Sonic is the Most Dependable Small Car - JD Power 2017 Rankings

[Ponchoguy]

I wondered why so bitter... but now I get it. I'd be salty if someone tricked me into buying a Pontiac G6....

Salesman: dude, you'll TOTALLY look awesome in this car, AND the roof CONVERTS!
You: hell YES I will!
.... ten minutes later...
You: omg GM is the worst, I think I'll buy another one some day because if I don't make myself a victim who will pay attention to me....?

Congrats, you win Poncho! ...Now piss off

It's just the Sonic that's the problem. If it wasn't warrantied, yes it would be gone.

Funny that I get stopped all the time in my G6 convertible by people driving much more expensive cars. LOL. No one forced me to buy anything at the Pontiac dealership.

Now go sit around and wait for your Sonic to be a collector's item. NOT. LOL.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Learn a lesson. Don't buy a first year model car - from anybody, and at least give GM some credit. They recognize the problem, and are covering you for a period likely longer than you'll actually own the car.

If no one buys a first year model, how in the world where there be a second, third, and subsequent years? :banana:

The first year shouldn't be a problem.....

 

[Ponchoguy]

You are entitled to your opinion - even if it's wrong.

I would take JDPowers opinion over your's any day. Because JDPowers isn't a sample size of one.

BTW - my current "fleet" consists of 2014 Sonic, 2014 Cadillac ATS, 1981 Chevy C10, 1972 Camaro, 1964 GTO and a 1949 Cadillac Series 75 factory limo.

My dad started working for a GM dealer back in the 40's. He finished his career in the mid 90's as the Truck Sales Mgr for a Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealer.

I bought my first new GM product in 1977. An entry level Pontiac Ventura. Paid $3250 for it new, put 65,000 miles on it and sold it for $2750. Excellent car!

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Everyone is entitled to believe what they want. It's all about your experience. Mine has not been positive with the Sonic. It's poorly made and was not GM's best effort forward. The other GM cars I've owned have been better. I had a 1993 Saturn that lasted 18 years. It too had its share of problems but it never wound up on a tow truck in all of those years. The Sonic has a card carrying club membership to the tow truck club .

 

[Ponchoguy]

You are entitled to your opinion - even if it's wrong.

I would take JDPowers opinion over your's any day. Because JDPowers isn't a sample size of one.

BTW - my current "fleet" consists of 2014 Sonic, 2014 Cadillac ATS, 1981 Chevy C10, 1972 Camaro, 1964 GTO and a 1949 Cadillac Series 75 factory limo.

My dad started working for a GM dealer back in the 40's. He finished his career in the mid 90's as the Truck Sales Mgr for a Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealer.

I bought my first new GM product in 1977. An entry level Pontiac Ventura. Paid $3250 for it new, put 65,000 miles on it and sold it for $2750. Excellent car!

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My fleet is:

2012 Sonic 1.8L LT sedan
2009 Pontiac G6 convertible 3.9L
1980 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo hardtop
1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary 400/4 speed
1984 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham Coupe 307 V8
1989 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.0L sedan.

We can all agree to disagree on what we believe on the Sonic. You like yours. I don't like mine, and it's only being kept because it's under warranty. If not, it would have been gone.

 

[Ponchoguy]

You are entitled to your opinion - even if it's wrong.

I would take JDPowers opinion over your's any day. Because JDPowers isn't a sample size of one.

BTW - my current "fleet" consists of 2014 Sonic, 2014 Cadillac ATS, 1981 Chevy C10, 1972 Camaro, 1964 GTO and a 1949 Cadillac Series 75 factory limo.

My dad started working for a GM dealer back in the 40's. He finished his career in the mid 90's as the Truck Sales Mgr for a Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealer.

I bought my first new GM product in 1977. An entry level Pontiac Ventura. Paid $3250 for it new, put 65,000 miles on it and sold it for $2750. Excellent car!

[/URL][/IMG]

My fleet is:

2012 Sonic 1.8L LT sedan
2009 Pontiac G6 convertible 3.9L
1980 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo hardtop
1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary 400/4 speed
1984 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham Coupe 307 V8
1989 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.0L sedan.

We can all agree to disagree on what we believe on the Sonic. You like yours. I don't like mine, and it's only being kept because it's under warranty. If not, it would have been gone.

 

[Tormach]

As much as you like to beat down the Sonic, it has been 10x more reliable.. I have an 08' G6 3.5 and the only thing I like about that car at all is the block and handling.

That car has been nothing but issues: BCM cable (twice), ECM and PCM both had to be replaced, 2 batteries, control arm, end links, 2 sets of rotors, water pump, t-stat (going to have to replace it again plus the house now), the entire steering column (going to have to replace it again because it was poorly designed), the exhaust broke at the 'y' (if you dont know this is both the headers with the built-in cats) and the flex pipe snapped as well (if I don't cut and weld it myself or goto a shop to do this.. the parts alone will cost 1,500)...

