Trying to decide between 2013 LT and LTZ

[Eranthe]

Hi, Sonic owners! First time posting. Hope I found the right place here.

I'm shopping for a 2013 Sonic, and am having a bit of a squabble with a more car-focused friend of mine who insists that the LTZ will ride too hard and stiff compared to the LT with the 15" or 16" wheels. I'm hoping to get some opinions from people who've actually driven them for a while. Is the LTZ a significantly different ride than the LT, or indeed, different at all? My friend insists that the LTZ has differently tuned suspension and handling to account for the different wheel size.

Thank you!

 

[Preloader]

What is your plan for the car? I own an LTZ that has turned into a weekend warrior drag racer. If I had known that before, I would have gone with an LT or even a LS for the weight savings.

And as far as suspension, I don't believe either is noticeably stiffer than the other. It's the RS that is supposed to have a stiffer ride. But again, it's all relative to what you want in a car. You could swap around suspension parts and wheels from each model to your desire.

 

[Eric Smit]

All feel the same with their respective stock wheels. dun dun dun.


-Eric Smit

 

[423]

Go the LTZ... you will be glad....

423

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

The only way to choose is to be honest with your intent for the car, If you plan to mod for power get the LT. I don't believe you can get the 1.4 in an LS but if you can find it that would be the best platform for power to weight ratios.

 

[laborsmith]

The LS and the LT have a slightly firmer shock damping than the LTZ. The reason is to keep the ride feel equivalent. The RS has a sport tuned suspension, therefore should have a firmer ride than any of the others. Theenico has posted the part numbers for the shock absorbers, and the 15" rims and the 16" rims use the same shocks and the 17" rims (exclusive to the LTZ) has a different part number.

Laborsmith

 

[Tommyboy4725]

I'm very happy I went with the LTZ. The wheels alone are worth it

 

[JohnT]

The suspension isn't different between the two. The only difference is sidewall height and rim weight. This isn't a major concern as the 205/50/17s have enough sidewall that ride isn't really affected. Ultimately you will get a smoother ride with the 15's and lower tire pressure, but tire choice plays a much bigger role. Worst case scenario if you choose the LTZ and wanted to switch you could easily find someone who would gladly swap 15s for the LTZ 17s, in fact I'm sure the dealer would probably do this for you. The sonic really has the best ride in the b-segment so you can't go wrong.

Pick the LTZ for the nicer interior or radio, otherwise I wouldn't fret about the ride difference.

 

[Eranthe]

Thanks a ton for the quick advice, everyone.

My plans for the car are very basic. I don't have a lot of money to spend, so this is going to be a major investment for me and I plan to drive it for a long time (My current car is a 2001 Hyundai Elantra, for comparison). I don't plan to modify the car at all.

My driving needs are very basic, but I do want a car that will be fun and efficient. The sonic seems to fit the bill! My trim of choice is the LTZ in TARDIS (I mean, Topaz) blue with the 1.4L turbo. No sunroof or anything else. It's expensive enough as it is!

If anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it. It's my first new-car purchase. All of my previous cars have been used.

 

[Preloader]

Get the manual transmission.

 

[laborsmith]

The suspension isn't different between the two. The only difference is sidewall height and rim weight. This isn't a major concern as the 205/50/17s have enough sidewall that ride isn't really affected. Ultimately you will get a smoother ride with the 15's and lower tire pressure, but tire choice plays a much bigger role. Worst case scenario if you choose the LTZ and wanted to switch you could easily find someone who would gladly swap 15s for the LTZ 17s, in fact I'm sure the dealer would probably do this for you. The sonic really has the best ride in the b-segment so you can't go wrong.

Pick the LTZ for the nicer interior or radio, otherwise I wouldn't fret about the ride difference.

That explains why the shock absorber part number for for the 15" and 16" rims is not the same as the shock absorber part number for the 17" rims.

I am one person who does fret about the ride.

Laborsmith

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

Get the manual transmission.

+1

 

[Eranthe]

I unfortunately do not know how to drive stick.

 

[Preloader]

I unfortunately do not know how to drive stick.

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

I unfortunately do not know how to drive stick.

Have the salesman teach you in a car you don't intend on purchasing. If you chose the LTZ take the manual LT out to learn and what not...

 

[Eranthe]

I know, I know... Come to a car owner's forum and don't know how to drive stick? Unheard of.

Still, I definitely appreciate the advice!

 

[Tommyboy4725]

I unfortunately do not know how to drive stick.

Learn. Youl love it

 

[rdss]

If you go with an LT get the turbo and get the connectivity package. Not ordering a Sonic LT with cruise is probably my only real regret.

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

If you go with an LT get the turbo and get the connectivity package. Not ordering a Sonic LT with cruise is probably my only real regret.

+1 on that as well, but seriously give learning manual a try it will be worth it if you can get it down.

 

[severous01]

for 1500 it depends on you. i like my mylink (which you can get on lt) and my leather...which can also be on lt. the wheels...you'll probably get aftermarket any way so save the 800...

like mentioned above, depends on you. i like my leather and i got ltz for the wheels basically. and the radio, i dont plan much except maybe replacing the rear speakers with subs...and adding an amp...if i could come up with the time to do something to my car. but i would rather buy another gun or bow than buy speakers so that'll tell you how interested i am in upgrades to my car.