Sonic sales taking a dive

[arkansawyer]

Yesterday's paper had an ad from a local dealer. New Sparks for 10,995. New Sonics for 13,995. Big difference for the budget minded customer considering this type of car.

 

[Gimpster]

I honestly thought about buying a used Spark when I got this Sonic, but ... its just a really oddly perportioned car. Also, at least around here, a used Spark was selling for not much less than a Sonic and kinda sealed the deal. I was pretty stoked when I found a 1.4T M6 on a lot for peanuts.

I had previously owned a Sonic when they first came out, so I have familiarity and some fondness for the car.

 

[Blue Moon Sonic]

Personally, They really just need to kill off the Malibu and have the Cruze take its place in the lineup. Raise the price of the Cruze by maybe 1-2k for the base price and give it a slightly beefier engine like the Opel 1.6 turbo. Then the sonic needs to become a Golf/Focus fighter in the hatch segment. The spark can then be the fiesta fighter like it should've been. This crossover craze needs to die. They are nothing more than over-glorified, lifted wagons with AWD. Could literally buy an old Outback and get the same thing.

 

[Gimpster]

The Trax is even worse IMO... literally a lifted Sonic with the same power train, and **** drag coefficient. That seems to be the trend lately be it GM, Mazda or FIAT. Take your slow selling a/b segment car -> make it a CUV.

I really don't get it, but I have a history of owning/driving cars that were out of fashion so...

Personally, They really just need to kill off the Malibu and have the Cruze take its place in the lineup. Raise the price of the Cruze by maybe 1-2k for the base price and give it a slightly beefier engine like the Opel 1.6 turbo. Then the sonic needs to become a Golf/Focus fighter in the hatch segment. The spark can then be the fiesta fighter like it should've been. This crossover craze needs to die. They are nothing more than over-glorified, lifted wagons with AWD. Could literally buy an old Outback and get the same thing.

 

[carsNskis]

If they drop the Sonic I hope they'd offer the Cruze in a coupe... Keep the 1.5 for the LS/LT and add a 2.0 for LTZ and SS model.

I don't think anyone would miss the Sonic if we could have 275hp and a better chassis with mucho aftermarket support..

The US should really follow the UK lineup better and open up the engine options, quit pushing large/midsize cars instead of embracing the compact market (which gives you room in your cafe footprint, which means more big trucks and suvs because murica).

[emoji593][emoji809][emoji472]

 

[skurtov]

I've heard there have been pretty serious problems with the 1.5T. Cracked pistons.

As far as the Fiesta? Ford pulled out because sales were dismal.

I hate the crossover craze as much as you bluesonic. But man, Americans as a whole are getting bigger, and to have a big car, that's off the ground, that's easy to get into is what sells. Plus they're marketed as a recreational vehicle with light "offroad" capability.

Yeah the Malibu sits in a weird spot too. Since the Impala is basically identical just slightly larger. If they extended the Cruze's wheelbase an inch or two. It could take over the Malibu. Then they could offer the 2.0T in an SS version. It's sad because they are sitting on a goldmine with the Cruze if they tuned it up a bit and gave it a compelling engine. But they decide to market it as a Civic alternative. Which it sadly just isn't./

 

[JTee2017]

Yeah the Malibu sits in a weird spot too. Since the Impala is basically identical just slightly larger. If they extended the Cruze's wheelbase an inch or two. It could take over the Malibu. Then they could offer the 2.0T in an SS version. It's sad because they are sitting on a goldmine with the Cruze if they tuned it up a bit and gave it a compelling engine. But they decide to market it as a Civic alternative. Which it sadly just isn't./

I do not think the Malibu will disappear. As stated, it is now almost the size of the Impala and sells more because of it's price range and demographic target.

That plus this Direct from the General - - -


Report: GM Considers Eliminating Six Passenger Car Models
" General Motors has put six of its cars under review and is evaluating whether to cancel them in the coming years, according to a report from Reuters.

The news comes as sales of cars continue to plummet in the U.S. and as consumers increasingly turn to SUVs and pickups.

