I need to replace struts and another tranny flush in the near future.
High Mileage Sonics - the longevity thread
- Thread starter mja
- Start date
2016 LTZ Hatchback 1.4L Turbo
111,111 miles (see pic)
Bought used January 2021 at 55k for $9800
This is the wife’s car
Obligatory PCV issue; replaced intake/valve cover; have PCV relocate kit wait
Two T-Stat housings (2 years apart)
Water inlet housing
Purge Valve
Drivers door lock actuator
Intake cam sensor
Needs ear wiper motor
Needs radiator, I’m in no rush
Timing chain set sitting in garage, timing tool kit just came today, getting water/oil pump and cam actuators too as preventative maintenance
I’m glad I am a Master Tech; car has never (since we bought) and will never see the inside of a shop. And I never buy OEM either; all parts from eBay!
111,111 miles (see pic)
Bought used January 2021 at 55k for $9800
This is the wife’s car
Obligatory PCV issue; replaced intake/valve cover; have PCV relocate kit wait
Two T-Stat housings (2 years apart)
Water inlet housing
Purge Valve
Drivers door lock actuator
Intake cam sensor
Needs ear wiper motor
Needs radiator, I’m in no rush
Timing chain set sitting in garage, timing tool kit just came today, getting water/oil pump and cam actuators too as preventative maintenance
I’m glad I am a Master Tech; car has never (since we bought) and will never see the inside of a shop. And I never buy OEM either; all parts from eBay!
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ChrisJ
Active member
I was checking out the forum after being away for many years and just wanted to add an update, albeit old.
My 2012 Sonic LT 6spd manual 1.4T ended up traded in on a different car back in 2019.
145,000 miles, no real issues at that time other than coil failure, PCV issue + cam cover.
The engine was still perfect and it was still giving me 40MPG average tank after tank.
But, it seemed like all of the cooling system hoses + fittings were failing. I ended up with a tee in the heater hose busting off while going home one night when it was 14F out. A week later another hose ended up leaking and it was 10F outside. At that point I had enough and traded it in.
So far........it was still my favorite car honestly. I just didn't have time to deal with small issues. The cooling system is what ended it for me.
My 2012 Sonic LT 6spd manual 1.4T ended up traded in on a different car back in 2019.
145,000 miles, no real issues at that time other than coil failure, PCV issue + cam cover.
The engine was still perfect and it was still giving me 40MPG average tank after tank.
But, it seemed like all of the cooling system hoses + fittings were failing. I ended up with a tee in the heater hose busting off while going home one night when it was 14F out. A week later another hose ended up leaking and it was 10F outside. At that point I had enough and traded it in.
So far........it was still my favorite car honestly. I just didn't have time to deal with small issues. The cooling system is what ended it for me.
2015 LT Sedan 1.8 5spd
152K miles
Bought new June 2015
Eibachs, rear sway bar, K&M setup, a few visual mods.
My daily.
Repairs include
brake pads and rotors ~ 100K Miles
timing belt / water pump ~ 100K miles
Battery ~ 130K miles
2 overflow tanks. finally got a metal one and never looked back
2 coil packs (warranty)
Thermostat outlet (warranty)
Shifter gasket (warranty)
3 pairs of Moog end links (I can't seem to keep them greased enough)
Axles (one was very noisy at 85K miles, replaced both)
control arms (ruined ball joints when changing axles)
Cracked downpipe (my fault, car is lowered)
Cracked oil pan (my fault, ran over a brick)
bent wheel (my fault, hit a big pot hole)
Consistent 33-35 MPG on my daily commute.
152K miles
Bought new June 2015
Eibachs, rear sway bar, K&M setup, a few visual mods.
My daily.
Repairs include
brake pads and rotors ~ 100K Miles
timing belt / water pump ~ 100K miles
Battery ~ 130K miles
2 overflow tanks. finally got a metal one and never looked back
2 coil packs (warranty)
Thermostat outlet (warranty)
Shifter gasket (warranty)
3 pairs of Moog end links (I can't seem to keep them greased enough)
Axles (one was very noisy at 85K miles, replaced both)
control arms (ruined ball joints when changing axles)
Cracked downpipe (my fault, car is lowered)
Cracked oil pan (my fault, ran over a brick)
bent wheel (my fault, hit a big pot hole)
Consistent 33-35 MPG on my daily commute.
logandsawman
Member
I am up to 181,000 with the '13 sonic. We had it in to the dealer with an oil leak and coolant leak, the oil was barely a drip coming out of the oil filter housing, most would ignore it, we had it replaced, $390
The coolant turned out to be thermostat housing, they replaced it for $450. Now, no leaks
Still running on the original bakes! Hoses are original as well! All the repairs I completed last summer have held up fine.
