Anybody happy with their sonic?

[carplan15]

I'm satisfied with this $15k econobox. I don't understand people buying this car and expecting same features quality performance etc as $40k sports luxobarge sedans tho

I've put about 3500 miles on my 2015 sonic 6sp auto ls, yes some minor gripes but that's to be expected with this kind of car

minor gripes - no locking gas cap, I bought one of these, the door locks automatically unlock when put into park, the dealer can probably change this for $50 but not worth it, the headlites almost always turn on when start car big whoop turn them off interior lites always turn on when open door can't switch them to manual, transmission sometimes a bit clunky when in drive and downshifting, the whole car is too short for car washes LOL the back window gets dirty because it is so steeply slanted wash it off at gas station, radio reception not as good as my previous toyo corolla, very expensive spare keys like $55, steering is fairly twitchy on the hiway very quick compared to my previous toyo corolla but this is fine on surface roads, no temperature gauge on the dash panel graphics, heating takes about 10 minutes to warm up when it is cold, 6 speeds is really too many for transmission in drive it shifts quite a bit just noodling around the city, too big a gap between 4/5 gears, gazillions of options on radio, I pressed the wrong buttons and it took me about 10 minutes to get back to the 3 saved FM stations I had set, and the onstar buttons on the rearview mirror I keep hitting them when adjusting for day/nite this is really clueless whoever put them there, the in/out door vent thing for air circulation is actually a little motor that moves a vent, I can see this breaking in the future, why not just a slider lever, rear visibility is weak due to huge C column and small rear window, first setting on air blower is too much should be 2nd and a less forceful for 1st, and probably a few more I can't remember right now

otherwise I liked the price, styling, driving, interior ergonomics are fine the little arm rest is great, seat/steering wheel adjustability are good, hopefully I got a solid build and the reliability will hold up over the years, hopefully the dealer near me has good mechanics, 2 year maintenance is amazing for econobox car

 

[wbjones]

Bought the car when hungry and tired and in shock after witnessing a horrific car accident right in front of the dealership. My bad. Biggest and costliest mistake I have made, perhaps ever in my over 40 years as a licensed driver. Am wondering if the lousy gas mileage and total lack of power are an indication that I got a lemon or whether it's typical. This car has less power than my 1969 VW beetle did back in the 70s! I'm not a racecar driver by any means. Am used to Corollas and Civics, but this thing is pathetic. Also notice that the windshield wipers are not effective and the cabin fogs up a lot and does not clear. Not at all happy with this car.

2015 Sonic Hatchback . Automatic 6 speed. Not turbo.

totally different from my Sonic ... but mine is a Hatchback 6sp 1.4L T ... plenty of power when I want it and 37+ mpg ... 40+ with summer blend gas, even here in my mountains ...though I don't push it as hard as I did my integra, and I got 35 + in it, hammering on it as much as I wanted to

 

[Bosgarage57]

Although I'm a New owner I'm very happy with my car. I paid 13k for a 2014 ltz 1.4 auto with 28k miles. Diven it 600 miles in 2 weeks interstate and the hills of East Tennessee and it's been rock solid. I wish mpg would be better (32) but still better than my mini cooper S that took premium and only ever got 30mpg. Acceleration is there when I need it. I think people forget these are sub $20k cars.

Sent from my LG G4

 

[SuperFudd]

Yeah that day/night mirror issue is a pain. Now I leave it in day mode and scoot down slightly at night if following headlights are too bright. That always worked well in my 1952 Ford Crestline Victoria. Or I could wear sunglasses at night.

 

[albuquerqueith]

Bought the car when hungry and tired and in shock after witnessing a horrific car accident right in front of the dealership. My bad. Biggest and costliest mistake I have made, perhaps ever in my over 40 years as a licensed driver. Am wondering if the lousy gas mileage and total lack of power are an indication that I got a lemon or whether it's typical. This car has less power than my 1969 VW beetle did back in the 70s! I'm not a racecar driver by any means. Am used to Corollas and Civics, but this thing is pathetic. Also notice that the windshield wipers are not effective and the cabin fogs up a lot and does not clear. Not at all happy with this car.

2015 Sonic Hatchback . Automatic 6 speed. Not turbo.

BTW I forgot before my Sonics my last cars were 2006 Vibe (Toyota Corolla Matrix) 1.8L and 2009 Vibe 2.4L. Slighter bigger but not as quiet or as good a ride quality. The 2006 was mid 30s mpg and slower than the 1.8L Sonic. The 2009 had a little more oomph than the Sonic turbo but the mileage penalty dropped it to 31-32 mpg.

