Can't decide on which sonic powertrain

[yamark]

I will be buying a new car in the next week and have narrowed it down to 3. Sonic Hatch, Elantra GT, Mazda 3. The Sonic currently being my #1.

I will be getting a manual and with the Sonic, the shift indicator light is a big turnoff for me. Almost a deal breaker actually.

My big question comes with my indecision on the 1.8 5 speed vs the 1.4 6 speed. Really, I don't see a need for the turbo as I am a very conservative driver...however, it does sound like quite a bit of fun to get the turbo.

Are there any real advantages to either option? I don't drive a great deal, so the mpg difference isn't an issue.

 

[$ub$onic]

Why is the shift indicator a turn off?


Both motors are excellent motors and are really reliable. If you are getting a lt or up the turbo is a $700 upgrade. But if you want it on the cheap the base model will get you around just fine with plenty of fun


Since speed, mpg are not a concern the only other factor is the 1.8 has a timing belt and the 1.4 has a chain

 

[Insanika]

I don't even notice my shift light.

I wanted the turbo because I was tired of having no balls on the road passing. I live in the Midwest lots of slow moving vehicles and hilly roads with little chances to pass.. Gotta make the most of each opportunity, turbo helps that a lot!!

 

[Preloader]

Shift light a deal breaker?

Am I missing something? It's just a small hardly noticeable nuance that doesn't have any effect on performance or when you will actually shift. It's merely suggesting the optimal shift points to achieve the best MPG.

I'll take a small subtle shift indicator, over some of these elaborate video game inspired displays that try to dazzle you into higher MPG with throttle pedal target, anyday.

 

[yamark]

The indicator was just quite annoying to me on the test drive. Maybe I'd get used to it.

 

[$ub$onic]

You will not even notice it after like 500 miles. I actually forgot I had one lol

 

[Preloader]

Also the Sonic is an American car, built in an American factory by Union auto workers. The other two choices are not. I don't let non-domestic cars or cars with plates from right-to-work states merge in front of me. I will make them eat gravelly shoulder if they try.

 

[poncho167]

It's not noticeable unless you are looking for it. I like it for commuting to work when I'm in no hurry.

 

[sprchik]

Also the Sonic is an American car, built in an American factory by Union auto workers. The other two choices are not. I don't let non-domestic cars or cars with plates from right-to-work states merge in front of me. I will make them eat gravelly shoulder if they try.

Built in Michigan, and Michigan is now a right-to-work state, you know.

 

[striper]

The timing chain is a big advantage over a belt, no required changing intervals like a belt. Turbo has far superior driveability, better passing, less effort going up hills, better mpgs too. Drive them back to back and see if you don't notice a difference. The car is my wife's. She noticed the difference immediately how much better the turbo motor felt. With the cruise on, the car indicated 43 mpg @ 85 mph.

 

[sx sonic]

Shift light a deal breaker..........

Ain't no one got time for that !
To be honest that is the craziest thing to ever have a Major gripe at!

 

[yamark]

Thanks for the advice folks.

I'm not going to argue with you that it's a little crazy the indicator light bothers me. I have my little quirks, and apparently, a shift indicator light is one of them.

I'm coming out of being a Toyota guy for over a decade. The Toyota's I have bought were built 30 or so miles from me at a plant where many of my friends work. I do understand the idea of buying "local." However, I miss having a hatchback and I'm not a big fan of the Matrix. So it's time to move on. If Toyota made a hatchback I liked, I wouldn't think twice.

 

[$ub$onic]

Can't really go wrong with a yota. I have always had luck with them

 

[Palmaris]

I never look at my dash, so I never look at my Shift indicator light. I am sure you will learn to forget about it.

Do you live in Canada close to the Toyota plant? I also bought the Sonic hatchback mainly because the Toyota hatchback was not a good product and is thus being discontinued when the 2014 model comes out soon.

 

[Preloader]

Thanks for the advice folks.

I'm not going to argue with you that it's a little crazy the indicator light bothers me. I have my little quirks, and apparently, a shift indicator light is one of them.

