Should I keep my Sonic?

[Amish_Country_Sonic]

Greetings everyone: I am debating keeping my 2012 Sonic, or letting it go!
So a little background with my 2012 Sonic, I bought it in late 2013 at a GM dealer as a used certified car. in the early stages of ownership I had a few minor things go wrong like annoying sensor's and just one thermostat that had been changed. So let me cut to the chase, my Sonic has been very well cared for with 89,000 miles as of right now. The body is in very good condition, and while I don't garage the car, I do cover it when its outside, and I'm one of those people that park a mile a way from other cars! So the car as of right now is running good with oil changes being performed every 6 months using mobile one since I had it, and since I only mostly use it for work ( I work 2 miles from home ), I am changing the oil about every 2,500 miles. I have changed the auto trans oil and all other fluids before the recommended times in the owners manual, tires and battery are around 1 years old, so everything appears to be top shape. So now since the car is 12 years old do I invest some money in the Sonic primarily in the weak cooling system, and replace every plastic part ( cooling ) with metal ones, and replace all hoses with oem hoses. I know the cooling system is the major weak spot with these cars, and to be honest here, I do love this car. Or do I sell the Sonic and buy what I have in mind, a 2019 or 2020 Chevy Impala with the V6 that would be certified as well. If I did keep her, please list any parts that I would need for the cooling system, I already have a metal one in mind ( Mishimoto racing thermostat). I want to use good quality parts, so please list every cooling item that I would need to help make this Sonic more reliable as far as the cooling system goes, and anything else you guys can think of to replace at this stage. I have a Chevy dealer in mind that's pretty good ( I use them for service ) and I already have a price for the thermostat change using my own. I am asking all of this now because I can getting to a crossroads with the Sonic, It has 89,000 miles and its getting close to timing belt change time. I already have a price on that ( I know that can change with inflation and price increases ). So I'm sorry for the very long winded post, and I would appreciate any answers to my questions.

 

[wildgeese2076]

Since no one else responded, I'll put in my opinion. If you are looking at a pure financial deision, keep the Sonic until it starts to rust or starts to require constant trips to a repair shop.

I looked at a 2019 CPO Malabu with @39K listed for $22K. If you get $3,500 trade in for your Sonic pluse add in 6% sales tax and $400 fees, you are looking at financing @20K. The payment would be $377 per month using a 5% interest rate and 60 payments. Interest comes to $2,645. Put the payment into a 5% savings account and take out money for repairs if need be. You won't have to stress about repairs and the savings can be used to buy a car when your Sonic reaches the end of it's useful life.

I just had the my timing belt, tensioner, waterpump, thermostat housing, thermostat, oil cooler, gear oil change, and brake fluid change. The parts were OEM except for an Aisin water pump. My mechanic said not to use metal thermostat housing because it throws off the thermostat temps. (Not sure if that is true) Anyway, price was @$2,200.. It was not a big deal beacuse I have not had a car payment in 10 years and have been putting a $300.00 car payment into a savings account. My Sonic still has lots of life left, but I could pay cash for a new car if wanted to.

 

[CoHPhasor]

ZZP has metal cooling parts for what you need and makes good stuff. You can do the aluminum radiator and aftermarket PCV while you're at it to ensure longer service.

 

[Amish_Country_Sonic]

ZZP has metal cooling parts for what you need and makes good stuff. You can do the aluminum radiator and aftermarket PCV while you're at it to ensure longer service.

Greetings, I do know about the aluminum thermostat that they sell, so I would get that and also change out all the coolant hoses with oem ones. And I know about the aluminum overflow to replace the plastic one, I would like to keep the radiator and fan for now without changing them just yet. I would try to have those tested to see if they are still good, what other things am I missing regarding the coolant system on the Sonic that would be need to be changed out?

 

[CoHPhasor]

I meant the aluminum replacements for the plastic parts such as THIS.
I could absolutely murder Chevy for using plastic.

 

[brainpause]

Is there an all-metal/all-aluminum radiator for the 1.8? I can't find one.

 

[Amish_Country_Sonic]

Since no one else responded, I'll put in my opinion. If you are looking at a pure financial deision, keep the Sonic until it starts to rust or starts to require constant trips to a repair shop.

I looked at a 2019 CPO Malabu with @39K listed for $22K. If you get $3,500 trade in for your Sonic pluse add in 6% sales tax and $400 fees, you are looking at financing @20K. The payment would be $377 per month using a 5% interest rate and 60 payments. Interest comes to $2,645. Put the payment into a 5% savings account and take out money for repairs if need be. You won't have to stress about repairs and the savings can be used to buy a car when your Sonic reaches the end of it's useful life.

I just had the my timing belt, tensioner, waterpump, thermostat housing, thermostat, oil cooler, gear oil change, and brake fluid change. The parts were OEM except for an Aisin water pump. My mechanic said not to use metal thermostat housing because it throws off the thermostat temps. (Not sure if that is true) Anyway, price was @$2,200.. It was not a big deal beacuse I have not had a car payment in 10 years and have been putting a $300.00 car payment into a savings account. My Sonic still has lots of life left, but I could pay cash for a new car if wanted to.

I'm still on the fence as far as keeping my Sonic, Im 63 years old so I am trying to find a " rest of my life car". And I dont think the Sonic would last me ( if I live say 20 years more ). So I think instead of investing money beefing up the coolant system and addressing normal age related items, that it most likely would be smart to get a certified Toyota Camry that with care and luck should be my very last ice engine car.