I could keep going on but I think you get the point.. opcorn: but unlike you I don't go join the G6 forum and go beat it down.. I fix the issue.. funny thing is im trading that pos in for and new sonic/cruze next year

edit: on a lighter note about the G6.. man does that car have a fat azz, GF has to almost standup int he drivers seat when she is backing it up to even see out.

 

[Ponchoguy]

You are entitled to your opinion - even if it's wrong.

I would take JDPowers opinion over your's any day. Because JDPowers isn't a sample size of one.

BTW - my current "fleet" consists of 2014 Sonic, 2014 Cadillac ATS, 1981 Chevy C10, 1972 Camaro, 1964 GTO and a 1949 Cadillac Series 75 factory limo.

My dad started working for a GM dealer back in the 40's. He finished his career in the mid 90's as the Truck Sales Mgr for a Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealer.

I bought my first new GM product in 1977. An entry level Pontiac Ventura. Paid $3250 for it new, put 65,000 miles on it and sold it for $2750. Excellent car!

[/URL][/IMG]

Actually, the Ventura wasn't really an "entry level" car in the Pontiac line in 1977. The Pontiac Dis-Astre was (a Vega clone).

 

[The Champ]

Gosh, 47 responses to one post...

Everyone is entitled to believe what they want. It's all about your experience. Mine has not been positive with the Sonic. It's poorly made and was not GM's best effort forward.

I already posted that you are entitled to your opinion - even if it is WRONG.

You are condemning the entire Sonic lineup for every year of production, when the facts prove that it is one of the most reliable small cars made in 2014.

So grow up and admit that your personal Sonic had some issues and GM has agreed to cover any future problems for a greatly extended period of time.

Anyone that can't accept the fact that a manufacturer makes constant improvements to their products is living in a fantasy world.

 

[The Champ]

Actually, the Ventura wasn't really an "entry level" car in the Pontiac line in 1977. The Pontiac Dis-Astre was (a Vega clone).

My car, though purchased in 1977, is a 1976.

The Astre and the Ventura were both entry level cars with their base prices within a few dollars of each other.

For a "Ponchoguy", I'm surprised that you couldn't recognize the difference...

 

[Ponchoguy]

My car, though purchased in 1977, is a 1976.

The Astre and the Ventura were both entry level cars with their base prices within a few dollars of each other.

For a "Ponchoguy", I'm surprised that you couldn't recognize the difference...

You can't compare a Dis-Astre to a Ventura. Totally different cars. I really doubt there are many Pontiac collectors with Astres . Comparing the two is like comparing a toolshed to a ranch house and saying "both have storage". LOL.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Gosh, 47 responses to one post...



I already posted that you are entitled to your opinion - even if it is WRONG.

You are condemning the entire Sonic lineup for every year of production, when the facts prove that it is one of the most reliable small cars made in 2014.

So grow up and admit that your personal Sonic had some issues and GM has agreed to cover any future problems for a greatly extended period of time.

Anyone that can't accept the fact that a manufacturer makes constant improvements to their products is living in a fantasy world.

As I said, we will agree to disagree. An opinion is just that. You have yours, I have mine. Neither is "right" or "wrong". You believe the Sonic is a great car. That's your opinion. To you it's fact. To me it's not. You can say all you want about JD Power, they are biased just like the rest of the human world. I know you know that .

I am condemning a car that was touted to be the best GM small car to come along in a long time. It was not in my experience, first year or otherwise. I think you'd agree that the problems I've had are not indicative of a quality car in 53,000 miles.

Even though GM is covering the repairs, it is only half consolation in reality. When the car is in for service, it is unavailable for use which defeats its purpose as reliable transportation.

 

[Ponchoguy]

As much as you like to beat down the Sonic, it has been 10x more reliable.. I have an 08' G6 3.5 and the only thing I like about that car at all is the block and handling.

That car has been nothing but issues: BCM cable (twice), ECM and PCM both had to be replaced, 2 batteries, control arm, end links, 2 sets of rotors, water pump, t-stat (going to have to replace it again plus the house now), the entire steering column (going to have to replace it again because it was poorly designed), the exhaust broke at the 'y' (if you dont know this is both the headers with the built-in cats) and the flex pipe snapped as well (if I don't cut and weld it myself or goto a shop to do this.. the parts alone will cost 1,500)...

I could keep going on but I think you get the point.. opcorn: but unlike you I don't go join the G6 forum and go beat it down.. I fix the issue.. funny thing is im trading that pos in for and new sonic/cruze next year

edit: on a lighter note about the G6.. man does that car have a fat azz, GF has to almost standup int he drivers seat when she is backing it up to even see out.

