Just not enough

[JamesMay]

I've had my 1.4T for almost 2 years now and it's just not "fun" enough. I've thought about doing a tune and a few other performance mods, but I feel like by the time I drop enough cash to get it where I want it, I mine as well just get a more performance oriented car. I know it's the age old argument of mod or upgrade, but I'm not sure if the amount it's going to take to make it a low to mid 14's car that handles like it's on rails is justified. A lot of this has been brought on by the fact I can grab a Veloster Turbo for just under $20k. it's faster out of the box, has far more features and will take less cash to get where I want to be.

 

[ahtoxa]

My suggestion is to test drive the Veloster Turbo. Interestingly enough, it's a common conscesus that it seems to not be as fast in real life as it is on paper.

Otherwise, unless the car is strictly an appliance to you, they are very much an emotional decision and an emotional investment. If it's not the car you want to keep and you can afford to buy a new one, do it. Might as well be happy in life.

I am much like that, too. And while the Sonic isn't the peak of my automotive passion, it's a car that I like enough to enjoy commuting in it. Unlike many other cars, I'm not investing myself emotionally into it, whether positively or negatively. I'm saving that for 'real' cars/trucks.

 

[Sonic]

Get a tune and be prepared to be shocked at the performance difference.

 

[rdss]

The turbo Veloster isn't all it's cracked up to be, I haven't read a good review on it when it comes to handling and power. You'd be better off going with the BRZ or FRS if you want an underpowered car that can actually handle. The positive to the BRZ/FRS is it actually has an aftermarket to make it faster and better handling.

 

[ahtoxa]

Also, take the fact that the BRZ/FRS is 'slow' with a grain of salt. It's really not trying to compete with the likes of the 370z, but it's a little more like the Miata.

While I have not driven the BRZ, I have a positive opinion on it. The RWD and the way it's set up is bound to bring lots of smiles in the twisties.

It kind of reminds me of the RX8. I remmeber back then everyone was screaming "no torque, blah blah, power of a 4cyl and fuel econ of a V6" and so on. And then a friend of mine let me drive his through the mountain passes in West Virginia. It was fantastic, it was like a surgical tool, and I never felt it was underpowered at all.

 

[CjCsonic]

I test drove the veloster before buying my sonic. I did not feel too big of a difference in power, the overall design and features were a little better but I drove home the sonic. The one big thing I wish the sonic had that the veloster has is paddle shifters. Other than that I'm overly happy with the sonic. A tune and some aftermarket parts will make u glad to keep it.

 

[sonic cnl]

i test drove a voloster and hated it it rode like a lumber wagon and getting in it was like getting into a sardine can.to me a lil red wagon would be a better ride than that voloster thing yes I called it a thing that's how terrible I think is

 

[JamesMay]

My suggestion is to test drive the Veloster Turbo. Interestingly enough, it's a common conscesus that it seems to not be as fast in real life as it is on paper.

Otherwise, unless the car is strictly an appliance to you, they are very much an emotional decision and an emotional investment. If it's not the car you want to keep and you can afford to buy a new one, do it. Might as well be happy in life.

I am much like that, too. And while the Sonic isn't the peak of my automotive passion, it's a car that I like enough to enjoy commuting in it. Unlike many other cars, I'm not investing myself emotionally into it, whether positively or negatively. I'm saving that for 'real' cars/trucks.

A friend of mine has one. When he was stock, I would pull him first and second, then he would catch me and start to walk away. Now he has a K&N cone filter($40) and an aftermarket charge pipe($18) and he pulls me from the get go and walks me like I'm sitting still. That's a total of $58 dollars invested! The results are unreal. I called B.S. when he told me about reading it on the forum and as a car guy himself, he was also skeptical.

Get a tune and be prepared to be shocked at the performance difference.

I know. I keep hearing this. I would just hate to drop the money and still not be satisfied. I wish there was someone with a tuned 1.4T near me so I could check it out.

 

[JamesMay]

The turbo Veloster isn't all it's cracked up to be, I haven't read a good review on it when it comes to handling and power. You'd be better off going with the BRZ or FRS if you want an underpowered car that can actually handle. The positive to the BRZ/FRS is it actually has an aftermarket to make it faster and better handling.

