Chevrolet Sonic RS Priced From $20,995

[Bogus]

"DETROIT – The suggested retail price of the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS with a six-speed manual transmission begins at $20,995, including destination. Sonic RS with the available six-speed automatic transmission starts at $22,280."

"Production begins in October at General Motors’ Orion (Mich.) Assembly Center, which received a $545-million investment in upgrades and retooling, helping create or retain approximately 1,800 jobs in the metropolitan Detroit area. Sonic is the only subcompact built in the United States."

Full article here.

EDIT: See post #45 for estimated OTD prices for manual trans.

 

[Ridethesky84]

I just read August 30th is when they will begin takin orders.

 

[laborsmith]

Dealers have been told their orders will be accepted starting August 30 and production of the Sonic RS will begin October 1. And, yes, I have seen the memo. Two members of this forum have had their RS orders accepted. When my salesperson tried last week the order was not accepted.

The same memo says the Sonic RS will be constrained to 5% of total production.

I think ordering will be hit or miss between now and August 30, but as important as getting an order number is getting allocation - a dealer may order say 5 units but may only be allocated say 2 units. Those two allocated units will be built (barring some unforeseeable issue) but the other three may languish for weeks before GM itself cancels.

Laborsmith

 

[laborsmith]

Good find, Bogus. Noticed no black bar will be carried over to the production RS! Seats are real leather with the sueded microfiber bolster inserts. We knew about the inserts just were not certain if leather or pleather would be used.

Laborsmith

 

[Bogus]

A family friend who is the Business Manager at a Chevy dealer is putting together my price right now. She didn't even know they were priced until I told her. lol

 

[SonicBoomBaby]

I just saw this on Carscoop. My question is what will the Canadian price be and will it be available around the same time? I'm guessing 24k for the 6speed auto including destination.

It looks nice. However I just saw pics of the Nissan Invitation Concept and man...that car looks pretty sweet.

 

[Johnny Alien]

Too high IMO. If you go automatic you are close to base Camaro price.

 

[Bogus]

<- manual

 

[Eric Smit]

But would you rather have a loaded Sonic with every trimming, or a boring base Camaro?


-Eric Smit

 

[laborsmith]

Base Camaro manual trans $24,245 including destination
Base Sonic RS manual trans $20,995 including destination

Did not look for price of auto trans but should be same or close.

So only $3250 separates one from a bare bones Camaro when compared to a well optioned Sonic!

Laborsmith

 

[Bogus]

But would you rather have a loaded Sonic with every trimming, or a boring base Camaro?


-Eric Smit

ahaaa

 

[Johnny Alien]

You can get a loaded LTZ for $3000 less if you are looking at the automatics. That is alot for almost entirely cosmetic improvements.

 

[SonicQueen]

$1605 MSRP difference....for that you get 4-wheel disc brakes, unique wheels, front/rear fascias, leather, new steering wheel and RS gears. LTZ hatch w/turbo & auto is $20,675. RS auto is $22,280.

 

[RS Turbo]

$1605 MSRP difference....for that you get 4-wheel disc brakes, unique wheels, front/rear fascias, leather, new steering wheel and RS gears. LTZ hatch w/turbo & auto is $20,675. RS auto is $22,280.

You forgot about the Lowered sport tuned suspension as well!

 

[Johnny Alien]

$1605 MSRP difference....for that you get 4-wheel disc brakes, unique wheels, front/rear fascias, leather, new steering wheel and RS gears. LTZ hatch w/turbo & auto is $20,675. RS auto is $22,280.

OK...I thought the MSRP for the LTZ was under $20,000. Regardless that is almost 2K and the only difference that is not cosmetic is the lower suspension and rear disc brakes. Past that everything you mentioned doesn't affect the car. If you can skip the leather seats you can get practically the same ride out of a turbo LT for thousands less. Low 20,000's is a crowded pool for this to be in.

 

[Johnny Alien]

Base Camaro manual trans $24,245 including destination
Base Sonic RS manual trans $20,995 including destination

Did not look for price of auto trans but should be same or close.

So only $3250 separates one from a bare bones Camaro when compared to a well optioned Sonic!

Laborsmith

True...I was going from the auto RS to a manual Camaro. That is only about a $1000 difference. I would go with a base Camaro over a tricked out Sonic but that's just me.

And if I was looking at gas mileage I would probably at $22 look at an Eco Cruze. Those guys are getting sick gas mileage.

 

[laborsmith]

I don't think you will want an RS if you are concerned about fuel economy. I will be surprised if it comes in as high as 38mpg hi-way.

Laborsmith

 

[Johnny Alien]

I don't think you will want an RS if you are concerned about fuel economy. I will be surprised if it comes in as high as 38mpg hi-way.

Laborsmith

What change was made that would bring it down from the standard 1.4 epa of tops 40? Nothing done to it should change that. The gearing should not make that much of a difference.

Edited to add: If the mileage is worse then the GTI is a stong contender as well. They are having crazy deals right now and you can probably get into one for very little more and zero percent financing. Better performance all around (which is I assume the market the RS is going after)

 

[SonicQueen]

That's the beauty of Sonic...it can be whatever you want it to be and still be affordable. If the RS isn't your thing, so be it. The turbo LT is pretty sweet on its own.

 

[laborsmith]

Referring only to the manual transmission equipped Sonic RS, the final drive ratio goes from 3.65 to 4.18 AND the sixth gear overdrive which is now 0.64 I am thinking will be 0.75.

I do not see this as a minor change that will have little impact on fuel economy, but I could be wrong. I guess we'll know when we can actually view the window stickers.

Laborsmith