High Mileage Sonics - the longevity thread

[thebaron]

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.

I need to replace struts and another tranny flush in the near future.

 

[Jski]

2016 LTZ Hatchback 1.4L Turbo
111,111 miles (see pic)
Bought used January 2021 at 55k for $9800
This is the wife’s car

Obligatory PCV issue; replaced intake/valve cover; have PCV relocate kit wait
Two T-Stat housings (2 years apart)
Water inlet housing
Purge Valve
Drivers door lock actuator
Intake cam sensor
Needs ear wiper motor
Needs radiator, I’m in no rush
Timing chain set sitting in garage, timing tool kit just came today, getting water/oil pump and cam actuators too as preventative maintenance


I’m glad I am a Master Tech; car has never (since we bought) and will never see the inside of a shop. And I never buy OEM either; all parts from eBay!

 

[ChrisJ]

I was checking out the forum after being away for many years and just wanted to add an update, albeit old.

My 2012 Sonic LT 6spd manual 1.4T ended up traded in on a different car back in 2019.

145,000 miles, no real issues at that time other than coil failure, PCV issue + cam cover.
The engine was still perfect and it was still giving me 40MPG average tank after tank.

But, it seemed like all of the cooling system hoses + fittings were failing. I ended up with a tee in the heater hose busting off while going home one night when it was 14F out. A week later another hose ended up leaking and it was 10F outside. At that point I had enough and traded it in.


So far........it was still my favorite car honestly. I just didn't have time to deal with small issues. The cooling system is what ended it for me.

 

[psquare75]

2015 LT Sedan 1.8 5spd
152K miles
Bought new June 2015
Eibachs, rear sway bar, K&M setup, a few visual mods.


My daily.

Repairs include
brake pads and rotors ~ 100K Miles
timing belt / water pump ~ 100K miles
Battery ~ 130K miles
2 overflow tanks. finally got a metal one and never looked back

2 coil packs (warranty)
Thermostat outlet (warranty)
Shifter gasket (warranty)
3 pairs of Moog end links (I can't seem to keep them greased enough)
Axles (one was very noisy at 85K miles, replaced both)
control arms (ruined ball joints when changing axles)

Cracked downpipe (my fault, car is lowered)
Cracked oil pan (my fault, ran over a brick)
bent wheel (my fault, hit a big pot hole)

Consistent 33-35 MPG on my daily commute.

 

[logandsawman]

2015 LT Sedan 1.8 5spd
152K miles
Bought new June 2015
Eibachs, rear sway bar, K&M setup, a few visual mods.


My daily.

Repairs include
brake pads and rotors ~ 100K Miles
timing belt / water pump ~ 100K miles
Battery ~ 130K miles
2 overflow tanks. finally got a metal one and never looked back

2 coil packs (warranty)
Thermostat outlet (warranty)
Shifter gasket (warranty)
3 pairs of Moog end links (I can't seem to keep them greased enough)
Axles (one was very noisy at 85K miles, replaced both)
control arms (ruined ball joints when changing axles)

Cracked downpipe (my fault, car is lowered)
Cracked oil pan (my fault, ran over a brick)
bent wheel (my fault, hit a big pot hole)

Consistent 33-35 MPG on my daily commute.

I am up to 181,000 with the '13 sonic. We had it in to the dealer with an oil leak and coolant leak, the oil was barely a drip coming out of the oil filter housing, most would ignore it, we had it replaced, $390

The coolant turned out to be thermostat housing, they replaced it for $450. Now, no leaks

Still running on the original bakes! Hoses are original as well! All the repairs I completed last summer have held up fine.

I got a new job only 6 miles from home so not commuting with the sonic anymore. Wife drives it back and forth for groceries and stuff, I am commuting with my old 1988 suburban.

Dave

 

[RichSPK]

127,000 miles - 2012, 1.4T, 6MT, LT sedan, stock...I think...
I got this late last year, so I'm not sure just how stock it is. It's leaking some oil and I think may have a vacuum leak. The gas mileage isn't where I think it should be, and on the highway the acceleration seems to improve if I back out of the gas a little, which has me thinking of vacuum leaks. It's not setting any codes, though.

2012 Chevy Sonic (Chevrolet Sonic) | Fuelly

 

[Z71]

165k miles, 2013 Sonic LT sedan, 1.8 liter engine, 5 speed manual transmission, all stock, bought brand new.
The car still runs great, very few problems so far. I replaced oil cooler gaskets and pipes recently to fix the oil in coolant issue. I will replace the radiator and all associated hoses shortly to prevent on the road coolant system failures which can happen on a high mileage car without warning.

 

[tk6214]

2012 hatchback 1.4 with 210,800 on it. I bought it new with 200 miles on it. I’m on my 4th engine cover/PCV, my 3rd radiator, 2nd set of brakes, 3rd set of tires.
my turbo started smoking a few days ago and last month my oil cooler went. I’m debating on replacing it myself or buying a 2012 Honda Accord since I commute 70 miles a day. The reliability has dropped significantly since December

 

[TurboSnail73]

Dang I have been gone a while...the snail is still going strong. Just did inner and outer tie rods, ball joints, and sway bar links. Finally found my oil leak...gotta replace the timing cover gasket. Obviously I'll do the timing chain and crank seal while I'm in there. Odo is now at 246570...and this little car just keeps going day after day! I hope to get this car over 300k and even beyond.

