Bought your Chevy Volt yet?

salmonslayer · #21 08/04/11, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danaus29

You forgot the 1 at the beginning of that price. More like $139.95. Not your typical car battery in those.

If it wasn't a Chevy and didn't cost so much we would consider one. That and a solar array to charge the batteries.

The Chevy Volt uses a Lithium-Ion battery pack that costs thousands of dollars (as in over 10K) which makes up a significant cost of the car. $139.95 isnt even close.

They have a good warranty on the battery but I would be hard pressed to spend that kind of dough on a new vehicle model with no proven track record.

Danaus29 · #22 08/04/11, 11:34 PM

salmonslayer, that much?!?!?! I knew electric cars had switched from deep cycle (those are the ones for $139 and up) to another kind but hadn't been able to find any info on replacement batteries.
At least the battery warranty is 8 years/100,000 miles.
The 2012 Volt does not qualify for the govt $5000 tax credit.

poppy · #23 08/05/11, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danaus29

salmonslayer, that much?!?!?! I knew electric cars had switched from deep cycle (those are the ones for $139 and up) to another kind but hadn't been able to find any info on replacement batteries.
At least the battery warranty is 8 years/100,000 miles.
The 2012 Volt does not qualify for the govt $5000 tax credit.

The batteries are a problem. Wonder what the car will be worth as a trade in when it gets near the life of the batteries? It can't be much with the next owner knowing he will have to shell out 10K+ soon for new batteries.

YuccaFlatsRanch · #24 08/05/11, 12:17 AM

Simple they will just recycle the whole car at that time and let you spend another Full Price for a new one.

edcopp · #25 08/05/11, 09:57 AM

My car buying budget is $1,500 per year. Most likely I will need to look at some other source.

salmonslayer · #26 08/05/11, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danaus29

salmonslayer, that much?!?!?! I knew electric cars had switched from deep cycle (those are the ones for $139 and up) to another kind but hadn't been able to find any info on replacement batteries.
At least the battery warranty is 8 years/100,000 miles.
The 2012 Volt does not qualify for the govt $5000 tax credit.

Yup, isnt that enough to choke? The batteries so far seem to be pretty reliable but there is no track record with the Volt so who knows.

There are several cars now that run on gas or diesel that get almost the same mileage for a fraction of the cost that are a much better investment. I would be interested in an electric car someday I think but I just dont have the money or intestinal fortitude to be one of the pioneers in buying one at this time.

I'm kind of with edcopp, my car budget of about $1500 a year doesnt fit the category for an electric!!

Jolly · #27 08/05/11, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olivehill

Aside from the price, they're just not reasonable for those of us who live rurally. I have to drive too far to get to things. They'd have to start putting charging stations in every third cornfield. Wait, forget I said that. Don't want to give the new Rural Committee any ideas... grrrr.

The Volts has a range of almost 380 miles.

You must live waaaay back in the sticks...

A Wiki link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Volt

Kmac15 · #28 08/05/11, 01:05 PM

but on the electric only option, it goes 38 miles on a charge...then you are back to using gas.

olivehill · #29 08/05/11, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmac15

but on the electric only option, it goes 38 miles on a charge...then you are back to using gas.

Exactly.

Jolly · #30 08/05/11, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmac15

but on the electric only option, it goes 38 miles on a charge...then you are back to using gas.

There's a reason for the 38 mile figure. When Chevy polled consumers about their average commute, they found that somehwere around 40 miles covered almost all commutes.

I think the Volt is over-priced, but I can certainly see the advantage in what Chevy is doing. One has the benefit of an all-electric car for short commutes, yet you have the range for longer trips, should the need arise.

Sawmill Jim · #31 08/05/11, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jolly

There's a reason for the 38 mile figure. When Chevy polled consumers about their average commute, they found that somehwere around 40 miles covered almost all commutes.

I think the Volt is over-priced, but I can certainly see the advantage in what Chevy is doing. One has the benefit of an all-electric car for short commutes, yet you have the range for longer trips, should the need arise.

For the price of that thing you could hire quite a few taxi rides

Jolly · #32 08/05/11, 03:55 PM

Like I said, it's way overpriced. If it was the same price as a Prius (or even a tad less), it would be a very competitive car.

farmerpat · #33 08/05/11, 04:00 PM

Bought your chevy Volt yet?

I'd rather eat dirt.