You Can Afford To Spend More . . . So Why Did We Buy A Sonic . ?

[JTee2017]

After being on the forum now for some 8 months, it struck me that the forum has many highly educated, professional people along with, I assume, well compensated incomes.

Obviously, there are many other cars in the market place so it begs the question: "Why buy a Sonic when you could afford much more"?


For my wife and I, the Sonic is our little version of a sports hatch to zip around in and will use for Summer Day trips and still get great MPG that the SUV would not. And the Sonic has amazing passenger and cargo room to boot. You know, sometimes wife likes to stop at street or flea markets, collector shops or any other "buying opportunity" that we might come upon.

I thought it would great to see why other members chose the Sonic over something else.

And. . . so?


EDIT: - - Secretly, I'm hoping someone from GM may still be reading this forum and see that there would be a more interest in continuing to produce a Next Gen Sonic with more tuner or factory upgrade options and that there is a market for a roomy, comfortable sporty little sedan and hatch. The Sonic would be the bomb with the newer 160HP 1.5L turbo that the Cruze now gets. Especially for you 5 speed manual folks.
And, no offense GM, the Cruze just is more of a hum drum look-a-like car like everything else out there.

 

[ib2loud]

I drive over 100 miles each day for work and have to work out of my car. I sold my nice car and purchased my $4500 Sonic over 35k miles ago and haven't regretted a second of it.

It's more practical, less worrisome, and if it gets a ding or a rock chip I'm not too concerned. That being said I still have my weekend fun truck in the garage.

 

[skurtov]

Why bother dumping in more money into a car? If you want an expensive ride most people just lease. If you have a family, then you're pretty much stuck in forced into crossover territory. The depreciation on these things is pretty hard, that's why i picked up mine for basically pennies on the dollar. If I had to do it again, I probably would have returned to my VW roots and gotten a Golf for the extra space.

 

[dannyg]

Yes, I’d trade in my 2015 1.8L for a 2019 Sonic if it was offered with the 1.5T and manual tranny...even though I really like my LS. Guess it’s not gonna happen though...

The Sonic does everything I need well, so as long as it’s reliable I’m happy (so far so good). I do borrow my mother’s Impreza occasionally for larger stuff. I don’t have kids, so I don’t need massive amounts of space.

 

[Crumbi]

I wanted a cheap car I could customize instead of a luxury car. My black and red theme fits a sonic, but on a cadillac, it might look a bit silly. So once I had to start driving 80 miles for work, I traded the benz for a Sonic. Sure my next car will probably go back to a luxury brand. For now it is fun and nice to hear people at car shows who have never seen a customized Sonic before.

 

[Tormach]

I went searching for a car in the 10k or less range for basic DD with decent gas mileage. I hate SUV's and crossovers and didn't have a need for a pickup.

I bought the Sonic (I never even knew it existed when I was shopping) for a few reasons, 6spd manual/gas mileage but mostly cause when I saw the front end with the quad headlights and overall look I was sold. Pic from the day I bought her.

On a side note, the original 2011 concept model was nice looking. See pic with the blue Sonic.

Im about to break 70k with her, been a blast and I go out of my way to hit every windy road I can find.

 

[skurtov]

It's also the only car in its category with a combination of spunky looks. A turbo engine. Manual. And good handling. I wish the Sonic had the 1.5t or a 1.6t, but beggars can't always be choosers.

 

[Papasonic]

We purchased two 2012's as daily drivers, so as to keep our more valuable vehicles nicer longer. I didn't know at the time I purchased mine that after 6 years of ownership, I still would really enjoy this little car. The ugly, wimpy, anemic, too small Spark is the one that should be going away; not the Sonic.

 

[walkncontradxn]

Got this car when I didnt make as much money, wanted something with less carbon footprint than an SUV, and gas prices were high. Kept it b/c its not worth selling, works great, still very economical, plus I just love hatchbacks and this one looks pretty awesome. Cheap cars like these are fun to wrench on and take some libertys wth b/c there isn't much risk, not worth much (my parts are worth more than the car). Also have 3 other vehicles all over the spectrum.

