Anybody happy with their sonic?

[SeanK]

sonic after 1.5 years and 25000 miles

It has been very reliable (no issues at all YET)
Starting to have the 3-5 gear issue (going to the dealer next week)

GREAT GAS MILEAGE (average real word 40 mpg)

Very Well Equipped !!!!

Only real complaints I have are an Uncomfortable drivers seat and room (feel cramped...probably related to being short and wide

interior material quality...MY 07 Versa HAD MUCH MUCH More upscale interior

Overall a fun car to drive.

 

[attrapereves]

interior material quality...MY 07 Versa HAD MUCH MUCH More upscale interior

That's probably my only complaint about the Sonic. The interior isn't bad, but there are comparable cars with more elaborate interiors.

The Fiesta's interior is more "outgoing," but I don't care for it at all.

 

[TMac]

I'm very happy with my Sonic

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

It has been very reliable (no issues at all YET)
Starting to have the 3-5 gear issue (going to the dealer next week)

GREAT GAS MILEAGE (average real word 40 mpg)

Very Well Equipped !!!!

Only real complaints I have are an Uncomfortable drivers seat and room (feel cramped...probably related to being short and wide

interior material quality...MY 07 Versa HAD MUCH MUCH More upscale interior

Overall a fun car to drive.

It's good to hear that overall you've enjoyed driving your Chevy Sonic, SeanK! I've documented your comment about your driver seat being uncomfortable and cramped and our apologies for any trouble this has caused. We appreciate your feedback!

Amber N.
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[RMinNJ]

Amber,

I've had my LT about a month now...no large complaints. If you want to sell more Sonics though the interior could use a little more attention.

a.) The seats could be more comfortable. I've finally found a position I like and its not really uncomfortable but the seats feel really cheap. I suppose it saves on weight.
b.) I have the chrome on the radio knob coming off already.
c.) The passenger dash appears to have a faded or lighter colored rectangle on it. I didn't notice it when I brought the car...one sees it when the light hits it a certain way. I'm concerned it will become prominent as the car gets older.

 

[stever525]

I still love mine after 15 months and 30k miles.

 

[getthebiscuit]

I love my sonic!!! the only thing i cant stand is the traction control thinking its so smart sometimes actually screwing me over. Like when i pull out over a gutter onto the road, it stops spinning a tire or two but then once make it on the road like i hit the ground not running. So...traction control over a gutter doesnt work while trying to accelerate and pull out. I have to come off the gutter, then accelerate.of course i could turn it off but traction control turns back on everytime i start the car, so forget that ****.

 

[Anthony]

I love my sonic!!! the only thing i cant stand is the traction control thinking its so smart sometimes actually screwing me over. Like when i pull out over a gutter onto the road, it stops spinning a tire or two but then once make it on the road like i hit the ground not running. So...traction control over a gutter doesnt work while trying to accelerate and pull out. I have to come off the gutter, then accelerate.of course i could turn it off but traction control turns back on everytime i start the car, so forget that ****.

Step 1: Get in the car.

Step 2: Start the car.

Step 3: Buckle with left hand while simultaneously double-clicking and holding T/C button.

Step 4: Put car in gear with left hand while waiting for stability control to turn off.

Every time. I feel that the inconvenience is worth enduring when the result is having the car behave more as it should while you're driving (in my opinion at least).

It's easy to live with and I found it easy to work into my start-and-go routine, however, in the beginning I remember being annoyed with having to always turn it off so I feel your pain on that.

 

[DaBlackapino]

My First Car

Actually the Sonic WASN'T my first Choice when it came to buying my first Used Car. I wasn't sure how much my Bank would allow me to have as Far as a Bank Loan was concerned,SO...I basically looked at Mazda3's & Ford Focus & Kia Rio and Honda Civic although I'm NOT sure WHY I looked at Honda's...Don't get me Wrong their GREAT Car's My Dad has a 99 Civic with over 100,000 miles & a Super Charger on it and it STILL runs better then most 14 cars Do. I just couldn't FIND any that where UNDER 100,000miles..lol. So I did some Research on which Cars where Suited for my Needs and What I could Afford. I thought the Mazda3 was nice and the Price wasn't too Bad although it wasn't Certified Used and the Fact that someone bought the Car the next day, SOOO...I compared the Focus to the Kia to the Sonic, and Although the Fiesta was also one to consider i didn't TBH Like the look of it. So I just compared the 3 before mentioned, and other then the Sonic...the Focus wasn't Certified Used So it was just BASICALLY what was left of the Warranty and the Rio just didn't seem all that appealing to me.of course it TWO Wasn't Certified. SO....I decided to look at the Sonic and After reading Consumer Report & Motor Trend they gave it a Pretty good Review. So..I Bought one, Certified Pre-Owned 2012 Sonic Auto. It's STILL Under Warranty with only 28000 miles.So what I'm going to DO With my Sonic and how it will differ from other Sonic's. FIRST I bought something called https://www.automatic.com/ WHICH I HIGHLY Advise getting one it will save ya A TON of Money. Second I bought a Go Pro...WHICH I mounted on the TOP Center of my Car and Expect MORE Videos as I become more and more Quaint. So To break it down, Do I love My Sonic...Do I <3 Big 0...OF COURSE,26mpg, So yeah, I <3 my Car.

