Bought a new car

[xanis]

Bought a new car on Thursday, Chevy Sonic LTZ in Victory Red. These things (especially in LTZ) are hard to find around my area... the only one within a 50 mile radius of my house was the one I nabbed. The only other one coming in was a blue one and that was 4 weeks out.

I test drove the Fiesta, Rio5 and the Sonic, and the Sonic came out as the clear winner. It seemed to have a bit more pep in its step than the others and it just felt a lot better from the driver's seat. I swore I was going to end up with the Rio because it looked the best on paper, but after driving it I just wasn't impressed.

Paid $20,930 including TTL. Also paid cash for it, so no car payments

Pics to come soon once I head outside for breakfast.

 

[RKS]

congrats,
sedan or hatch?

 

[manimal]

congrats as well!

feels good to buy a car outright doesnt it?

 

[xanis]

congrats,
sedan or hatch?

Hatch

congrats as well!

feels good to buy a car outright doesnt it?

Yes, very.

 

[xanis]

Photos, as promised:

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Very good color choice! Fresh looking car!

 

[KentState]

Co-worker got a black turbo with the manual. Really nice small car.

 

[xanis]

Co-worker got a black turbo with the manual. Really nice small car.

I wanted the turbo with the 6-speed auto but I would have had to custom order it, which would take 6+ weeks according the the dealer. The NA engine doesn't exactly feel down on power, so I'm not too upset.

 

[adlep]

Congrats, but...

$20,000 for a small car?

Heads up, you could have gotten a 2010/2011 loaded Ford Fusion for that price with low miles and extended warranty.

 

[xanis]

Congrats, but...

$20,000 for a small car?

Heads up, you could have gotten a 2010/2011 loaded Ford Fusion for that price with low miles and extended warranty.

I was waiting for someone to chime in with, "You could have gotten a used XXXX for that price".

I wanted a small car. I realize that the Fusion isn't gigantic, but it's still a bigger car than I wanted to drive. Also, I didn't want a used car. I know that might not make a lot of sense to people, but I wanted a brand-spanking-new car. I could have gotten a few nice used cars for $20K I'm sure, but I wanted a new one. I saved enough money to pay cash anyhow, so I decided to get what I wanted.

 

[RavenSEAL]

I was waiting for someone to chime in with, "You could have gotten a used XXXX for that price".

I wanted a small car. I realize that the Fusion isn't gigantic, but it's still a bigger car than I wanted to drive. Also, I didn't want a used car. I know that might not make a lot of sense to people, but I wanted a brand-spanking-new car. I could have gotten a few nice used cars for $20K I'm sure, but I wanted a new one. I saved enough money to pay cash anyhow, so I decided to get what I wanted.

What matters is that you're happy. Enjoy your ride, I've heard great things about the Sonic

 

[xanis]

What matters is that you're happy. Enjoy your ride, I've heard great things about the Sonic

Thanks, I'm very happy. My old ride was a '00 Cavalier base model (3spd auto, manual windows/locks, etc.) so this car is quite the upgrade. I feel like I'm living in luxury with power windows and keyless entry :biggrin:

 

[MovingTarget]

Thanks, I'm very happy. My old ride was a '00 Cavalier base model (3spd auto, manual windows/locks, etc.) so this car is quite the upgrade. I feel like I'm living in luxury with power windows and keyless entry :biggrin:

I've considered a similar upgrade from my '97 Cavalier coupe (also 3spd auto, but at least it has power windows/locks) if it dies prematurely. That's a big if. I still want my next small car to be an electric, but I have to save up quite a bit for that first considering that my second (gas) car needs work so that it can serve as a full-time alternative for trips beyond electric range. The Sonic would be my top choice for non-electric options, but the Cavalier shows no sign of quitting even with 232k miles on the odometer. I will drive it until the wheels fall off (i.e. major mechanical breakdown like a dead transmission or engine block).

