$ub$onic
The Sticker Guy
The festa is heavily used in motorsports compared to the sonic, and I would not say there is no support. If you want a handling car, there is loads of support.
The Derploader
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The festa is heavily used in motorsports compared to the sonic, and I would not say there is no support. If you want a handling car, there is loads of support.
Quinton Exler
New member
There isn't a single aftermarket shock (Koni, etc) you can buy for the stock or aftermarket springs. There are a ton of cheap coilovers that are probably more "stance" than "handling" centric. There's 1 sway bar option F/R plus the rear brace (won't get into why I don't like that idea), no bushing upgrades that I know of besides motor mounts. The market for this stuff doesn't justify the cost of more/better options at this point, though.
It could be better.
opcorn:
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$ub$onic
The Sticker Guy
There isn't a single aftermarket shock you can buy for the stock or aftermarket springs. There are a ton of cheap coilovers that are probably more "stance" than "handling" centric. There's 1 sway bar option F/R plus the rear brace (won't get into why I don't like that idea), no bushing upgrades that I know of besides motor mounts. The market for this stuff doesn't justify the cost of more/better options at this point, though.
It could be better.
What's wrong with the sway bar options ? I have both front and rear is they work great.
rdss
Junior Member
There isn't a single aftermarket shock (Koni, etc) you can buy for the stock or aftermarket springs. There are a ton of cheap coilovers that are probably more "stance" than "handling" centric. There's 1 sway bar option F/R plus the rear brace (won't get into why I don't like that idea), no bushing upgrades that I know of besides motor mounts. The market for this stuff doesn't justify the cost of more/better options at this point, though.
It could be better.
I'm pretty sure that Pedder's coil overs aren't just form over function and ZZP's lower control arms upgrade the bushings as well as the lower control arm. MPFab has chassis stiffening coming as well.
On a side note... Comparing the Sonic to a WRX isn't very fair, the WRX and STi have a nitch market and have spurred off the economy car "perception" that has been covered up by an amazing winning rally car reputation and the Sonic is spurring off the Aveo perception. I think for a 3 year old American sub compact car it's getting great attention by the aftermarket and is only continuing to grow.
Scot
Athletic Supporter
Personally, I think drilling two 1/2" holes through the rear trailing arm is begging for a fatigue failure at the bolt holes - especially if you live in the rust belt.
$ub$onic
The Sticker Guy
Personally, I think drilling two 1/2" holes through the rear trailing arm is begging for a fatigue failure at the bolt holes - especially if you live in the rust belt.
I have had that thought since I got it. At the time it was the only one on the market.
I keep my whole car sprayed down with fluid film, keeps the salt and crap from getting onto bare metal.
mitdr774
also a dinner prick
Some ass has that bar.
Look at the market base for this platform and then look at the market base for those vehicles that have a huge aftermarket. How long has this platform been around in the US? How many times has a company tried to get something going just to have minimal follow through on the part of the customers?
There are some aftermarket shocks and struts out there, but they are essentially a stock replacement part.
On a more on topic note.... I really look forward to updates on the turbo project.
Pretty sure you can't even buy these anymore with the problems that company is having...Point is, there aren't really more than 1 option for a given part that you're replacing unless it's an intake or exhaust, for the most part. I understand it's a new platform and blah blah blah, but I don't expect it to get to the point of having many great options for each piece, at least not for awhile (if ever). It would be cool if there were cams and internal parts available, but it's a tiny market so I don't expect much.
Sorry, enough thread jack. On with the turbo progress.
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rdss
Junior Member
Sorry, don't follow Pedders and their financial state.... I do agree with the fact that this car is coming from the Aveo background. I'm pretty sure at 3 years in the Aveo didn't have this following and aftermarket support. I think I might have seen this happen a few times before, once with the civics and the rice phase.
firstorbit84
New member
The thing is that the sonic isn't really being marketed as a hot hatch (or sedan). Even the RS "performance" variant is mainly for looks and doesn't come with any more power. The fiesta & focus ST, civic SI, Fiat 500 Abarth, mini Cooper S, GTI, and WRX are all performance variants of their pedestrian counterparts... in actual performance and marketing.
People shopping for a performance car in that segment wouldn't consider the sonic a performance car, and rightly so. Is it fun? Yes. Good handling? Sure. But the aftermarket isn't there because most people are just buying these as everyday commuter cars. Hopefully the support continues to grow as they get more into the hands of second owners who are looking to tinker with them.
People shopping for a performance car in that segment wouldn't consider the sonic a performance car, and rightly so. Is it fun? Yes. Good handling? Sure. But the aftermarket isn't there because most people are just buying these as everyday commuter cars. Hopefully the support continues to grow as they get more into the hands of second owners who are looking to tinker with them.
Natesriv
Lead Foot
I wouldn't expect any changes to this current generation (as far as performance wise)..
For Gen II (which some possible photos have leaked)..would be a perfect opportunity for a Super Sonic
1.6T (200 hp)
1.4T (econo version)
Drop the 1.8
firstorbit84
New member
Even if they add the 1.6t for the next gen (in 2-3 years?), they will be late to the party, and may have missed the boat altogether. The compact performance market is already getting saturated and it isn't a big market to begin with.
Chevy had a real opportunity to be ahead of the curve with a Sonic SS, but they royally dropped the ball... par for the course.
Chevy had a real opportunity to be ahead of the curve with a Sonic SS, but they royally dropped the ball... par for the course.
Preloader
The M32 Martyr
Looks like I'm in the market for transmission #4:sad banana:
It's getting harder and harder to get into 1st and second. I imagine the 1st/2nd shaft bearings a disintegrating quickly.
I'm not finding MZ0s as easily as before. I'm considering an MF3, but the 1st gear will be insane. I can barely make use of WOT in 1st with the MZ0. The tires start to give and I'm instantly at redline.
This is partially why I'm on hold for power mods. I've got to invest some serious time in building up an M32 to handle the abuse.
It's getting harder and harder to get into 1st and second. I imagine the 1st/2nd shaft bearings a disintegrating quickly.
I'm not finding MZ0s as easily as before. I'm considering an MF3, but the 1st gear will be insane. I can barely make use of WOT in 1st with the MZ0. The tires start to give and I'm instantly at redline.
This is partially why I'm on hold for power mods. I've got to invest some serious time in building up an M32 to handle the abuse.
Preloader
The M32 Martyr
I make a good deal of power, have a shorter geared Cruze transmission, an aluminum flywheel, stage 4 clutch, and an LSD. I don't misuse the trans, although I do abuse it.
My trans sees 180ºF on hot days in commute traffic. I suspect that could be harsh on the plastic bearing retainers. The poly motor/trans mounts might not be transferring shock load out of the trans as well. Who knows..... It's mostly a result of putting more power through it than it's rated for.
My trans sees 180ºF on hot days in commute traffic. I suspect that could be harsh on the plastic bearing retainers. The poly motor/trans mounts might not be transferring shock load out of the trans as well. Who knows..... It's mostly a result of putting more power through it than it's rated for.