The company is considering plans to eliminate the Chevrolet Volt hybrid, the Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac CT6, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Impala and Chevrolet Sonic, according to Reuters. "

 

[Blue Moon Sonic]

Regardless, I still feel like GM is shooting themselves in the foot by not having a hot hatch. They'll have nothing to compete with Ford, Honda, or VW, for their smaller car segment. I don't even consider the Bolt a hot hatch because it's competition is Tesla. I probably won't even consider a new GM if no fun hatchbacks.

 

[JTee2017]

The Trax is even worse IMO... literally a lifted Sonic with the same power train, and **** drag coefficient. That seems to be the trend lately be it GM, Mazda or FIAT. Take your slow selling a/b segment car -> make it a CUV.

I really don't get it, but I have a history of owning/driving cars that were out of fashion so...

Me too. But I don't think we are "out of fashion".

I agree . . . I've been eyeing the Sonic ( and it's same platform based siblings) since 2014 when we finally bought the 2017 Hatchback. When the Trax arrived I found it disappointing in much the same way as it's pricier Buick counterpart.

The Sonic is underrated by many. When I looked closely at the Trax, Cruze, other competition like the Ford Focus, Honda Fit, etc. . . . I found that the Sonic had close to the same or greater passenger volume and cargo space.

What deceives many is the criteria for what determines a vehicle to be a "compact" or "subcompact" car. Case in point is the Ford Focus. Because of it's length it gets classed as a Compact car. Yet if you check the interior passenger and cargo volume, it is very close to the Sonic. In fact, the Sonic has more front passenger space. So barring those who would buy the Focus ST ( $$,$$$ ) for it's performance package, the Sonic is in the same class.

The same is true for the Cruze in most respects. We liked the seating and egress of the Sonic much better and the Cruze hatch has such a small hatch opening and just pain in some respects.

Other things that sold me on the Sonic are arguable, but ultimately got me to buy. No CVT like the Honda Fit. As much as the Sonic sometimes gets slammed for cheap plastic interior appearance, I see the same in the Fit and others along with poor infotainment technology.

Lastly, yes, the Sonic 1.8L and 1.4L Turbo both are NOT gasoline direct injected so do not enjoy the power and bit better MPG increases that other classed cars do. That could easily be fixed since the engines are in GM production.

For me, I actually was glad to see the current 1.8L LUW engine as well as the 1.4L. These engines are old school for sure. Good German Opel design - - - heck, my engine was made in Hungary. The 1.8L LUV has been around a good long time has more reliable MPFI with none of the drawbacks that people like to minimize with Gasoline Direct Injection. The Sonic would certainly be a real hot rod with 160 or 200 HP, but not to say it still is a fun to drive car the way it is. And the maintenance is easy and lower potential cost with the current engines.


The Sonic has the looks and feel of an International compact car yet made here in the U.S.A.

 

[JTee2017]

Regardless, I still feel like GM is shooting themselves in the foot by not having a hot hatch. They'll have nothing to compete with Ford, Honda, or VW, for their smaller car segment. I don't even consider the Bolt a hot hatch because it's competition is Tesla.

I agree . . . doesn't mean we have to like it.

But as with any car maker, GM decides based on sales and profit. I do not care for the Spark or Bolt either. GM is using the Bolt to highlight latest tech in electric and using it as the test mule for self driving (please no! ) So that's what is getting pushed.

I do not think there is that much market for a small all electric. To me, it really does not solve the carbon foot print argument so many tout. It is just a shell game moving it from one place to another and does not take into consideration the heavy metal pollutants of manufacturing the electronics and even the batteries. There are businesses that just *store* the bad stuff till someone can figure out an economical way to recycle or reuse the stuff. Those costs are currently not figured into the equation.

 

[Endura RS]

The B-spec idea did not take off as much as GM liked.
It's almost 2018 and all I want is the B-spec options and accessories.
That would satisfy me, but I'm always too late.

I'll drive the Sonic RS until trade time and go to Fiesta / Focus next.
If Fiesta RS model comes along, I'm on that. GM trading hot hatch for Bolt EV development did it for me. Anyways, good for GM... not good for me right now.

 

[Gimpster]

I think GM has fallen/is falling into the trap they were in the 60-90's. I had hoped the bankruptcy would change this, but here we are with the Spark/Sonic/Cruze/Malibu/Impala... yada yada.

