New member from Illinois

[naumanos1]

Just a disclaimer, I'm not actually a Sonic owner, but bought a new 2015 Chevy Spark LS, 5spd, and first came on here just from doing searches and looking at aftermarket upgrades and getting info from here. This is a much more active forum then the Spark forums, and I like the Sonic as well, I really like hatchbacks. I mostly bought the Spark because of 1.) Price, and 2.)Available in stick in my area, everything else was automatic which I didnt really want. This forum seems to have good information and great and helpful members why I decided to join. Hope that's ok?

So far everything I've done to the car so far:

Changed out the factory stereo with a Pioneer AVH-5700BHS Double din touch screen with new pioneer speakers all around
Rear-view license plate illumination moutned camera and front view camera located in drivers fog light spot
Rostra cruise control
Electronic deer alert

What I plan on doing next:

Tint windows
Universal keyless entry with actuators
Would like to put in remote start but not sure how hard it is with this car. I see they make a plug and play kit for the sonic from Amazon, but not sure if connections are all the same for a Spark. I know the cruise control works both in Sparks and Sonics.

 

[MORTIS]

Welcome to SOF!
I'm sure you're welcome to be a member here regardless of what car you own; you just have to enjoy the forums.

Enjoy your Spark, and we like pics of the car and mods.

 

[naumanos1]

Welcome to SOF!
I'm sure you're welcome to be a member here regardless of what car you own; you just have to enjoy the forums.

Enjoy your Spark, and we like pics of the car and mods.

Yes I need to work on some pictures. Always seems like crappy weather out when I am working on doing stuff to it, but will do and post.

I used to own a few Fieros, and was on one of those forums that was a really good community and good information, and this one seems to be as well. I really like these smaller cars. In my area I'd say I see an equal amount of Sparks and Sonics, not a whole lot. More people around here seem to be into the Focus and Fiestas, and lots of Prius for the most part.

 

[MORTIS]

I see a few Sonics in my area but rarely any Sparks. I also really like small cars, the only cars I've ever owned, and all standard trannies.

Yes this does seem like a very good forum with friendly and helpful members.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

Sonic is probably the smallest car we've owned, but very roomy inside. Don't know what part of IL the op is from, I'm from IL also, lot of rain last couple of days.

 

[naumanos1]

Sonic is probably the smallest car we've owned, but very roomy inside. Don't know what part of IL the op is from, I'm from IL also, lot of rain last couple of days.

I'm from Macomb, in western Illinois. The Spark is roomy to for being so small. The Sonic would be nice having a little more cargo room but I'm content with what I have.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

We just aren't hatchback people. Would have taken what we could get though. We had to get the sonic when our dodge stratus blew the motor, still owed on the car and new motor would have cost more than the worth of the car.


Anyway, finance company told us they wanted us to go with something like a sonic. I read the spark was only 83hp as well so I'm not site how I works have liked that, our do you really feel it? I haven't driven one tbh. One thing I'll say for the sonic, we have a 2013 Ford focus sedan we'd bought to replace an older vehicle before, focus competes with the cruze I think. But I honestly think the sonic had as much room inside as the focus does, at least it feels that way. Cargo room seems comparable also.

 

[naumanos1]

oh I know that. I just figure there's a lot that are. I've always been more into hatchbacks then sedans, or sporty coupes. I have the manual version of the Spark and I think it has good power for what it is. I mean, its not gonna win any races but works for what I need it to do. I mostly went with the Spark because of the price. If money weren't an issue I probably would've went with a more loaded Sonic, but for what payments I wanted for as few of years, the Spark worked for me.

I posted a couple things on the Spark forum same time I posted on here and still have no responds, just shows how little activity there is there and lots more here.

 

[MORTIS]

I posted a couple things on the Spark forum same time I posted on here and still have no responds, just shows how little activity there is there and lots more here.

Probably because the customer demographic for the Spark are much less likely to be car enthusiasts. My wife bought a loaded new 2015 Ford Escape back in March and I posted a couple questions on the Ford Escape Owners forum and nobody replied; that forum is dead.

 

[naumanos1]

You're right. I mean, the main reason I got it was the price, everything else new was $3-5K more. And I did my research on the Spark and it got great reviews from owners. There's a few different forums they have, but one is mostly just full of spam and no real car talk, Im not even sure the point of it, and the others just don't have a following.

One thing about the Sonic better over the Spark is the optional engine choices especially with one being a turbo. I know for the 16 Spark model they're putting a different, slightly bigger engine in, but still no options other then interior stuff.