High Mileage Sonics - the longevity thread

[asonic]

209,000, 2013 RS, stock

 

[MrsWench]

2012 Hatchback LT 1.8L

135,612

 

[Somefitz]

2013 sonic LT sedan 1.4L 150,367. Mods and soon to have tune.

 

[tailz01]

2013 LTZ Hatchback 6 speed Manual 165,000 miles.
Mods
- K&N Open Air Intake
-ZZP Downpipe to replace primary Cat
(have not retuned)

Problems/Repairs
- thermostat replaced twice
- overheating from thermostat caused damage to multiple coolant systems 2.5K in repairs (autoshop not dealer - demand a GM cert Thermostat)
-PCV valve system leaks still troubleshooting
- replaced Primary & secondary O2 sensor
- primary Catalytic converter failed (probably from over heating)

- windshield cracked (not from a chip - just a very cold night plus using the defroster
- spoiler cracked (no known cause)
- rear wiper hose disconnected. Fluid would come out my hatch

I love the car. I have taken it on multiple cross country trips up and through the mountains. It handles amazingly in the snow. I drive like a maniac and the suspension is due for some upgrades.

The thermostat/radiator pressure issues are driving me insane.




Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[Z71]

2012 LT, all stock, even the brakes lol

73k

I am still on my original brakes too. (2013 Sonic LT, 5 speed manual, 96k miles) I replaced the original tires at 82k miles, but I could have gotten 100k out them easily. I just do not like driving on tires with low tread. So far the car has not needed any alignment, it tracks like an arrow with inceredibly even tread wear on the tires.

 

[RJPineapple]

43,000mi-2015-1.4T-Manual-Short Shifter-needed new transmission at 39,500mi... I LOVE it though!

 

[Luke Shockley]

2013 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ 1.4T

180,182 miles

BNR Tune (since 62,000 miles)
Forge Motorsports Recirculating BPV
BNR Wastegate Actuator
MPFab Intake
MPFab Intercooler
GMPP Suspension Kit
Hawk Talon Rotors and HPS Pads

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[imahog317]

Here it is folks she is still running good but after a lot of thought I just traded her in. She had 462,298 miles on her and I drove her (without hesitation) from Indianapolis to Frankfort, KY to seal the deal. The biggest reason for the trade was that Chevy discontinued the Sonic at the end of model year 2020. I wanted to go 500k but I was concerned about being able to find a new in 6 to 12 months.

 

[dannyg]

Here it is folks she is still running good but after a lot of thought I just traded her in. She had 462,298 miles on her and I drove her (without hesitation) from Indianapolis to Frankfort, KY to seal the deal. The biggest reason for the trade was that Chevy discontinued the Sonic at the end of model year 2020. I wanted to go 500k but I was concerned about being able to find a new in 6 to 12 months.

Wow 460K miles is great! Any tips for us on how to keep our Sonics going for the long term? I've up to 6 years on mine, but only 50K miles. Thanks!

Also, just curious what you picked up? I agree, it's a shame they dropped the Sonic in 2020.

 

[Alai_227]

Had a 2012 LT Hatch, stock, 198 000 KM on it. It just dies a few weeks ago. Transmission issue. Now have a 2017 Hatch RS.

 

[1544C]

I just hit 190k on mine the other day. Basically stock Red 1.8 Hatch with a K&N cold air intake on it.

 

[alexloez]

After searching the forum, I've ran across a few Sonics with over 100,000 miles already. A lot of people looking to buy these cars are interested longevity and reliability for a low price.

Please post your car year, type ex: 1.4/1.8, sedan/hatch, auto/manual, odometer mileage, either stock or specs such as - tuning/coilovers/major aftermarket mods - which could help some people's decisions for these types of mods on higher mileage Sonics.

The goal of the thread is total mileage, major repairs like new engine/transmission are important, but normal wear and tear isn't.

Top 10:
1) 400,000 miles -imahog317- 2012, 1.4T, 6AT, LT sedan, stock
2) 304,000 miles -simple2me- 2012, LTZ, HB, stock
3) 212,000 miles -Smartdave- 1.8, 5MT, LS
4) 197,000 miles –LTZ ICE- 2013, 1.4t, 6MT, LTZ, sedan
5) 190,000 miles –timmyg- 2012, 1.8, 5MT, intake/exhaust
6) 185,000 miles -Marv- 2012, 1.4T, 6MT, stock (previously tuned)
7) 180,000 miles –bandages4- 2012, 1.4T, 6MT, stock
8) 179,000 miles -TMac- 2012, 1.8, 6AT, LT, HB, mounts
9) 173,000 miles –ThatDieselGuy- 2012, 1.8, LT, HB, suspension
10) 167,000 miles -KyleRally789- 2012, 1.4t, 6MT, LT, HB, tuned, suspension
10) 167,000 miles -B1G-AL- 2012, 1.8, 5MT, LS, stock
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12) 165,000 miles -Maliki2- 2012, 1.8
13) 155,000 miles -warbirdfan- 2012, 1.8, 6AT, LT sedan, stock
14) 155,000 miles -JayL- 2012, 1.4T, 6MT
15) 152,000 miles –Tesseract Indeed- 2012, 1.4T, 6AT, sedan
16) 150,000 miles –dratboy92- 2012, 1.4T, 6MT, stock
17) 150,000 miles -Loving this sonic- 2013, 1.4T, 6MT, mods/tune