They just have so much overlapping product, its confusing to the customer. That issue was even worse when they had like 7 different marques to boot.

You can tell what they really want to sell by the incentives and/or product availability on the lots.

 

[Gimpster]

If you are in the USA, you won't be getting a Fiesta unless its used.

The B-spec idea did not take off as much as GM liked.
It's almost 2018 and all I want is the B-spec options and accessories.
That would satisfy me, but I'm always too late.

I'll drive the Sonic RS until trade time and go to Fiesta / Focus next.
If Fiesta RS model comes along, I'm on that. GM trading hot hatch for Bolt EV development did it for me. Anyways, good for GM... not good for me right now.

 

[Gimpster]

People who critque the Sonic interior need to rid around in a Cobalt like I did for 7 years. That car, other than the LNF engine in mine, had zero redeeming qualities. It was a hard plastic rattletrap off the lot!

Me too. But I don't think we are "out of fashion".

I agree . . . I've been eyeing the Sonic ( and it's same platform based siblings) since 2014 when we finally bought the 2017 Hatchback. When the Trax arrived I found it disappointing in much the same way as it's pricier Buick counterpart.

The Sonic is underrated by many. When I looked closely at the Trax, Cruze, other competition like the Ford Focus, Honda Fit, etc. . . . I found that the Sonic had close to the same or greater passenger volume and cargo space.

What deceives many is the criteria for what determines a vehicle to be a "compact" or "subcompact" car. Case in point is the Ford Focus. Because of it's length it gets classed as a Compact car. Yet if you check the interior passenger and cargo volume, it is very close to the Sonic. In fact, the Sonic has more front passenger space. So barring those who would buy the Focus ST ( $$,$$$ ) for it's performance package, the Sonic is in the same class.

The same is true for the Cruze in most respects. We liked the seating and egress of the Sonic much better and the Cruze hatch has such a small hatch opening and just pain in some respects.

Other things that sold me on the Sonic are arguable, but ultimately got me to buy. No CVT like the Honda Fit. As much as the Sonic sometimes gets slammed for cheap plastic interior appearance, I see the same in the Fit and others along with poor infotainment technology.

Lastly, yes, the Sonic 1.8L and 1.4L Turbo both are NOT gasoline direct injected so do not enjoy the power and bit better MPG increases that other classed cars do. That could easily be fixed since the engines are in GM production.

For me, I actually was glad to see the current 1.8L LUW engine as well as the 1.4L. These engines are old school for sure. Good German Opel design - - - heck, my engine was made in Hungary. The 1.8L LUV has been around a good long time has more reliable MPFI with none of the drawbacks that people like to minimize with Gasoline Direct Injection. The Sonic would certainly be a real hot rod with 160 or 200 HP, but not to say it still is a fun to drive car the way it is. And the maintenance is easy and lower potential cost with the current engines.


The Sonic has the looks and feel of an International compact car yet made here in the U.S.A.

 

[Blue Moon Sonic]

Well, I'm going to continue to be the oddity that throws money into this car knowing it may not be worth building because I just want a trollish hatch build that wrecks face. If GM can't give me what I want, I'll do it for them .

 

[JTee2017]

People who critque the Sonic interior need to rid around in a Cobalt like I did for 7 years. That car, other than the LNF engine in mine, had zero redeeming qualities. It was a hard plastic rattletrap off the lot!

This is what I see when I drive the Sonic.


Mighty nice compared to some of the competition. .

 

[Blue Moon Sonic]

Oh man, I'm realizing how dated the 2012 interior looks compared to this.

 

[Endura RS]

GM Sales - Trucks, SUV's, and cross-overs.

 

[JTee2017]

Oh man, I'm realizing how dated the 2012 interior looks compared to this.

Well .. . . keep your eyes peeled.

If GM does decide to drop the Sonic in whatever year .. . maybe a great time to get a new 20xx Sonic RS 6-speed stick ! :banana:

2013 Sonic RS Interior - - -

2018 Sonic Rs Interior - - - -

 

[dannyg]

According to these guys, the Sonic will stick around. Yay.

http://gmauthority.com/blog/2017/12/south-koreas-number-one-vehicle-export-is-the-chevrolet-trax/


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