Chevy Sonic....

[classyceta]

What do you think of the Sonic LTZ with the 1.4l Turbo? How does the Sonic compare with the 09 Vibe GT??

[hotbug1776]

What do you think of the Sonic LTZ with the 1.4l Turbo? How does the Sonic compare with the 09 Vibe GT??

My parents have one, the 6spd is nice, the MPG is awesome, not a lot of cargo space, and not a lot of power. Lots of cubbys, and only one armrest (driver). They love it. I would get one if it had a bigger power plant, as even with a turbo, it's an anemic motor.

[thebarber]

I've only driven a 1.8L with the 5 speed. The power was good for the size of car, but preferred the same 1.8L with the 6speed in the cruze. If I were to get a sonic, I'd get the sedan...but I have 2 small kids....so I need the trunk. I drove a cruze eco 6spd manual, but didn't like the wide gearing on the eco. I found it fell out of the powerband between shifts. With the normal closer-ratio 6 in the non-eco it'd be good.

Lots of mods for the 1.4t since.the cruze has been put for several years now..easy to get power from a factory turboed car

[vibenvy]

I have not driven one, but I really like the looks of the Sonic Hatchback. My local Chevy dealer has a white one with OEM 17" white wheels. It's really sharp looking! Unfortunately, a Sonic wouldn't be big enough for me after having the Vibe.

On a bit of a side note, I am in love with the Chevy Spark! It's so little and cute! It looks like a smooshed Vibe, or as my dad says, a baby Vibe ! I stopped and looked at a couple at the local Chevy dealer a couple weeks ago. They had a loaded light blue (Denim) one that was really neat looking and it was only $16,xxx.xx. They also had a bright green (Jalapeno) one which was more stripped down and was $13,xxx.xx. Again, after having the Vibe though I couldn't deal with the downsize in cargo and passenger room and admittedly... power. The gas mileage sure would be nice though .

[star_deceiver]

Can't drive one with the stick. Brake pedal is too close to the gas pedal, foot won't fit in said space.

[tpollauf]

How does the Sonic compare with the 09 Vibe GT??

Simple answer here ..... it DOESN'T With a base 1.2L engine, that's half of the 2.4L in the Vibe GT. Oh and where is this car built? I rest my case

Editing my response here, I was thinking of the Chevy Spark and not the Sonic ......................... My bad

[ColonelPanic]

I was checking out an RS on a local dealer's site... Snazzy looking car but $23,000 for a subcompact? No thanks... That's decently equipped compact money, or low end midsize...

The LTZ turbo is priced a little better. I guess that would be the model I would look at. The 1.8 is out of the question as I do not trust GM with a timing belt-equipped interference engine... Their track record of this with the old Aveo was not good (engines destroyed from belt or associated component failure before the suggested replacement interval.) Fortunately least the 1.4 turbo has a chain.

Overall, seems to be a nicely finished subcompact. I must admit it has grown on me, didn't really car for them at first. I'm trying to get out of a subcompact, but if I absolutely had to stay with one I suppose this would be on my list to check out.

[thebarber]

RS has lots of add-on's though:

Introducing the all-new RS Hatchback Say hello to the newest Sonic model. Amped up from the inside out, the RS is begging you to hit the road and never look back. As you hit the accelerator, you get immediate satisfaction with a standard turbocharged engine and unique sporty gear ratios. Complemented perfectly by a lowered and stiffened suspension with performance-tuned dampers, the RS gives you incredible control, creating the ultimate Sonic driving experience.

Get your adrenaline going as you slide into heated, leather-appointed front bucket seats with sueded microfiber inserts and grab hold of the leather-wrapped sport steering wheel with racing-inspired flat-bottom design. The ultimate Sonic experience is enhanced by an interior that is upgraded with unique center stack trim and contrasting red stitching throughout. Enhanced from the ground up, the RS gives Sonic an overall impressive balance of savvy and power. Uncompromised Control RS is the perfect blend of beauty and beast. Amplifying the rush from the turbocharged engine is responsive handling to match. The new suspension is designed to add control that perfectly harnesses the power of the engine. You’ll feel it hug the road around every bend and curve. So whether it’s a winding drive down the coast or just switching lanes in rush hour, you’ll feel comfortable knowing Sonic will respond to your hands around the leather-wrapped sport steering wheel exactly how you want it to

Its more than just a few cosmetic items that make an RS an RS. Think about what that stuff would coat to put in an LTZ

[zyzyix]

Sonic 1.8 is just an updated version of the Aveo's 1.6 Not a bad car, though odd that there is no coolant temp gauge.

[zyzyix]

Sonic 1.8 is just an updated version of the Aveo's 1.6 Not a bad car, though odd that there is no coolant temp gauge.

[ColonelPanic]

Unfortunately no temp gauge seems to be the trend, many others do not have one. When using a ScanGauge or equivalent to monitor coolant temp, it's easy to notice that a modern temperature gauge is nothing other than a glorified idiot light anyway, so I'm not sure I mourn its loss. The gauge gets to normal and parks itself there, you could have a 20 degree spike and it still sits in the same spot. Eventually moves, generally when it's too late...

