Rockcrusher
Member
I'm going to look at a used 1.8 Sonic this weekend. Its GM certified. Is there anything in particular I should look for? In reading, it seems water pumps and T-stat housings were an issue. Thanks for any insight.
Looking at a used 1.8
- Thread starter Rockcrusher
- Start date
Save yourself. Buy a 1.4T. They go for nearly the same price. Get you better fuel economy and performance.
I have a thread documenting common reported issues. Look at my profile.
Rockcrusher
Member
Found the thread. Pretty informative. Thanks.
I have to admit, I think I'm being misunderstood when it comes to my inquiries about the 1.8 Sonic. I'm not interested in a performance car. I don't care if the 1.4 has more tuning potential. I'm not going to modify it. I want reliability above all else. It will be an affordable commuter car. As long as the performance is adequate to keep up with highway traffic at 65 mph, I'm happy.
Stick shift Sonics are exceedingly rare in my area (there are only 2 new ones within 250 miles, for instance) and most of the used ones are 1.8s.
I just want to know if the 1.8 has some Achilles heel or if its a bad motor prone to failure. Everyone seems to push the 1.4 on me here on the grounds of tuning potential when that simply isn't the goal.
I have to admit, I think I'm being misunderstood when it comes to my inquiries about the 1.8 Sonic. I'm not interested in a performance car. I don't care if the 1.4 has more tuning potential. I'm not going to modify it. I want reliability above all else. It will be an affordable commuter car. As long as the performance is adequate to keep up with highway traffic at 65 mph, I'm happy.
Stick shift Sonics are exceedingly rare in my area (there are only 2 new ones within 250 miles, for instance) and most of the used ones are 1.8s.
I just want to know if the 1.8 has some Achilles heel or if its a bad motor prone to failure. Everyone seems to push the 1.4 on me here on the grounds of tuning potential when that simply isn't the goal.
dannyg
Member
I don’t know if this helps you, but I bought a new 2015 1.8L/5sp LS Sonic in Feb 2015 and so far it has been a very solid car. Only one issue, thermostat replaced under warranty at 30K miles. I’m up to around 36K miles (OK not that much).
I really like the stick 1.8L. Like you I have no interest in tuning, mods, etc. I have no problem at highway speeds but I’m not a speed demon. Around 75MPH w/o A/C I can get 40MPG with a light pedal. For a small car I find the Sonic a really decent highway car.
Good luck, let us know if you pick up a Sonic!
I really like the stick 1.8L. Like you I have no interest in tuning, mods, etc. I have no problem at highway speeds but I’m not a speed demon. Around 75MPH w/o A/C I can get 40MPG with a light pedal. For a small car I find the Sonic a really decent highway car.
Good luck, let us know if you pick up a Sonic!
Rockcrusher
Member
Yes, this helps. Thank you. This is the kind of feedback I was looking for. Much appreciated.
Both engines are solid and both have issues that are well documented and if addressed early won't cause any issues. I'm not approaching this from the perspective of tuning potential. This is a cost/benefit and long term value. The 1.4t is going to get you better gas mileage, uses a chain instead of a belt for timing which is huge in terms of costs to own, gives you the extra grunt when needing to pass on the highway. You are pragmatic and don't want things you don't need. However, the 1.8 is simply an engine that really isn't worth it in the long term.
In terms of finding a manual Sonic, check the forums, and the Facebook group, and your local Craigslist. There are members selling their cars. Stay away from early model years. 2013 is the lowest I would go.
In terms of finding a manual Sonic, check the forums, and the Facebook group, and your local Craigslist. There are members selling their cars. Stay away from early model years. 2013 is the lowest I would go.
JTee2017
Well-known member
First. . what years Sonic are you looking at and how many miles on it?
Daughter has a 2014 Sonic hatch with the 1.8L enigne. It has 91,000 miles on it.
Wife and I bought a 2017 1.8L Sonic hatch new off the lot. Before buying it I came here and read for a good 2 months. We are happy with the 1.8L MPG and it is peppy enough.
You are asking about the 1.8L so I will tell you why we went with it.
