Sonic Tools
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,980
Likes: 3,826
From: Bainbridge Island WA
It is true.
--Doug Fehan, Program Manager, Corvette Racing
When you look at the quality, when you look at the service, then you look at the price point -- there's no reason to buy anything else
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Rock Hill SC (Charlotte NC Area)
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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They either provided the most tools, gave the best incentives, or wrote the biggest check...or some combination of all three. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 9,661
Likes: 1,680
From: Fort Worth Texas
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Former Moderator
Cruise-In I-II-III Veteran
Sonic is the official tool of IMSA, so the partnerships run with IMSA and Corvette Racing, as well as Audi, VW and Mercedes. Typical of any sponsorship, free tools, advertising, etc.
Like they say in Ghostbusters, “if there’s a steady paycheck in it, I’ll believe anything you say”
I would imagine, if they gave me free tools, I’d say whatever they wanted me to say as well.
Like they say in Ghostbusters, “if there’s a steady paycheck in it, I’ll believe anything you say”
I would imagine, if they gave me free tools, I’d say whatever they wanted me to say as well.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,948
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Why would this surprise anyone today... really???
I recall the first US made C5 Z06 wheels broke so replacements were sourced from Italy and I never heard about further breakage. Just because something isn't domestic doesn't necessarily make it "bad" in any sense of the word. Welcome to the 21st Century.
I recall the first US made C5 Z06 wheels broke so replacements were sourced from Italy and I never heard about further breakage. Just because something isn't domestic doesn't necessarily make it "bad" in any sense of the word. Welcome to the 21st Century.
Administrator
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Intermediate
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From: Cocoa Beach Florida
Sonic Tools
I appreciate the comments I received regarding the origin of Sonic tools.
I'm still of the opinion that if you show up all over the world touting " Americas Sport Car " and can't find an American tool sponsor keep them on the track, What kind of message does this send. I don't care what IMSA uses. If Ferrari offered the best quality, service and price point, would Doug and gang switch out the engines ?
I think I will continue opening my tool box filled with Snap-On tools to keep my 2014 Laguna Blue Stingray in shape.
Thanks again for the feed back everyone !
Bill
I'm still of the opinion that if you show up all over the world touting " Americas Sport Car " and can't find an American tool sponsor keep them on the track, What kind of message does this send. I don't care what IMSA uses. If Ferrari offered the best quality, service and price point, would Doug and gang switch out the engines ?
I think I will continue opening my tool box filled with Snap-On tools to keep my 2014 Laguna Blue Stingray in shape.
Thanks again for the feed back everyone !
Bill
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 237
From: Murphy NC
Have you priced Snap-On?
They are about the only American made tools and even Snap-On has done a lot of out sourcing.
Craftsman crapped on American made when Sears started failing.
I will admit, Harbor Freight has some decent hand tools.
My tool box has mostly older Craftsman and Snap-On, but when I need a specialty tool, I don't mind buying foreign and saving the money.
Examples would be tools rarely used but you do need for a Corvette like female Torx or E Torx socket. How often will you use one of those? But they are on a Corvette.
They are about the only American made tools and even Snap-On has done a lot of out sourcing.
Craftsman crapped on American made when Sears started failing.
I will admit, Harbor Freight has some decent hand tools.
My tool box has mostly older Craftsman and Snap-On, but when I need a specialty tool, I don't mind buying foreign and saving the money.
Examples would be tools rarely used but you do need for a Corvette like female Torx or E Torx socket. How often will you use one of those? But they are on a Corvette.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,980
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From: Bainbridge Island WA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 2,366
From: SF Bay Area CA
I appreciate the comments I received regarding the origin of Sonic tools.
I'm still of the opinion that if you show up all over the world touting " Americas Sport Car " and can't find an American tool sponsor keep them on the track, What kind of message does this send. I don't care what IMSA uses. If Ferrari offered the best quality, service and price point, would Doug and gang switch out the engines ?
I think I will continue opening my tool box filled with Snap-On tools to keep my 2014 Laguna Blue Stingray in shape.
Thanks again for the feed back everyone !
Bill
I'm still of the opinion that if you show up all over the world touting " Americas Sport Car " and can't find an American tool sponsor keep them on the track, What kind of message does this send. I don't care what IMSA uses. If Ferrari offered the best quality, service and price point, would Doug and gang switch out the engines ?
I think I will continue opening my tool box filled with Snap-On tools to keep my 2014 Laguna Blue Stingray in shape.
Thanks again for the feed back everyone !
