2013 vs. 2014... any opinions on which would be better?

[CreativeWriterNSpace]

I had this same discussion with myself.., get a 2013 or wait for 2014. I went 2013 since I wanted to act now for purposes of optimizing my trade in value and handle a lower interest rate which is more likely this time of year and on a 2013 vs a fresh model year 2014 in sep.

However, if you can wait and current finances don't demand a new car, then the 2014 is likely a better choice if nothing more than higher resale value 5 years down the road.

The features of a 2014 like backup camera are nice but I don't feel enough to justify a wait on their own. Know that in Sep when the 2014s hit showrooms they will not have any deals or low interest promos for a while. If any 2013s remain near you then they should.

True. We were thinking about waiting until closer to Thanksgiving, though. It would actually be better, financially, to do that.

My mom is going to be financing it, but she doesn't want to do it until her mortgage modification goes through. She would if necessary, but would rather not since she's in the first month of a three month trial period right now. I'm thinking that the 2014's will get some discount or another closer to the holidays.

I'm just kind of torn... since I'm going 1000+ miles from home for school in the fall, I was hoping to have a new car to go down in (driving is most cost-effcient option). While all the electrical stuff that is currently broken on my current car (power windows, mirrors, cruise, turn signals) will get fixed beforehand, I was kind of looking forward to having four doors and cup-holders.

Thank you!

 

[laborsmith]

Wait until the mortgage mod goes through. Doesn't matter how low the monthly payment is. Well, if less than a hundred a month won't tilt as bad but will tilt.

Mortgage lenders use formulas and the car payment will definitely tilt the scale.

Laborsmith

 

[Luv2xlr8]

I'm curious, don't you guys in the states get 0% financing? I took advantage of the 0% 6 years, zero money down with first month payment paid by the dealer. Almost every car company is doing the 0% financing and no money down now but changed it to 7 or 8 years.

 

[Larry]

In simple words. PLEASE --- buy the car YOU want, then give all the praise to Jesus that he allowed you to have this car. You will be much happier if you buy the car you want.

If I followed this advice I'd be so deep in debt I'd never crawl out.

My advice is to buy the car you need, for the price you can afford, and if there's choices on the table take the one you like best.

 

[atx_sonic]

I'm curious, don't you guys in the states get 0% financing? I took advantage of the 0% 6 years, zero money down with first month payment paid by the dealer. Almost every car company is doing the 0% financing and no money down now but changed it to 7 or 8 years.

No. Most car sales in the US do not offer 0% financing and certainly not for more than 60 months. I am shocked any bank in any location would offer more than 72 months financing. The devaluation of the car is so great that potential risk to the bank if the deptor stops paying is too extreme. Essentially the best the bank can do for dead beat owners is take possession of a car well past its prime. What type of bank incurs that risk?

If that type of deal is offered its because the dealer and or GM has significant hold back cash hidden in then actual purchase price or the equity value of your trade in. Hold back cash is cash that gm and the dealer know they can 'loose' and still make a profit. Very few people on the planet know the hold back cash number on a given car and given options.

There are three areas where car dealers make profit, they really don't care where. It can be in the purchase price, in finance charge, or trade in equity. Most dealers try to hurt buyers on each. If a buyer wins two out of three areas, then its a win for the buyer usually.

 

[poncho167]

When I bought mine last month the only 0% that was available was for 48-months. That is only available to those with great credit.

The dealer holdback for Chevrolet is 3% of the MSRP.

 

[dante]

Can someone here help me out? I've been sifting through autotrader trying to get an idea on inventories for the Sonic. I noticed that all the LT's and some LS's come with a large - what appears to be a touch screen radio. On the LS's some of them come with a slim non-large screen radio.

Is the large screen thing the 'Chevy Mylink' thing? Can you get a LT with a slim radio because I haven't been able to find one.

 

[SnowVert]

Can someone here help me out? I've been sifting through autotrader trying to get an idea on inventories for the Sonic. I noticed that all the LT's and some LS's come with a large - what appears to be a touch screen radio. On the LS's some of them come with a slim non-large screen radio.

Is the large screen thing the 'Chevy Mylink' thing? Can you get a LT with a slim radio because I haven't been able to find one.

Yes, you can get it on the LT, it is only a $200 option...

 

[poncho167]

When I did my factory order I left off the $200 MyLink because I wanted the CD player and don't use a smartphone.

