new car time

[BimmerM3]

They also look pretty damn good

I actually think they look better at stock height. Those lowered ones just look awkward.

[2o6]

I had a Sonic sedan rental car last time I went to Atlanta. I wasn't very impressed, but thinking about it, the biggest problem was that the transmission was really slow to react, so if you get a manual it'll probably do just fine.

Yeah, most rental Sonics are 1.8L automatics. The Automatic likes to run to 6th and stay there, and I think the 1.4T is the better motor of the two.

[BimmerM3]

Yeah, most rental Sonics are 1.8L automatics. The Automatic likes to run to 6th and stay there, and I think the 1.4T is the better motor of the two.

It had the Turbo badge, so it was the 1.4T, yeah? I didn't bother looking into it more.

[2o6]

It had the Turbo badge, so it was the 1.4T, yeah? I didn't bother looking into it more.

Ah, the automatic is pretty lazy tho.

[Raza]

Those ignitions are totally different. The Sonic's key design and ignition is totally different than those old metal cut keys. Sonics use switchblade keys and laser cut keys, similar to a VW.

Still indicative of a culture problem at GM.

[68_427]

My mom was pretty set on a Sonic LTZ but I showed her a 3 Grand Touring and she absolutely loved it.  Sonics are great cars though.

[2o6]

Still indicative of a culture problem at GM.

From a person who owns VW's....okay.

My mom was pretty set on a Sonic LTZ but I showed her a 3 Grand Touring and she absolutely loved it.  Sonics are great cars though.

Three of my friends have Mazda 3's, it's a good car but it's more car than I want, and id rather have the skyactiv motors. The hatchbacks are pretty much the bad-on-gas 2.5L in this price range.

[Xer0]

Yeah, most rental Sonics are 1.8L automatics. The Automatic likes to run to 6th and stay there, and I think the 1.4T is the better motor of the two.

My friend has a Sonic with the 1.8 auto.  Ugh, that car just makes me pull my hair out, its such a lethargic engine coupled with some of the worst transmission mapping ever.

[MX793]

The 1.8 felt OK when paired with the MT.

[2o6]

OK, so I've narrowed it down to three Sonics. I'm trying to find a 2013 MY car which has GM MyLink. Hatchback only, turbo only.


Sonic A


2013 LT Turbo Hatchback


$9300 (he has it priced right at book value, but I would be willing to pay that, to be honest.


+ only 29K miles.

+ In budget

Negative

- Orange

- Is an 8 hour drive away

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2017&zip=43202&keywordPhrases=turbo&transmissionCode=MAN&maxPrice=10000&transmissionCodes=MAN&showcaseListingId=421281458&mmt=%5BCHEV%5BSONIC%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&vehicleStyleCodes=HATCH&modelCode1=SONIC&startYear=1981&makeCode1=CHEV&showcaseOwnerId=1146859&firstRecord=0&searchRadius=500&listingId=411291607&Log=0



2013 Sonic LT

+ Is only an hour away

Negatives

- This one looks fairly battered, the lower valance is missing the grille insert.

- CEL is on in the pictures, and it has a CAI - GM is really funny about honoring warranty with any sort of aftermarket stuff

- Is at a dealer.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2017&zip=43202&keywordPhrases=turbo&transmissionCode=MAN&maxPrice=10000&transmissionCodes=MAN&showcaseListingId=421281458&mmt=%5BCHEV%5BSONIC%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&vehicleStyleCodes=HATCH&modelCode1=SONIC&startYear=1981&makeCode1=CHEV&showcaseOwnerId=1146859&firstRecord=0&searchRadius=500&listingId=414699477&Log=0



2013 LTZ


http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/5443184546.html

+ only 10,000 miles

+ every option checked

+ super nice

- Out of budget, slightly. KBB is 10,5, and he wants 12,5K.

- Been listed awhile, which means he may be unwilling to come down in price.

- Still a 4 hour drive.

[2o6]

I'm leaning towards the orange one

[Madman]

I noticed the orange one is missing the cargo cover, which is a particular pet peeve of mine.

I see so many hatchbacks with missing cargo covers, it makes me wonder where are they all going?

[ifcar]

I noticed the orange one is missing the cargo cover, which is a particular pet peeve of mine.