 

[kg32wg]

Dang I have been gone a while...the snail is still going strong. Just did inner and outer tie rods, ball joints, and sway bar links. Finally found my oil leak...gotta replace the timing cover gasket. Obviously I'll do the timing chain and crank seal while I'm in there. Odo is now at 246570...and this little car just keeps going day after day! I hope to get this car over 300k and even beyond.

I’m just over 207k miles. Love that yours is over that and still has life. I have not been under the veh but I have done allot of my own work that I could confidently accomplish on my own without assistance. Currently I’m dealing with a swaying issue which led me to your thread. I’m getting ready to rotors bearings and cv axle. Sorry if my wording is off, but those are the best I can do.. I’ll post more tomorrow

 

[TurboSnail73]

I’m just over 207k miles. Love that yours is over that and still has life. I have not been under the veh but I have done allot of my own work that I could confidently accomplish on my own without assistance. Currently I’m dealing with a swaying issue which led me to your thread. I’m getting ready to rotors bearings and cv axle. Sorry if my wording is off, but those are the best I can do.. I’ll post more tomorrow

If you're getting a front end sway, it is likely the tie rods are worn out. Easy way to check is to jack the front up and try and wobble the wheel back and forth. If there is excessive play, than the tie rods need replacement. If there is excessive play in the up/down axis, it's likely worn out ball joints. I've done both already on mine and the ride improved a lot. Also, if you end up doing those parts, replace the sway bar links as well. They are known to fail quickly. Get the metal ones too. They last a bit longer.
Hope this helps

 

[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

Latest update. 2013 RS 1.4L 6sp manual.
Tons of work/maintenance already. Clutch is getting replaced in a few weeks. All new suspension, brakes, etc. Timing chain recently replaced. Mileage is 248,369. Should hit a quarter million in June.

 

[No Boom!]

I've got a Sonic with 100,000 miles on it. It's just got the timing belt done. It wasn't giving a lick of trouble but it was time. The mechanic said that the old one was really ratty.

I'm not having any trouble with starting at all. But I haven't replaced plugs in the 30-odd thousand miles I've had it. I have always put anti-seize on spark plug threads--I have usually had aluminum heads, and I lost a nice bike frame to galvanic corrosion. And I usually got dielectric grease for the spark plug wires. The Sonic has a coil pack instead of plug wires, and it's the first car I have had with that.

Does anybody know if either anti-seize or dielectric grease cause any problems?

 

[kg32wg]

I've got a Sonic with 100,000 miles on it. It's just got the timing belt done. It wasn't giving a lick of trouble but it was time. The mechanic said that the old one was really ratty.

I'm not having any trouble with starting at all. But I haven't replaced plugs in the 30-odd thousand miles I've had it. I have always put anti-seize on spark plug threads--I have usually had aluminum heads, and I lost a nice bike frame to galvanic corrosion. And I usually got dielectric grease for the spark plug wires. The Sonic has a coil pack instead of plug wires, and it's the first car I have had with that.

Does anybody know if either anti-seize or dielectric grease cause any problems?

I haven’t had any problems with antiseize. I have replaced coil pack 2xs. They do come pre greased. I’m at 210k.

 

[psquare75]

Welp, I made it to 170K


2015 LT Sedan 1.8 5spd
Bought new June 2015
Eibachs, rear sway bar, K&M setup, a few visual mods.


My daily.

Repairs include
brake pads and rotors ~ 100K Miles
timing belt / water pump ~ 100K miles
Battery ~ 130K miles
2 overflow tanks. finally got a metal one and never looked back
Water Pump 160K miles
Thermostat housing + tube 150K miles

2 coil packs (warranty)
Thermostat outlet (warranty)
Shifter gasket (warranty)
3 pairs of Moog end links (I can't seem to keep them greased enough)
Axles (one was very noisy at 85K miles, replaced both)
control arms (ruined ball joints when changing axles)

Cracked downpipe (my fault, car is lowered)
Cracked oil pan (my fault, ran over a brick)
bent wheel (my fault, hit a big pot hole)

Check engine light Code P0011 P2076 and 2078 did it in. It ran fine, but I needed an inspection in my state. Traded it in.

Consistent 33-35 MPG on my daily commute.

 

[SuperS13]

2013 Sonic 1.8L LT HB 6T30 6spd auto trans 102,902 mi.
Long list of mods
Suspension- RS Suspension w/Godspeed springs
Engine- Vauxhall Astra pistons/rods
Cyl head- Vauxhall astra ported/3angle valve cut
Opel astra 1.6L turbo manifold/turbo
Intake- k&n 1.4L intake
Cams/springs- kent cam kit 268/262 street kit
Exhaust- Zzperformance 3" 1.4L full exhaust
Ecu/Tcm tune- Efi live/Hp tuners
ECU- opel astra/sonic T78 hybrid
Turbo- Garret Gt2260rs
100k timing belt/bearing/tensioner kit replacement interval
Water pump/flush replacement/interval