Looking at buying a Sonic

[RobbyS]

Hey,
I'm 16 years old and I'm looking to buy a Sonic LT HB with the 1.4T and a manual. I am looking at this and a 2007 Saturn Ion Redline. My parents would much rather me get the Sonic, but I like the Redline. It has 55k miles and a warranty until 09/14. Enough about the Ion. I would like a black Sonic and get black wheels. I know I will add an air intake and probably an exhaust. I have a question about a tune though. Will a Trifecta tune void the warranty?

 

[$ub$onic]

Yes a tune will void a warranty

 

[Goneau]

Hey,
I'm 16 years old and I'm looking to buy a Sonic LT HB with the 1.4T and a manual. I am looking at this and a 2007 Saturn Ion Redline. My parents would much rather me get the Sonic, but I like the Redline. It has 55k miles and a warranty until 09/14. Enough about the Ion. I would like a black Sonic and get black wheels. I know I will add an air intake and probably an exhaust. I have a question about a tune though. Will a Trifecta tune void the warranty?

Anything and everything can void your warranty. BUT in order for it to happen something must first, break and second GM needs to prove it was said modification that caused the problem. In the end if anything happen you're liable and its bout who has the better lawyer and we all know who that will be if you decide to fight it if the dealer shuts you down.

 

[firstorbit84]

If you're buying it, why do your parents have a say?

Get the sonic. Get a 1.4t. Tune it. Be happy.

I haven't heard of anyone's warranty being voided from a tune. I don't think the dealers can see it. Plus you'd have to have them prove it was the tune's fault for the failure.

 

[RobbyS]

Anything and everything can void your warranty. BUT in order for it to happen something must first, break and second GM needs to prove it was said modification that caused the problem. In the end if anything happen you're liable and its bout who has the better lawyer and we all know who that will be if you decide to fight it if the dealer shuts you down.

Thanks for the info!

If you're buying it, why do your parents have a say?

Get the sonic. Get a 1.4t. Tune it. Be happy.

I haven't heard of anyone's warranty being voided from a tune. I don't think the dealers can see it. Plus you'd have to have them prove it was the tune's fault for the failure.

My parents will be helping me out a bit. They will trade in their truck (which they never drive) and with the discounts and my money, they should still be able to keep a bit of their money from the trade. I have about $10k saved up (price of the Ion). the truck's trade in is about $7500. We have over $3k on our GM card.

The reasoning behind the 1.4T is that it's made in the U.S. My dad works for GM and won't even consider the Korean built 1.8.

Couldn't the mechanics figure out that you have a tune?



EDIT: This is the one we are interested in; http://www.sapaugh.com/VehicleDetails/new-2013-Chevrolet-Sonic-LT-Herculaneum-MO/1879170663

 

[Eric Smit]

I took in my modified car and they couldn't see my tune. they knew it was faster than stock, but had to take my word that it was the intake and exhaust because their program showed nothing else.

 

[Goneau]

why are hatches $1,000 more than the sedans? lol

But yeah man it's a great car, and something to think about it you know nobody has beat on it, because god knows another 16 year old could have owned that ION before you, think about that lol

 

[RobbyS]

why are hatches $1,000 more than the sedans? lol

But yeah man it's a great car, and something to think about it you know nobody has beat on it, because god knows another 16 year old could have owned that ION before you, think about that lol

Yeah, that's why my dad is really skeptical about buying a performance/used car. We went and looked at it today, the owner was like 45.
Are they fun to drive? I'm use to my dad's 2007 Cobalt 2.2 manual.
My dad wants a hatch because he thinks it will kind of replace the truck that we would be trading in. And the price thing is weird.

 

[Eric Smit]

it's more fun to drive than a cobalt LS. ha.

and the hatch is more expensive because it's better. haha.

 

[SUPER SONIC BOOM]

Hey,
I'm 16 years old and I'm looking to buy a Sonic LT HB with the 1.4T and a manual. I am looking at this and a 2007 Saturn Ion Redline. My parents would much rather me get the Sonic, but I like the Redline. It has 55k miles and a warranty until 09/14. Enough about the Ion. I would like a black Sonic and get black wheels. I know I will add an air intake and probably an exhaust. I have a question about a tune though. Will a Trifecta tune void the warranty?

