High Mileage Sonics - the longevity thread

[Jhonda2021]

2014 chevy sonic RS sedan 1.4l turbo 130k aem intake, BNR throttle body spacer and intake manifold spacer, zzp intercooler upgrade, zzp high performance coil pack, zzp charge pipe , zzp mid pipe ,garrett turbo

 

[Z71]

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]

2013 Sonic LT sedan, 1.8 , 5 speed manual, 117k miles, very few problems so far, the car is not my everyday driver.

 

[mjp2d1]

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

183,000 miles, 0n 2012 with 5 speed 1.8 engine runs amazing

 

[orangeltz13]

105,000 miles –Orangeltz13- 2013, 1.4t, 6MT, LTZ, Hatchback, CAI, exhaust (mid pipe, cat no res/muffler), factory head unit with 4-100W Alpine speakers & 500W Alpine amp and 2 Kicker 150W hideaway powered subwoofers, MFP caliper covers. No real issues outside of the known water pump, over-flow bottle and pcv issues.

 

[ghostlly]

2014 1.8L 110K

 

[TurboSnail73]

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

2013 RS 6 speed manual, just hit 220k a week ago. Still runs like a top, but I am starting to have some issues after I swapped the turbo. Little bit of burning oil out of the exhaust under heavy load/higher RPM.

 

[Dingleberry69]

2012 Sonic hatch, all stock 99,000 miles, mt. Recently did brakes (front), timing belt, water pump, thermostat and housing, serpentine belt plus tensioner (all with genuine GM parts, timing belt kit with water pump was gates). Only major mods was to get rid of the Hankook tires, replaced the stock set with 16” (using GMs fitment for 16” wheels) and Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 plus tires. That made such a huge impact on handling.

 

[EzekeiL]

202k! 2012 LTZ hatch. Hoping to get it to 300k

 

[logandsawman]

2013 hatchback original brakes 4th set of tires 170,000 miles. A couple small rust spots just showed up this spring, under driver door (rocker panel) and driver rear wheel well, excellent report considering Minnesota.

Its a good car hope it is my last one. I am 65 and commute 120 miles each day. Drive the sonic 3 days per week and 1988 Chev Suburban 2 days per week.

Everything is stock. No modifications except no more Hangkook tires, last set only got 50,000 miles, previous sets got 60,000, same driver same habits.

Dealer ruined my alternator so that was replaced. Timing belt as recommended done by dealer. The front end stabilizer issue recurred a couple times. Motor is like new. No tranny issues ever.

It is a good car.

 

[Dingleberry69]

2013 hatchback original brakes 4th set of tires 170,000 miles. A couple small rust spots just showed up this spring, under driver door (rocker panel) and driver rear wheel well, excellent report considering Minnesota.

Its a good car hope it is my last one. I am 65 and commute 120 miles each day. Drive the sonic 3 days per week and 1988 Chev Suburban 2 days per week.

Everything is stock. No modifications except no more Hangkook tires, last set only got 50,000 miles, previous sets got 60,000, same driver same habits.

Dealer ruined my alternator so that was replaced. Timing belt as recommended done by dealer. The front end stabilizer issue recurred a couple times. Motor is like new. No tranny issues ever.

It is a good car.

It is indeed a great car. 120k miles and still original brakes with a 120m commute that’s impressive too. I guess if mostly freeway driving that would make perfect sense. I totally agree, those hankook tires are absolute garbage. I replaced mine this spring actually and never looking back. Ended up going with something that one Might think is absolute overkill for the cad, but the car handles amazingly on the turns with these. Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06+ tires. Absolute glue in the turns, you will never go sideways no matter how much you throw at em. Makes a closed track and all traction aids of driving SUPER FUN . Lol

 

[Jack Cross]

2013 1.8L LS with 146k. Bought it brand new. It's a base model so roll down windows and no cruise. Probably the two biggest regrets lol

 

[Dingleberry69]

2013 1.8L LS with 146k. Bought it brand new. It's a base model so roll down windows and no cruise. Probably the two biggest regrets lol

Why having regrets sure power accessories are nice, but at the same time they tend to break easier.

