Gonna get a Chevy Volt, wish me luck.
11-24-2011, 03:20 PM
#31
Race Director
Thread Starter
I bought my wife a Volt about a month and a half ago. So far it has been an absolute joy to own and drive. It does everything as advertised and does it well. It's scary quiet, solid as a German car (and I don't say this lightly.....I've owned many over the years and my daily driver is an S550), and so far has a lifetime fuel economy after 1200 miles of 105 mpg.
Duke Energy installed a 240v charger for free, it charges in 4 hours and goes over 40 miles on electrons alone. Since my wife usually drives less than 40 miles/day, she burns very little gas. On gas, it still gets over 40 mpg. Her lifetime fuel economy has been affected by a few 100 mile trips to see her ailing mom in the past month.
Fit, finish and materials are way above the usual American standards, especially with the optional leather package. The dash, instrument and "infotainment" screens are very cool as well as the touch-sensitive switchgear and controls.
I don't care what the critics, armchair and otherwise, say about this car, it's an amazing piece of engineering, a breakthrough design and something I think GM should be very proud of. We love the car are proud to own ant American car again.....the first one in 30 years for us.....other than the one in the avatar....which makes an interesting picture parked next to the Volt. Yin and yang sort of thing ya know.
Duke Energy installed a 240v charger for free, it charges in 4 hours and goes over 40 miles on electrons alone. Since my wife usually drives less than 40 miles/day, she burns very little gas. On gas, it still gets over 40 mpg. Her lifetime fuel economy has been affected by a few 100 mile trips to see her ailing mom in the past month.
Fit, finish and materials are way above the usual American standards, especially with the optional leather package. The dash, instrument and "infotainment" screens are very cool as well as the touch-sensitive switchgear and controls.
I don't care what the critics, armchair and otherwise, say about this car, it's an amazing piece of engineering, a breakthrough design and something I think GM should be very proud of. We love the car are proud to own ant American car again.....the first one in 30 years for us.....other than the one in the avatar....which makes an interesting picture parked next to the Volt. Yin and yang sort of thing ya know.
For once I like the US version better than the EU Opel version looks-wise.
Also looking forward to playing around with the mobile app. The idea of having the car all heated up and ready to go on cold mornings via her iPhone is a big selling point for my wife, who seems to get cold at anything below tropical temperatures. The charge notifications would be good for me if I ever drive it to work as we have charging stations in the parking garage.
11-24-2011, 04:09 PM
#33
Race Director
Thread Starter
Yes, but it's basically the same technology as the Prius so it'll have the same drawbacks for our driving patterns, and probably 10mpg worse.
If there's one thing I've learned from all the research and test drives, it's that the way you drive and the local incentives and programs make all the difference.
Of the frugal cars, if all you care about is bottom line dollar, buy a used Honda Civic or similar. If you just need a dedicated short drive commuter or city car, get the Leaf. For longer commutes, Prius/CT200h. For mostly short distance and around town with occasional longer trips and no range anxiety, Volt. If you can only have one all purpose car, the JSW TDI.
The incentives are a big part. I will continue to vote against any social engineering but if it's forced down my throat I'll take advantage. Incentives make the car $10K cheaper, provide a "free" $2K charger installation, and lower the charging rate here from $0.34 down to $0.06 per kwh. Without all that gubmint cheese I'm not sure the numbers would work out.
If there's one thing I've learned from all the research and test drives, it's that the way you drive and the local incentives and programs make all the difference.
Of the frugal cars, if all you care about is bottom line dollar, buy a used Honda Civic or similar. If you just need a dedicated short drive commuter or city car, get the Leaf. For longer commutes, Prius/CT200h. For mostly short distance and around town with occasional longer trips and no range anxiety, Volt. If you can only have one all purpose car, the JSW TDI.
The incentives are a big part. I will continue to vote against any social engineering but if it's forced down my throat I'll take advantage. Incentives make the car $10K cheaper, provide a "free" $2K charger installation, and lower the charging rate here from $0.34 down to $0.06 per kwh. Without all that gubmint cheese I'm not sure the numbers would work out.