Well now, funny how the shoe is on the other foot. I have not had any of those issues on my G6. I've only done one set of front brakes and rotors myself (it didn't need them, did them anyway). One set of tires and oil changes. I do everything myself. Mine is a 3.9L, not a 3.5L, but they are of the same basic engine series.

What I will say is that every time my G6 was in for warranty repairs, I got a loaner car no questions asked.

So, like your Sonics, my G6 has been nothing but reliable. So, I'll turn the question around on you...if it's such a heap, why have you had it for over 8 years and what took you so long to trade it in?

 

[The Champ]

As I said, we will agree to disagree. An opinion is just that. You have yours, I have mine. Neither is "right" or "wrong". You believe the Sonic is a great car. That's your opinion. To you it's fact. To me it's not. You can say all you want about JD Power, they are biased just like the rest of the human world. I know you know that .

Once again, you are wrong.

JD Power does not make these ratings up. They aren't biased - they are reporting the results from consumers that bought these cars new and still own them 3 years later.

There is a reason that most manufacturers actually buy the detailed results from JD Power - they want to learn what their own customers had to say about the vehicles they produce so they can make improvements.

If you had fully read and comprehended this thread, you would have already known that, as I previously explained this.

Instead, you continue to avoid the truth and make a diatribe condemning all Sonics - because of your sample size of ONE 2012 model.

BTW - you're also wrong about the Astre. There are collectors that own both the Pontiac Astre and the Chevy Vega. You must not attend many large car shows if you don't believe that to be true.

In a few weeks I'll be headed to the Iola Old Car Show in Wisconsin. Small town of about 1100 people. My wife will drive her Camaro and I will drive the GTO over on Wednesday so we can get them placed in our reserved spaces and then leave Iola on Sunday.

The Caddy Limo will get there Friday (my brother will drive that one over). While the show is well attended on Thursday and Friday, Saturday is the big day and there should be about 140,000 people at the show.

I've also attended the Pontiac Oakland Club International (POCI) meet a number of times where Astre's have been shown.

I've been driving Pontiac's since 1970 - my first car:

 

[Tormach]

She was fun to drive so we had no complaints, but she only drives her 5-10mi a week now.

Don't get me wrong we still like the car even though I call her a pos.. but with the issues that have cropped up just in the past 3 months (most recently did rear brakes and found both calipers are going), they exceed the value of the car and I only foresee them getting worse. :sadbanana:

Who knows we may decide to keep her anyway opcorn:, im leaving it to her to decide and if we do then i will def being doing a full overhaul.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Once again, you are wrong.

JD Power does not make these ratings up. They aren't biased - they are reporting the results from consumers that bought these cars new and still own them 3 years later.

There is a reason that most manufacturers actually buy the detailed results from JD Power - they want to learn what their own customers had to say about the vehicles they produce so they can make improvements.

If you had fully read and comprehended this thread, you would have already known that, as I previously explained this.

Instead, you continue to avoid the truth and make a diatribe condemning all Sonics - because of your sample size of ONE 2012 model.

BTW - you're also wrong about the Astre. There are collectors that own both the Pontiac Astre and the Chevy Vega. You must not attend many large car shows if you don't believe that to be true.

In a few weeks I'll be headed to the Iola Old Car Show in Wisconsin. Small town of about 1100 people. My wife will drive her Camaro and I will drive the GTO over on Wednesday so we can get them placed in our reserved spaces and then leave Iola on Sunday.

The Caddy Limo will get there Friday (my brother will drive that one over). While the show is well attended on Thursday and Friday, Saturday is the big day and there should be about 140,000 people at the show.

I've also attended the Pontiac Oakland Club International (POCI) meet a number of times where Astre's have been shown.

I've been driving Pontiac's since 1970 - my first car:

As I said, you have an opinion, I have mine. You are not right. I am not wrong . LOL.

If you think the Dis-astre is a collectible, well then there's an ass for every seat. Just because it's "rare" doesn't make it a collector's item. I don't see too many of those Chevy Citations, on the Barrett Jackson auction block, you? A T1000 diesel with AC is rare, but it's hardly collectable. You can't compare a Trans Am to a Ventura, or a Grand Prix to an Astre.

If the Dis-Astre was so great, the value of them would be through the roof and everyone would be collecting them. NOT. The Cosworth Vega may be the sole "collectible" in the H body line, but it's no winner in the grand scheme of things. The Vega/Astre were terrible for GM's image, and the helped usher in the Japanese small cars through the 1970s and beyond. The Pinto was no better at Ford. The Big Three went into the small car market kicking and screaming and by necessity. The Sonic was made in Lake Orion, MI with a labor concession. GM said in so many words, "This is what we're offering for salary for you workers to build it. If you don't like it, we'll just build it in Korea". (Half the parts are from there anyway).

We as a nation do not do small cars well at all, some things have not changed.