 

[Jack Cross]

Why having regrets sure power accessories are nice, but at the same time they tend to break easier.

True but I missed the cruise on road trips and found that I'm a windows down person instead of the AC. I still love it though.

 

[Dingleberry69]

Agreed there. Yeah I try to stay away from the ac myself too. Takes away from the fuel economy, but then again so does the drag when all the windows are open. But prefer fresh air over conditioned air any day of the week. Glad you’re loving the Sonic too. Same here.

 

[logandsawman]

It is indeed a great car. 120k miles and still original brakes with a 120m commute that’s impressive too. I guess if mostly freeway driving that would make perfect sense. I totally agree, those hankook tires are absolute garbage. I replaced mine this spring actually and never looking back. Ended up going with something that one Might think is absolute overkill for the cad, but the car handles amazingly on the turns with these. Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06+ tires. Absolute glue in the turns, you will never go sideways no matter how much you throw at em. Makes a closed track and all traction aids of driving SUPER FUN . Lol

Actually it is 171,295 miles. First several years was normal driving with a mix of city and freeway. My current long commutes is only the last 2 years, not freeway but rural paved roads.

The car is somewhat impressive. There is a ding in the drivers rear wheel well, that is what compromised the paint a little. I cleaned it up (ground off the rust) and put on a coat of paint over the weekend, got a good look at it and realize it is totally a function of the person that did a partial sideswipe while driving in Minneapolis. Barely touched the wheel well but enough to push it in about 3/8". The rust spot is about 5" high along the wheel well and at most 1" wide.

The other spot is only about 4 square inches and it looks like the body was compromised there, must have been when they towed us during a snow emergency in St. Paul. Just a bit of the body below the rocker panel appears pushed up about an inch, enough to crack the paint and allow an entry of salt/rust. I took care of that with a bit of grinding and a touch of paint, will have to keep my eye on these spots.

 

[Z71]

2013 Sonic LT, 5 speed manual transmission, 1.8 liter engine, almost 150k miles now. Still on the original clutch, alternator, starter, A/C compressor, very few problems so far. I just replaced the coolant overflow bottle because it started leaking.

 

[Midnight2015]

2015 Sonic LT Sedan Automatic 1.8 N/A non rebuilt 213,000 miles and still runs strong with no issues, car still looks new inside and out, bought brand new. Silver with black interior, catback exhaust, added rear spolier, drilled slotted rotors w/ ceramic front pads. Complete folder of all work done and maintence since brand new. Excellent Car

 

[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

replaced shocks again. (Avoid KYB anymore).
replaced all but one coolant hoses.
rear window wiper fell off when I cleaned the rear windows (plastic got brittle).

Things I forgot about:
replaced standard low beam bulbs with LED.

Broke 167,500 Miles recently since the last post.

 

[Dingleberry69]

replaced shocks again. (Avoid KYB anymore).
replaced all but one coolant hoses.
rear window wiper fell off when I cleaned the rear windows (plastic got brittle).

Things I forgot about:
replaced standard low beam bulbs with LED.

Broke 167,500 Miles recently since the last post

replaced shocks again. (Avoid KYB anymore).
replaced all but one coolant hoses.
rear window wiper fell off when I cleaned the rear windows (plastic got brittle).

Things I forgot about:
replaced standard low beam bulbs with LED.

Broke 167,500 Miles recently since the last post.

Hmmmm when it comes to replacement shocks. I have heard that KYB were ho hum or not quite so good. Wondering if Bilstein makes some shocks that would be the right fit for stock replacement. Sure many peeps go for coil overs or go for the lowering, but I know Bilstein makes a great shock, but seems like they have for some GM models, just didn’t see the sonic. Wouldn’t mind going that route when I have to change mine which might be pretty soon too. At 160k with original stock springs, shocks, I know they will be well worn by now. lol.