it looks like a nice vehicle, but that price creep is putting it in some stiff competition...$23,290 and no automatic transmission available...in terms of "sales", the fully loaded Elantra is $24,699 (about $1500 more, which is close to what most companies charge to upgrade to an Automatic) and you certainly get a lot more for your money in the Elantra...i have never driven the Sonic Sedan, but i am sure it drives well, but my point is more about the "mainstream buying public"...i think some might be turned off by no automatic available, but then might be amazed at what they can get in that price range from a larger car, with more content, a better warranty and just won North American Car of the Year...again, i'm not saying the Sonic isn't any good, i'm sure it is, but i can see a lot of people questioning it's value proposition.