I got a new job only 6 miles from home so not commuting with the sonic anymore. Wife drives it back and forth for groceries and stuff, I am commuting with my old 1988 suburban.
Dave
127,000 miles - 2012, 1.4T, 6MT, LT sedan, stock...I think...
I got this late last year, so I'm not sure just how stock it is. It's leaking some oil and I think may have a vacuum leak. The gas mileage isn't where I think it should be, and on the highway the acceleration seems to improve if I back out of the gas a little, which has me thinking of vacuum leaks. It's not setting any codes, though.
I got this late last year, so I'm not sure just how stock it is. It's leaking some oil and I think may have a vacuum leak. The gas mileage isn't where I think it should be, and on the highway the acceleration seems to improve if I back out of the gas a little, which has me thinking of vacuum leaks. It's not setting any codes, though.
165k miles, 2013 Sonic LT sedan, 1.8 liter engine, 5 speed manual transmission, all stock, bought brand new.
The car still runs great, very few problems so far. I replaced oil cooler gaskets and pipes recently to fix the oil in coolant issue. I will replace the radiator and all associated hoses shortly to prevent on the road coolant system failures which can happen on a high mileage car without warning.
The car still runs great, very few problems so far. I replaced oil cooler gaskets and pipes recently to fix the oil in coolant issue. I will replace the radiator and all associated hoses shortly to prevent on the road coolant system failures which can happen on a high mileage car without warning.
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2012 hatchback 1.4 with 210,800 on it. I bought it new with 200 miles on it. I’m on my 4th engine cover/PCV, my 3rd radiator, 2nd set of brakes, 3rd set of tires.
my turbo started smoking a few days ago and last month my oil cooler went. I’m debating on replacing it myself or buying a 2012 Honda Accord since I commute 70 miles a day. The reliability has dropped significantly since December
my turbo started smoking a few days ago and last month my oil cooler went. I’m debating on replacing it myself or buying a 2012 Honda Accord since I commute 70 miles a day. The reliability has dropped significantly since December
TurboSnail73
New member
Dang I have been gone a while...the snail is still going strong. Just did inner and outer tie rods, ball joints, and sway bar links. Finally found my oil leak...gotta replace the timing cover gasket. Obviously I'll do the timing chain and crank seal while I'm in there. Odo is now at 246570...and this little car just keeps going day after day! I hope to get this car over 300k and even beyond.
I’m just over 207k miles. Love that yours is over that and still has life. I have not been under the veh but I have done allot of my own work that I could confidently accomplish on my own without assistance. Currently I’m dealing with a swaying issue which led me to your thread. I’m getting ready to rotors bearings and cv axle. Sorry if my wording is off, but those are the best I can do.. I’ll post more tomorrow
TurboSnail73
New member
If you're getting a front end sway, it is likely the tie rods are worn out. Easy way to check is to jack the front up and try and wobble the wheel back and forth. If there is excessive play, than the tie rods need replacement. If there is excessive play in the up/down axis, it's likely worn out ball joints. I've done both already on mine and the ride improved a lot. Also, if you end up doing those parts, replace the sway bar links as well. They are known to fail quickly. Get the metal ones too. They last a bit longer.
Hope this helps
TurboSnail73
New member
I've got a Sonic with 100,000 miles on it. It's just got the timing belt done. It wasn't giving a lick of trouble but it was time. The mechanic said that the old one was really ratty.
I'm not having any trouble with starting at all. But I haven't replaced plugs in the 30-odd thousand miles I've had it. I have always put anti-seize on spark plug threads--I have usually had aluminum heads, and I lost a nice bike frame to galvanic corrosion. And I usually got dielectric grease for the spark plug wires. The Sonic has a coil pack instead of plug wires, and it's the first car I have had with that.
Does anybody know if either anti-seize or dielectric grease cause any problems?
I'm not having any trouble with starting at all. But I haven't replaced plugs in the 30-odd thousand miles I've had it. I have always put anti-seize on spark plug threads--I have usually had aluminum heads, and I lost a nice bike frame to galvanic corrosion. And I usually got dielectric grease for the spark plug wires. The Sonic has a coil pack instead of plug wires, and it's the first car I have had with that.
Does anybody know if either anti-seize or dielectric grease cause any problems?
I haven’t had any problems with antiseize. I have replaced coil pack 2xs. They do come pre greased. I’m at 210k.