If all you want is the camera, then the sensors are not necessary. The sensors are what trigger the "beep" when you get close to something. If all you want is to see what's behind you (admittedly, the rear window does not provide the best visibility for low lying objects) then a camera should be sufficient.
Thinking of buying a Sonic - a bunch of questions
- Thread starter bvz
- Start date
If all you want is the camera, then the sensors are not necessary. The sensors are what trigger the "beep" when you get close to something. If all you want is to see what's behind you (admittedly, the rear window does not provide the best visibility for low lying objects) then a camera should be sufficient.
Yeah, I pretty much planned on going after market for something like that. My current car has a rear view mirror that angles down when you are backing up and I have gotten used to that. (Cameras are, of course, way more useful).
But I plan on getting a 2013 which doesn't have the camera option... so after market it will be.
yeah, I had heard that. Are they any better? Specifically, the ones in the rental Sonic I had just pushed my head forward to the point that my back started to ache. I suspect it is because they are at a fixed angle and I like to sit fairly upright in my cars (more so than most people). That means the headrest is tilted fairly far forward. Are the Spark headrests angle adjustable?
sx sonic
New member
ChrisJ
Active member
Oh, they do. No doubt about it. That is what headrests are for.
What I was saying was that I don't think that the fact that they are not adjustable front to back is because they are cheaper, not because they are safer. Many many expensive, new (and safe) cars have adjustable headrests. Having them fixed seems more like a cost cutting measure than a safety one.
Ohhh, well yeah I am sure they made a lot of decisions for the purpose of keeping costs low. That's how we are able to get so much value for our money. Sure there are some areas where I wish it was a little higher quality or had more features, but I wouldn't have paid extra money for it.
Yeah. It surely isn't a show stopper for me either.
I just test drove an RS today and really liked it. In fact, I liked it more than the more expensive Focus (which had the adjustable headrests).
I'm laughing because we are having parallel conversations on two threads
I agree. But that is the really scary part about the whole buying process.
I start by thinking, "The LTZ is only about $1.5K more than the LT." That isn't so much more and I get X and Y which I kind of want. Ok. LTZ it is."
Then I test the RS and I think, "Well, I have managed to actually test this one and I like the ride and the black dash vs. the LTZ. And it is only about $1.5K more than the LTZ. That isn't so much. Ok, RS."
And then you remind me that I am within a stones throw of the Focus ST. So I think, "Hmm. That is only $2K more than the RS, and is much better. Why not the ST then?"
And then suddenly I am thinking I can afford a cheap Sonic OR a Focus ST. When, in fact, the ST is a LOT more expensive. Ha ha. It is WAY too easy to talk myself up a tiny bit at a time until I am looking at cars I just can't afford.
I'm laughing because we are having parallel conversations on two threads
I agree. But that is the really scary part about the whole buying process.
I start by thinking, "The LTZ is only about $1.5K more than the LT." That isn't so much more and I get X and Y which I kind of want. Ok. LTZ it is."
Then I test the RS and I think, "Well, I have managed to actually test this one and I like the ride and the black dash vs. the LTZ. And it is only about $1.5K more than the LTZ. That isn't so much. Ok, RS."
And then you remind me that I am within a stones throw of the Focus ST. So I think, "Hmm. That is only $2K more than the RS, and is much better. Why not the ST then?"
And then suddenly I am thinking I can afford a cheap Sonic OR a Focus ST. When, in fact, the ST is a LOT more expensive. Ha ha. It is WAY too easy to talk myself up a tiny bit at a time until I am looking at cars I just can't afford.
I do the same thing. That's why I always set a hard limit on spending. I decided I wasn't going to spend more than $20k. The LTZ was slightly below it, but I couldn't justify the extra 1.5k over LT when the LT had everything I wanted anyway.
All the other cars I tested were either junk or above $20k. So my decision was pretty easy
Edit: Also, you should get approved before going to the dealership. That way you can say, "Well they only approved me for X amount." It forces the dealership to work to your budget, instead of us getting worked over by their number crunchers.
Last edited:
Have a 2013 LT HB and couldn't be happier.... yes the seats are a bit odd, but it handles great, great MPG ( average 40+ hwy), sporty ( so even though its a commuter it doesn't look like one), not had any shift problems. Gets up and goes ( been at 80 + MPH and not realized it ) If there is any complaint is I find the brakes a bit touchy.
Topaz blue turbo
New member
Fiesta ST what?
I drove the fiesta cause I knew it had the power I wanted and is really a good looking small car. But everything other than the powertrain for the car screams cheap. The new dusk edition or rs/ ltz really offers the most features/value but I never feel like im in a cheap economy car. Plus we get much better mileage.
I drove the fiesta cause I knew it had the power I wanted and is really a good looking small car. But everything other than the powertrain for the car screams cheap. The new dusk edition or rs/ ltz really offers the most features/value but I never feel like im in a cheap economy car. Plus we get much better mileage.
Breezybro
New member
Don't forget the interior room !
Sent from my Galaxy Note 3 using Tapatalk.
2013 Chevy Sonic RS 1.4l 6M Black Granite Metallic