 

[MJSONIC]

Sounds like I ended up with a lemon. :-( Makes me want to move someplace where I don't need a vehicle. So sick of getting screwed by Car Salesman :-(!!!!

 

[bluejay]

i love my sonic , the only problem i have is the clutch pedal could be a little farther from the brake so i dont hit both during downshifting while on a spirited drive. and i would love to have a little warning light on the dash cluster for low washer fluid . this car is great , very happy with my purchase .

 

[LTZ ICE]

Couldnt be happier with my Sonic.
Love the car!
With 53,000 on its ticker, the car has been bullet proof!

 

[wbjones]

Although I'm a New owner I'm very happy with my car. I paid 13k for a 2014 ltz 1.4 auto with 28k miles. Diven it 600 miles in 2 weeks interstate and the hills of East Tennessee and it's been rock solid. I wish mpg would be better (32) but still better than my mini cooper S that took premium and only ever got 30mpg. Acceleration is there when I need it. I think people forget these are sub $20k cars.

Sent from my LG G4

you've got the same topography as I have here in WNC ... you CAN get better milage ... but you gotta start driving it like grandmamamama LOL

I manage mid to upper 30's (winter blend gas, and longer cold weather [read runs richer for longer] warm up) ... during the summer (better gas) I usually manage upper 30's lower 40's (the 40's usually coincide with any road trips) assuming I can make myself set the cruse at 70 and just ride along in the right lane ... if I do my own driving (no cruse) then I'll drop back into the mid 30's ...

above 70 mph seems to be where the boost wants to kick in ... and with the drop in gas milage

 

[wbjones]

Yeah that day/night mirror issue is a pain. Now I leave it in day mode and scoot down slightly at night if following headlights are too bright. That always worked well in my 1952 Ford Crestline Victoria. Or I could wear sunglasses at night.

agree with the day/night mirror ... I've accidentally called On Star several times when switching to my night mirror ... they seem very understanding LOL

so it must be a regular happening for them

 

[ganthc]

I drive a 1.8L 2013 Sonic hatchback. I used to drive a 2001 Jeep Cherokee, but when I was visiting family for two weeks in Texas, I had a 2012 Sonic for a rental car. I realized that for a tiny car, it was really good. I am 6'2", and I was able to easily get in and out of the car, and sit comfortably in it. I had test drove a Cruze, and found that the back seat seemed more spacious in the Sonic than the Cruze.

I have driven 38,500 miles, and I will list my pros and cons for the vehicle.

Pros:
1. Great gas mileage. If you are shooting for gas mileage, you can easily get 29-30 mpg in mixed driving. My overall according to Onstar is 30mpg. On the highway, at 55mph, I have gotten 45mpg, but typically it is around 36-38mpg driving the speed limit or about 5 over. Winter driving does take a significant hit on the MPGs though.
2. Styling. I really like the styling of the Sonic, and I have gotten compliments on it from others who have seen it and ridden in it.
3. Handling/steering. Compared to my Jeep, this car really feels responsive in how it handles and steers. I have confidence in taking corners, and I like how the car feels on the road.
4. Traction control/stability control. I know this will make others roll their eyes, but when I was in my Jeep, even wet days would make me nervous because I would spin tires, or fishtail around. Even on stock tires, the Sonic has been sure-footed in rain, and light snow. Never had a problem.
5. Features. Compared to the Jeep, this Sonic was a massive upgrade in technology. I love Chevy MyLink, hands free features for phones, and Satellite radio. I even appreciate small things like automatic headlights, tire pressure monitoring, switchblade key, built in blis in mirrors, and remote starting. Onstar has come in handy a few times too.
6. Quiet. My Jeep was loud and let in tons of road and outside noise. This Sonic is a library compared to that. It is so different, I have to be careful, because if I have the radio at even medium volume, it is hard to hear sirens of emergency vehicles.

Cons:
1. Blind spots. Because of the styling, the Sonic has some wicked blind spots. Backing out of parking spots requires a quick prayer to God, because you can't see what's coming. (Newer Sonics have backup cameras, so that addresses this). However, the A-pillars can cause blind spots in parking garages.
2. Power. Coming from an 4.0L I-6 to a 1.8L I-4 meant I had to get used to much less power. And it really struggles sometimes, but that seems to be a combo of the transmission that searches for the more efficient gear, and the weaker engine. Really, the transmissions sometimes is there to give you peppy speed, and then at other times it leaves you hanging with no immediate power when you try and mash the pedal.
3. Low clearance. I expect this from a small car, but the Sonic sometimes scrapes on areas I would think would be fine.
4. Ticky tacky stuff. No padding on door arm rest, no passenger arm rest, can be severe dashboard glare on the windshield if you don't have sunglasses, back head rests have to be removed to fold seats, windshield wipers are not standard.
5. I didn't get the turbo. The car I had was everything I wanted, except no turbo. I decided to go with it, and I am happy with the 1.8L, but I still wish I had gotten the turbo automatic.