[vibolista]

I need to go drive a slew of the little cars to see how they perform. Will wait until nicer weather sets up. Alphabetically... the Cruze, Fiesta, Focus and Sonic, to start. Might try out the Vibe Clone, Ford C-Max. That particular one is too expensive and heavy, but I want to see what an updated hybrid "Vibe" would drive like.

[Losthookah]

I need to go drive a slew of the little cars to see how they perform. Will wait until nicer weather sets up. Alphabetically... the Cruze, Fiesta, Focus and Sonic, to start. Might try out the Vibe Clone, Ford C-Max. That particular one is too expensive and heavy, but I want to see what an updated hybrid "Vibe" would drive like.

Funny you should mention the C-Max haha. I have driven 5 of them. Nice little cars and have decent pick up, just not my look

[Chiadog]

Don't forget the new Cruze diesel.

[vibolista]

Yup, that's the Cruze that would be really interesting to try out. Diesel. Otherwise, I've heard nothing but good comments on the 1.4L turbo and the Sonic's packaging making for a very roomy interior in a car this size. It also seems to be a car several levels of quality build up the ladder from the old "Aveo" predecessor. Another good thing... Sonics that are sold in the U.S. are built here now, unlike the imported Aveo, which was produced by Daewoo in Korea.

The strange sounding 1.0L 3 cylinder that's going to be made available here in the states in the Fiesta this year has me interested, too. Reviews say that the engine is fairly balanced and has excellent power, torque and fuel efficiency numbers. Quite the engineering feat. I've always liked small cars, but unfortunately here in the states, we really didn't get great small car choices. Things are finally starting to change in that respect.

The Ford C-Max (tall Focus wagon) has a silhouette very similar to the Vibe. That's why it kind of caught my eye. Upon looking up C-Max specs, they turned out really close to the Vibe's numbers, except the 1000 pounds of extra weight from battery and hybrid mechanicals. But somehow, I do agree that the Vibe still comes off looking better. Still, I think it's pretty cool that a 2002-2003 design is good enough to be nearly replicated by a different manufacturer 10 years later.

Scan Gauge will work as a temperature gauge in any car whether it does or doesn't have its own, as ColonelPanic pointed out. That's what I'd use. Oil pressure and engine temperature are things I do like to keep an eye on. The thing will pay for itself if your check engine light comes on. You can look up the code and know what the problem is without having to take it in for a diagnosis. Nifty tool.

[Rayven01]

Everyone keeps mentioning the huge weight difference on the C-Max, and I'm trying to see where it's coming from. The curb weight of a base 2010 2.4L Vibe with automatic, which is the closest match on HP and torque to the base 2010 C-Max, is just over 3000lbs. The curb weight on a base C-Max is.. 3030lbs. Am I missing something? You don't even get to a 1000+lb difference unless you match up a base 2003 Vibe (2700lbs) with a fully decked out C-Max Energi (3900lbs), but that's a pretty silly comparison.. the Energi is a full plug in hybrid with massive battery so you can run it without gas at all for a 20 something mile range.

Edit: nevermind, I just answered my own question. I was looking at the European models apparently. The US base model is a heftier 3600lbs. It's not 1000, but 600 is still quite a chunk. And the HP/torque is worse too, closer to the 1.8L Vibe, putting it closer to an 800lb difference. Why can't we get the cool European small cars!

[lannvouivre]

Why can't we get the cool European small cars!

I suspect it's because many Americans prefer having the bulkier cars that look as un-hatchbacklike as possible. It really sucks, the Toyota Yaris in the UK has like a million more trim levels than here.

To extrapolate on Americans not liking hatchbacks, my personal observation in West TX is that people prefer trucks, sedans, and SUVs to things like the Vibe or Yaris. Things are a bit different in places like Austin, TX, though; they definitely have more hatchbacks down there.

[vibolista]

Rayven... this is right off Ford's web site, under Specifications:

Exterior Dimensions (C-MAX Hybrid) Exterior Dimensions (C-MAX Energi)
Wheelbase (in.) 104.3 104.3
Length (in.) 173.6 173.6
Height (in.) 63.9 63.8
Width - Excluding mirrors (in.) 72 72
Width - Including mirrors (in.) 82.1 82.1
Width - Mirrors Folded [in] 75.6 75.6
Front Track (in.) 60.5 60.5
Rear Track (in.) 60.4 60.4
Base Curb Weight (lbs.) 3607 3859
Sorry, tried to line up all the numbers so they would fall under Hybrid and Energy columns... didn't work.

My 2008 Vibe (pictured below in Sig) manual Curb Weight (lbs.) about 2700

[thebarber]

I've driven a cruze 1.8 6mt and really liked it

Be driven a cruze eco 6mt. Liked the 1.4t, but didn't like the wide gearing as you'd fall out of boost unless shifting at redline

Drove a sonic 1.8 5mt, but didn't like the gearing after driving the same engine with the 6mt in the cruze.

I drove a spark 5mt and it was not bad, but it didn't have an power in reserve.

I still have yet to try the sonic LTZ 6mt, RS 6MT, or cruze 1.4t 6mt (non-eco)

[CAMOGIRL]

Hmm.. I drove the RS, it was really FUN. The turbo was quite a trip, I was zipping around like I wish I could in the Vibe. And you're right, load up the LTZ with all the goodies that come standard on the RS and you'll have that same price, if not more. The RS also comes lowered, stiffened and with 4-wheel discs.