[blinkme323]

Hey everyone,

So, my current beater just bit the dust and I'm looking for a replacement with some degree of utility. I just came across a 2013 Chevy Sonic Hatch 6MT with 109k miles. The car is in very nice condition, drives great, has zero accident history, and is priced right.

I'm thinking about pulling the trigger, but was curious of everyone's thoughts / if they have experience with the Sonic in a similar capacity.

Thanks!

[M370z]

I had a Sonic HB as a rental and was surprised at just how fun it was. Judging from your description, there seems to be little downside, so I?d say go for it.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by M370z

I had a Sonic HB as a rental and was surprised at just how fun it was. Judging from your description, there seems to be little downside, so I?d say go for it.

I’m renting one right now, has some nice tech for a micro car, given this is a current model. I also just parallel parked the hell out of it too

[FrostyDC4]

Go for it as long as its the turbo model

[blinkme323]

Originally Posted by FrostyDC4

Go for it as long as its the turbo model

Yep, it is the 1.4 Turbo

[z335is]

Perfect beater IMO, go for it.

[ShocknAwe]

Because you need something to drive in the snow? Or what for? M3 is a perfect DD...

[RM7]

Originally Posted by FrostyDC4

Go for it as long as its the turbo model

Yes, I'm renting a turbo.

[blinkme323]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Because you need something to drive in the snow? Or what for? M3 is a perfect DD...

Yes, mostly for winter / snow duty. Not a huge fan of having my M3 in the North East elements

[FriskyDingo]

No way would I buy a 1.4T GM car with over 100K miles.

Just buy a used Subaru Impreza and be done with it.

[GT3fan]

what's the budget? I'm assuming that Chevy Sonic is in the $5k range?

I would look for a 2014 Fiesta ST in the low teens. Superior sport hatch and great beater.

[SharpAndCunning]

My ex gf had a 2013, not the turbo model, and her's was pretty well stripped on the options.

I will say, they were a cheap car new, and things don't last. That being said, replacement parts are pretty cheap. He car only had 70k miles on it when she got rid of it, and she'd had quite a few problems.

However, if you're at least marginally handy, it shouldn't be a problem. The thermostats tend to fail open(they are electronically controlled) but cheap replacements are available. The stabilizer bar end links on the front suspension are plastic and wear out(but metal moog replacements). Cheap little shi*. Her heater controls broke because the retaining clip isn't in a good place, etc.


It's a perfect beater car, to not care about and drive it through the shi* season. She only got $3500 when she traded the car in, I'd have given her the $3500 and used it as a beater car myself, but we'd sort of split and I didn't have the chance. For whats that's worth.

[blinkme323]

Originally Posted by jpc647

My ex gf had a 2013, not the turbo model, and her's was pretty well stripped on the options.

I will say, they were a cheap car new, and things don't last. That being said, replacement parts are pretty cheap. He car only had 70k miles on it when she got rid of it, and she'd had quite a few problems.

However, if you're at least marginally handy, it shouldn't be a problem. The thermostats tend to fail open(they are electronically controlled) but cheap replacements are available. The stabilizer bar end links on the front suspension are plastic and wear out(but metal moog replacements). Cheap little shi*. Her heater controls broke because the retaining clip isn't in a good place, etc.


It's a perfect beater car, to not care about and drive it through the shi* season. She only got $3500 when she traded the car in, I'd have given her the $3500 and used it as a beater car myself, but we'd sort of split and I didn't have the chance. For whats that's worth.

Great info, thank you. Yeah I?d be picking this one up for ~4500, soif I can just get a few years out of it, I?ll be happy. The exterior is mint and the interior can use some work, but nothing that can?t be fixed. Either way it is a huge upgrade over my previous beater, a 98 Civic

[Alfisti]

In all honesty i'd spend a touch more and get a 2010 Saab 9-3 if you have a local Saab indy. It's basically a Malibu but more refined so parts are not too bad and it's a beast in winter. beats the shit out of riding in a Sonic, not to mention if you're hit by someone.

[SharpAndCunning]

Originally Posted by blinkme323

Great info, thank you. Yeah I?d be picking this one up for ~4500, soif I can just get a few years out of it, I?ll be happy. The exterior is mint and the interior can use some work, but nothing that can?t be fixed. Either way it is a huge upgrade over my previous beater, a 98 Civic

Happy I could help. Given it's the turbo model and a manual, i'd say its worth the extra $1000.

They are cheap to run, and cheap to fix. Hers even had manual windows. But I gotta tell you, I drove from Central Mass to New York City and back on just over a tank of gas. Can't really beat that.

It's not going to get you style points, and it's not going to drop panties, but it'll save you winters on your beamer, and save you in gas.

[blinkme323]

Picked up the Sonic yesterday and so far, so good. Definitely a fun little car!

[allinon72]

The visualization of seeing an M3 and Sonic parked in the same driveway...

[04mazdaspeed]

I daily a 2014 sonic ltz with the 1.4. Very nice car for the price and all the features you get. With just a tune, intake, and dp, you gain 60whp and 90wtq. Makes for a very nice, cheap, and fun everyday car. PS, I have a 2011 135i and a 2016 z06 sitting in the garage. I refuse to daily a car that costs more than 13k that I will need to replace in 5years.

[04mazdaspeed]

Also, there are quite a few people with sonics either nearing 200k or over 200k miles without any problems. Very stout little cars. Even one guy has one tuned on race gas with over 300 drag passes and with over 60k miles and not one hiccup.

[blinkme323]

Originally Posted by 04mazdaspeed

I daily a 2014 sonic ltz with the 1.4. Very nice car for the price and all the features you get. With just a tune, intake, and dp, you gain 60whp and 90wtq. Makes for a very nice, cheap, and fun everyday car. PS, I have a 2011 135i and a 2016 z06 sitting in the garage. I refuse to daily a car that costs more than 13k that I will need to replace in 5years.

Yep, the features on the Sonic coupled with the price was hard to beat. My other consideration was a 2013 Jetta with 93k miles, but an out of warranty VW as a beater is probably not the best idea.