2012 Sonic vs 2010 Civic, help please.

[potentialowner2013]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently in the market for a new vehicle, and finding myself very torn between a brand new, 2012 Sonic and a pre-owned 2010 Honda Civic.

I am totally open to being sold on the Sonic, so if anyone can go into more detail on why they think it's a better vehicle, I'm all ears. I will admit that I've owned several GM/American cars in the past, and everyone single one has had it's significant share of problems, especially engine/transmission related. In this regard, I find myself very hesitant to want to buy ANOTHER GM vehicle, and as I have many friends and family members who are very happy with their Hondas, it's one reason I'm sort of leaning that way.

Fuel economy and durability are important to me. I think based on my research that a 1.4L AT Sonic would be preferable at this point in time.

 

[Eric Smit]

One is a Sonic and one is a Civic. nuff said.

More info on Civic please.


-Eric Smit

 

[Tommyboy4725]

Hmm get a 1.4l sonic and a tune and it will be faster than a civic and still get much better gas mileage. And be more fun to drive. Besides, GM > Honda

 

[AndrewGS]

I'd rather push a Sonic than drive a boring ass Civic.

 

[$ub$onic]

I do miss my accord but I love my sonic

 

[C.E.Divine]

My friend had a 2010 civic. Rides tougher and drives louder than my sonic. Not as quick or fun either.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently in the market for a new vehicle, and finding myself very torn between a brand new, 2012 Sonic and a pre-owned 2010 Honda Civic.

I am totally open to being sold on the Sonic, so if anyone can go into more detail on why they think it's a better vehicle, I'm all ears. I will admit that I've owned several GM/American cars in the past, and everyone single one has had it's significant share of problems, especially engine/transmission related. In this regard, I find myself very hesitant to want to buy ANOTHER GM vehicle, and as I have many friends and family members who are very happy with their Hondas, it's one reason I'm sort of leaning that way.

Fuel economy and durability are important to me. I think based on my research that a 1.4L AT Sonic would be preferable at this point in time.

It's good to hear you're considering the Sonic! I would highly suggest a test drive. Let us know if you any specific product questions or possibly a vehicle located per your specs. Good luck!

Matt,

GM Customer Assistance

 

[potentialowner2013]

It's good to hear you're considering the Sonic! I would highly suggest a test drive. Let us know if you any specific product questions or possibly a vehicle located per your specs. Good luck!

Matt,

GM Customer Assistance

I'll be doing some test drives this weekend. It's the long term life of the vehicle where I find myself concerned, given past experience.

 

[HADES20]

I myself was a little net ice about buying an American car for the long term especially considering the previous ones my family has had have had their problems but after owning my sonic since August I think it'll be just fine an hold up well and with the warranty I receives and service plan I'm confident in the car the civic is a good car but its preowned and I don't like used anything but Hondas are reliable. But just like customer service said test drive and see which suits your needs the most but the sonic does look better and will most definitely be more road mannered than the civic

 

[EX331]

I've owned an '09 Civic LX, and currently a '13 Sonic. The Sonic is by far more fun to drive, and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to be able to get 250k + miles out of the Sonic. Seems there is more bang for your buck with the Sonic also, just look at the list of standard equipment!

Here's the big sell for me... it's an American car, built by American employees, in an American factory, by an American Company. (I am aware that the parts are globally sourced.)

 

[AndrewGS]

I'll be doing some test drives this weekend. It's the long term life of the vehicle where I find myself concerned, given past experience.

Look at all the old, high-mile American cars still on the road. There are plenty, at least down here. I work at Enterprise and I see all kinds of cars that go through all kinds of hell and the American cars seem to hold up just as well if not better than the foreign cars. All the Hondas we have at work are buzzy and cheap feeling.

 

[wingman]

The Sonic is a fun car, and it handles very well. Need more info on the civic to decide. If it is a 4 door si, that would be a very tough choice. Probably choose the honda if so. If it doesn't get stolen first, it will probably outlive the chevy.

 

[potentialowner2013]

Look at all the old, high-mile American cars still on the road. There are plenty, at least down here. I work at Enterprise and I see all kinds of cars that go through all kinds of hell and the American cars seem to hold up just as well if not better than the foreign cars. All the Hondas we have at work are buzzy and cheap feeling.

I've dumped thousands into old American cars because the parts just wear out. I drive an old American car now I've put 2 transmissions into in 5 years. Then I see my Honda-driving friends and family members, who have owned their vehicles for years and not had anything break. Ever. Thus my concern.

 

[AndrewGS]

I've dumped thousands into old American cars because the parts just wear out. I drive an old American car now I've put 2 transmissions into in 5 years. Then I see my Honda-driving friends and family members, who have owned their vehicles for years and not had anything break. Ever. Thus my concern.

I can put you in touch with a friend that went through 2 transmissions on his Honda Odyssey before giving up, I can tell you about my grandparents' Accord that needed an ETC out of warranty and how despite the trained Honda techs loving care it only mustered 23MPG (4cyl.) after a few years of good MPG, I can tell you about how my dad's Civic needed an engine overhaul about the time the timing belt was due for replacement, or my friend who bough a new '06 Civic Si that had manual transmission troubles, etc. etc.

Hondas aren't perfect no matter what you see. No company builds perfect cars. Each Honda dealer across the world has a service center full of trained technicians that stay pretty busy. If you'll recall (no pun intended), Honda recalled 3,900,000 cars last year, second only to Toyota.

I will admit that Hondas are usually very good, reliable cars, but they're so boring that I nearly fall asleep at the wheel when driving one. I'd rather have a car that's a little less perfect if it meant I had some fun driving it.

 

[wingman]

The Sonic has a 100k warranty I believe. Most people in general get rid of their vehicles before or when the warranty expires. However, you speak of long term reliability, which leads me to believe you would keep it as long as possible. I think the honda, especially a civic would last longer. It may not be as fun though, and the mileage probably wouldn't be that different.

 

[firstorbit84]

I didn't think Honda sold their cars to car rental companies?

 

[Maddog2020]

If the 2012 Sonic is new you get a full 100,000 mile warranty (5 Year) (36,000 bumper to bumper - 3 Year). I have the turbo with a tune and I truly get excited to drive every time I get in. Stock was fun, but the tune doubled the fun factor. Best part, you get to become one of the Sonic Owners Forum family!

 

[firstorbit84]

yeah 100k/5yr.... only good if u drive 20k/yr

 

[Swordsmith]

I think this is a fair question to ask, but it is one that is impossible to answer. There's nobody who can tell you how reliable the Sonic is, because it is so new that there's no data to point to. You can look at the Aevo... but please don't, because that sad attempt at the subcompact market was possibly the worst car in its class, and the Sonic, while made by the same company for the same market, is so night and day different that it's an insult to compare the two.

If long term reliability is your biggest concern, and the extremely generous warranty on the Sonic isn't enough to alleviate your worries, then I'd go with the Civic. Sure, its an inferior car, sure the profits and the payroll all head overseas, but the plain fact of the matter is, long term reliability of the Sonic is a mystery to us all. Could be it's the best in class there too, but could also be that 6 months from now, all 2012's suddenly fall apart in unison, leaving piles of metal and rubber all over the nation's highways. We just don't know, because there are no Sonics on the road now that are that old.

Me, I'd take Matt's advice, test drive a Sonic and a Civic, keep the warranty in mind, and go with your gut.

Oh, and once you do, get a tune for the Sonic your gut told you to buy.

 

[AndrewGS]

I didn't think Honda sold their cars to car rental companies?

They'll sell to anyone with money.