Sonic is the Most Dependable Small Car - JD Power 2017 Rankings

[Ponchoguy]

Once again, you have a sample size of ONE.

You can say all you want about how all Sonics are a POS - but the vast majority of consumers disagree with you.

You are entitled to your opinion on your Sonic. But don't insult the vast majority of Sonic owners that have had a very positive experience with these cars by trying to tell us that every Sonic made is a POS like your's.



The Astre was never a rare car. The first year of production they built twice as many Astre's as they did GTO's in 1964 (64,000+ Astres vs.32,000+ GTO's).

My GTO is one of 6644 convertibles built in 1964 - but even that isn't really rare.

My '49 Cadillac Series 75 Limo is one of 626 made - now that is rare.

You also claim that the Ventura wasn't an entry level car because of the Astre. That is true for 3 years of the Ventura's run as an X Body.

Earth to Ponchoguy, the Sonic isn't an entry level car than either. The Chevy Spark is the entry level car and the Sonic is a step up.

You just got "boxed"...:banana:

The Spark wasn't introduced until 2013 to my recollection. So, in 2012 the Sonic (which replaced the Aveo) WAS the entry level car at the time that we bought it.........

You might want to learn your GM vehicles .

 

[Ponchoguy]

I had to replace the clutch at 65k miles, fix the pcv valve, abs sensors have gone out and the coolant system has had a few leaks. Luckily I've been able to get some of the fixes done under warranty. I'm a little nervous to see what happens after I hit the 100k mark. Right now I am at 88k


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm not nervous per se because I have the GM extended warranty that I fought for, but I fortunately have other cars to rely on to get around. The Sonic has seen a lot more time on a tow truck than any car I've owned since.

 

[shorebreeze]

Model year?

I have a 2014, and if my experience is anything to go by I can see why it got the JD Power award. If my reading of the forum is anything to go by, it seems to me like there were a lot of problems with 2012 and to a lesser extent 2013.

Aside from minor body hardware problems from the interior paneling being cheap, which were all resolved in the first six months of ownership, all I've really had is

a) an ECU computer crash that caused a check engine light, caused the RPM to go a bit haywire and the transmission to hesitate on a shift, which led me to immediately cut the ignition, remove my Bluetooth OBD device and restart the car. The dealer suspected this arose from using a "bullet" mini charger on my phone at the same time as the Bluetooth OBD, and recommended I immediately ditch the bullet charger (The crash happened once more before getting to the dealer; no further problems since switching to a more standard type of charger)

b) adjustment to the rear passenger side door latch so that the door sits about a couple of millimeters closer in and lines up properly with the body (It was very slightly out of line which was creating a bit of dirt accumulation in the slipstream of the door around the rear wheel arch).

c) the dealership probably should have added balance weights to the wheels one rotation earlier than they did.

 

[Thesd45]

I have a 2014 LT Hatchback which I got new in 2015. In 50,000 miles all I have done is regular oil and filter changes, and cosmetic modifications. Zero issues or breakdowns.

So I believe the JD Power ratings.

Once again, you are wrong.

JD Power does not make these ratings up. They aren't biased - they are reporting the results from consumers that bought these cars new and still own them 3 years later.

There is a reason that most manufacturers actually buy the detailed results from JD Power - they want to learn what their own customers had to say about the vehicles they produce so they can make improvements.

If you had fully read and comprehended this thread, you would have already known that, as I previously explained this.

Instead, you continue to avoid the truth and make a diatribe condemning all Sonics - because of your sample size of ONE 2012 model.

BTW - you're also wrong about the Astre. There are collectors that own both the Pontiac Astre and the Chevy Vega. You must not attend many large car shows if you don't believe that to be true.

In a few weeks I'll be headed to the Iola Old Car Show in Wisconsin. Small town of about 1100 people. My wife will drive her Camaro and I will drive the GTO over on Wednesday so we can get them placed in our reserved spaces and then leave Iola on Sunday.

The Caddy Limo will get there Friday (my brother will drive that one over). While the show is well attended on Thursday and Friday, Saturday is the big day and there should be about 140,000 people at the show.

I've also attended the Pontiac Oakland Club International (POCI) meet a number of times where Astre's have been shown.

I've been driving Pontiac's since 1970 - my first car:

I'll have to keep an eye out for your cars at Iola, The Champ, not sure if I will be out Friday or Saturday yet.

 

[The Champ]

Poncho"not"guy...

Thanks for the laughs - you really are a hoot.

I love how you try and make "rare" out of a 1979 Firebird Formula ('79 is the highest production year of the Formula). Yes, I noticed that you noted the 400 - and many came with the 403 that year. But your talking an engine option on a version of a car model that had nearly 210,000 built in 1979.

