Sonic is the Aveo replacement .
I researched this and it appears you are correct. The Aveo replaced the Geo Metro in that lineup and then the Aveo went away. Either way any of the replacement cars are far better.
Some of the Sonics came with a timing belt while others are using chains. I havenāt heard of any timing belt disasters with these cars though like you did with the Aveo.
As for the head gaskets, apparently they used a low quality gasket that would corrode easily. I changed the coolant in my GFās car when she got it during the timing belt change and the old coolant didnāt look bad. Apparently the gasket material was just low quality which isnāt surprising given how the rest of the car was made.
Are the aftermarket head gaskets . . . Felpro, for example . . . any better, or is it just a copy of the weak original design?