I went electric -- bought a Chevy Volt

[mattl]

My current car was getting long in the tooth and I opted for a mint condition Chevy Volt.  At this point I do mostly short range driving, that might change at some point but for now 5-10 miles is my average trip.  That falls nicely into the Volts 30-35 mile battery range, of course it has the gas engine to run a generator when the battery runs out overall range of 350+miles if you factor in the 9 gallon tank.

 

Hard to believe this is the first used car I've ever bought, in my family we always bought new and kept them long term, a GM family to the core.  My current car is a 2002 Olds Aurora with a total of 111255 miles in the close to 20 years.  Been as great car outside of general maintenance I might have put $500 in repairs.  Needs about $800-1000 in updates and minor repairs, but one of those updates is getting rid of some rust. I'll  keep it and do some of the repairs over time but it will be a backup.

 

So far 2 weeks in I love the Volt.  Ride is great, very solid feel due to the weight of the batteries, handles well, and I'm getting a solid 30 miles on a charge, keeps going up since I drive a bit differently than the previous owner.  Was a bit nervous buying a used car with potential battery issues, prior of purchasing I took it to my Chevy dealer and had them run a diagnostic on the systems, all are good, batteries are in good shape- $240 well spent for peace of mind.  The interior and exterior are in mint condition, pulled the CarFax and it has been well cared for, all needed service done at appropriate times.

 

This is a new experience owning electric but looking forward to see how it goes, especially with gas prices going up. Any other EV owners here?  What are your experiences?

 

[rp2813]

I have only heard good things about the Volt.  I don't know anyone who owns one, but second hand information has all been positive.

 

Nice going Matt.  Sounds like the perfect car for you.

 

[supersuds]

Friends liked theirs so well they bought another.

 

[labboy]

We had two Volts and last go-round changed to a Bolt. They have all been great cars.

Bob

 

[sudsmaster]

California is slated to ban new car sales in 2030 if they are internal combustion powered. Don't know if that includes hybrid - I would imagine they'd get a 10 year extension.

The other question is what about older cars? I have some vintage cars; 1950, 1964, 1978, 1995, 1997... and I'd hate it if they were forced off the road... Only three are currently registered and insured, though.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Congratulation on your purchase. I hope you enjoy it. I still curse GM for their scam with the EV1.

 

[vacerator]

Nice Matt!

I think our next one will be full electric. Is your Aurora a V8, or the Shortstar V6? V8's had stalling problems, as most Northstars did when the fuel pressure regulator fails. I don't know if that was the only cause, but that's common, and inexpensive, and a 5 minute change.

 

[mattl]

Aurora is a V6. Got a power steering leak, that is the only "difficult" issue.  Needs rear brakes and a bearing, 30-50 minute job, new front struts would be nice.  Few spots of rust bother me, was planning on finding a matching left front fender to solve the rust issue.

 

Sill might happen, but felt the need for a "new" ride.

 

[vacerator]

Oh, I've yet to see

another with front fender rust. They usually rust out first around the gas tank filler, and rear door frames under the rubber near the C pillars. Same with the other G body's, Bonneville, and Lesabre. The final DeVille was also on this platform. I did like my loaded Bonneville SLE a lot. Sadly it was totalled.

 

[henene4]

Forcing ICE of the street

Don't think they will be outright banned anywhere tbh.
That would put a lot of people in jeopardy since even by 2030, new e-cars will still be expensive and out of the reach for many.
So I suppose the used market will still be there for some time.

They will be indirectly retired though.
Once registration and gas prices go through the roof most people just won't be abled to afford them as a daily driver.
Keeping them as a piece of history will be expensive, but allowed.

And keep in mind the used market can be 5-10 years behind.
Banning new car sales for ICE models will force those who are financially abled to afford the new expensive tech to buy them and then these models will end up on the used market a leasing cycle or two later makeing them accessible to most.

I was thinking about converting my Polo to LPG or to switch to a Diesel.
But both options won't really be financially viable for this car at this point in my life.

So I guess I'll keep until it's worn out (85k km on it, I guess with my driving another 4-6 years of life left).
By then I should be abled to finance an electric car...

 

[vacerator]

If we had the ICE here

as in Germany, my personal vehicle would be parked more often than not.
It's time the USA began to modernize our transit systems. We can keep petrol, diesel, and electric road vehicles too. More diversified trasit infrustructure creates new jobs, and reduces road wear by heavy trucks, which in most states are not taxed for being over or heavily loaded.
Pete Butegeig is on this. I have communique' with his office regularly.
It's caled leading from behind the scene. I'm no politician.

 

[thomasortega]

I drive a Prius...

I dont love it because it's too short for me (horrible ergonomics made having the Japanese biotype in mind)

Other than that, it's an awesome car.

I wish Toyota made the CH-R hybrid, I loved that design, but a green bird told me that Toyota is going to discontinue it to release the Corolla SUV here in the USA.

As I'll never buy a CH-R, and I must show my folks in Brazil that I am successful (car is a huge thing in Brazil and my father is already asking me when I'm going to stop driving "poor people cars" because I'm staining the family reputation), I'll probably be forced to buy a Mustang Mach-E or a Tesla Model X someday.

 

[henene4]

Car as a show-off item

Honestly always hated that thinking.
That's what brought German cities the SUV issue we are having now.

I was reading some stuff about VWs upcoming ID2 and ID1.

I am currently driving a Polo and can't see myself needing anything much bigger.
So an ID2 would have been great.

But batterys on that are said to only be good for a max of 350km.
500km is the minimum I'm willing to go.
That would give me about 300km real world on the highway and that means I can get most places of interest in Germany with 1 charge.

So I'd have to go with the unnecessarily big ID3.
Kind of annoying...

 

[vacerator]

Of course Henrik,

When you have other types of transit, unless you haul heavy or large loads, or travel the autobahns a lot, or camp, or want an RV, you have a great commuter/shopping VW.