Hmmm...a black Sonic w/blk wheels, not a bad choice at all son lol!:banana:

"SHADOW" approves this message!!!

 

[firstorbit84]

isn't the sedan more expensive in other markets?

 

[Goneau]

it's more fun to drive than a cobalt LS. ha.

and the hatch is more expensive because it's better. haha.

100 lbs >.< lol

yeah they're pretty fun to drive, I mean as fun as 138hp can be, but it gets the job done. Probably stay on the road a little better than 205hp lol

isn't the sedan more expensive in other markets?

I have no idea

 

[Eric Smit]

they're more fun with a tune, I promise. haha.

 

[Maddog2020]

This is a no-brainer, the Saturn probably only has a power train warranty for 1 1/2 years. I assume that you would pay for the Saturn leaving you with no equity. Even a 45 year can thrash a car, so don't count on it being babied.

With the Sonic you get bumper to bumper for 3 years and 5 years of power train warranty. You will also have instant equity ($$$) with the Sonic. The 1.4 Turbo is fun to drive stock. Once you get bored with stock performance, get a tune and your car will be re-born. Getting a new car at 16 made in Michigan...Win-Win-Win-Win-Win.

Good luck with your decision. Let your brain make the decision, not your emotions. The Saturn only seems more exciting.

 

[seanp1]

Good luck with your choice in a car. At least it sounds like you will appreciate the car and not be a whiny brat about it. BTW, you will likely only be able to use $500 of your GM card earnings.

 

[RS Turbo]

There is no such thing as instant equity in vehicles!

New car on dealers lot $$$$, You buy and drive off the lot $$$ it is now a Used vehicle and you just took a few Thousand dollar hit.

 

[Eric Smit]

but with 10k down, he'll have instant equity. it doesn't really matter which one he gets from an equity standpoint.

 

[Maddog2020]

My parents will be helping me out a bit. They will trade in their truck (which they never drive) and with the discounts and my money, they should still be able to keep a bit of their money from the trade. I have about $10k saved up (price of the Ion). the truck's trade in is about $7500. We have over $3k on our GM card.

I was referring to this (not too clearly though): His parents are giving him the instant equity with a $7500 trade in and probably $500 in GM cash. He is only spending $10,000 for the car out of his pocket. I wish I could get that deal!

 

[MrSnuggles]

Def go for the sonic. Although im a 1.8L owner, I rather have the sonic than the ion, like many 1.4T owners here say, start with an econobox, and work from there, its a more gratitude filled feeling to see how much you can put into a car and fix it the way you want rather than just getting all of that off the bat, then you would get bored with it. It also sounds like you already had a few things in mind of what you are doing. Def go for the sonic... BTW how long did you save up 10k? Thats a good bit of money for a 16 year old. Nice job.

 

[RobbyS]

This is a no-brainer, the Saturn probably only has a power train warranty for 1 1/2 years. I assume that you would pay for the Saturn leaving you with no equity. Even a 45 year can thrash a car, so don't count on it being babied.

With the Sonic you get bumper to bumper for 3 years and 5 years of power train warranty. You will also have instant equity ($$$) with the Sonic. The 1.4 Turbo is fun to drive stock. Once you get bored with stock performance, get a tune and your car will be re-born. Getting a new car at 16 made in Michigan...Win-Win-Win-Win-Win.

Good luck with your decision. Let your brain make the decision, not your emotions. The Saturn only seems more exciting.

The Ion has a Bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranty. If I get the Sonic, I think I'll probably tune it right away. Do you have to use premium fuel after you tune it? It's not a big deal, just wanting to find out.

Def go for the sonic. Although im a 1.8L owner, I rather have the sonic than the ion, like many 1.4T owners here say, start with an econobox, and work from there, its a more gratitude filled feeling to see how much you can put into a car and fix it the way you want rather than just getting all of that off the bat, then you would get bored with it. It also sounds like you already had a few things in mind of what you are doing. Def go for the sonic... BTW how long did you save up 10k? Thats a good bit of money for a 16 year old. Nice job.

I kind of like econoboxes. I've been saving for no reason as long as I can remember. I got the money mostly from Christmases and birthdays.