I am looking for advice from current Sonic owners

[Wookie]

So I'm in the market for a new car. My current one has sort of run its course and is quickly circling the drain. I am looking at either leasing or preferably buying a new car. My choices so far are all new models but they consist of:

2012 Chevy Sonic 4dr sedan LTZ (auto)

2012 Hyundai Elantra GLS or Limited (auto)

2012 Mazda3 either the s Touring, i Touring or the i Grand Touring (auto)

I have started to really like the Sonic especially after test driving and for the price I am able to get a lot more than I would with either of the other two brands. I've heard that the Sonic has the same engine and possibly the same drivetrain as the Cruze. Is this true? And if it unfortunately is I've noticed that the Cruze has a bad rating for reliability and that concerns me if the same engine and drivetrain are in the Sonic. I would like to hear from current owners of the Sonic on what they think about the car, their thoughts on if it was a good buy, how it runs, what (if any) problems they have had and such. If you have any personal experience with the other two choices I have for cars I would love to hear your input on those as well. I thank you for your advice and greatly appreciate it.

 

[Sonic]

Welcome to the forum. At the moment there are no lease offers on the Sonic. I have had my Sonic (1.4 / 6 speed transmission) since December and have had no issues. Other members have had minor issues, but nothing major, such as engine or transmission trouble, has been reported on this forum yet.

 

[ErikBEggs]

I've heard that the Sonic has the same engine and possibly the same drivetrain as the Cruze. Is this true? And if it unfortunately is I've noticed that the Cruze has a bad rating for reliability and that concerns me if the same engine and drivetrain are in the Sonic.

If your getting your poor reliability rating from CR don't bother. They don't know **** about reliability on a first year car. In fact, the Cruze scored better than average reliability for first year models (I will dig out the source from Cruzetalk but there have been numerous threads on this).

The issue with reliability with the Cruze was in its transmission. It was poorly calibrated and there were many complaints, which was why it was completely retuned for 2012. The 2012 Automatic 1.4Ts I've heard are actually quite competent.

Based off what your cross shopping, I would not let the Cruze's weak CR rating turn you off to it. Most people cross shop the Cruze with the Elantra then decide between the Cruze and Sonic (the sonic being more fun to drive). But since the 1.4T Auto Sonic is hard to come by right now and your looking into the Sedan I would seriously consider taking another look at the Cruze. The biggest reason the Cruze stated losing sales have been a number of people go for the Cruze then end up with the Sonic. Cool, huh?!

Basically, if you want a hatch, go sonic. But if you want the sedan I would stick with the Cruze. It is bigger and gets better fuel economy.

 

[Danny5]

Elantra and Mazda 3 vs. Sonic? You realize these cars aren't in the same category, right?

Elantra = 3 = Cruze
Accent = 2 = Sonic

 

[Sonic]

Elantra and Mazda 3 vs. Sonic? You realize these cars aren't in the same category, right?

Elantra = 3 = Cruze
Accent = 2 = Sonic

This.

 

[Wookie]

Yes, i realize that these are not in the same category.

 

[AndrewGS]

Man, if I would've had the coin for a Grand Touring Mazda3 I'd have been in a pickle. The Sonic would definitely save you some money up front, but the 3 would have more equipment on the inside. Then again the Sonic comes with automatic headlamps, fog lamps and remote start.

Toughie.

 

[wingman]

Man, if I would've had the coin for a Grand Touring Mazda3 I'd have been in a pickle. The Sonic would definitely save you some money up front, but the 3 would have more equipment on the inside. Then again the Sonic comes with automatic headlamps, fog lamps and remote start.

Toughie.

Equipment or not, you know you'd have dumped the same $ into lighting and mods in either one!! lol!

 

[wingman]

MO, it depends if you want to do what most of us have done or are doing which is mods. All cars are inexpensive, but if I am not mistaken Kia and Hyundai have a better warranty. And the last two are no longer making throw away cars. If all I wanted was economy I would go foreign, since the warranty kicks ass. And the Elantra is damn sharp, better than the Civic IMO.

 

[pcguy]

Among other considerations, the Sonic is made in the USA, or at least a good part of it.

 

[Wookie]

I like that the Sonic is made in the US (or at least a good part as you put it). I've never driven a Mazda and always just blew them off. I saw that it had a good rating and looks sharp so I decided I'd make it a choice at least till I test drive one (hopefully today or tomorrow). Not sure if I'll be able to afford the model of Mazda that I want but if I can that would be great. The Sonic seems to be a good car I'm just nervous with buying he first version of a new model before they work any kinks out. I appreciate the advice everyone and keep it coming. I'll post again after I test drive that Mazda3.

 

[Danny5]

If you can get past the smiling face of a Mazda, they are pretty decent cars. Always been happy with them.

 

[Wookie]

Oooooook. I just test drove the Mazda3 a couple of hours ago and NOW its a real hard decision. That is one fun car to drive. Two things that it didn't have that I liked about the Sonic is the Sonic has that Chevy app for your phone that you can use to keep track of things and also lock, unlock and start the car. Also it didn't have the USB cable connection, just an aux jack. Does anyone out there have the Chevy mobile app for their Sonic and if so what do you think about it?

 

[Danny5]

Yah, there is a thread on it. It's actually an OnStar interface application, so anything you can do with OnStar you can do with the app.

One nice thing is you can program destinations into your app on the phone, and then download the directions to your car.

 

[AndrewGS]

Does anyone out there have the Chevy mobile app for their Sonic and if so what do you think about it?

Love the OnStar MyLink. It's kind of a toy to show off, but if you ever lock the keys in the car or have an automatic and want to start it from far away it would be invaluable.

 

[Watchdoc]

I was cross shopping all the C segment hatches. (focus, skyactive, 2012 impreza). They all felt like a penalty box for one reason or another.

I was closest to liking the Mazda 3 Skyactiv but a long test drive revealed agressive lumbar that hurt my back.

One test drive in the Sonic was all it took.

 

[SonicBoy24]

Oooooook. I just test drove the Mazda3 a couple of hours ago and NOW its a real hard decision. That is one fun car to drive. Two things that it didn't have that I liked about the Sonic is the Sonic has that Chevy app for your phone that you can use to keep track of things and also lock, unlock and start the car. Also it didn't have the USB cable connection, just an aux jack. Does anyone out there have the Chevy mobile app for their Sonic and if so what do you think about it?

I love the app, its cool to show off, tells me everything about the car that the dash can that you may need while your not driving, tells you tire pressure, you can lock, unlock, and start the car, as well as set off the panic alarm, which is fun when people walk by

Also, you can send directions from the app to the car, which is perfect, so you dont have to deal with the (sometimes) ridiculous Onstar reps.

It's a free app, and I would actually be willing to pay a decent amount. I love it.

 

[Freem]

I love the app, its cool to show off, tells me everything about the car that the dash can that you may need while your not driving, tells you tire pressure, you can lock, unlock, and start the car, as well as set off the panic alarm, which is fun when people walk by

Also, you can send directions from the app to the car, which is perfect, so you dont have to deal with the (sometimes) ridiculous Onstar reps.

It's a free app, and I would actually be willing to pay a decent amount. I love it.

I thought you had to have an active OnStar account to link it to your car?

 

[omniman]

I love my Sonic drove from N.J. to N.C. two times. During snow storm last time handled great. this car made me fall in love with driving again gets lots of looks and people complement me on the look.