Very interested in a Sonic LTZ 1.4L...

[Axela05]

Let me start off by saying that I've only owned Mazdas (3 so far) and never thought I would stray, until now, lol. I've had a 11' Mazda2 for almost 16 months now and I think it's safe to say I'm done with it. My last car was a
05' Mazda 3, owned it for 5.5 years and loved it. The 2 just does nothing for me, whatsoever.

I've been looking for a car at or below $19,000.00 that offers decent gas mileage, is decent looking, has enough power that I can hold my own on the highway...and it HAS to have a sunroof. Well, the Sonic LTZ seems to be it. I definitely want the 1.4L Turbo version (Hatchback) with connect & cruise, silver, as well as a sunroof. The only down side right now is finding one to test drive, much less purchase. The only one close to what I want is almost 300 miles away in Ft Lauderdale, FL but it's Orange. Can anyone let me know if I was to test drive one of the non turbo manual Sonics, if it would give me any kind of general feel of what the Turbo version might be like? I only ask because the HP between the two is the same, just a difference in Torque. Any and all help would be much appreciated

 

[Sonic]

From what people have reported the 1.8 engine is a nosier engine. And based off the torque difference, I wouldn't drive a 1.8and try to draw any conclusion about the 1.4 from it.

 

[Axela05]

From what people have reported the 1.8 engine is a noisier engine. And based off the torque difference, I wouldn't drive a 1.8and try to draw any conclusion about the 1.4 from it.

Fair enough. Thanks for the info. I'd hate to order a car I've never test driven though so hopefully a dealer within driving distance gets one in or I find a nice forum member who doesn't mind allowing me a test drive, lol.

 

[robd53]

For whatever its worth, we test drove a 1.8 auto this weekend, and the engine does seem to make a fair amount of noise while accelerating moderately to heavily. Didn't bother me any, but noticeable when getting on the onramp or getting up to speed quickly.

That said, we're buying the 1.4T with 6 speed manual. I want the best gas mileage possible.

 

[wingman]

I drove the 1.8 auto and decided to purchase a 6M turbo 200 miles away without driving it. Night and day difference on power delivery as well as the smoothness of the turbo. The ride was the same to me, which is why I drove the 1.8 in the first place. But I kept in mind that I was only sampling the ride, not the motor.

 

[MGDavis]

Yeah, the HP is close, but the 20 extra ft/lb of torque makes it a completely different animal.

 

[AndrewGS]

I test drove a manual 1.8L and liked it enough to buy the 1.4L Turbo without driving it. There were none to drive yet and the dealer had one on the way so I reserved it and picked it up the day it arrived.

 

[BNRacing]

The modification potential of the turbo is wayyyyy above the 1.8 so far. Nothing like spending $300 to get you near 200hp.

 

[Papasonic]

I have two Sonics; an LTZ 1.8 auto. sedan, and a LTZ 1.4 turbo hatchback. (both in stock tune)
Both handle very well; cornering, braking, suspension, and are quiet inside, but neither has an abundance of torque or horsepower. As I have said in a previous post, 6th gear is mostly for going downhill with the wind. Using 6th gear in most situations ultimately lugs the engine. I'm tempted to try a tune for the 1.4 hatch, but I already have another vehicle that goes fast; I bought this for economical inexpensive transportation, and wish not to compromise its durability and reliability. If I'm not mistaken, gear 4,5,and 6 are all overdrive ratios on the 1.4 turbo 6-sp manual. Most of the other vehicles I have driven always begged for a taller top gear on the highway; now we have it! (6th is a tall gear for this tiny engine)

 

[dumpsterj]

I had a hard time finding a turbo sonic but when i did it sold itself. I drove the elantra , accent , focus , cruze eco and rc , optima , veloster , and even a used audi (loved it but its was more money and thier 2008 cabin tech is abysmal) . It came down to the cruze eco or rs since i couldnt find a turbo sonic , then fate would have it I spotted my sonic hiding behind the dealership i had stopped at to look at a cruze. It wasnt in the computers because the regional guy had been driving it . Youll love the sonic , I drove camaros and firebirds for 10 years and the sonic is still alot of fun to drive and the fuel economy is outstanding. It hands down is more fun to drive than anything else i tested with the cruze being pretty close.

 

[Axela05]

Thanks for the feedback/info everyone I'll try and find a dealer around me with a Sonic hatch (manual) to get a feel for the ride at least. If I like it enough, I'll just order what I want. Thanks again.

 

[Danny5]

Oh man! The Mazda2 is what sold me in buying a subcompact this year!!!

If it wasn't for this picture, I wouldn't have bought my Sonic. Great cars inspire us.

 

[Axela05]

Oh man! The Mazda2 is what sold me in buying a subcompact this year!!!

If it wasn't for this picture, I wouldn't have bought my Sonic. Great cars inspire us.

Lol, yeah, that's the SEMA Mazda2 from last year I believe (such an awesome job they did on it). They had a mocked up Mazdaspeed2 there this year made by Autobarn, Corksport & CBE (backed by Mazda). I originally planned on modding my 2 but the lack of power the current mods actually offer, had me going in a completely different direction.

I wanna wait until a Speed2 finally does come out but even then, they probably won't offer a sunroof on it. I know that sounds so trivial but after 3 cars without one, I don't wanna sacrafice it a 4th time. I'll probably end up waiting a few more months before I make any final decisions. This should give Mazda more time to come out with more news on a Speed2 and Chevrolet more time to come out with some more Turbo Sonics (maybe even some new color options and what not). I'm definitely going to play it safe this time around (sell my car private party, work dealers down and so forth).

 

[wingman]

I love what they do with the SEMA cars. Not a fan of the 2, but when it looks like that, its a whole nother animal, and sexy too!