11-24-2011, 05:35 PM
#34
Shameful Thread Killer
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11-24-2011, 05:55 PM
#35
I don't see where this was mentioned, but I learned something new at a GM drive here in Sandy.
It is powered kinetically by the electric motors. The engine in the vehicle is simply there as a generator, not a motive or kinetic power creator. Meaning that the batteries will power the electric motors until they run out, and then you will be powering the electric motors with the engine simply as a generator.
What does this do? This allows the engine to work in its peak capacity at all times when it does need to run, and as mentioned, if your trip is short enough, you will get there and back without the motor turning on.
It is powered kinetically by the electric motors. The engine in the vehicle is simply there as a generator, not a motive or kinetic power creator. Meaning that the batteries will power the electric motors until they run out, and then you will be powering the electric motors with the engine simply as a generator.
What does this do? This allows the engine to work in its peak capacity at all times when it does need to run, and as mentioned, if your trip is short enough, you will get there and back without the motor turning on.
11-24-2011, 06:19 PM
#36
Three Wheelin'
Yes, but it's basically the same technology as the Prius so it'll have the same drawbacks for our driving patterns, and probably 10mpg worse.
If there's one thing I've learned from all the research and test drives, it's that the way you drive and the local incentives and programs make all the difference.
Of the frugal cars, if all you care about is bottom line dollar, buy a used Honda Civic or similar. If you just need a dedicated short drive commuter or city car, get the Leaf. For longer commutes, Prius/CT200h. For mostly short distance and around town with occasional longer trips and no range anxiety, Volt. If you can only have one all purpose car, the JSW TDI.
The incentives are a big part. I will continue to vote against any social engineering but if it's forced down my throat I'll take advantage. Incentives make the car $10K cheaper, provide a "free" $2K charger installation, and lower the charging rate here from $0.34 down to $0.06 per kwh. Without all that gubmint cheese I'm not sure the numbers would work out.
If there's one thing I've learned from all the research and test drives, it's that the way you drive and the local incentives and programs make all the difference.
Of the frugal cars, if all you care about is bottom line dollar, buy a used Honda Civic or similar. If you just need a dedicated short drive commuter or city car, get the Leaf. For longer commutes, Prius/CT200h. For mostly short distance and around town with occasional longer trips and no range anxiety, Volt. If you can only have one all purpose car, the JSW TDI.
The incentives are a big part. I will continue to vote against any social engineering but if it's forced down my throat I'll take advantage. Incentives make the car $10K cheaper, provide a "free" $2K charger installation, and lower the charging rate here from $0.34 down to $0.06 per kwh. Without all that gubmint cheese I'm not sure the numbers would work out.
11-24-2011, 06:28 PM
#37
Race Director
Thread Starter
11-24-2011, 06:42 PM
#39
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I have an '11 Jetta Sport Wagon.
28K out the door.
40 MPG (Hwy)
Great torgue--blow that Chevy away
German engineering---very responsive and peppy
Lots of room with or without back seats down
Very comfortable on long trips, which I often take
Great GPS and electronics
No home link---so I have a remote in my car---big deal.
For the difference in price, you can get a lot of diesel, and a heck of a lot more driving fun.
28K out the door.
40 MPG (Hwy)
Great torgue--blow that Chevy away
German engineering---very responsive and peppy
Lots of room with or without back seats down
Very comfortable on long trips, which I often take
Great GPS and electronics
No home link---so I have a remote in my car---big deal.
For the difference in price, you can get a lot of diesel, and a heck of a lot more driving fun.
11-24-2011, 06:50 PM
#40
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11-24-2011, 07:02 PM
#41
Race Car
Good for you! Great car, and if it had a stupid T or an H on it, we'd hear a whole lot more about it. As it is, it is a great car, and I am happy to see an American car company doing that just because.
The American taxpayer has benefitted a WHOLE LOT more over the past 100 years from GM than the other way around, and the imports have benefitted a whole lot more from their governments than any of the Big 3 ever dreamed of. So whatever on all that
The American taxpayer has benefitted a WHOLE LOT more over the past 100 years from GM than the other way around, and the imports have benefitted a whole lot more from their governments than any of the Big 3 ever dreamed of. So whatever on all that
11-24-2011, 07:07 PM
#42
Race Director
Thread Starter
I have an '11 Jetta Sport Wagon.
