RS more $ to maintain?

[Vastuvenchu]

Same drivetrain, same prices...should be atleast

Why would you not recommend the RS for highway driving? I drive 60 miles daily, about 55 of that is highway . One of my key reasons for choosing the sonic was for highway travel.

 

[laborsmith]

Good question. I do not do a lot of driving but I do do a good percentage of my driving on the highway. Not quite 1900 miles since I got the RS the day before Thanksgiving and I thoroughly enjoy the highway miles.

Laborsmith

 

[sx sonic]

Why would you not recommend the RS for highway driving? I drive 60 miles daily, about 55 of that is highway . One of my key reasons for choosing the sonic was for highway travel.

It gets worse highway mpg because of the shorter final gear ratio.

 

[Dragcamaro]

i come from big cars, so im used to 70 mph being around 1500 or so rpm, if you go 70 in 6th youre right at 3000 in an rs, ive put plenty of highway miles on mine, it does fine, i just dont like running hard like that for an extended period of time. I put it in 6th, set cruise and never have to downshift for hills, but if it were me and i was doing a lot more interstate running i would have got an ltz.

 

[laborsmith]

70mph = 2900rpm calculated and affirmed by observation

So a summary of all this: maintenance much the same as it is for the non RS iterations and fuel costs more for highway driving in particular and perhaps a little more for city driving.

At least that is what I have gotten from this thread.


Laborsmith

 

[Dragcamaro]

excuse me for being 100 rpm off.

my point was 50k miles on a motor at 2900 rpm constantly is typically a bit harder on one than 50k at 1700 or so. especially with the size of turbo this car has, its almost always spooled anyway. Course i guess it doesnt matter as long as youre under 100k.

dont let me talk you out of an rs, i love mine. Im also patient enough to run right at 70 mph, i havent made any consistant trips with mine doing 75-80 but i feel like around that speed the fuel mileage is going to drop considerably. Could be wrong.

All of that being said. Again, im in west virginia. My interstates are your roller coasters, and I enjoy not having to downshift to pass or take hills.

 

[laborsmith]

About the 100 rpm, I couldn't resist. Your point is well taken.

I am a creature of comfort, both physical and visual, so I am quite happy with the RS, although I have and will make some changes to appearance and performance.

In my opinion, the best utilitarian value is the turbocharged Sonic LT but the best version of the Sonic is the RS. Especially so after I complete a few more mods I have in mind.


Laborsmith