 

[xanis]

I've considered a similar upgrade from my '97 Cavalier coupe (also 3spd auto, but at least it has power windows/locks) if it dies prematurely. That's a big if. I still want my next small car to be an electric, but I have to save up quite a bit for that first considering that my second (gas) car needs work so that it can serve as a full-time alternative for trips beyond electric range. The Sonic would be my top choice for non-electric options, but the Cavalier shows no sign of quitting even with 232k miles on the odometer. I will drive it until the wheels fall off (i.e. major mechanical breakdown like a dead transmission or engine block).

The Cavalier wasn't the prettiest or most comfortable car, but it was pretty solid. Owned it since I was 16 and the only things I did beyond oil/tires were replace the A/C compressor and replace a warped front rotor.

 

[MovingTarget]

The Cavalier wasn't the prettiest or most comfortable car, but it was pretty solid. Owned it since I was 16 and the only things I did beyond oil/tires were replace the A/C compressor and replace a warped front rotor.

I had a similar experience, but I had to replace a few more things due to mileage/age. Nothing too major though, except for a broken valve spring a while back (That sounds major to me, but honestly, it was dirt cheap to fix.). Yeah, people don't give the Cavalier enough credit sometimes, especially by the dash-stroker crowd. They could take a lot of neglect and abuse yet still keep running.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Thanks, I'm very happy. My old ride was a '00 Cavalier base model (3spd auto, manual windows/locks, etc.) so this car is quite the upgrade. I feel like I'm living in luxury with power windows and keyless entry :biggrin:

'00? As in 2000? They made a car that had only a 3spd auto in 2000??? wtf?

 

[xanis]

'00? As in 2000? They made a car that had only a 3spd auto in 2000??? wtf?

Yep. Third gen Cavalier was offered with a 3-speed auto. Nothing like cruising down the highway doing 70-75 at ~3600rpm. :biggrin:

Might explain why such a small car got such terrible gas mileage. I used to drive it between my house and my girlfriend's house (a roundtrip of 136 miles, 99% highway) and got 18-20mpg. Yes, you read that correctly.

 

[MovingTarget]

Yep. Third gen Cavalier was offered with a 3-speed auto. Nothing like cruising down the highway doing 65 at ~3500rpm. :biggrin:

Might explain why such a small car got such terrible gas mileage...

The transmission was cheap, but very reliable. (3T40) They did also offer a 4 speed auto, which boosted highway mileage about 2mpg. Other econoboxes of the era still had 3speed autos in them for their base models.

 

[xanis]

I had a similar experience, but I had to replace a few more things due to mileage/age. Nothing too major though, except for a broken valve spring a while back (That sounds major to me, but honestly, it was dirt cheap to fix.). Yeah, people don't give the Cavalier enough credit sometimes, especially by the dash-stroker crowd. They could take a lot of neglect and abuse yet still keep running.

Exactly. As a first car, it was perfect. Beat the hell out of that thing and it kept on going. It wasn't exactly stylish or fast, but it was perfect BT.

 

[RavenSEAL]

How long did it take you to save up 21K if I may ask?

 

[alkemyst]

How long did it take you to save up 21K if I may ask?

$21k is not a ton of money in the bank.

 

[alkemyst]

OP. I think you paid about $5k too high even it with an automatic.

 

[zCypher]

Nice ride. I've been looking at the Sonics (drive an Aveo currently), I see the non-turbo models going from $16k-$22k and the LTZ turbo at just under $24k, this is in Canada though and they don't seem to offer the turbo on anything but the LTZ.

I realized I can get a barely used WRX for less than a new Sonic LTZ, so that's what I'm looking for now. I do understand the appeal of having an actual new car though, nothin like it.

Your ride looks very nice, I'm sure you'll be pleased with it. post more pics!

 

[adlep]

You paid cash?
How about putting $5000 down and financing the rest? Cash is your asset - you don't just trow it away on something that's worth $2000 less the sec. you drive it OFF the lot...
I mean, congrats on the car, its a nice one, but you could of finance it for like 0% with so much down.
?

 

[lavaheadache]

$21k is not a ton of money in the bank.

what if you make 21k a year? Then it would be a years worth of work. Everything is relative.