The MyLink was an option on the LS and LT 2013 Sonic, and standard on LTZ and RS.

The standard radio in the LT is the CD player radio with blue tooth, 6-speakers. Very nice unit. The MyLink (no CD player) is an excellent unit for the $200 price and gives so many options/features. I am just not into that touch this touch that type of electronics.

 

[SuperFudd]

Apparently in the 2014 Sonic the only model you can get the CD player in will be the LT.

 

[johnhlong]

Are the (UEU) Forward Collision Alert and (UFL) Lane Departure Warning options factory installed or dealer installed options?

John

P.S. I'm almost 70 years old and these make sense for me.

 

[chivalryder]

More things to break!

To answer your question: I have no idea.

 

[rodslinger]

Sonics are teeny, you dont need a backup camera/lane departure/collision warning if your a half competent driver ...

I would normally agree. But the rear headrests are almost the same size as the car and really restricts reward and some side visibility coming out of a parking space.

They should have used the low profile units like the Spark has.

 

[chivalryder]

If you need lane departure warning to drive you should reconsider your method of transportation. If you can't stay in a lane, you shouldn't be driving.

Forward collision warning is pointless. If you can't see what's in front of you, you shouldn't be driving.

HOWEVER, I agree that automatic braking is a potential life saver as human reaction is a lot slower than computerized. Milliseconds can mean the difference between life and death.

But the rear headrests are almost the same size as the car and really restricts reward and some side visibility coming out of a parking space.

I never have an issue with the headrests. They're far enough apart, they don't obstruct normal view. The only side visibility I can see myself having with them is that they make it so I can't see my C-pillars as well. >.>

If you don't like them, they are really easy to remove. Just push the big button on the base that allows you to move them up, until they reach the maximum length. Then, on the other base, there's a similar, but smaller button. Push that, pull up, then when it's ****ed to one side, push the big button again and they pop right out!

(Edit: Dumb forum censorship. You know what I mean!)

They also fit well in the hidden compartment in the trunk/hatch!

Another option is to use your mirrors while reversing. If you ever drive a large van/truck, you'll learn that those mirrors are a godsend.

 

[steve333]

You have obviously never tried backing the hatch out of a parking space in a busy lot LOL. Hatch will definitely benefit from the cam, and I only hope that MyLink can be compatible with a retrofit.

Losing the CD player was a real problem for me but I wanted the sunroof more than a CD player, meaning I had to get the LTZ which came with the MyLink. Glad I did, I don't miss the CD player at all which surprised me. Everything I have fits on my 16GB flash drive with room to spare, like all of my old time Mercury Theater On The Air broadcasts. I am actually pretty fond of the MyLink system.

The Sonic (sedan at least) does not have real good rear visibility due partly to the rear headrests, so I can appreciate the appeal of a rear camera but I would not want any of the other crap like lane departure warning and such. Cruise control was a must have for me because I do a lot of freeway driving and the WSP patrol I-5 like stink on poop so it's nice to set it and relax.

So, neither the sedan or hatch have good visibility? Very strange that a small car can't be designed so you can actually see things around you. My Balt may be a POS but when I turn my head to the side or turn my head around I can actually see what's around me.
Is the hatch worse than the sedan in this regard?

 

[attrapereves]

So, neither the sedan or hatch have good visibility? Very strange that a small car can't be designed so you can actually see things around you. My Balt may be a POS but when I turn my head to the side or turn my head around I can actually see what's around me.
Is the hatch worse than the sedan in this regard?

A hatch is better backing out of a parking spot than a trunk. With a trunk, you have to worry about the trunk getting hit. A hatch is flat back there, so it's easier in my opinion.

I never park in a spot where backing is required anyways.

I've never understood the point in a backup camera or beeping sensors and stuff like that. They don't make drivers safer, they just make them lazier. I always rely on my own senses when driving.

 

[steve333]

A hatch is better backing out of a parking spot than a trunk. With a trunk, you have to worry about the trunk getting hit. A hatch is flat back there, so it's easier in my opinion.

I never park in a spot where backing is required anyways.

I've never understood the point in a backup camera or beeping sensors and stuff like that. They don't make drivers safer, they just make them lazier. I always rely on my own senses when driving.

I don't get back up cameras. You have to look forward at the camera while backing out. That just seems strange to me.