 

[Moose]

I haven't read through this entire thread, so I apologize if I'm beating a dead horse. I own a 2012 Sonic with about 60,000 miles on it, which is much older/depreciated than many of the more recent posts here.

I agree that complaining about power, space and other amenities is just plain stupid. These are all things that you should be well aware of before making a purchase.

What I'm starting to see as the car gets older is quite a bit of depreciation that I wasn't expecting. I was told repeatedly that "cars nowadays hardly break" but that's far from the truth with my sonic. Faulty thermostat, radiator sensor leak, shift knob sticking, engine sputtering, acceleration jolts, and blower motor squeaking are all some issues. Having previously owned a SAAB story, this isn't horrible. But it is far from impressive.

Other issues include oddly shaped windshield/wipers (where/what the hell to buy?), seatbelt latches breaking, fogging issues, and cup holder/seatback latch rattles. I realize you should expect some of this with an ecocar.

The styling, handling, features, and price are where this car really shines. I just don't know how I would feel about buying another one.

 

[cdavie89]

I have a 2015 Chevy Sonic. I've read reviews of other year Sonics that aren't so great but mine is wonderful. Out of every car i've owned this is the best.

I've owned a Chevy Blazer, Pontiac Sunfire, Ford Escort, Toyota Yaris and I don't wish that I got any other car. I have the 1.8 engine. Great gas mileage. On highway I get over 40 MPG. City stays around 30ish MPG. I have a touch screen, rearview camera. I'm perfectly happy but Chevy and OnStar both told me that the 2015 Chevy Sonic was rated the best car so yeah.

Now the only car that I think about now. THANKS A LOT CHEVY. Is the 2017 Bolt. It's beautiful but I won't switch to a different car for at least 10 years or so

 

[Swordsmith]

Now the only car that I think about now. THANKS A LOT CHEVY. Is the 2017 Bolt. It's beautiful but I won't switch to a different car for at least 10 years or so

I'm the same way, except for the Volt. Maybe 10 years from now I'll be able to afford one, too. In the meantime, I sure do love my little Sonic

 

[RMinNJ]

"Other issues include oddly shaped windshield/wipers (where/what the hell to buy?) .."

I can't believe this is listed as an issue? I mean really...any car you buy will take wipers
of one sort or another. FWIW I just purchased the Aero set off Amazon...they installed
in less than 60 seconds including taking the old ones off.

 

[dannyg]

I'm the same way, except for the Volt.

Me too, the new Volt looks great! But the new Cruze looks good too...and a lot cheaper. Once my Sonic is payed off in a couple of years I might just have to test-drive one...but I've always kept my cars for 10 years...so I'll have the Sonic quite a while yet.

 

[rodslinger]

I'm still pretty satisfied with it but some GM ghosts are starting to creep up and making me paranoid that some "old GM" might still be in this car.

Little things like a few rattles, squeaks, slightly loose door handle, etc.... Basically the things that remind me of how bad the interior and trims on older GM cars were put together years ago.

Starting to get a few little squeaks and rattles on our 2014 Regal GS also which is making me double think getting a diesel Colorado.

 

[Moose]

"Other issues include oddly shaped windshield/wipers (where/what the hell to buy?) .."

I can't believe this is listed as an issue? I mean really...any car you buy will take wipers
of one sort or another. FWIW I just purchased the Aero set off Amazon...they installed
in less than 60 seconds including taking the old ones off.

Yeah, you had to buy your wipers off of Amazon. Two different sizes which aren't held in most department stores in my area. It's more annoying than any of the other vehicle wipers I've dealt with in the past. I'm not saying this small issue alone makes me question the car...

 

[cdavie89]

They are just so expensive. I paid for my car with cash so I don't want a car payment for a long time and when I upgrade I'll definitely have to have payments.


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[ChrisRS]

I bought my 13 RS a year ago and very pleased with it. Happy with the mods - think I'm done now. The hardest part is reading some of the deals people have gotten on Sonics due to such low gas prices!