Possible RS owner!

[MachineGun]

New to the board and purchasing my first Sonic.

Tomorrow I will be looking at a used 2013 RS with 1500 miles.
I have been researching this car for a few weeks.

I have been reading that the MPG do not match what Chevy indicates. I believe all cars are like that.

I have seen several recalls regarding the turn signals and brake lights...resetting the module. Not sure if the gas tank strap applies since most of the cars were on the lots and hopefully repaired.

Is there anything I am missing and should be looking for while inspecting the car ?

Thanks :banana:

 

[Blackhartredcar]

I have a 2013 RS, automatic. Really fun car. Mileage for me on my commutes is right around what the window sticker says when I bought my car in July, sometimes 1-2 less. However, form my experience you will not see the same numbers that the non RS sonics are reporting here on the forum. That being said 35+/- on the freeway is not too bad, and as I said it is FUN!

 

[Swordsmith]

The mileage Chevy gives you is the one the EPA gave them. This number bears only a passing acquaintance with reality, because the test conditions aren't likely to match your driving ones, and the test driving style is not likely to match your driving style.

If you drive like I do, then your mpg will be worse than EPA. If you drive like Eric Smit, you'll beat EPA by a wide margin.

What those numbers are useful for is simply comparing one car to another. All things being equal, the car that gets better numbers on the test will probably give you better numbers when you're driving it.

 

[Insanika]

Also I'm wondering if you're referring to the early RS window stickers which were printed with regular Sonic mileage vs the lesser mileage that the RS gets.

The RS naturally gets less mpg because of the shorter gears. The first run of RSs came with the wrong estimates printed on the window stickers.

I've had mine for 30k miles now and no issues. It's a 6mt, I get a warm weather average of 32 mpg and I'm averaging 29 this winter because I warm up my car a lot.

If it's an auto, I believe you'll see better mileage than the manny because it has a little less severe gearing.

 

[MachineGun]

Thank you!

I did not realize the RS had shorter gears with lower mipg. Something I will have to consider now.

 

[Dubbs_RS]

It definitely gets worse mpg. My commute to work is a lot of stop and go, and quite hilly, so right now I am seeing about 25-28 mpgs on 93 octane depending on how I have been driving recently. (actually seeing a little less right now because I can't seem to keep my foot out of the throttle after tuning...).

That being said, if you're willing to take the hit on the gas mileage, I think the RS was definitely worth the money. All the little extras add up and look great imo.

 

[Insanika]

Thank you!

I did not realize the RS had shorter gears with lower mipg. Something I will have to consider now.

I would encourage you to drive it at least and compare if you can to another trim level, even if the other tester is a new model. You'll get the idea.

Obviously I thought the extras, plus the added sportiness of the peppier gears and stiffer suspension were worth the difference in mpg and price. Many do. Others prefer the MPGs.

FWIW: I don't know of anyone who has bought an RS and then traded down to another trim. However, I can name at least two active members who traded up to the RS from a lower trim.

 

[MachineGun]

I bought a Victory Red RS last night and it's great.

I've been a loyal Toyota/truck buyer for over 20yrs. 19 mpg wasn't veasable anymore.

I always wanted a VW GTI since high school but I couldn't get over the trademark plaid seats. The RS body style looks pretty damn close.

The style on the RS makes up for the minor MPG difference. I got 38 mpg to a hockey game last night...this may not be correct and 31 mpg to work this morning.

Victory Red with gloss black/red stripe wheels looks pretty damn good.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[angus]

Did you get an Auto or Stick? I have a Victory Red RS 6m and love it to death.....