I'm about to trade my 2004 GTO with a full Lovell's suspension kit for a 12' 1.4l turbo LT sonic tommorow morning. I love the car, but with 93k on it gas and what not I'm thinking its time to try the eco side of motoring. I drove it again today and freakin loved the quiete ride and the stick was better than my GTO. Heck, the stock stereo is better. My wife loved it to. It's quieter and the trunk space is twice what I now have (hilarious).
I keep thinking I'm crazy, but some facts on the subject.
GTO will need:
New front rotors
Slight power steering leak
Timing chain
Clutch, throw out bearing
Yada yada....sports car expensive stuff
Anyway, for the trade in I get the LT with cruise and blue tooth and turbo for 9k out the door. Pay it in cash and I avoid 3k in repairs in the next year and 3k in gas. That's right folks, I pay over 400 a month in gas.
Anyhow, I love my car but its not exactly my dream sports car (at the moment, the challenger R/T in vitamin orange is). It now handles great and the interior is still better in my opinion than most of what GM puts out besides the CTS but:
It's almost 10yrs old
Brakes always sucked
Once it hits 100k it'll tank in resale
Parts are expensive
Anyhow, maybe some of you have done the same crazy thing by trading in a sports or muscle car to get more practical and save money on gas. I could buy whatever I want but as a DD I first need another practical car since my Volvo died last year.I keep saying "do I really want another gas guzzling performance car or save even more money and maybe buy a challenger in a year or two for weekends." The sonic is actually fun and comfortable and I miss that kind of relaxed ride. I read a review about a guy who has a Camaro SS and says he loves the Sonic ride just as much (but for different reasons).
Sorry for ramblin, but I really like the sonic and I've driven over 2 dozen cars in the past few months...including the new FR-S. for what its worth the Sonic is pretty damn good. I could keep my car, but with pontiac gone and my trade almost worth what I bought it for 4yrs ago I think its time tomday goodbye. Anyway, I'd love to hear anyones similar story or opinions.....thanks!
I keep thinking I'm crazy, but some facts on the subject.
GTO will need:
New front rotors
Slight power steering leak
Timing chain
Clutch, throw out bearing
Yada yada....sports car expensive stuff
Anyway, for the trade in I get the LT with cruise and blue tooth and turbo for 9k out the door. Pay it in cash and I avoid 3k in repairs in the next year and 3k in gas. That's right folks, I pay over 400 a month in gas.
Anyhow, I love my car but its not exactly my dream sports car (at the moment, the challenger R/T in vitamin orange is). It now handles great and the interior is still better in my opinion than most of what GM puts out besides the CTS but:
It's almost 10yrs old
Brakes always sucked
Once it hits 100k it'll tank in resale
Parts are expensive
Anyhow, maybe some of you have done the same crazy thing by trading in a sports or muscle car to get more practical and save money on gas. I could buy whatever I want but as a DD I first need another practical car since my Volvo died last year.I keep saying "do I really want another gas guzzling performance car or save even more money and maybe buy a challenger in a year or two for weekends." The sonic is actually fun and comfortable and I miss that kind of relaxed ride. I read a review about a guy who has a Camaro SS and says he loves the Sonic ride just as much (but for different reasons).
Sorry for ramblin, but I really like the sonic and I've driven over 2 dozen cars in the past few months...including the new FR-S. for what its worth the Sonic is pretty damn good. I could keep my car, but with pontiac gone and my trade almost worth what I bought it for 4yrs ago I think its time tomday goodbye. Anyway, I'd love to hear anyones similar story or opinions.....thanks!
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