GOING to buy Sonic RS, Focus ST, or GTI mk vii: INPUT PLZ

[unedcyded]

OK, so I tried to make my nick undecyded and somehow screwed it up. I realize there are going to be a lot of advocates for the sonic here but I'm ok with that:

I'm going to buy a new car before July: RS hatch, GTI mk vii, or Focus ST.

I really like the FEATURES of the Sonic RS:
Siri Hands Free
Lane Departure Warning
Backup Camera
Collision Warning
6-on-the-flo
Tire Pressure Monitor
RemoteLink (Moving to frigid north, gonna be cold, need to turn on heat)
Heated Seats (Moving to frigid north, need to warm butt/'nads)
Great gas mileage

Here are the only things holding me back:
1. Seems kinda underpowered, my last cars were E36 328i, E46 330xi, X3 3.0 - significantly faster.
2. Some reviews said sonic had significant torque-steer, I've never had an FF car before.
3. At least one review claimed the close-ratio six-speed on the RS was unwieldy.
4. No limited slip (Moving to a place w/lots of sno).

Who here would actually favor the RS over the GTI or ST if money weren't an issue? No troll, just asking.

Also input on the drawbacks mentioned?

 

[rdss]

For GTI and ST prices I would opt for a WRX instead of any of the FWD cars you're looking knowing you're moving to some place with snow. Plenty of people have great luck with the RS in the snow belt though and with out AWD it might be the best bet with the features you want.

 

[ShadowRS]

These cars don't really compete with each other...

That being said, the RS will be outclassed in terms of performance. Then again will be cheaper to purchase an own. To be honest, nothing we say is going to sway you either way. Drive each car and then pick one. You don't need a forum to tell you which car to buy.

 

[Swordsmith]

Given the features you are interested in, I would look at the LTZ Sonic instead of the RS. You didn't name any feature that is unique to the RS, and you complained about one RS feature that isn't present on the LTZ, the close ratio 6 speed. The LT and LTZ 6 speed has taller gearing which results in a useable 1st gear, and a more economical 6th... which oddly is also a 6th which lets you have a significantly higher top speed.

The Sonic is, however, not a sports car. It is a sporty economy car, and is really good (best in class IMO, but of course I am biased) at being that.

I have not driven the GTI, but yes, I would much rather have my car (a modified LT Sonic, with admittedly a lot more power than stock) than a Fiesta ST. I was really underwhelmed by the Fiesta, and while the ST does a lot to make up for the original, it's still cramped, handles poorly, and feels cheap rather than inexpensive... which is interesting because the Fiesta -was- inexpensive like the Sonic, but the ST is really not.

I have heard good things about the GTI, but price wise it simply wasn't on the list to test drive, I wanted something inexpensive that operated economically, and that I could modify without that costing me an arm and a leg.

 

[Fempunk]

My old car was the focus. I actually still own it , didnt trade it in. I love that car, but its getting to 150k, so i got my sonic. Performance wise they are very alike to me, though the sonic handles better. And mines only the LT...

 

[unedcyded]

For GTI and ST prices I would opt for a WRX instead of any of the FWD cars you're looking knowing you're moving to some place with snow. Plenty of people have great luck with the RS in the snow belt though and with out AWD it might be the best bet with the features you want.

Thanks, everyone for the replies. Yes, I would really like something like the WRX, except, like i mentioned, I really like the features in the Sonic and basically all the good, fun AWD cars come without amenities like siri, lane departure, collision warning, etc, etc. I could get a car with great performance/traction like the WRX or AWD A3, etc, but without a lot of the features I was surprised to find in the Sonic. The Sonic is actually quite impressive in that regard.

 

[unedcyded]

Given the features you are interested in, I would look at the LTZ Sonic instead of the RS. You didn't name any feature that is unique to the RS, and you complained about one RS feature that isn't present on the LTZ, the close ratio 6 speed. The LT and LTZ 6 speed has taller gearing which results in a useable 1st gear, and a more economical 6th... which oddly is also a 6th which lets you have a significantly higher top speed.

This is a very good point, doesn't look quite as mean though. And if this were really the better car, why so many RS drivers on this forum?

 

[rodslinger]

Isn't this like walking into an Apple store and asking for opinions about an Android phone?

 

[unedcyded]

Isn't this like walking into an Apple store and asking for opinions about an Android phone?

Not really, for instance I already had a recommendation to consider the LTZ and some comparisons from users who own more than one car on my list and can compare. The apple employees may not have a useful opinion on android phones but the users of this forum may have good insight as far as hatch choices go.

