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[Xgenturbo]

Ok so 6 months ago or so my wife and I bought our first domestic. A 2014 Chevy Sonic LTZ with the 1.4L turbo. We wanted something efficient so we're not always driving the Tacoma or the 4Runner (Both lifted and both thirsty) Everything around here is far away and we do a LOT of driving. Every since day one I've been having a 2nd gear grind during spirited driving like merging on to the highway with 100 idiots going over the limit. Or just trying to have some fun because well, even though its a 1.4 it still hauls ass. GM cant figure the grind out, tried to pass it off on me that I cant drive a stick...Ok funny, because I've never owned an automatic. Two months ago it went in for a strut because the factory strut went out and started clunking. They changed the strut and upon changing it they realized the other one is blown too.

This week it goes in for the other strut and guess what?! The strut that they changed two months ago is once again blown. So now it will be going in for a rear strut for a third time at some point because parts are never stocked so it takes a month or more to get work done. 2nd gear is still crunching unless you drive like a grandma and hold the clutch down and count, one thousand one, one thousand two and then ease in to gear, the sway bar links are plastic and already worn out. This shit is ridiculous! We don't have a lemon law here in Canada and with how much we're driving we'll be out of warranty soon.

The only good thing about that car is that engine because its made of cast iron, gets 40mpg or more has a turbo that seems to be working good for now, it is fun to drive when you step on it despite being such a low displacement. We want to like this car, we really do but GM needs to get its head out of their ass and figure their shit out. I'm one more issue from contacting an arbitrator (our version of a lemon law) to start a battle against GM for me. I want the fucking transmission replaced, I want proper struts that dont keep breaking every two months and I want proper sway bar links.

So learn from me and dont buy a Chevy Sonic unless you want some irritating issues. And if you do buy one, definitely get a manual because despite second gear always grinding, the auto is a lot worse and has been known to jolt out in to traffic without drivers input. My wife and I have an ongoing joke that may actually come true. We keep saying our 1998 Toyota 4Runner will outlast the 2014 Sonic. I really wont be surprised if we're right.

I should of held off and waited for the 2015/16 Honda fit which was getting a remodel with leather, an overall better interior/exterior and better economy. I didn't want to wait and now I'm kicking myself in the ass for it. At this point I pray that this is the extent of the problems with this car I'd really hate to be scrapping it before its paid off.

[highroller54]

Sell it to the insurance company 

[Xgenturbo]

Sell it to the insurance company 

Tried that already and he took the shoulder...I'm not even kidding you. LOL. Guess buddy was texting or something and didn't realize my wife had stopped, all she saw is him coming towards her and swerving on the ice towards the shoulder. It was a big pickup (90% of the cars here are) It would of surely written off that little Sonic. He was probably going 40mph (60 in Canadian speed) So she would of been fine.

[highroller54]

lol!!
I'm Canadian speed as well sir.

[ratcityrex]

Crash it

[Xgenturbo]

lol!!
I'm Canadian speed as well sir.

Just looked at the map in your profile. The hell are you doing all the way down there? I'm about 9 hours north of you.

[highroller54]

Living the dream! Lol

Where are you at? I thought you were back east.

[HiProfile]

The corporate penny pinching is a response to cheap consumers - they don't give a shit about quality because it has a warranty. I recall talking to two women who bought Hyundai's because of the 10yr warranty thing. The first never changed her oil, blew the engine, then was told the non-warranty repair was more than the car's value. The second had nearly every handle/knob/etc fall apart and they never once covered anything under warranty.

That's why I'll likely NEVER purchase a new vehicle. For the price you get a shittier car, and the free replacement parts are grossly overshadowed by the time spent dicking around at the dealership. Luckily the USA has enough people irresponsible with money where the supply of 2-10yr old cars greatly exceeds demand.

[Xgenturbo]

Living the dream! Lol

Where are you at? I thought you were back east.

Living at CFB Cold Lake, Military moved me here in 2010. After my contract the money in oil was so good that I never moved back east and my wife is still employed with the Forces here. Ended up going to school to get an even better career and thats when shit hit the fan and oil dropped so we'll see how things go once school is done. As much as I hate to say it on a car forum, hopefully it goes back up soon! No one seems to be hiring for anything now. I'm glad I've been saving money like a mad man for years because at least I'm not eating dirt and can afford nice things still.

The corporate penny pinching is a response to cheap consumers - they don't give a shit about quality because it has a warranty. I recall talking to two women who bought Hyundai's because of the 10yr warranty thing. The first never changed her oil, blew the engine, then was told the non-warranty repair was more than the car's value. The second had nearly every handle/knob/etc fall apart and they never once covered anything under warranty.

That's why I'll likely NEVER purchase a new vehicle. For the price you get a shittier car, and the free replacement parts are grossly overshadowed by the time spent dicking around at the dealership. Luckily the USA has enough people irresponsible with money where the supply of 2-10yr old cars greatly exceeds demand.

Not all manufactures are like that. I'd buy another new Toyota or Honda in a heartbeat. A lot of the problem with GM is upper management. They're doing the same shit they did last time which is why they're on the way to another bailout according to Forbes. They're a hand me down company that cant come up with their own technologies and has to borrow from elsewhere hence why they're always slightly behind in automotive advancements.

The only reason we gave this car a shot is because it came with more options than an equally priced Honda or Toyota sub-compact. It has a decent engine and looks good. But I should of stepped back and realized that when it comes to quality the other two cars were going to be greatly superior and if I want the options I should pay a bit more money to get them. The wife wanted this car though and I became a little too optimistic and decided to give GM a try.

[dvst8r]

90dx / boostedwagon / wtm / white tent matt (all the same person) just depending on when and where you know him from. Just moved up to Cold Lake, he is a power engineer for CNRL.

I am out of the Calgary area.

[Xgenturbo]

90dx / boostedwagon / wtm / white tent matt (all the same person) just depending on when and where you know him from. Just moved up to Cold Lake, he is a power engineer for CNRL.

I am out of the Calgary area.

You in the oil business too?

[ironcrx]

My brother got a Sonic a few weeks ago.  I don't like it at all.  I swear my 91 dx had more getup and go than this Sonic and it didn't sound like struggling ass. It feels really cheap inside (like mid 90s kia). Over all its very "eh" to me but combine that with GM's horrible track record and continued landslide of recalls, I'm staying away from their brands altogether.

[dvst8r]

90dx / boostedwagon / wtm / white tent matt (all the same person) just depending on when and where you know him from. Just moved up to Cold Lake, he is a power engineer for CNRL.

I am out of the Calgary area.

You in the oil business too?

Not full time. I contract from time to time for some side cash.