I see so many hatchbacks with missing cargo covers, it makes me wonder where are they all going?

They're not always standard equipment, I don't think. But I imagine that some people find them in the way, take them out and stash them somewhere, and then forget the car had it when they trade it in. At least, that's what my parents did.

[MrH]

They're cheap to buy a new one.

I vote haggle down the Black one and remove all the chrome. The orange color isn't bad, but the extra options of the black one is nice

[2o6]

They're cheap to buy a new one.

I vote haggle down the Black one and remove all the chrome. The orange color isn't bad, but the extra options of the black one is nice

The chrome is standard.

[2o6]

So the black one is gone, and I don't know if I really want to drive out to get the Orange one



The silver one still is there and it's been sitting for a few weeks


52k, same equipment as the orange one but with 20k more miles and a little riced

[2o6]

OK, down to two again


Sonic A

46k

- Is in grand rapids, but spent all of it's life in Southern OH.

Just been reduced in price.

http://www.wittenbachgm.com/VehicleDetails/used-2012-Chevrolet-Sonic-Hatch_1LT-Lowell-MI/2718894973


Sonic B

- The dealer was really responsive and negotiated with me very fast.

- Has carbon fiber hood.......

- Is an LTZ with heated seats

- 45K, but three months fewer left on powertrain warranty

is only 2 hr drive

http://www.strattonchevrolet.com/VehicleDetails/used-2012-Chevrolet-Sonic-Hatch_1LZ-Beloit-OH/2730177903

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I'm in G.R. all the time! I wouldn't drive that far (And I'm a couple hours closer than you) for a Sonic tho! Take the closer deal!

[Madman]

I like the wheels and the leatherette seats in the black one but that carbonfibre hood is waaaay too ricey.  The mis-match between it and the rest of the car makes it look more like badly repaired crash damage.  Go for the red one and get the dealer to throw in a replacement for the missing cargo cover.

[SJ_GTI]

I would vote for Sonic B. I think the hood looks decent and overall it looks like a nicer version of the same car.

[Madman]

I would vote for Sonic B. I think the hood looks decent and overall it looks like a nicer version of the same car.

I wonder how hard it would be to find another black Sonic hood?

That carbonfibre one looks like ass.

[SJ_GTI]

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I think the CF hood looks OK. I wouldn't go out and buy one, but I doubt I would change it if it is already there.

[2o6]

I like the wheels and the leatherette seats in the black one but that carbonfibre hood is waaaay too ricey.  The mis-match between it and the rest of the car makes it look more like badly repaired crash damage.  Go for the red one and get the dealer to throw in a replacement for the missing cargo cover.

Real carbon fiber hoods are significantly more expensive than stock. I think it's a ricey previous owner.


It also has the RS model rear spoiler.

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I think the CF hood looks OK. I wouldn't go out and buy one, but I doubt I would change it if it is already there.

A used junkyard black hood is like $150

[CaminoRacer]

Is it real CF or a wrap?

[2o6]

Is it real CF or a wrap?

It's real CF. there's also a 2nd modded to hell Sonic on the same lot, they want 17k for it.



I think they were owned by the same person.

[SJ_GTI]

If its real CF I would definitely keep it. 

Maybe add a glossy black stripe (vinyl wrap?) down the center to better match the rest of the car?

[MrH]

Some guy had two sonics and traded them both in?

[Cookie Monster]

The hood doesn't look that bad. As long as the reset of the car checks out I'd go for that one.

[2o6]

Some guy had two sonics and traded them both in?

I mean, they're fun cars.



But not THAT fun

[2o6]

I went and looked at Sonic C - it's an orange LTZ, she wanted the same amount of cash as the two other ones listed , but the car has 20k more miles and it's Canadian....

The powertrain only has 6 months left, versus 18 and 15 months for sonic a and B respectively.


Also, the fact it spent most of its life in Canada bothers me; the undercarriage looked OK, but I feel like it's not going to be as nice as the other two cars.

Also she asked me if I would be willing to make free throws to discount the price. Made no attempt to get my name. It's everything you don't want to do. Super disinterested to sell me a car.

Fuck that.

Also, I don't know if I can live with Orange. especially since it had a sickly grey interior, that I'm pretty sure was only available in Canada.