RMinNJ
Active member
I finally joined the forum; I'm researching used vehicles and for some reason keep coming back to the Sonic. I have not driven any yet.
Currently I've driven Saabs for the last 20 years but with them no longer in business I find myself wanting something smaller, cheaper, and simpler. Good gas mileage is a goal also. Body integrity seems a goal (see below)
Friends at work all drive Hondas, Toyotas, Acuras.. With no idea what to buy next here's where I am in my research ;
Used Volkswagen Golf; The 2.5 liter engines get poor gas mileage. Not sure
I want to get into a used 2.0T, DSG trans... kind of negates the simplicity requirement.
Ford Fiesta(new/used), Ford Focus (used); ruled out because of DCT transmission issues
(wife already told me it has to be an automatic).
Toyotas Corolla/Matrix; wife has one...it is a very simple, good car. But I would not like driving the
4 speed automatic...the gas mileage is not great.
Hydundai (used elantra?) ; but I read of rust problems with people showing
frames rusting out and newer models having rust.
Honda Civic; (2010-2011); These actually seem similar in weight to the Sonic and the 1.8L/auto combination
seems mature and bulletproof. But,alas, I read of Honda rust problems with people posting pictures of their 2011
doors having rust on the seams.. yikes.
I don't need ultra-reliability...my wife had a 2003 Protege that was one of the most reliable cars we owned...but there was not a panel on it that was not bubbling with rust. Any reliability of the parts was negated by the amount we would have had to spend to fix the body (I cannot do body work).
A terrible first post to the forum I realize but I just wanted to post and let you guys know the Sonic seems pretty good in my research thus far.
RMinNJ
Currently I've driven Saabs for the last 20 years but with them no longer in business I find myself wanting something smaller, cheaper, and simpler. Good gas mileage is a goal also. Body integrity seems a goal (see below)
Friends at work all drive Hondas, Toyotas, Acuras.. With no idea what to buy next here's where I am in my research ;
Used Volkswagen Golf; The 2.5 liter engines get poor gas mileage. Not sure
I want to get into a used 2.0T, DSG trans... kind of negates the simplicity requirement.
Ford Fiesta(new/used), Ford Focus (used); ruled out because of DCT transmission issues
(wife already told me it has to be an automatic).
Toyotas Corolla/Matrix; wife has one...it is a very simple, good car. But I would not like driving the
4 speed automatic...the gas mileage is not great.
Hydundai (used elantra?) ; but I read of rust problems with people showing
frames rusting out and newer models having rust.
Honda Civic; (2010-2011); These actually seem similar in weight to the Sonic and the 1.8L/auto combination
seems mature and bulletproof. But,alas, I read of Honda rust problems with people posting pictures of their 2011
doors having rust on the seams.. yikes.
I don't need ultra-reliability...my wife had a 2003 Protege that was one of the most reliable cars we owned...but there was not a panel on it that was not bubbling with rust. Any reliability of the parts was negated by the amount we would have had to spend to fix the body (I cannot do body work).
A terrible first post to the forum I realize but I just wanted to post and let you guys know the Sonic seems pretty good in my research thus far.
RMinNJ
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