To keep it simple, if you're already on the list, update/add a new post every few thousand miles to get a new spot.


updated 5/9/2020

110,000 miles - alexloez - 2014, 1.8, 6AT, Sedan LT - Timing Belt kit, Transmission Oil, Control Arm, Ignition Coil, Braking System

 

[Scumbagsleeper]

2012 LTZ 6spd hatch with 184k miles. BNR tuned, ZZP CAI, BC suspension Coilovers, BNR wastegate, Forge BOV, ZZP intercooler, ZZP Dual gauge pods, ZZP ignition coil pack, Aeroforce Interceptor, AEM Wideband, and STR 18x8 wheels

 

[Zypher]

2012 LT Sedan 1.8L

78,420 mi

Replaced the spark plugs 2021, and the usual tires, filters, etc., recalls have been taken care of, and a couple small (not critical) parts were replaced under warranty. Otherwise, all original stock (including brakes, but not for much longer). Doing my own filter and oil changes. He was acting up this summer until I did an oil change, and no issues since.

 

[prindle16]

2014 1.4 6AT LTZ sedan. stock 99.5k miles, going strong

Things that went wrong/maintenance:
coolant overflow tank cracked (don't remember milage)
Shifter knob broke, replaced (don't remember milage)
replaced spark plugs at 60K miles
replace ATF fluids 60K
thermostat housing broke and leaked, replaced 62K
front sway bar linkages wore out, replaced 83K
replace leaking radiator 89K

 

[Smartdave]

253k and going strong. 1.8 MT. Still on factory clutch

 

[SmoothSonic]

133,000 miles. 2014 LTZ 1.4T 6-speed MT sedan

Vredestein Quatrac Pro Tires. Original turbo. Amsoil. Original suspension.

No real problems after replacing the catalytic converter and crank seal at 121k last year and then moving the pcv valve externally using the cruzekits.com fix. The colors on the catalytic converter indicated a problem upstream and I found the pcv valve was disintegrated. With the new pcv valve I no longer need to replace the valve cover often. I replaced the battery being that it was 8 yrs old. Replacing it fixed my problem with the radio where the steering wheel controls were not working.

I was really tempted to replace the car with gas prices going back up, but none of the manufacturers seem to have what I want. I guess what I want is my sonic.

 

[JTee2017]

2014 LTZ 1.4L sedan 6-speed MT. I just reached 120,000 miles today. Mostly highway miles since my current commute has become about 90 miles per day. I still love the car even though parts break on occasion.


I was really tempted to replace the car with gas prices going back up, but none of the manufacturers seem to have what I want. I guess what I want is my sonic.

We are still in our 2017 Sonic LT.
But daughter got rear ended in her 2014 Sonic late last Fall.
I shopped with her and looked everywhere online within a reasonable 80 to 120 mile radius and just couldn't find a decent replacement for a reasonable price.
We found either well worn 2012 -13 (for $5K to $8K +120,000 miles) or a few 2017 around 60K to +85K miles and $17,000 to $19,000 plus taxes and fees ! ! Many of them had been in minor or major accidents or had repair issues.

In the process we came across a few Kia Soul models. It is a true compact car rather than sub compact like the Sonic.
Doing a bit of research, I found the that the Kia Soul+ (Plus trim level) fit her needs and was more spacious plus still got +33 MPG highway (her actual MPG) with the 2.0L engine and automatic.
I never really paid much attention to them, but did find, like the Sonic and many cars, certain model years are better than others. In the Kia Soul case, the Plus trim level with 2.0L is most desirable and mainly in the 2018 - 2019 model years . . maybe a 2017. Before and after then, there were sometimes some maintenance issues like the Sonic or any car.

Anyway, I was never keen on the way the Soul looked, but after driving the 2.0L . . even in automatic, the ride, handling and roomy interior "souled " me on it. Plus it scoots right off the line with 161 HP.

So we found a 2018 Kia Soul+ with 56,000 miles for $17,400 including taxes and fees . Many go for $2K to $3K more especially now.
That car has much more tech than even our 2017 Sonic LT, rides less choppy yet holds corners and fun to drive like the Sonic. They also have a turbo model, and newer ones come with a CVT ( Kia calls it IVT with their variant) which I have not driven, but reviews say it's not like Nissan, Ford or Honda CVTs.

Here is the one daughter got - -

 

[thebaron]

My 2013 1.8L Hackback is almost to 150k mileage.

had time parts and water pump replaced around 100k,
replaced ignition coil replaced around 110k.
replaced tranny coolant lines and new ATF fluid around 125k.
replaced spark plugs around 120k again (first time around 60k)
replaced thermastat with all metal version (and one of the coolant lines) around 135k.
replaced rear shocks around 130k with KYB replacements.
replaced shifter knub (dealer gave me the wrong one, but my friend got it to work) around 142k.
replaced cooling fan (with slight nicer one) and fuse around 140k.
replaced the end links and stabilizer bar (Moog) around 125k.
Plan to have the valve cover gasket replaced when weather clears up

 

[brainpause]

Wife's 2013 Sonic LT got to 171000 and blew a head gasket so we junked it. Very disappointed.

My 2014 LT currently has 108k.