 

[SuperFudd]

Interesting though difficult to read / understand.

 

[McD6113]

I love my Sonic RS. It was my first-ever new car and It is everything I wanted it to be. It has had a few quirks but nothing major. It gets better gas mileage than any of my previous cars, the seats are much more comfortable than any of my previous cars, and I haven't had to spend any money on repairs in the last 1 1/2 years (my Ford Contour and Subaru Impreza were pretty much always under the knife for something which got old really quickly).
I saw somebody quote a magazine editor on here once, "The Sonic is an economy car for people who actually enjoy driving." I agree 100%

 

[shorebreeze]

The magazine editor got that one right. Extremely precise steering, a huge and nicely shaped trunk that lets you have the sedan without giving up cargo utility, very tight turning circle for being 173 inches long, a lot of power, a lot of torque, strong brakes, quiet and relaxing on the highway, what niggles there (e.g. suspension looser than it should be, slightly slow throttle response, noisy compressor and condenser on the AC) are usually only noticeable around town, and that leaves the slightly soft seat base cushions in front as the closest thing I have to a serious objection (the backs are great, though).

I still have plenty of suggestions for how to make it better, of course! It's just that hardly any of them have been implemented on competing cars other than a few of them on the Honda Fit. And the Fit isn't long enough for my skis.

 

[thechill_mix]

I love the car. I came from a Cobalt and it's night and day. Takes me away... just me and my music sometimes. Or Dr Laura.

 

[94383Z71]

The only place I'd like to take Dr. Laura is off a cliff...

 

[thechill_mix]

The only place I'd like to take Dr. Laura is off a cliff...

lol

 

[trueblazer94]

Happy with the car? Yes, even though I was pretty much forced to buy the 1.& auto when i actually wanted the 1.4 manual. Besides that, no major issues with it besides the sub-par sound system, lack of temp gauge, and the fact that the intake boot ripped wide open for no apparent reason.
Service is definitely something to complain about. It's like they don't want to bother with it when it's warranty work. And the recalls, what a nuisance! No regrets on buying the sonic at this point but I think I will be jumping ship from GM for my next vehicle.

 

[ChrisJ]

Happy with the car? Yes, even though I was pretty much forced to buy the 1.& auto when i actually wanted the 1.4 manual. Besides that, no major issues with it besides the sub-par sound system, lack of temp gauge, and the fact that the intake boot ripped wide open for no apparent reason.
Service is definitely something to complain about. It's like they don't want to bother with it when it's warranty work. And the recalls, what a nuisance! No regrets on buying the sonic at this point but I think I will be jumping ship from GM for my next vehicle.

Where did you buy from?
My first Sonic (2012) came from Malouf on route 1 and they basically lied to me, said the 1.4T wasn't out at the time and talked me into a 1.8 auto. I wasn't impressed at all. Yeah, in the end it was my fault but I expected accurate info from them and needed a car.

That one ended up totaled with 11K on it and I found a dealer that would get me anything I wanted and so far their service department is excellent as well.

If the sound system in an LT or LTZ is sub-part I'm curious what you are using for par.

 

[94383Z71]

I consider the sound system in my LT to be entirely sub-par. Conversely my SO's LTZ and her father's RS have definitely par or better systems.

I think it's decent for the price point of an LT, and I can see where much of the middle-aged buyers or young teens would be satisfied. Just not me personally.

 

[94383Z71]

Service is definitely something to complain about. It's like they don't want to bother with it when it's warranty work. And the recalls, what a nuisance! No regrets on buying the sonic at this point but I think I will be jumping ship from GM for my next vehicle.

Honestly, this varies by dealership. Unless you're cornered into one due to a lack in your area, try others. I have dealt with both, and I can see where the frustration would come from. I've dealt with others that were a pleasure to have warranty/recall etc work done, even when the car wasn't purchased there.

Yes, GM should have a better handle on the service centers, but that's easier said than done.

 

[ChrisJ]

I consider the sound system in my LT to be entirely sub-par. Conversely my SO's LTZ and her father's RS have definitely par or better systems.

I think it's decent for the price point of an LT, and I can see where much of the middle-aged buyers or young teens would be satisfied. Just not me personally.

Fair enough.
What vehicles in the same price range sound better?

Also, I could be wrong, but I thought the LT, LTZ and RS all had identical sound systems as far as amplifiers and speakers?