Good Riddance....

[turbo]

I traded in the Sonic. I didn't expect to, but the dealership (NOT Chevy) "made me an offer I can't refuse". I love my new car dearly. I'm not here to promote other brands, so I'm not interested in discussing what kind of car I got. I simply want to express my disappointment. Until it started having so many problems, I really liked my Sonic. It offered a surprising amount of performance (tuned), and I always liked the look of it. In the 15000 miles that I had it, it went to the dealership for numerous recalls and service issues including warped rotors and chipping paint (after only 500 miles!). Then it developed the second gear grind. I lived with it. Then it developed the whining transmission. In investigating these issues on here it became apparent that there is no effective solution; there are inherent design flaws with the Sonic transmission (at least the 6 speed manual version that I had). I tried different fluid, additives, etc, and nothing helped. I'm completely disgusted with the garbage transmission that GM used. I'm completely disgusted by their inability to find an effective solution (other than replacing with another garbage transmission). I'm completed disgusted with all the problems that I experienced in 15000 miles. It's a shame that what should have been a positive experience turned into a terrible one. The Sonic was the most unreliable car that I ever owned. Despite the warranty, I got tired of having to make time to get the car to the dealership, again, and again. GM, if you're listening, shame on you. To all of you satisfied customers, keep up the good work, and good luck in finding 300HP.

 

[Nimda]

First of all, sorry to hear of all the problems with the Sonic. One thing that stood out in your post was what you said about the warrenty. Yes, it's great that your problems were covered under warrenty BUT who wants to take the time to take the car back to the dealer for every problem. It's a pain in the ass. Seeing as 2012 was the first production year for the Sonic, problems.. I feel, are unfortunately expected. The first year is basically the "let's hope we get this right.. if we don't.. we'll fix it in coming years." The 2012 1.4L turbo with the 6MT IMHO was too new of a car to be reliable. But, maybe there are a few members here that have the same production year and have no problems?

 

[SouthFLSonic]

First of all, sorry to hear of all the problems with the Sonic. One thing that stood out in your post was what you said about the warrenty. Yes, it's great that your problems were covered under warrenty BUT who wants to take the time to take the car back to the dealer for every problem. It's a pain in the ass. Seeing as 2012 was the first production year for the Sonic, problems.. I feel, are unfortunately expected. The first year is basically the "let's hope we get this right.. if we don't.. we'll fix it in coming years." The 2012 1.4L turbo with the 6MT IMHO was too new of a car to be reliable. But, maybe there are a few members here that have the same production year and have no problems?

2012 1.8 5spd sedan and not one issue with 50K+ miles and about 95% of those were highway miles. Sorry to see ya go but I understand and if was my car acting like that I probably woulda felt the same way. I have owned GM in the past and never had any issues but know many friends who have, it's just a roll of the dice when you buy a new car if it's going to be relaible or a turd.

My friend and I both had 98 S10s bought brand new about 3 months apart and my car was bulletproof and after 140K only thing replaced was water pump and clutch. His truck must have been built on a Friday before Christmas break after they all got drunk at the office party because he had parts missing and issues nonstop and was in the shop over the two years he owned it for about a year total. We always made fun of him being in a rental more often than his own car.

 

[Natesriv]

is the build date (including day) on the car anywhere? Always buy a Tues-Wed-Thursday car

 

[KartRacer]

As posted, sorry to see you go. I wish you the best of luck with your new vehicle. You also mentioned that it had a tune, which by the laws of physics makes me question who's fault drive line problems. Tunes do in fact push the engineering limits of components and some issues should be expected.
You may be lucky enough to have gotten the new car with no flaws but they are few and far between. I have had all of the American brands, (refuse to buy a foreign car). None of them where better than my GM experiences since 2001. Every car will have an issue here and there, it is how it is handled by the dealer and backed the manufacture that counts. So far I am satisfied with my service from both.