So I know this is a Sonic forum, but I'd like some un-bias input. If I got a Sonic I would get the 2014 LT hatchback with the turbo and six speed tranny. If I got the Fiesta it would be the SE hatchback. Now, I like the Sonics looks a lot better, but I like the Fiesta gets better fuel economy (as per fuelly) and the price is about $1,000 cheaper. Also, the 6 speed on the Sonic seems to have problems, and I can't find a lot of complaints on the Fiesta. Is this tranny problem really that bad? Some un-bias input would be nice.
Sonic or Fiesta?
- Thread starter Coastie05
- Start date
Insanika
Super Moderator
I don't have the transmission problem. I know what you see here looks like a lot but remember we are also a small portion of the Sonic driving community and nobody wants to read a post where someone just says oh hay guys my transmission is awesome!
Two things about the transmission:
1. Warranty.
2. Often when there are big problems with a certain year, they'll fix the problem for the next run. There may never be a 2014 and up transmission "issue".
I considered a Fiesta, but once I drove the Sonic there was no comparison. I'd encourage you to get behind the wheel of every car you are considering as well as doing this kind of homework.
Hang around here very long and we will have you in a Sonic in no time
Two things about the transmission:
1. Warranty.
2. Often when there are big problems with a certain year, they'll fix the problem for the next run. There may never be a 2014 and up transmission "issue".
I considered a Fiesta, but once I drove the Sonic there was no comparison. I'd encourage you to get behind the wheel of every car you are considering as well as doing this kind of homework.
Hang around here very long and we will have you in a Sonic in no time
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I don't have the transmission problem. I know what you see here looks like a lot but remember we are also a small portion of the Sonic driving community and nobody wants to read a post where someone just says oh hay guys my transmission is awesome!
Two things about the transmission:
1. Warranty.
2. Often when there are big problems with a certain year, they'll fix the problem for the next run. There may never be a 2014 and up transmission "issue".
I considered a Fiesta, but once I drove the Sonic there was no comparison. I'd encourage you to get behind the wheel of every car you are considering as well as doing this kind of homework.
Hang around here very long and we will have you in a Sonic in no time
Thanks for that. I'll definitely test drive both vehicles. I just get a little weary because we had a 2012 VW Jetta that I bought brand new for my wife and it was nothing but trouble, so we traded it in a few weeks ago for a Honda CRV. I just don't want to buy another new car and have issues.
Insanika
Super Moderator
I think it's just hit or miss no matter what. I have 21k on my RS and I have zero issues. 2014 will be the third year that the Sonic is made.
Yea I hear you. I like the Sonic a lot better, I just wanted to see what everyone had to say about the car. Thanks for the input.
I wasn't planning on it. I don't want to finance more than 17K (obviously after a down payment) so the ST would definitely be out of the question. I want something affordable and good on gas.
Swordsmith
242hp/252 ft-lbs BNR EFI
I intended to buy the Fiesta and was happy with it after my test drive, until I test drove a Sonic. The Sonic was so much better I never really looked back, although I did get back into the Fiesta for a second test drive just to see if I was crazy. Nope, still Sonic. And that was the 1.8. I bought the Turbo, and it's better than the 1.8... and I modded the daylights out of it and it's better still. You won't be able to drive a tuned 1.4 so you'll just have to guess at what that will feel like.
I have had the transmission problems, though. They seem to be rare, but they do seem to be happening, to the extent that they exist, in the 6 speed manual. My first transmission developed a problem popping out of third, and the replacement one has an issue grinding going into second from third and into fifth from fourth, and won't go into reverse at all until I let up a little on the clutch. To my shock, my local dealership says the problems with this second transmission are typical of an "econobox" and refuses to fix it under the warranty. It doesn't make the car undrivable, and I am very busy this time of year, so I won't get a "second opinion" from another dealership until later, but I can say that the problems do exist.
As others have said, though, they appear to be quite rare, and there's a solid warranty which should mean if you draw bad luck you just get a fresh one swapped in.
I love the car and wouldn't trade it for the world... although I do have a 6 speed out of a cruze sitting on my porch that I might swap in this fall.
I have had the transmission problems, though. They seem to be rare, but they do seem to be happening, to the extent that they exist, in the 6 speed manual. My first transmission developed a problem popping out of third, and the replacement one has an issue grinding going into second from third and into fifth from fourth, and won't go into reverse at all until I let up a little on the clutch. To my shock, my local dealership says the problems with this second transmission are typical of an "econobox" and refuses to fix it under the warranty. It doesn't make the car undrivable, and I am very busy this time of year, so I won't get a "second opinion" from another dealership until later, but I can say that the problems do exist.