28K out the door.
40 MPG (Hwy)
Great torgue--blow that Chevy away
German engineering---very responsive and peppy
Lots of room with or without back seats down
Very comfortable on long trips, which I often take
Great GPS and electronics
No home link---so I have a remote in my car---big deal.
For the difference in price, you can get a lot of diesel, and a heck of a lot more driving fun.
28K out the door.
40 MPG (Hwy)
Great torgue--blow that Chevy away
German engineering---very responsive and peppy
Lots of room with or without back seats down
Very comfortable on long trips, which I often take
Great GPS and electronics
No home link---so I have a remote in my car---big deal.
For the difference in price, you can get a lot of diesel, and a heck of a lot more driving fun.
JSW and Volt have the same 0-60 time. Blows away? When did you drive one and what was your experience? I drove both on the same day. Handling is equivalent as well.
$4k price difference will get made up within 3 years, and in the meantime I'll enjoy it more.
Me personally, I love the idea of a USA car, designed and built in the USA, using USA sourced fuel, throwing a big old middle finger to the primitive towel encrusted terrorist funders that hate our guts as we give them our money and bow to their leaders. I realize being patriotic isn't trendy any more but I don't care.
11-24-2011, 07:11 PM
#44
Rennlist Member
Yes, Prius has a sport mode too. They spin the tires because the tires are hard, brittle blobs of low rolling resistance eco-****. I can see the appeal of both cars, the Lexus if you're in denial about owning a hybrid and still have some fight left in you, the Prius if you just don't give a **** anymore and go to Walmart in your sweatpants, Crocs and Winger t-shirt. 
I try not to generalize by marque too much. My Land Cruiser was like a Rolls Royce compared to a Corolla in build quality, a Nissan GT-R has nothing in common with a Sentra. I'm hoping that with the Volt they accidentally forgot their long tradition of ball gargling.
I try not to generalize by marque too much. My Land Cruiser was like a Rolls Royce compared to a Corolla in build quality, a Nissan GT-R has nothing in common with a Sentra. I'm hoping that with the Volt they accidentally forgot their long tradition of ball gargling.
11-24-2011, 07:22 PM
#45
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I love the JSW and as I wrote in my OP it was our first choice going in. It's a strong backup choice and we'll get one if anything goes wrong sideways with getting the Volt.
JSW and Volt have the same 0-60 time. Blows away? When did you drive one and what was your experience? I drove both on the same day. Handling is equivalent as well.
$4k price difference will get made up within 3 years, and in the meantime I'll enjoy it more.
Me personally, I love the idea of a USA car, designed and built in the USA, using USA sourced fuel, throwing a big old middle finger to the primitive towel encrusted terrorist funders that hate our guts as we give them our money and bow to their leaders. I realize being patriotic isn't trendy any more but I don't care.
JSW and Volt have the same 0-60 time. Blows away? When did you drive one and what was your experience? I drove both on the same day. Handling is equivalent as well.
$4k price difference will get made up within 3 years, and in the meantime I'll enjoy it more.
Me personally, I love the idea of a USA car, designed and built in the USA, using USA sourced fuel, throwing a big old middle finger to the primitive towel encrusted terrorist funders that hate our guts as we give them our money and bow to their leaders. I realize being patriotic isn't trendy any more but I don't care.
I drove the volt and Prius and all the other economy cars. The VW has so much more BIG torque....it wasn't as benign feeling as the others....it really kicks out. The Volt was a cool car though...you really can't go wrong!!!!!
Yes, I pay $1.00 more per gallon, but I get way more in driving fun, and when I am at speed (70 +) on the highway, and I want to pass, it really moves out from that torque.
Then there's the DSG tranny....talk about fast shifts and responsiveness...
Here's an interesting emissions article comparing VW TDI with the Volt:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars...han-vw-diesels