Interested in finding a Auto Sonic Turbo in NJ/NY Area Sedan/Hatch

[twinturboguy]

Hey

I was on this forum like 3-4 years ago doing research on these cars.
when I was working at a dealership 2012-2014 when these started poping up. I sold a few but my memory is hazy.

I am surprised that they are still all sort of expensive for the turbo models.
(I know I shouldn't be surprised... who doesn't want a light turbo car...)

We are primarily looking for a $4000-7000 example at a place where we can trade in a car. We probably could just pay it off cash.
but anyways we have 119K+ 04 Maxima SL Trans/Motor is all good, just 1 fuel bank code (or I have a 93 Camry haha)


My Questions!

1. Which turbo models have electric seats? None I believe right? (or heated?)
2. Where do I find them?? I found few from Hertz, I feel like they are difficult to find.
3. How has the longevity been? (I've heard they are very good)
4. Easy BPUs? (mainly computer tunes or controlling the turbo, expensive?)
5. These are not check engine heavy cars right? (I hate newer cars)

The down side... The girlfriend wants automatic... I want to get it for her as she wanted like a minicooper but wanted cheaper and reliable.
The trade in is vital.

This is a good opportunity if someone in NJ/NY stuck with a Turbo Sonic Auto and want to get some $ for something else or want the Manual?
My trade is a requirement though (just don't tell us how much your taking off for it, lol) (or I have a 93 Camry haha)

Trying to avoid White at all costs unless it's stupid cheap.
Black not a big fan but a possibility.
Grey/Granite is cool
Blue is loved
Red (Meh, maybe)


Thanks
J

 

[sarasube]

look at hertz car sales
found a few under 10K.

good luck

 

[mja]

Look for an LTZ/Premier. Hertz, Carmax, a good used GM dealership, New York's Vroom (Texas Direct Auto) are all out of your listed price range since it'd be hard to find something older than 2015/2016 that these places would be willing to ship across the country.

At 4-7k$, you're looking for a craigslist/local used lot buy even with trade in or selling your current car. A used 1.4t is a buyer-beware deal if you're not familiar with them, could be opening a can of worms that CAN be fixed, but still a turbo car. Stay away from any 1.4t LTZ under a listed price of 4-5k$ with less than 100k miles. Worse could be said of a Mini though.

A 1.4t Sonic's reliability is easily better than a similarly priced turbo Cooper S.

1.4t tunes are ubiquitous here on the forum, check out the hundreds of posts & threads about them. My car threw more CEL's stock than with a tune. 6MT can be more trouble than it's worth if you're looking for reliability + longevity.