the turbo. I'm 2 or even 3 gears higher than most drivers for a given speed and I've never noticed lag; what I have noticed is I can get positive boost psi at 1,000rpm and 10 psi at 2,000 rpm after less than a second. just so people are clear on that.

Now if you have any intents for modding whatsoever,r then the 1.4t is the better choice. The turbo responds very well to a tune and becomes very very fun to drive.

here's a link so you can see what differences Can exist between these 2 engines : http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/motorsports-forum/4371-1-4-mile-times-get-here.html

And Two fuel related links: http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...cial-what-your-real-world-mpg-numbers-32.html ....... http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...9-april-mpg-competition-powered-insanika.html

Ultimately it is your money and all I recommend is that you purchase what works for you and what you'll be happy driving next year, and the year after. As long as it works for you then there is no wrong purchase.

 

[13TurboLTZ]

Yeah I know but to be honest I very seldom put my foot past 45% in my G6 there have been a few open throttle slap stick at red-line nights but my insurance and wallet didn't like the tickets so that is past me.

You wont in the 1.4T either - boost builds pretty quick I think torque peak is 1850 rpm. I RARELY go WOT in mine, in fact it almost feels slower foot to the floor. Torque builds under load with a turbo car, not necessarily with RPM. Not going over 2200 rpm in a car with such a small engine during daily commute is pretty impressive.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

I am so glad to read that you are enjoying your Sonic! I hope you get some good summer driving in! Enjoy!

Jackie
Chevrolet Customer Care