Does the Sonic RS seem a little pricey?

[McD6113]

I paid $25,456.65 for mine brand new in January 2013. I paid an extra $850 for undercoating/rustproofing because it was right in the middle of winter in PA and I didn't want my brand new car getting eaten by the salt PennDOT uses. I also got screwed by the dealer because I didn't read the paperwork and ended up paying an extra $1,400 for a service contract they told me was "included". Live and learn I guess. That aside, I love my Sonic RS and I'd totally buy it again. I used to only go for cloth seats (I absolutely hated the leather seats in my Mustang) until I sat in my Sonic RS the first time, plus the Sonic gets better gas mileage and has been more reliable than any car I've had before. I used to lean more toward Fords until I drove my mom's 2012 Focus. That car had so much going on in it that it tended to be overwhelming and after seeing pictures of a Fiesta ST I'd imagine it's similar. I like the simplicity of driving my Sonic, It has just enough upscale things to make it enjoyable without being overwhelming.

 

[scout62]

The seats alone are worth the extra price of the RS.

 

[ahtoxa]

The seats alone are worth the extra price of the RS.

Probably not. Could one order an LTZ/LT and then order the RS seats separately? Possibly, but I don't know what the price would be.

 

[Wooksquatch]

I paid $25,456.65 for mine brand new in January 2013. I paid an extra $850 for undercoating/rustproofing because it was right in the middle of winter in PA and I didn't want my brand new car getting eaten by the salt PennDOT uses. I also got screwed by the dealer because I didn't read the paperwork and ended up paying an extra $1,400 for a service contract they told me was "included". Live and learn I guess. That aside, I love my Sonic RS and I'd totally buy it again. I used to only go for cloth seats (I absolutely hated the leather seats in my Mustang) until I sat in my Sonic RS the first time, plus the Sonic gets better gas mileage and has been more reliable than any car I've had before. I used to lean more toward Fords until I drove my mom's 2012 Focus. That car had so much going on in it that it tended to be overwhelming and after seeing pictures of a Fiesta ST I'd imagine it's similar. I like the simplicity of driving my Sonic, It has just enough upscale things to make it enjoyable without being overwhelming.

You most likely could have gotten out of the service contract. Almost all the service contracts that I have seen have a cancellation clause where they have to refund the unused portion of the service contract. If the service period has not ended yet look into getting some of your money back.

 

[ScarabEpic22]

The seats alone are worth the extra price of the RS.

I agree, they're comfortable and supportive. Whether bombing around town or cruising for 6 hours on a roadtrip, I'm very comfortable and my back does not hurt (issue I have with some other seats on long drives).

Probably not. Could one order an LTZ/LT and then order the RS seats separately? Possibly, but I don't know what the price would be.

No, I guarantee you GM will not sell you a car that way. Have to buy the RS seats separately/as take-outs and install them yourself.


Also, I feel like I got an ok deal on my RS, but IIRC Ive heard of guys on here picking them up for 18-18.5k. Compare that to a fully loaded LTZ, and it's not that much more expensive. But again, it's your own dollar and has to be your decision if it's worth it or not. For me, I spend an hour plus in my car commuting daily and am very happy I went with the RS vs LT/LTZ for the seats, suspension, and steering wheel. Throw in the more aggressive bumpers and actual leather interior vs leatherette sealed the deal for me. .02

 

[ahtoxa]

I agree, they're comfortable and supportive. Whether bombing around town or cruising for 6 hours on a roadtrip, I'm very comfortable and my back does not hurt (issue I have with some other seats on long drives).



No, I guarantee you GM will not sell you a car that way. Have to buy the RS seats separately/as take-outs and install them yourself.


Also, I feel like I got an ok deal on my RS, but IIRC Ive heard of guys on here picking them up for 18-18.5k. Compare that to a fully loaded LTZ, and it's not that much more expensive. But again, it's your own dollar and has to be your decision if it's worth it or not. For me, I spend an hour plus in my car commuting daily and am very happy I went with the RS vs LT/LTZ for the seats, suspension, and steering wheel. Throw in the more aggressive bumpers and actual leather interior vs leatherette sealed the deal for me. .02

That's what I said. Buy RS seats separately and install.

 

[ScarabEpic22]

That's what I said. Buy RS seats separately and install.

My apologies, I read your previous post as: "order car from GM and order RS seats at the same time so it arrives as an LTZ w/RS seats"

 

[barrstev]

I fell in love with the sonic after renting a turbo ltz for a week. I e-braked the car out of the rental car parking garage and was instantly sold. None of the sonics are performance cars. But! My RS averages over 40mpg highway (i've gotta work for it though), parks anywhere, and unlike my hot rod, I can drive it like it's stolen all the time with less risk of getting nailed for wreckless driving. 0-60 in less than 5 seconds makes driving fun when you can take advantage of it. But the sonic makes the other 99% of your driving fun.