Daughters had only had the usual thermostat housing and purge solenoid valve replaced under warranty at 70,000 miles. Even if she had to pay for it it's a $40 to $80 part you can install yourself or have a shop do it. Other than that, the timing belt should be replaced at about 90,000 miles. Yes, an expense but also DIY if you have some experience with cars.. Other than that, the Emission Canister Purge Solenoid Valve goes out after awhile. . . like many cars these days. A $30 part you can replace in 20 minutes. But you probably know all this stuff. In short, if a person is handy, the 1.8L can be kept running long and in good shape for $300 to $400 in a few parts for years and no serious issues.
So . . on to the 1.4L . . ..
The 1.4L engines will have the "water outlet" go out, the water pump, oil pan leak, and .. the worst is the PCV valve clog or freeze up which can take out the crankshaft main oil seal and damage the whole engine because of sudden oil loss. Also, there seems to be more radiators going out on the 1.4L turbo. Then there is the turbo bypass valve issue.
Yes, some of these things have fixes or proactive things you can do. But they will cost time and money. You can buy and replace the intake manifold every 40,000 mile or so. . . a few hundred dollars. You can buy or make a turbo bypass - bypass and spend some time and money on that.
In the end, the 1.8L has less issues and all are less complicated and costly than the 1.4L issues.
Yes, the 1.4L is a bit more peppy. Neither engine is true performance oriented unless a person goes all out to buy a tune, and new intake and exhaust system, and add some better suspension components.
If your use the car just for a daily driven car. . . . the 1.8L is fun enough, gets 28 to 33MPG on the road, and less cost to maintain with less fiddling.
If you want something to play with. . . . the 1.4L is also a good choice as long as you know what you are in for.
This was my logic and used when we decided. As always, YMMV as will others.
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Rockcrusher
Member
Well, I bought the 2014 1.8 hatch today. Thanks for everyone's input. It was in very good shape for a 5 year old car. I'm amazed at how solid and rattle free the car has remained. If I do see a minor imperfection, I just remind myself of the $15,000 or so I saved over a new one, lol. Being GM certified, I got a bumper to bumper warranty for a year which is nice and all the nit-pick things like a loose sun visor, etc. were replaced. Even came with a fresh service (synthetic oil), and a full tank of gas. It was a pretty good experience.
Mechanically, a timing belt change is no problem for me as I've literally done dozens over the years. On the test drive, I honestly did not notice a great difference over the old 1.4T I owned previously. There was a tiny bit of extra grunt when I felt the turbo come on in my old one, but overall, the pull felt more or less the same. It merged and kept up with traffic fine, although I do miss that 6th gear on the highway. I was quite surprised the performance wasn't all that different. JTee summed it up perfectly. In the end, the 1.8L has less issues and those issues tend to be less complicated and costly than the 1.4L issues.
Mechanically, a timing belt change is no problem for me as I've literally done dozens over the years. On the test drive, I honestly did not notice a great difference over the old 1.4T I owned previously. There was a tiny bit of extra grunt when I felt the turbo come on in my old one, but overall, the pull felt more or less the same. It merged and kept up with traffic fine, although I do miss that 6th gear on the highway. I was quite surprised the performance wasn't all that different. JTee summed it up perfectly. In the end, the 1.8L has less issues and those issues tend to be less complicated and costly than the 1.4L issues.
Rockcrusher
Member
Thanks!
Rockcrusher
Member
I actually didn't try to talk them down on the car. Their pricing was "no-nonsense" so to speak. I researched the value of the car given year, miles and options and indeed, the dealer was several hundred $ below that estimate. I had all the numbers on hand for the value of my trade. This worried me as the last dealer I bought my wife's Sonic from really tried to low ball me on the trade, by like $3000. That salesman angrily gave in only after the manager told him to give me what I wanted for the trade. This salesman was great. He came back in with a number well within range of my trade value. I went over and under the car pretty thoroughly and only found a hunk out of one tire sidewall from a curbing that I didn't like. I mentioned it and he immediately asked if adding $500 to the value of my trade would do the trick. I thought I could come up with a new tire for $500 (4 new actually). All in all, it went great.
Rockcrusher
Member
I used mostly KBB, but I had the NADA numbers on hand too. It was MD state inspected (required anytime a car changes hands in MD) and went through the 172 point GM Certified checklist. I got to look at both reports. The car was in decent shape and didn't need much. In addition to the sunvisor, they replaced wiper blades and a power port. Any open recalls would be handled too.
Seems like a timing belt and water pump is what...$250 in parts compared to a turbo which I'm sure is well over that. I'd take changing out a belt over a turbo any day.
Coming from a happy 176k mile 1.8 hatch here.