JD Power is little consolation to those of us with troubles in the world of Sonic. That is something you will not comprehend. Tell you what, you take my 53k mile Sonic off my hands and give me one of your GMs in return. How's that?

We'll agree to disagree and leave it at that. Neither of us is "wrong" or "right". Your experience shaped you on your Sonic, mine has shaped me on mine.

 

[Ponchoguy]

She was fun to drive so we had no complaints, but she only drives her 5-10mi a week now.

Don't get me wrong we still like the car even though I call her a pos.. but with the issues that have cropped up just in the past 3 months (most recently did rear brakes and found both calipers are going), they exceed the value of the car and I only foresee them getting worse. :sadbanana:

Who knows we may decide to keep her anyway opcorn:, im leaving it to her to decide and if we do then i will def being doing a full overhaul.

How many miles are on it, and did you buy it new? Also, do you do your own work or have it done?

Has my G6 been perfect? No, but it's made less trips to the dealer under warranty than the Sonic did in so many miles.

 

[Tormach]

Got it used with 19k miles, she's at 73k now. I've done most of the recent work once warranty ran out.

Water pump, oil filter house gasket, plugs/wires, rotors/pads, oil changes, links I've done.

Is she perfect no, but the fold full of what was done under warranty is a small book.

But my sonic has only been to the dealer twice sense I got it used one owner with 38k miles and I'm up to 63k miles ATM. The blower motor and the valve cover with the ruptured disk are only two items. Water pump was done by the dealer prior to me buying it.

My one grip with the sonic.. lack of gauges I'd like.. boost/water temp/etc..

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[The Champ]

JD Power is little consolation to those of us with troubles in the world of Sonic

Once again, you have a sample size of ONE.

You can say all you want about how all Sonics are a POS - but the vast majority of consumers disagree with you.

You are entitled to your opinion on your Sonic. But don't insult the vast majority of Sonic owners that have had a very positive experience with these cars by trying to tell us that every Sonic made is a POS like your's.

Just because it's "rare" doesn't make it a collector's item.

The Astre was never a rare car. The first year of production they built twice as many Astre's as they did GTO's in 1964 (64,000+ Astres vs.32,000+ GTO's).

My GTO is one of 6644 convertibles built in 1964 - but even that isn't really rare.

My '49 Cadillac Series 75 Limo is one of 626 made - now that is rare.

You also claim that the Ventura wasn't an entry level car because of the Astre. That is true for 3 years of the Ventura's run as an X Body.

Earth to Ponchoguy, the Sonic isn't an entry level car than either. The Chevy Spark is the entry level car and the Sonic is a step up.

You just got "boxed"...:banana:

 

[Ponchoguy]

Once again, you have a sample size of ONE.

You can say all you want about how all Sonics are a POS - but the vast majority of consumers disagree with you.

You are entitled to your opinion on your Sonic. But don't insult the vast majority of Sonic owners that have had a very positive experience with these cars by trying to tell us that every Sonic made is a POS like your's.



The Astre was never a rare car. The first year of production they built twice as many Astre's as they did GTO's in 1964 (64,000+ Astres vs.32,000+ GTO's).

My GTO is one of 6644 convertibles built in 1964 - but even that isn't really rare.

My '49 Cadillac Series 75 Limo is one of 626 made - now that is rare.

You also claim that the Ventura wasn't an entry level car because of the Astre. That is true for 3 years of the Ventura's run as an X Body.

Earth to Ponchoguy, the Sonic isn't an entry level car than either. The Chevy Spark is the entry level car and the Sonic is a step up.

You just got "boxed"...:banana:

If you're insulted, let me put on my concerned look........as I have stated YOU have your opinion, I have MINE. YOU will not change my opinion of it.

Any serious Pontiac collector will tell you that you cannot compare an Astre to other cars in the Pontiac line. If it's such a great collector as you state, why don't you own one?

If you want rare, then get a Tempest OHC6. Or a 1979 Formula Firebird 400 (one of 346 ever made). An Astre? Not. There's an ass for every seat, but I don't see the serious Pontiac collectors of the world running out to find that mint (or not so mint) Astre.

Yea, I know what the Spark is. We bought the Sonic because I wanted to support American jobs and labor. With the Korean content it has though, a Hyundai might in theory be more "American" that a Sonic. Besides, my mother initially bought the car and then after getting sick and stopping driving she gave it up and I took it over. It wasn't my choice. I wanted her to get a Malibu.

You stated the Ventura was an entry level car. Well now you're stating that it wasn't in some years. Which is it? Perhaps you were "boxed" when you made that comment........

 

[TrashbagGhost]

I had to replace the clutch at 65k miles, fix the pcv valve, abs sensors have gone out and the coolant system has had a few leaks. Luckily I've been able to get some of the fixes done under warranty. I'm a little nervous to see what happens after I hit the 100k mark. Right now I am at 88k


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