 

[JTee2017]

We purchased two 2012's as daily drivers, so as to keep our more valuable vehicles nicer longer. I didn't know at the time I purchased mine that after 6 years of ownership, I still would really enjoy this little car. The ugly, wimpy, anemic, too small Spark is the one that should be going away; not the Sonic.

Yes. . GM .. please find a way to keep the Sonic.

I agree. .. the Spark is like like the Aveo that was gone in no time. The thing is just too small.
Yesterday, I got along side a young guy and wife/gf/sister? . . in a Spark for a few stops lights till going out of town on a state 4 lane highway. At each stop light the guy must have floored the thing. It moved along pretty swiftly, and I had to rev the Sonic up to 3,500 RPM to keep up and match speed.

Anyway, finally at the last stop light, I decided to see how much I could beat him out. I put the automatic into manual mode and shifted at 3,200 to 3,700 RPM points all the way to 65 MPH. I could have hit the pedal more, but the Spark was not keeping up. BTW. . I found out the Sonic 1.8L with auto "kicks in" at 3,500 RPM and really takes off from there. Maybe the intake manifold does it's thing at that point?

It amazes me how a lot of people with a small car/engine will lay on the gas pedal at every stop. I guess they figure they are getting great MPG so forego that and nail it even if it means loosing 5 MPG regularly.

Oops. . I see I got a PM form yesterday. Get to that a bit later when things quiet down here!

 

[dannyg]

Yes. . GM .. please find a way to keep the Sonic.
...

Yes! Ford is apparently dumping the Fiesta and Focus sedan/hatches (except for something called the "Focus Active")...GM should keep the Sonic around for a couple of more years at least! Otherwise the only manual-transmission inexpensive sedans/hatches will be Japanese and Korean...sigh.

There's the new Ford EcoSport, based on the Fiesta, which is rated a completely lame 29MPG highway. Compared to 37MPG hwy for the Fiesta. Groan.

To make the Sonic work, I'd be OK with just having a hatch version (like the Spark)...even though I personally prefer the sedan. You could even drop the LS...again, even though I prefer the LS. Maybe hatch LT/Premier, manual and automatic, would work??

EDIT: It hasn’t been officially confirmed that the Sonic is dead...there’s hope!

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/b...will-follow-ford-fca-sedan-cuts-yet/34285749/

 

[Lazza]

I bought my 2013 Chevy Sonic because I loved how much fun it was to drive. It was reasonably fast and the 6 speed manual worked well. On top of the it offered very good gas mileage. So what not to like?

Well after a couple of years I grew weary of driving a stick shift. I am in my 60s and, well, the thrill was just gone. I also wanted something a bit larger with a better ride.

But I do miss the little hatchback. It is a shame GM never really promoted it. I think the Sonic would be an excellent vehicle for someone under 30.

 

[JTee2017]

To make the Sonic work, I'd be OK with just having a hatch version (like the Spark)...even though I personally prefer the sedan. You could even drop the LS...again, even though I prefer the LS. Maybe hatch LT/Premier, manual and automatic, would work??

EDIT: It hasn’t been officially confirmed that the Sonic is dead...there’s hope!

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/b...will-follow-ford-fca-sedan-cuts-yet/34285749/

I bought my 2013 Chevy Sonic because I loved how much fun it was to drive. It was reasonably fast and the 6 speed manual worked well. On top of the it offered very good gas mileage. So what not to like?

But I do miss the little hatchback. It is a shame GM never really promoted it. I think the Sonic would be an excellent vehicle for someone under 30. . . . . Or . . even over 60

Well . . . we are +60 in age and bought a Sonic Hatchback automatic because it has amazing room, easy to get in and out of (easier than the Camaro for sure), get great MPG and use it more than our 2015 Equinox LTZ now.
The Sonic is nice handling and has a great ride to boot.
People stop us in parking lots and ask us about our Sonic Hatchback all the time. They ask when did Chevy start making it . .
Chevy should advertise it as a subcompact mini, SUV and promote it more. They should re educate Dealers with a new image for the Sonic Hatchback The biggest complaint I hear at dealers is they don't get enough inventory in when they need it. Did Orion shut down a shift or something?