Tempest OHC 6's rare? That was the base engine for the car. It was common, not rare. Same engine was also available in the LeMans and Firebird as the base engine. Maybe you are referring to the Sprint option of the OHC with the 4bbl carb - but even those aren't all that rare.

My '64 GTO Convertible has a tilt column (a real rare option, even more so on a convertible), but I don't try and make it out to be a real rarity because of that option.

Now this is an extremely rare Pontiac...

Here's another one for you...

I've seen both of these cars in person. The Banshee above was parked 20 feet away from my GTO in the feature car exhibit at the Iola Old Car Show in 2001 - the 75th anniversary of Pontiac.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Poncho"not"guy...

Thanks for the laughs - you really are a hoot.

I love how you try and make "rare" out of a 1979 Firebird Formula ('79 is the highest production year of the Formula). Yes, I noticed that you noted the 400 - and many came with the 403 that year. But your talking an engine option on a version of a car model that had nearly 210,000 built in 1979.

Tempest OHC 6's rare? That was the base engine for the car. It was common, not rare. Same engine was also available in the LeMans and Firebird as the base engine. Maybe you are referring to the Sprint option of the OHC with the 4bbl carb - but even those aren't all that rare.

My '64 GTO Convertible has a tilt column (a real rare option, even more so on a convertible), but I don't try and make it out to be a real rarity because of that option.

Now this is an extremely rare Pontiac...

Here's another one for you...

I've seen both of these cars in person. The Banshee above was parked 20 feet away from my GTO in the feature car exhibit at the Iola Old Car Show in 2001 - the 75th anniversary of Pontiac.

The 400 is the only engine to have in a '79 Firebird. But if you knew anything about Pontiacs, you'd know that. Yes, the world knows that in '79 the most Firebirds were made. But, you're still side stepping these facts:

1) You compare the Astre and the Ventura. Different cars. And, you now admit the Astre was in fact...gasp the entry level car in the Pontiac line for a few years.

2) How's that 2012 Spark workin' for ya? Oh that's right, there wasn't one. It did not come out until 2013. So, for the 2012 model year Sonic buyers, they were indeed buying GM's entry level offering.

Get your GM knowledge up to snuff Anyway, rant ended. Let's move on. You believe the Sonic is the best thing since sliced bread and canned beer. JD Power agrees with you.

Both of those OPINIONS and $2.75 will get you on a NYC subway.

 

[The Champ]

notyourponchoguy...

Just wanted to point out that your still reaching trying to justify your false claim that all Sonics are entry level trash.

BTW - I've forgotten more about GM cars than you'll ever know.

You're still dealing with a sample size of ONE to form your opinion. The rest of the world prefers to use scientific data to form broad based opinions on overall dependability.

Earth to notyourponchoguy - the Spark was the entry level model for all but one year of the Sonics production in the U.S.

The Astre was only part of the Pontiac lineup for 3 years of the Ventura's X body entry level production which ran from 1971 - 1977.

When you get right down to it - you are making the claim that my '64 GTO is an entry level car - so it must be a piece of crap too. GM didn't make a smaller, more basic car than the Tempest/LeMans in 1964 - and the GTO was just an option package. Same thing in 1965 and 1974 (when the GTO was on option on the Ventura).

They had a rare option package for a tent package for the '74 GTO - I think you need one...

Last time I checked, a '64, '65 and '74 GTO are collectible for most people. But not for you - they are entry level POS cars.

 

[Ponchoguy]

notyourponchoguy...

Just wanted to point out that your still reaching trying to justify your false claim that all Sonics are entry level trash.

BTW - I've forgotten more about GM cars than you'll ever know.

You're still dealing with a sample size of ONE to form your opinion. The rest of the world prefers to use scientific data to form broad based opinions on overall dependability.

Earth to notyourponchoguy - the Spark was the entry level model for all but one year of the Sonics production in the U.S.

The Astre was only part of the Pontiac lineup for 3 years of the Ventura's X body entry level production which ran from 1971 - 1977.

When you get right down to it - you are making the claim that my '64 GTO is an entry level car - so it must be a piece of crap too. GM didn't make a smaller, more basic car than the Tempest/LeMans in 1964 - and the GTO was just an option package. Same thing in 1965 and 1974 (when the GTO was on option on the Ventura).

They had a rare option package for a tent package for the '74 GTO - I think you need one...

Last time I checked, a '64, '65 and '74 GTO are collectible for most people. But not for you - they are entry level POS cars.

Keep telling yourself that you're an expert on GM cars, you might start believing yourself, when you don't even know what years GM made what. LOL.