Also, take the fact that the BRZ/FRS is 'slow' with a grain of salt. It's really not trying to compete with the likes of the 370z, but it's a little more like the Miata.

While I have not driven the BRZ, I have a positive opinion on it. The RWD and the way it's set up is bound to bring lots of smiles in the twisties.

It kind of reminds me of the RX8. I remmeber back then everyone was screaming "no torque, blah blah, power of a 4cyl and fuel econ of a V6" and so on. And then a friend of mine let me drive his through the mountain passes in West Virginia. It was fantastic, it was like a surgical tool, and I never felt it was underpowered at all.

I would go that route, except I live in Mass. Light weight rear drive car and snow don't really mix well.

 

[$ub$onic]

I would go that route, except I live in Mass. Light weight rear drive car and snow don't really mix well.

I know that feeling. My Lincoln would get stuck on wet grass

 

[JamesMay]

I test drove the veloster before buying my sonic. I did not feel too big of a difference in power, the overall design and features were a little better but I drove home the sonic. The one big thing I wish the sonic had that the veloster has is paddle shifters. Other than that I'm overly happy with the sonic. A tune and some aftermarket parts will make u glad to keep it.

I would be going stick any way.

 

[JamesMay]

i test drove a voloster and hated it it rode like a lumber wagon and getting in it was like getting into a sardine can.to me a lil red wagon would be a better ride than that voloster thing yes I called it a thing that's how terrible I think is

I'm on Eibachs and my buddy is on Arcs. We're about the same as far as ride quality. I think his feels the bumps a slight bit more due to the 18's and lower profile tires.

 

[ChrisJ]

I know that feeling. My Lincoln would get stuck on wet grass

This statement backs up what I've said in the past. You're an old man trapped in a young body.

 

[laborsmith]

If you find the Sonic lacking and are not inclined to tuning, I suggest going for the new Stingray. Good power at an affordable price and if you are able to wait a year for the C7 Z06/Z07 to come on line you can get a supercar for less than $100K.

Just a suggestion.


Laborsmith

 

[JamesMay]

If you find the Sonic lacking and are not inclined to tuning, I suggest going for the new Stingray. Good power at an affordable price and if you are able to wait a year for the C7 Z06/Z07 to come on line you can get a supercar for less than $100K.

Just a suggestion.


Laborsmith

I know the C7 is a practical DD, particularly here in New England, but I just can't wait a year. Damn slow ass GM developing.

 

[TrippinGearz]

If you find the Sonic lacking and are not inclined to tuning, I suggest going for the new Stingray. Good power at an affordable price and if you are able to wait a year for the C7 Z06/Z07 to come on line you can get a supercar for less than $100K.

Just a suggestion.


Laborsmith

I really dislike the new stingrays. I love chevy. I love corvette. I lost all respect for the corvette when they went to cylinder shut off. Its a muscle car not an econo car. You cant have a 4cyl in a borderline american supercar. With the history behind the corvette.

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[CjCsonic]

If you find the Sonic lacking and are not inclined to tuning, I suggest going for the new Stingray. Good power at an affordable price and if you are able to wait a year for the C7 Z06/Z07 to come on line you can get a supercar for less than $100K.

Just a suggestion.


Laborsmith

You see the chevy SS? Or caprice? Over 400hp sedan rw drive under 45k.

 

[laborsmith]

Other than the Sonic, I have owned two four door vehicles, a 1973 Wagoneer and a 1980 AMC Eagle. If the Sonic did not have the hidden rear door handles I likely would not be a member of ths forum.

The cylinder shut off appears when in eco mode, one of several driving modes AND one that has to be specifically selected. No need to push a button to turn it off, you do need to to turn it on. Seems to me to be a reasonable compromise and one I would be happy to use when driving through Ohio, whose stormtroopers have gone out of their way to teach me the value of driving in an economical way.

I would definitely change tires if a C7 was my DD.


Laborsmith

 

[TrippinGearz]

Oh really? Hm. That doesnt sound like such a bad idea.

Cant you get a camaro zr1 for like. 51k??? And thats ummmm...556hp? I have no idea thats just a guess

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[TrippinGearz]

Oh no its $55k and 580hp

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