Ride difference was substantial.

[LiveSuperMatt]

Yesterday I drove two Sonic hatchbacks @ the dealer. One had the 15" wheels and the other 16". When I drove the 15's the ride was very smooth over these rough Michigan roads. Then drove the 16's and I felt like I was in a Mustang with 18's on it (very rough). Just wondering why such a difference with just one inch? I really want to get the LTZ with the 17's but they didn't have one for me to drive. Do you think they had a tire pressure difference or would the 17's ride as harsh as the 16's I drove on?

 

[Savage_383]

I think it depends on the tires. I thought the ride on my 15's sucked until I put new tires on them. Those high mileage Hancooks aren't good for anything but putting a ton of miles on them.

I have heard that 17" rims and good tires ride great. I'm assuming if you put poop tires on 17" rims on this car it would ride like crap since there is less rubber there.

Just my theory.

 

[SteveSonic]

Yesterday I drove two Sonic hatchbacks @ the dealer. One had the 15" wheels and the other 16". When I drove the 15's the ride was very smooth over these rough Michigan roads. Then drove the 16's and I felt like I was in a Mustang with 18's on it (very rough). Just wondering why such a difference with just one inch? I really want to get the LTZ with the 17's but they didn't have one for me to drive. Do you think they had a tire pressure difference or would the 17's ride as harsh as the 16's I drove on?

I have 38 psi in my stock Hankook 17" LTZ tires and the ride is great over hill, dale, and minor potholes. Quiet, smooth, and comfortable over the ridges and holes.

 

[Savage_383]

I live in Kansas..the roads are horrible everywhere. I cant escape!! :sadbanana:

 

[SSpeckerwood]

How's the ride on the 17" stock tires?

 

[AndrewGS]

I didn't notice a difference in ride going from stock 15"s to 17"s in the stock size, but I did go with some good Bridgestones.

 

[SSpeckerwood]

dang, i was hoping it would handle better....

 

[AndrewGS]

It handles a little better, but the ride quality didn't suffer.

 

[SSpeckerwood]

can you corner better at slow/high speeds??

 

[AndrewGS]

The steering feel is better thanks to the thinner sidewalls, but everything else is the same because tires can only do so much.

 

[LiveSuperMatt]

Is there any difference in the suspension between the 1.4T & 1.8 cause the smoother ride came from the turbo model with 15's.

 

[Papasonic]

Another factor in ride quality besides aspect ratio is the speed rating of the tire; the stock tires on the Sonic LTZ are Hankook Optimo H428
P205/50R17. These are H speed rated tires. If you were to use the same size tire in a higher speed rating, such as a Z speed rated tire, the ride quality would be compromised, but handling performance would be enhanced.

I have only driven a Sonic with the stock 17s, but I am satisfied with both the ride quality and handling performance.

Papasonic

 

[SSpeckerwood]

With the way the dealer has messed up on my financing they told me they'd buy me a set of tires for the 17" ltz wheels that i picked up. Opinions; do i get the stock one or a better tire??

I drive around 150miles a day commuting to and from work. I need something that will last a bit, but i'm willing to compromise a little for something that handles good. Please opine.

 

[vento]

I went with 17x7.5 wheels, running stock sized (but not stock type...) 205/50/17 tires.

The BFGoodrich Gforce Sport Comp2 summer tires I have are nice, but the ride quality is different. There is alot more feedback through the wheel, and one thing ive noticed is on grooved highways in michigan (mainly M59) the car tends to track with the grooves in the pavement. At higher speeds 80+ its less noticeable.

Over large potholes it isnt exactly 'comfortable' but it definately feels planted. And this is running 38 PSI in the front tires and 36 in the rear.

 

[laborsmith]

What the OP liked I did not like. I believe that set up belongs on a Buick. Of course I like to feel the road and have a sense that I am driving as I motor my way down the road.

Suspension differences: as none of the engineers have chimed in, it appears to me there is no difference in the rear suspension set up, based on graphics I have seen posted both elsewhere on this site and in materials GM made available last summer preparing for the Sonic to start regular production. I do not recall seeing a graphic for the front suspension but if there i one I expect someone will let us know if there is a difference.

Ride quality is subjective and mostly related to tire choice and 15" to 16" does not seem enough to make more than a marginal difference.

Laborsmith

 

[doreo]

according to a pdf given to me by a mechanic the verdict is...same set up for both

 

[laborsmith]

Good find, Doreo. It is always nice to have one's pre judgement confirmed.

Laborsmith

 

[doreo]

any other questions i can look for? lol

 

[SSpeckerwood]

ya. look into the adding cruise control thread. lol

 

[doreo]

ya. look into the adding cruise control thread. lol

done!