 

[mja]

if you want to have fun a sonic is good. if you want to go fast get something else. its really that simple. and if a sonic is good an ltz would be even better for amenities, price, and mpg together. an rs is in no way a competitor to a gti or focus st. id say the manual tdi i tested had similar performance to the sonic 1.4t 6 spd.

 

[Blue hedgehog]

Unedcyded, you meantioned you liked the 6 on the floor and the remote link for the cold. When you say 6 on the floor, are you talking about the manual? If so, you won't get remote start through the remote link. That is only on the autos.

Just a heads up.

 

[Paislee]

I traded in a VW in when I bought my Sonic this weekend. I don't think I will ever by another VW. The electrical problems I had with that car seemed to never end. It left me stranded more than once when the car decided to stop reading the chip in the key. I had to tow it to the dealership each time...and that was just the beginning. Consumer Reports also has the GTI '10 - '13 on it's list of used cars to avoid...so that might also be something to take into consideration.

We did consider the Ford as well, but ended up really liking the RS. The dealership we went to sold both and we were able to compare them side by side.

 

[Swordsmith]

This is a very good point, doesn't look quite as mean though. And if this were really the better car, why so many RS drivers on this forum?

The LTZ isn't the better car per se, it is just a different trim, there's something to recommend each trim level, depending on what the individual wants. It's merely interesting that for some, one of the less expensive trims may be better than the more expensive ones.

From what you posted, I thought you might best fit the LTZ, personally that's a couple hundred pounds heavier than the LT which has nearly everything I want, and is a better fit for me.

There are plenty of folks here for whom the RS is the best version... whether it's the look, the handling, or the thought that it's the "highest trim level" (which really matters to some people). The concentration of such people is much higher here, in an enthusiast's forum, than it is out in the wild; we also have a much higher proportion of people who modify their cars, and of people who race them. All those people are much more likely to hang out on a car forum than the vast majority who simply want something that gets them from point A to point B without costing an arm and a leg to buy or a toe per tank of gas.

There are also people here who have the 1.8 engine and are happy with it, even some who might be happier with it even if the cost was the same as the 1.4T. I have a hard time imagining that, but I've talked with enough of them to know it really is so.

 

[unedcyded]

Unedcyded, you meantioned you liked the 6 on the floor and the remote link for the cold. When you say 6 on the floor, are you talking about the manual? If so, you won't get remote start through the remote link. That is only on the autos.

Just a heads up.

Arrrgh! I did not realize, thanks for pointing this out. What a grief. I should have known; you can't start a car that's in gear.

There are plenty of folks here for whom the RS is the best version... whether it's the look, the handling, or the thought that it's the "highest trim level"

Point taken.

 

[Sonic]

If you are moving somewhere cold with the potential for a lot of snow, then I'd get a WRX as suggested. What good is a car with all the features you said you like if you can't drive it because it gets stuck in the snow?

 

[Scot]

Where are you moving to? Canada?

1 vote for the Chevy Trax.

 

[ahtoxa]

Between the GTI, the FoST and the Sonic RS, it's not really a fair comparison. The focus and the GTI are a bit larger.

That said, I'd end up with a Focus ST or even more likely a Fiesta ST over all listed. I'd go smaller with the Fiesta ST because I don't need the size of the Focus and, reportedly, they are in some ways more fun than the Focus ST, even though they have less power.

 

[Ltguy]

The VW may be ok in your price range but parts/fixes down the road will be insane... That's why I got rid of mine. Particularly the electrical fixes. (Mine was an MkIV)

Of the Sonic and FoST.... They are such different cars it's hard to compare. The ST is faster and bigger and has LSD but the Sonic is more nimble, gets better MPG, and will have cheaper insurance. From everything in your thread I've read through, I would think a Sonic LTZ Turbo with a tune and Wavetrac LSD would fit your bill perfectly.

Plus, I don't know if the ST offers hill assist but I've driven a chevy with theirs and it's an awesome feature

 

[myladyesclave]

I would say go with the best warantee.

 

[SoundWave]

I just survived the Detroit winter in my Sonic 6-speed, and as a former Subaru owner, I was pretty impressed. It's got just enough ride-height to manage deep snow without too much issue, but it's weight can be a problem in heavy storms, as it can get pushed around by the wind pretty easily.

If money was no concern I just buy an STI, out of what yo have listed, I'd go with the Focus ST easily.