I also had the misfortune of getting a 1.8l LT for a weeekend rental. Horrible. (sorry 1.8 owners)

The diferrence between the sonic RS and the other options packages is night and day. The gear ratio makes it feel sportier and the rear discs are almost worth the price alone. The leather interior and black dash are way nicer than the lesser options. The wheel and body kit package is better too. The honeycomb front grill and aggressive rear spoiler are suttle improvements that make the car look a little classier. The suspension is also way better. It's firmer, lower, and helps the car handle much better. The car is also quieter at highway speeds, I think because of better insulation.

For those who complain about a lack of performance, the original rally sport package was purely cosmetic, and was offered separately or in addition to other performance options. Pay the extra money. You couldn't get half of the options for the minimal price difference over the ltz.

Comparing the car to the fiesta st? Well... that's entirely a matter of personal preference.

 

[ahtoxa]

Smug post is smug.

I drove a 1.8 LT as a rental once. It's fine. It's not really any slower stock to stock against the 1.4T.

 

[barrstev]

True, but the rental 1.8 that I had was really loud. It sounded like there was something wrong with the poor car.

 

[$ub$onic]

That's not normal. You should hear a slight valve train noise ( mainly if you have the windows down at a stop)

My car stock was scary quite.

 

[DeweyD]

I didn't consider the RS pricey at all. Was only $18.2k after incentives etc. You get a lot of car at that price. Was worth it to me for the heated leather seats alone! The MSRP of over $20k does sound overpriced, sure, but you shouldn't be paying that. I think you would be hard pressed to find a better small car new in the high $teens.

 

[Golden86]

I personally just bought a 14' RS sedan with 6 speed and safety package and premium black granite paint. The sticker price is a bit much ($22,500), but I got mine for $16900 with all the incentives. It was less than a 15' LTZ, I couldn't pass it up.

The car is leaps and bounds above all other cars in this category. It may not be the fastest, but it feels solid, and has a great torque curve that makes the car seem much faster than it really is. It really is a legitimate fun car to drive with the short gear ratios, it gets you engaged with working the shiftier and clutch.

The sonic in general is a great overall car, great gas mileage, plenty of room, and fun to drive, all for under $20k. Not many cars can say that.

 

[dean_6824]

Ooh I want to chime in !!
I work at a chevy dealer in tx and ended up paying the sale sticker price for my 15hb rs whish was 18 ish
After adding in the 1800 leftover from my duramax and all the crap the blonde (kinda hot, 8.9) in the finance office upsold me (an employee) I ended up paying just shy of regular sticker ~23k - 1800 trade .

But i test drove the ltz for a week and the rs is definitely worth it for me
Interior alone just my .02

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[dean_6824]

Ooh I want to chime in !!
I work at a chevy dealer in tx and ended up paying the sale sticker price for my 15hb rs whish was 18 ish
After adding in the 1800 leftover from my duramax and all the crap the blonde (kinda hot, 8.9) in the finance office upsold me (an employee) I ended up paying just shy of regular sticker ~23k - 1800 trade .

But i test drove the ltz for a week and the rs is definitely worth it for me
Interior alone just my .02

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

That 23k is my total note left at the bank just to clarify

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[5H1F7Y]

Keep shopping around if you can, got my rs for 18,000 out the door. Granted i was working at GM at the time, but everyone can get employee pricing quite frequently with promotions.

 

[AshesToArmor]

I bought a 2013 RS 6-speed hatchback in April. Found one in Vestal, NY for $15,500 w/20K miles on it. Got them down to $15k OTD. Previously owned a Focus SVT and all I can say is that the comparison in quality from Ford to Chevy is a HUGE improvement. The RS drives so solidly and whenever I have a passenger in the car with me, the first comment they usually make is something along the lines of "for how small this car is, it really rides well!"

Yes, it could use a little more power, but that's why aftermarket upgrades exist I have absolutely NO complaints about the car and would recommend one to anybody.

 

[cndctrdj]

Just picked up my15 rs. Paid 18.2. Car is totally worth it

 

[carsNskis]

$17k ++ in December for a new 2014 RS manual. 20% off MSRP rebate was better than employee or supplier pricing.

Sticker price is not in line for what motor is offered, especially considering how good a Golf Tsi is and there's HUGE aftermarket for VW (you can build a budget GTI for less than the factory version with more power).

 

[RS Smash]

For me what really makes the RS seem pricey is the Ford Fiesta ST. For approx the same price you get a real bonafide hot hatch instead of a warm one. However a BNR tune will fix that, only until the Fiesta ST gets a Mountune.

I found my 2014 Dragon Green RS with 13k miles for $16000 used with $3000 of performance upgrades included. Guy traded it in on an Abarth.