Getting the wife a new car

[jdcvictory11]

Since I got the Camaro, I feel it is appropriate to get my wife a new car. She wants a compact hatch and I have been leaning her to the new Chevy Sonic. We will most likely get the LTZ. What do you all think? What engine would be better, the 1.4 turbo or the 1.8? Any downsides? Thanks for all imput. I know how everyone likes pics, so I included one. Just for the record, my wife is 5'3".

[FenwickHockey65]

Shoot for the 1.4T if you can. 1.8 isn't too bad in Sonic but the 1.4T is vastly superior.

[jdcvictory11]

I like the idea of having a turbo powered car. Even if it is twice as small as my LLT.

[justa25thTA]

turbo ftw

[Scrappy Doo]

Wife has a 1.4t cruze and loves it. 30000 miles in a year.... LOL. (My f150 sees 8000 a year.)

[jdcvictory11]

Originally Posted by Scrappy Doo

Wife has a 1.4t cruze and loves it. 30000 miles in a year.... LOL. (My f150 sees 8000 a year.)

That is awesome. Has there been any problems?

[Zabo]

Turbo 4 with the 6spd. But if she wants space, recently looked into the Mazda CX-5 for my mom (50s boomer mom, around the same height).

A Crossover with a 6spd STICK!? Yep.. someone caught the performance niche audience with a crossover. Granted it only has a 155 horse 4 pot but eh.. for a commuter crossover capable of 24/30+ so on average 28mpgish it's just as good as our Milan (with a better driveline, unlike the ford ).

Thing is Chevy just has more power coming out of their engines for the size, so I wouldn't be surprised if a similarly built Equinox could run circles around the CX-5.

So in the end, Sonic with the Turbo 4. May suffer a bit on fuel, but the driving fun is there for the commute as is the space.

[FenwickHockey65]

The 1.4T is actually better FE-wise than the 1.8.

Oh, and there is an RS version coming soon...

[jdcvictory11]

Originally Posted by Zabo

Turbo 4 with the 6spd. But if she wants space, recently looked into the Mazda CX-5 for my mom (50s boomer mom, around the same height).

A Crossover with a 6spd STICK!? Yep.. someone caught the performance niche audience with a crossover. Granted it only has a 155 horse 4 pot but eh.. for a commuter crossover capable of 24/30+ so on average 28mpgish it's just as good as our Milan (with a better driveline, unlike the ford ).

Thing is Chevy just has more power coming out of their engines for the size, so I wouldn't be surprised if a similarly built Equinox could run circles around the CX-5.

So in the end, Sonic with the Turbo 4. May suffer a bit on fuel, but the driving fun is there for the commute as is the space.

A friend of ours has the CX-5. My wife says its just too big. LOL. She had a Toyota Yaris before she totaled it. She loved that car, but it was an automatic. She likes to drive the stick. (one of the reasons I married her. ) She doesn't want the space. It is just going to be the two or us and two pugs. I really think she would have fun in manual 4 with a turbo.

[jdcvictory11]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

The 1.4T is actually better FE-wise than the 1.8.

Oh, and there is an RS version coming soon...

I am interested. What is in the RS version? I would like that. Then we could match.... sort of.

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by jdcvictory11

A friend of ours has the CX-5. My wife says its just too big. LOL. She had a Toyota Yaris before she totaled it. She loved that car, but it was an automatic. She likes to drive the stick. (one of the reasons I married her. ) She doesn't want the space. It is just going to be the two or us and two pugs. I really think she would have fun in manual 4 with a turbo.

I would go for an LTZ/RS but if they come out with the hot hatch versions later on.. I think she'd be happier with those (the ones touted at Detroit and Chicago recently.)

I'm on a similar bend with trying to find something for my mom. She wants pep, but a bit of size and fuel economy. Sonic just was too low for her and a bad experience with a Dodge Omni in 84 left her with nightmares.

Personally, having all but driven one, I love the ergonomics and I'm 5'11" 295. Yeah, fat man in a little car.. and it worked. I'd seriously just go all out on one though, pretty sure GMPP is gonna come back slowly with the ZL1 and may start tackling the Sonic with the rise of the Focus ST.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by jdcvictory11

I am interested. What is in the RS version? I would like that. Then we could match.... sort of.

Actually takes it a step further than Camaro's RS package as it does have some suspension tweaks and gearing changes to make it a bit sportier. Otherwise, mostly just appearance and trim enhancements.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=189832

Bunch more photos here...

http://www.netcarshow.com/chevrolet/2013-sonic_rs/

[metthem]

Originally Posted by jdcvictory11

She likes to drive the stick. (one of the reasons I married her. )

Gotta appreciate a woman who likes to drive the stick

[jdcvictory11]

Originally Posted by Zabo

I would go for an LTZ/RS but if they come out with the hot hatch versions later on.. I think she'd be happier with those (the ones touted at Detroit and Chicago recently.)

I'm on a similar bend with trying to find something for my mom. She wants pep, but a bit of size and fuel economy. Sonic just was too low for her and a bad experience with a Dodge Omni in 84 left her with nightmares.

Personally, having all but driven one, I love the ergonomics and I'm 5'11" 295. Yeah, fat man in a little car.. and it worked. I'd seriously just go all out on one though, pretty sure GMPP is gonna come back slowly with the ZL1 and may start tackling the Sonic with the rise of the Focus ST.

I would love for her to have the LTZ/RS. I have been pricing the LTZ. I think the pep with a 1.4T will be pleanty. The idea of a hot hatch does not appeal to her. Me however, oh yeah. But I already have my baby.