As others have said, though, they appear to be quite rare, and there's a solid warranty which should mean if you draw bad luck you just get a fresh one swapped in.
I love the car and wouldn't trade it for the world... although I do have a 6 speed out of a cruze sitting on my porch that I might swap in this fall.
Thanks for the feedback. I do like the Sonic better, and with a solid warranty everything should be fine. I won't be buying until next spring, so I've got plenty of time to decide what I want. The most modding I plan to do is just adjustable coils and different rims. Thanks again for the feedback.
attrapereves
New member
The only thing I liked better about the Fiesta was the gas mileage. Everything else was sub-par. It felt more like a generic, non-sporty car. It also felt smaller than the Sonic.
The only other hatch that took me a while to eliminate was the Kia Rio.
The only other hatch that took me a while to eliminate was the Kia Rio.
13'sonicRS
New member
I checked out both and went with the sonic RS. yes i paid a little over 20k for mine but it out matched the fiesta. plus i like to have fun in my car and i still get an average of 31mpg. over all its a great car, looks good, great warranty, good mpg, and I havnt had an issue yet. But like you've read earlier just test drive them both and see for yourself
Swordsmith
242hp/252 ft-lbs BNR EFI
The 6 speed manual in the RS isn't the same as the one in the LT and LTZ 1.4T cars. I haven't seen any troubles reported with it, however, there are relatively few of them out there in the first place, and they are more recent, so who knows. The RS transmission is also worse on fuel economy, and many think its first gear is useless, making it essentially a 5 speed with weird gearing.
If fuel economy is important, then the LT 1.4T is the car of choice, the LTZ is heaviier, and the RS has that funky gearing.
Another thought, have you considered the auto? I played around with the "manual mode" and was very impressed, so much so that in the future I plan to buy an auto Sonic.... assuming I don't just hang onto the one I've got until well after the Sonic is a distant memory in new car lots. That's after 32 years of nothing but manuals, so I wasn't exactly an easy sell.
If fuel economy is important, then the LT 1.4T is the car of choice, the LTZ is heaviier, and the RS has that funky gearing.
Another thought, have you considered the auto? I played around with the "manual mode" and was very impressed, so much so that in the future I plan to buy an auto Sonic.... assuming I don't just hang onto the one I've got until well after the Sonic is a distant memory in new car lots. That's after 32 years of nothing but manuals, so I wasn't exactly an easy sell.
Insanika
Super Moderator
I'll admit that may have influenced my choice a bit.
sx sonic
New member
All the 6 speeds manuals in the Cruzes or Sonics are all M32 transmissions
albeit with some different gears ratios and/or ring and pinions (R&P). Aside from some different gears and sub name they are all identical.
Compared to the MZ4 trans of the LT and LTZ 1.4t, The RS's MR5 has shorter gears throughout and also a shorter R&P. It's 5th gear is the same as the LT's 6th gear but in reality It's actually lower because of the R&P so It's like a 4.5th gear from the LT.
As to OPs question there have been a few complaints about the grind.
Which is more of a nuisance than a bonafide problem. It's not something that's gonna leave you stranded but it MAY annoy ya if you do a spirited shift above 5,000 RPM.
I had it happen maybe half a dozen times in 10k miles before swapping trans fluids.
It's inadequate engineering but there's a lot worse things and there's been very, very few failures that I've seen (atleast on trans that hadn't been opened up).
I was looking at fiesta's before picking up a sonic and to be frank there wasn't much the fiesta had over the sonic. Smaller back seat, less power (and I knew a tuned turbo would blow it out of the water), to get the same EPA numbers it needed there aero package, uglier, and a shorter warranty. Most of those gripes didn't matter much to me but the more power and better mpg With easy access to yet more power made the cake. Having a built in America car and not having a Ferd were also perks.
And to be honest if the Sonic was around there's a good chance I'd be driving a fiesta.
Chevrolet Customer Care
New member
Hi coastie
When you do decide to purchase your Sonic be sure to check out current deals and offers on the Chevrolet.com website. You never know what deals may be going on in your area to save you money. You can also send me a private message if you have any questions.
Deals & Offers
Jackie
Chevrolet Customer Care
When you do decide to purchase your Sonic be sure to check out current deals and offers on the Chevrolet.com website. You never know what deals may be going on in your area to save you money. You can also send me a private message if you have any questions.
Deals & Offers
Jackie
Chevrolet Customer Care