Bill
Does everything have to be american? Should the oil in the car? The safety equipment? Where do you draw the line?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
Likes: 9,801
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Why would this surprise anyone today... really???
I recall the first US made C5 Z06 wheels broke so replacements were sourced from Italy and I never heard about further breakage. Just because something isn't domestic doesn't necessarily make it "bad" in any sense of the word. Welcome to the 21st Century.
I recall the first US made C5 Z06 wheels broke so replacements were sourced from Italy and I never heard about further breakage. Just because something isn't domestic doesn't necessarily make it "bad" in any sense of the word. Welcome to the 21st Century.
Crap quality can be done in the US just as easily as it can anywhere else in the world. Quality products aren't good because of the country they are made in but due to the quality controls the company uses while designing and producing the product. If the company doesn't have them then the product won't be a quality product no matter which country it is built in.
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,979
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From: Kansas City, MO
25% of the car comes from outside North America. The remaining 75% is split in unknown percentages between the US, Canada, and Mexico. Then we could get into how many of the parts were made with foreign knowledge and experience, regardless of where those parts were ultimately assembled. I'd wager close to half the car isn't "American Made". But yeah, let's worry about some gimmicky tool kit.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
"Crap quality can be done in the US just as easily as it can anywhere else in the world. Quality products aren't good because of the country they are made in but due to the quality controls the company uses while designing and producing the product. If the company doesn't have them then the product won't be a quality product no matter which country it is built in. "
I'll add a couple things to the quote above from Bill D. What else counts? A company, like GM, bids out for wheels AND writes the specifications for what they want, at a PRICE they want to pay, in a certain amount of time. It is up to GM to do THEIR due diligence also called, "quality control." They can't just hear and believe from a subcontractor, "Trust me, I got quality control." Or, the eventual owner of the car pays a price.
When you have parts in your car that don't give up early, GM did right. When you don't, ....someone cut it too close or didn't do what they should have done.
I'll add a couple things to the quote above from Bill D. What else counts? A company, like GM, bids out for wheels AND writes the specifications for what they want, at a PRICE they want to pay, in a certain amount of time. It is up to GM to do THEIR due diligence also called, "quality control." They can't just hear and believe from a subcontractor, "Trust me, I got quality control." Or, the eventual owner of the car pays a price.
When you have parts in your car that don't give up early, GM did right. When you don't, ....someone cut it too close or didn't do what they should have done.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 760
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From: Lewiston NY
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Let me ask an add on question. My daughter was at the Corvette Museum Saturday. Told me they had a Tool set on sale for $1750. I looked, it is the full box of 280 tools.
I have a small selection of Sonic tools right now, some foreign made Snappy’s. Some Williams Snappy’s. Lots of recent Craftsmen, but I digress. Is $1750 not a great price for a selection of metric tools? I just added a C4 this month and plan on adding a C5. I am thinking for the money that is a great tool set to add and consolidate a lot o drawers in my shop.
so relative to the price (and being a big fan of Corvette Racing), are the tools a good deal?
I have a small selection of Sonic tools right now, some foreign made Snappy’s. Some Williams Snappy’s. Lots of recent Craftsmen, but I digress. Is $1750 not a great price for a selection of metric tools? I just added a C4 this month and plan on adding a C5. I am thinking for the money that is a great tool set to add and consolidate a lot o drawers in my shop.
so relative to the price (and being a big fan of Corvette Racing), are the tools a good deal?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 164
From: Annapolis Maryland
Let me ask an add on question. My daughter was at the Corvette Museum Saturday. Told me they had a Tool set on sale for $1750. I looked, it is the full box of 280 tools.
I have a small selection of Sonic tools right now, some foreign made Snappy’s. Some Williams Snappy’s. Lots of recent Craftsmen, but I digress. Is $1750 not a great price for a selection of metric tools? I just added a C4 this month and plan on adding a C5. I am thinking for the money that is a great tool set to add and consolidate a lot o drawers in my shop.
so relative to the price (and being a big fan of Corvette Racing), are the tools a good deal?
I have a small selection of Sonic tools right now, some foreign made Snappy’s. Some Williams Snappy’s. Lots of recent Craftsmen, but I digress. Is $1750 not a great price for a selection of metric tools? I just added a C4 this month and plan on adding a C5. I am thinking for the money that is a great tool set to add and consolidate a lot o drawers in my shop.
so relative to the price (and being a big fan of Corvette Racing), are the tools a good deal?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,997
Likes: 36
From: Ocean Springs MS
Last edited by rpm462; Jul 31, 2018 at 11:37 AM.