But we do have you now admitting:

1) You were wrong about the Sonic being an entry level vehicle. It was when I bought mine.

2) You were wrong about the Astre being the entry level Pontiac. It was.

3) You compare cars that are long forgotten (for good reason) for those that were highly collectable. If the Astre is so good, why don't you have one in your collection?:banana:

4) I never said the GTO was an entry level car. But you make that assumption. There you go again making yourself a legend in your own mind. Everyone knows that a GTO was an option in 1964, thanks for giving us the $2.75 again.

You'll eventually convince yourself that your Sonic will be a collector's item. As I pointed out, there's an ass for every seat, there are people that collect appliances for a hobby.

Keep going, I know you can do it.....your Sonic is gaining value as you type........

 

[Ponchoguy]

notyourponchoguy...

Just wanted to point out that your still reaching trying to justify your false claim that all Sonics are entry level trash.

BTW - I've forgotten more about GM cars than you'll ever know.

You're still dealing with a sample size of ONE to form your opinion. The rest of the world prefers to use scientific data to form broad based opinions on overall dependability.

Earth to notyourponchoguy - the Spark was the entry level model for all but one year of the Sonics production in the U.S.

The Astre was only part of the Pontiac lineup for 3 years of the Ventura's X body entry level production which ran from 1971 - 1977.

When you get right down to it - you are making the claim that my '64 GTO is an entry level car - so it must be a piece of crap too. GM didn't make a smaller, more basic car than the Tempest/LeMans in 1964 - and the GTO was just an option package. Same thing in 1965 and 1974 (when the GTO was on option on the Ventura).

They had a rare option package for a tent package for the '74 GTO - I think you need one...

Last time I checked, a '64, '65 and '74 GTO are collectible for most people. But not for you - they are entry level POS cars.

You do also realize that in 1978 and 1979 the Ventura X body was renamed the Pontiac Phoenix X body rear wheel drive, right? Sure you do, I just educated you. My parents had one in 1979, bought brand new and sold in 1980 to buy the Trans Am still owned by me.

And, to further educate you, it wasn't an entry level car in those years either.

But keep telling the world you know everything about GM cars. We know grammar isn't your suit, since you don't know the difference between "your" and "you're".

 

[acamacho104]

opcorn:

 

[acamacho104]

I just have one question. Why, ponchoguy, are you on a forum that is by and large full of Sonic enthusiasts when you seem to hate the Sonic so much?

I'm not trying to extend the argument, or even get involved. It just doesn't make sense to me, If i owned a car that I absolutely hated and thought was "trash" I certainly wouldn't spend time on a forum for owners and enthusiasts of that car, and I most definitely wouldn't own that car for very long at all.

I also wouldn't spend my free time arguing with the people on that forum about how I think the thing they enjoy sucks and how they should agree with me. Maybe you have more free time than I do, idk.

To make my post relevant to this thread and not just some useless flaming that wastes the time of all those who read it (take that stuff to the off topic forum). I had a 2012 Sonic Lt 1.4t Manual Hatch and I loved every minute of my ownership of the vehicle and it handled 65,000 miles of... spirited driving. The only issues I ever had were directly related to mods I did, immediately after doing the mods and were easily fixed by correcting my mistake from the install. That's why, after owning a truck for the last two years, I've come back to the Sonic. It was a fun car and it never let me sit someplace.

 

[Ponchoguy]

opcorn:

:sadbanana:

 

[Ponchoguy]

I just have one question. Why, ponchoguy, are you on a forum that is by and large full of Sonic enthusiasts when you seem to hate the Sonic so much?

I'm not trying to extend the argument, or even get involved. It just doesn't make sense to me, If i owned a car that I absolutely hated and thought was "trash" I certainly wouldn't spend time on a forum for owners and enthusiasts of that car, and I most definitely wouldn't own that car for very long at all.

I also wouldn't spend my free time arguing with the people on that forum about how I think the thing they enjoy sucks and how they should agree with me. Maybe you have more free time than I do, idk.

To make my post relevant to this thread and not just some useless flaming that wastes the time of all those who read it (take that stuff to the off topic forum). I had a 2012 Sonic Lt 1.4t Manual Hatch and I loved every minute of my ownership of the vehicle and it handled 65,000 miles of... spirited driving. The only issues I ever had were directly related to mods I did, immediately after doing the mods and were easily fixed by correcting my mistake from the install. That's why, after owning a truck for the last two years, I've come back to the Sonic. It was a fun car and it never let me sit someplace.