I hope GM reconsiders and keeps a Sonic Hatchback around in both manual and 6 speed auto.
We have a 2015 Equinox LTZ as well but love the Sonic because it has amazing cargo capacity and gets great MPG even with the little 1.8L. Now that the weather has warmed up, we are getting 31 to 32 MPG (31.3 DIC) hand calculated in mixed city semi rural/interstate driving.

 

[dannyg]

It's not over yet people! Chevy has registered 1.4T Sonic, both sedan and hatchback, both manual and automatic, for 2019 emissions compliance:

Chevrolet Sonic Stages a Reappearance for 2019 - GM Inside News

https://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onroad/cert/pcldtmdv/2019/gm_pc_a0062154_1d4_u3-70.pdf

(see last page for list of cars)

This sounds like it is pretty much confirmation there will be a 2019 Sonic...unless they change their minds again! Don't know if the 1.8L is gone completely (they might register it later), maybe all Sonics will be 1.4T. Does that mean the base LS will go away? Not sure.

If there's a 2019 LS 1.4T with manual, I might trade in my 2015 1.8L for it. In fact I'll say I'm 99% sure I would! For my next car, I was thinking about picking up a manual-tranny Cruze before they (supposedly) disappear, but really I prefer the Sonic.

 

[JTee2017]

It's not over yet people! Chevy has registered 1.4T Sonic, both sedan and hatchback, both manual and automatic, for 2019 emissions compliance:

(see last page for list of cars)

This sounds like it is pretty much confirmation there will be a 2019 Sonic...unless they change their minds again! Don't know if the 1.8L is gone completely (they might register it later), maybe all Sonics will be 1.4T. Does that mean the base LS will go away? Not sure.

If there's a 2019 LS 1.4T with manual, I might trade in my 2015 1.8L for it. In fact I'll say I'm 99% sure I would! For my next car, I was thinking about picking up a manual-tranny Cruze before they (supposedly) disappear, but really I prefer the Sonic.

So I take it, California only gets the 1.4L since it is only listed in the pdf? OR does than mean no more 1.8L? What really would be nice is if the 160HP 1.5L Cruze engine showed up in the Sonic as an option. Then there might be a whole lot more Sonic buyers.

 

[dannyg]

So I take it, California only gets the 1.4L since it is only listed in the pdf? OR does than mean no more 1.8L? What really would be nice is if the 160HP 1.5L Cruze engine showed up in the Sonic as an option. Then there might be a whole lot more Sonic buyers.

Really not sure...but a 1.5T Sonic would be great!

 

[shorebreeze]

Pleased to see it going on for 2019. My 2014 might be getting due for a trade by that point . . . . in any case it's simply much more practical for me than other cars. A "big" car from the point of quietness and freeway competence that fits in a small car parking spot and runs on small car gas.

I'd definitely be interested in the 1.5 if it gets better gas mileage than the 1.4. It should, with the direct injection, correct?

But I'd think the Sonic might be a decent candidate for a hybrid or electric makeover too.

I have to say I've become a convert to automatic though. Six speed and up has made a real difference there.

 

[Limo_89]

I like the design of the car!

 

[Portusteve]

For me it came down to a choice between a brand new sonic, or a used car with higher performance (focus st, subie wrx, etc.).

Decided I have had enough of dealing with used car issues and wanted to be the first owner of a car so I went with the sonic.

 

[mire]

I had an early 90s Ford F250 with a 460. However, I commute ~25 miles each way to and from work, plus I live in a city. Between that and just upkeep becoming more expensive, I figured it was time to let it go and move on, so I sold the pickup. My only real criteria when I went to look at cars was that it either had to have front wheel drive or be 4x4.... I was open to pretty much anything. The weird looking headlights caught my attention, and the salesman grabbed the key while I was wondering exactly what it was I was looking it. I liked how it handled, the price was right, and here we are now.