Sonic RS Anyone?

"Storz" (storzbach) 03/02/2015 at 18:38 • Filed to: None

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Test drove one a while back and actually really liked it. Sure its a cheap econobox, but with the manual and that big ol tac bouncing around its actually fairly entertaining.

Its shocking how cheaply you can get very new one. Anyone own and daily drive one? Wonder what they are like to live with on a daily basis.

I think they actually look pretty sharp

Brian Silvestro > Storz 03/02/2015 at 18:39

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There is but one man that can answer your questions. Jayhawk Jake

Jayhawk Jake > Storz 03/02/2015 at 18:47

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Hey there, resident RS owner

I've had mine since August of 2013. It's a great little car, tons of fun to drive and quite nice to live with day to day. I have nearly 26,000 miles on it.

My only complaint with it as a daily is the lack of soft surfaces on the door. It's a little uncomfortable to rest your elbow on. The armrest in the middle is also useless but I just leave it up, I've adjusted to it fine

I bought mine for the same sort of reasons you're considering one: looks fantastic and is a great value. With the money you save on the purchase look into some mods: I have an intake, exhaust, tune, swaybar, and short shifter. The tune gives it about 25 more horsepower and 30-40 more lb-ft of torque, which is perfect. An intake gives it crazy amounts of intake and blowoff noise.

TL;DR: it's a super fun car, can't recommend it enough, if you have any other questions let me know

Garrett Davis > Storz 03/02/2015 at 18:50

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The Sonic RS would be a fantastic car in a world where the Fiesta ST didn't exist. Unfortunately for Chevy, the FiST does exist and can be had for as much as the RS or less, and is better in every way I can think of.

I've driven both, albeit the RS only for a 3-4 hours total.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Storz 03/02/2015 at 18:58

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I daily an LTZ, and it's very similar to the RS. They are fun little cars, and can hold more than you think. Mine held a 48" TV, somehow. They could use a bump in power, but if you plan out your passes and are aggressive on on-ramps, it's fine.

Jayhawk Jake > Garrett Davis 03/02/2015 at 18:59

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The FiST drives better, but it does cost more for similar features, and it's not faultless. I think the Sonic is a better looking csr, for example, and generally prefer the interior layout of the Sonic to the Fiesta

Jayhawk Jake > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 03/02/2015 at 19:08

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I never found the power lacking stock, but with a tune it's surprisingly powerful

And yes, it holds a ton

Axel-Ripper > Storz 03/02/2015 at 19:10

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Non-RS owner here (2012 LT Turbo 6-speed, one of the first. Couldn't wait long enough for the RS. 45k miles). My comments mirror Jake's below (above?) about it. I've got Eibach lowering springs, intake, exhaust, shifter bushings, and the same Trifecta tune. I'd say the tune is suuuper worth it as it completely changes the drivability of the car. Really wakes it up. The only thing my car doesn't have that the RS does that I would like (other than the MyLink system, again, first run car here) are the seats. I actually prefer the longer gearing of the LT. Better mileage on the highway (only pulling 2k RPM at 70 or so) and it actually seems to work better on autocross than the RS does (I can run an entire course in 2nd, from what I've seen from Jake, the RS tends to be between 2nd and 3rd on autocrosses).

The other thing that helps immensely is the 225/45 Pilot Super Sports I put on it. Holy shit does that do a lot. I think with a rear bar it would be the perfect car (other than the seats, which are comfy but not super supportive).

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Jayhawk Jake 03/02/2015 at 19:16

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My other car has about double the HP and Tq, so that's what I'm used to, so it might just be that. And yeah, I've easily fit my track wheels/tires in the Sonic to take them to get balanced, it's very easy to load and unload, which is nice.

Garrett Davis > Storz 03/02/2015 at 19:17

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My advice would be to drive everything in the segment and see what you like best.

Jayhawk Jake > Axel-Ripper 03/02/2015 at 20:04

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Rear bar makes a world of difference. I run the stock width tire though.

Which exhaust do you have?

Oh and yeah, 2nd tops out at 48mph, so I have to go to 3rd sometimes

Axel-Ripper > Jayhawk Jake 03/02/2015 at 20:43

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ZZP Catback with muffler. I think its just about perfect.

Yeah, I can get to 55-60 in second. That helps.

Have you had any noises coming from the front end? When it gets below like 40 my right front makes a hell of a noise. Sounds like wheel bearing, but dealer claimed it was the tire causing it.

Also, I upgraded my speakers and added an amp after I blew out the driver's door speaker. Sounds much better now (other than lack of bass because rear speakers aren't sealed perfectly

Jayhawk Jake > Axel-Ripper 03/02/2015 at 20:45

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I've got the catback with muffler and BNR downpipe. I'm probably going back to the stock downpipe though, and I'd like to try it without the muffler.

I have not noticed a sound on mine.