You had a 1.4, mine is a 1.8L. Different animal. I wanted the 1.4L but it didn't come with an automatic. Originally, the Sonic was my mother's car (before she gave up driving). My mother couldn't drive stick. It replaced a 1993 Saturn SL2 we had for 18 years.

I guess what initially got me to the post was the JD Power thing. Of course, no one will change your opinion or my opinion. But in the end, we all have our opinions.

Mine is that GM could have done a much better job with the Sonic. My experience and the problems I have prove it for me.

Why do I keep it? Why should I get rid of a five year old car and have to go expend the money on a replacement? GM is providing the warranty I fought for, that's the only reason I'm keeping it. It breaks, their problem until 2021.....

 

[gnonne]

Interesting...

I own two 2012 Sonic LTs, both 1.8L engines with automatic. One sedan, one hatch. One reason I bought these cars is that they were tested and introduced overseas before GM started selling them in the US. Import car companies have done this for a LONG time because it makes their cars seem more reliable to more people in the "first year."

Maybe there were some issues in 2012/2013, but NOT many... We have about 100k miles combined on the two 2012's and we have had ONE mechanical issue to date. That was the air intake duct, and GM later extended the warranty on that part. NOTE: I don't consider a tie rod or sway bar links to be mechanical, given the poor road conditions in my area.

I live in MI and these cars are built in MI. I think that is important, but I'm not going to say every car they built was perfect. That said, I've had so few problems, I bought a third one - a 2013 Turbo LT sedan. When you put on 4 snow tires, these cars actually do really well in winter driving for their size. Did I mention that our 2012 sedan has been hit 3 times on parking lots and one bad hit in the rear - never any air bags deployed? It still drives very straight and quiet. These are SAFE low-cost cars, just look at your insurance bill.

Poncho lives in NYC. I've always thought that people's experiences with cars are somewhat dependent on where they live and what cars are popular in that area, and Poncho's problems are NOT an exception to that observation.

Dealers need to make money to pay employees, etc. But, in some geographic areas, GM dealers are not able to make the big money, primarily due to LOW MARKET SHARE, that GM dealers in other areas make.

I've lived "college towns"where certain cars were driven by almost everyone... Those owners thought their dealer was a genius, all the while the dealer was raking in the cash. Having a large market share helps dealers fix problems on cars quickly because they see so many of the same car every day. This makes owners think their cars are better than they really are and drives up the perceptions of the brand.

Poncho's dealer in NYC probably does not fall into this category when it comes to his Sonic. This might be why Poncho thinks his Sonic is so much worse than it really is. Of course, driving habits can also predict problems, so that could be part of it.

I saw a study once (can't remember where) that showed an incredibly strong correlation between the reliability of a car line and and the percentage of buyers who were college graduates. Dodge, for example, had less than 20% of buyers being college grads while Honda had over 50%. The college grads have a higher average income, which allows them to take better care of their cars. Given this, would you rather buy a used Dodge or a used Honda? But, does this mean the at one was better built than he other initially? Maybe in this example, but we can't be sure.

The 2014 Sonic came in #1 WITHOUT high-end buyers skewing the results in its favor.

A lot to think about here before you start trashing the car...

 

[Llia]

Or just look at the stack of warranty receipts I have in my files to realize the answer is: bottom barrel quality.

Floor mat worn out to the carpet in 5k miles when new

Are you tap dancing in your seat? My floor mats still look new and I have 38K.

I do want to get weathertech ones or similar because I go hiking and want to keep the floor from getting muddy.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Are you tap dancing in your seat? My floor mats still look new and I have 38K.

I do want to get weathertech ones or similar because I go hiking and want to keep the floor from getting muddy.

Wore out completely to the floor carpet in 5k miles. Not sure why. I keep them clean and vacuum them often. Never happened on my other GM cars.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I own two 2012 Sonic LTs, both 1.8L engines with automatic. One sedan, one hatch. One reason I bought these cars is that they were tested and introduced overseas before GM started selling them in the US. Import car companies have done this for a LONG time because it makes their cars seem more reliable to more people in the "first year."

Maybe there were some issues in 2012/2013, but NOT many... We have about 100k miles combined on the two 2012's and we have had ONE mechanical issue to date. That was the air intake duct, and GM later extended the warranty on that part. NOTE: I don't consider a tie rod or sway bar links to be mechanical, given the poor road conditions in my area.

I live in MI and these cars are built in MI. I think that is important, but I'm not going to say every car they built was perfect. That said, I've had so few problems, I bought a third one - a 2013 Turbo LT sedan. When you put on 4 snow tires, these cars actually do really well in winter driving for their size. Did I mention that our 2012 sedan has been hit 3 times on parking lots and one bad hit in the rear - never any air bags deployed? It still drives very straight and quiet. These are SAFE low-cost cars, just look at your insurance bill.