I'm coming out of being a Toyota guy for over a decade. The Toyota's I have bought were built 30 or so miles from me at a plant where many of my friends work. I do understand the idea of buying "local." However, I miss having a hatchback and I'm not a big fan of the Matrix. So it's time to move on. If Toyota made a hatchback I liked, I wouldn't think twice.

NUMI?

Also, I'd like to point out that regardless of what magazine reviews say, American cars have really caught up with reliability and innovations of the J-cars.

I really wish the stigma would dissipate, but Toyota and Honda pay good money to the popular car review medias to keep the American brands down.

 

[yamark]

NUMI?

Also, I'd like to point out that regardless of what magazine reviews say, American cars have really caught up with reliability and innovations of the J-cars.

I really wish the stigma would dissipate, but Toyota and Honda pay good money to the popular car review medias to keep the American brands down.

I am fully aware American cars are doing much better, and that's why I am willing to give GM a shot. My mom has a G6 that has treated her very well with 160,000+ miles. I have 160,000+ miles on my Camry and have had not one single problem. I am hoping for the same if I get a Sonic.

 

[atx_sonic]

Both the elantra and the mazda 3 are fine cars, but those are really compact sedans. The sonic is a sub compact. So comparisons do no mate directly.

The difference will be in subtle aspects like composure on the road and overall size. I would hope the elantra and mazda are superior here to a marginal degree. And then not so small differences like price. The Sonic for a subcompact actually does very well for general drivability and does not suffer from subcompact hardships of 5-10 years ago.

The base Elantra GT is $18,500 and that is a top end Sonic price. Base Mazda 3 is at $16,700 so that is more in line with mid level Sonics. But to get a better engine and set up with the mazda and get decent gas mileage (29/40mpg skyactiv mazda engine vs 25/33mpg regular mazda engine-- yikes mazda-- why?) you have to knock the mazda price to that same $18,500 region.

For $18,500 you can get a Sonic LTZ with a turbo engine and manual transmission and all the electronics you could want. You will want the turbo engine. The difference of $700 for the turbo is significant to someone like me because I don't have piles of cash, but the expense has proven well worth it.

The biggest feature the sonic has over the other two is offering all the fun electronics and latest touchscreen stuff for the same price as the other competitor base sedans as well as giving you a solid drive and efficient car.

Only way to know for certain is to test drive each, deal with each dealer's ploys to get you to buy right now...., and then decide which car is the best fit for you. It's rough but necessary. Today's compact cars are really remarkable in the features they have, capabilities they have, and all with low price points. Either of the cars you are looking at are solid choices and I doubt there is really a "wrong" option.

On paper, the sonic is a real winner and fortunately for me, I found in driving the sonic, it wins in reality too.

 

[Timesgodjillion]

If you're not hoping to get one this very month, the new Mazda 3 hatchback was just announced and I think they said it's due out in September. Supposed to have class leading MPG (over 40MPG) and quite a few new bells and whistles. Also, will have more HP and torque than any Sonic has.

If you ARE dead-set on a Sonic, I have the 1.8 and I must say it absolutely hates any sort of hills. It requires you drop at least 2 gears, which doesn't sound like much, but it's very annoying to me.

 

[atx_sonic]

If you're not hoping to get one this very month, the new Mazda 3 hatchback was just announced and I think they said it's due out in September. Supposed to have class leading MPG (over 40MPG) and quite a few new bells and whistles. Also, will have more HP and torque than any Sonic has.

If you ARE dead-set on a Sonic, I have the 1.8 and I must say it absolutely hates any sort of hills. It requires you drop at least 2 gears, which doesn't sound like much, but it's very annoying to me.

well, to be fair, the turbo requires a drop in gears for hills too and if you want to pass on the freeway, its 3rd or 4th gear down from 6th, depending on various factors.

I find that the sonic likes to live in the 1500 rpm range once in 6th but peak torque exists at 2500 rpms , with manual trans and turbo, so we need to down shift to force that rpm range. I actually prefer it as it gives me something to do while on the freeway.

 

[Preloader]

Also, will have more HP and torque than any Sonic.

Any stock Sonic.