Poncho lives in NYC. I've always thought that people's experiences with cars are somewhat dependent on where they live and what cars are popular in that area, and Poncho's problems are NOT an exception to that observation.

Dealers need to make money to pay employees, etc. But, in some geographic areas, GM dealers are not able to make the big money, primarily due to LOW MARKET SHARE, that GM dealers in other areas make.

I've lived "college towns"where certain cars were driven by almost everyone... Those owners thought their dealer was a genius, all the while the dealer was raking in the cash. Having a large market share helps dealers fix problems on cars quickly because they see so many of the same car every day. This makes owners think their cars are better than they really are and drives up the perceptions of the brand.

Poncho's dealer in NYC probably does not fall into this category when it comes to his Sonic. This might be why Poncho thinks his Sonic is so much worse than it really is. Of course, driving habits can also predict problems, so that could be part of it.

I saw a study once (can't remember where) that showed an incredibly strong correlation between the reliability of a car line and and the percentage of buyers who were college graduates. Dodge, for example, had less than 20% of buyers being college grads while Honda had over 50%. The college grads have a higher average income, which allows them to take better care of their cars. Given this, would you rather buy a used Dodge or a used Honda? But, does this mean the at one was better built than he other initially? Maybe in this example, but we can't be sure.

The 2014 Sonic came in #1 WITHOUT high-end buyers skewing the results in its favor.

A lot to think about here before you start trashing the car...

In my region, that dealer is the only GM dealer in my area. The other (a Pontiac dealer, and a Buick dealer) dealers have gone away due to GM's dealer closure frenzy and/or Superstorm Sandy a few years back.

Well, I have an MBA and I work on my own cars. I just did an oil change and service on the Sonic yesterday. Just looking at things underneath and how it's put together, things look cheap and flimsy to me.

The splash shield bolts are totally rusty, so I had to clean them up and put some lube on them so that they will come out easier the next time. Surely a minor issue, but to me it speaks of the cost cutting done on the car. Rear drum brakes were a cost cutting measure. My 1993 Saturn had four wheel disc, 18 years prior to the Sonic's introduction. As far as hardware, that's one thing I didn't like about the Saturn either---their choice of hardware underneath was that gold type finish you saw on Japanese cars of the 1980s. That stuff never really held up well.

Overall, I think a better job could have been done by GM when they introduced this car. It's a very crowded market and there's stiff competition. I wanted, like you to buy an American made car from an American company. Sure, I could have bought a Honda, Toyota, Hyundai or something else, but I wanted to keep an American employed by an American company.

Of course, one could argue that Hyundais are made here and you're still putting food on someone's table, but your hope is with GM that all of the suppliers that are are related to GM all "get food on the table" because we as consumers made the choice to buy an American made product.

I find that even when I go to Sears to buy tools, I have to really, really look around to find the American made items. It never used to be that way and it's sad really. But, all we can do is to try to make our voices heard with our wallets.

 

[Puzz]

Gosh, 47 responses to one post...



I already posted that you are entitled to your opinion - even if it is WRONG.

You are condemning the entire Sonic lineup for every year of production, when the facts prove that it is one of the most reliable small cars made in 2014.

So grow up and admit that your personal Sonic had some issues and GM has agreed to cover any future problems for a greatly extended period of time.

Anyone that can't accept the fact that a manufacturer makes constant improvements to their products is living in a fantasy world.

Got news for you man.. The 2016 model isn't any better. Don't even have 5000 miles on my RS and its been back to the dealership 3 times. 2 times towed there thanks to their shotty shifter.. 3rd time for the useless ac. funny thing is every time you see a Chevy commercial on TV, you never see a Sonic in their lineup... Always starts with the Cruze. Go figure..

 

[Ponchoguy]

Got news for you man.. The 2016 model isn't any better. Don't even have 5000 miles on my RS and its been back to the dealership 3 times. 2 times towed there thanks to their shotty shifter.. 3rd time for the useless ac. funny thing is every time you see a Chevy commercial on TV, you never see a Sonic in their lineup... Always starts with the Cruze. Go figure..

I've noticed that too about the commercials. I would have to think the Sonic is not a high profit vehicle so they do not promote it as much as the other vehicles in their line up.

Sorry to hear that your car is giving you issues as well.

 

[Puzz]

I've noticed that too about the commercials. I would have to think the Sonic is not a high profit vehicle so they do not promote it as much as the other vehicles in their line up.

Sorry to hear that your car is giving you issues as well.

Thanks man. Wish I kept the Fiat 500 Abarth..