Colokeb
Member
Many of us write here about our cars and trucks. I confess to having a car for every purpose. Prairie doggin dirt ranch road Outback,Silverado to haul, 55 Chev short bed, Optima, and a 2003 Sequoia anyweather road tripper.
Last fall we got a quick test drive in a Chevy Volt. We were quite impressed, so I began to research them. The upshot is that we leased one in early November, and now have 7544 miles.
Not a single issue. Since the gasoline engine runs so little, we are about 1/3 oil life to a change, and the tires are about due to be rotated. The ride and quietness are quite pleasant.
There are some good YouTube videos out there on how the Volt propulsion works. It has three motors: a gas engine with a 300 mile range on 9 gallons, alternator, and an Electric Motor-generator. The wheels are driven by the high voltage alternator even if the gas engine is running. The battery stores enough power to drive 40 miles in the summer, and 35 in sub-35 winter temps.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/xTxNn..._iframe=true&height=340&width=560?autoplay=0&
The Volt is different from the Prius. Toyota almost always runs its gas motor, and it has a very short slow-speed electric range....used mainly for stop-start driving. The Volt defaults to using battery power first.
The Volt has 4 drive modes: All electric until gone, all gas, a sport mode where gas and electric are employed, and a mode that will make about 16 miles of range electricity while burning gas at an increased rate. I think that mode is to make battery power to use in city driving after you have exhausted the home charge. The gas mode is rated at 39 but we get 41-42 MPG.
I conclude that GM has under-explained this car, and it got off to a bad start due to Obama getting his selfie in 2011.
The Volt has GM's best quality record, and has had no fatals or Volt-caused fires. And the price has come down by about $9,000 from the original $41K 2011 price. By far the best way to get one is by leasing especially if you pay less in taxes than the full Federal $7500 credit. ( The battery-motor system has an 8 year 100K warranty. In our case we will either walk away at 39 months, or purchase a GM Extension. I am more likely to repeat a new lease, I like the free option to either buy or sell. My three year cost are pretty certain: no maintenance, 290 gallons of gas, the lease, no trade-in haggle, and a Colorado $4100 credit to me. For the guy asking about owning 21 years: Not likely for me or about anybody. The Clipper Creek charger cost $13 to install by changing the wall 200v plug. If needed I could resell that fast charger. It is not relevant that you kept a rusted Civic for 21 years .)
You might ask, what has been the gas mileage?
With 7544 miles, we have used 57.5 gallons. That works out to 131 MPG...it is 7 gallons a month. But it has to be charged. We use a 220 quick-charger for the 4 hours to go from zero to full, and that costs about $1.20 at our 9c KWH rate. *40 miles*
Our shopping is in a town 18 miles away where we have Walmart, Safeway, Kroger, farmers markets, and grand children. That trip uses the equivalent of one or two can of soda pop of gas. Trips to Church are 26 miles RT, so it uses no gas. The old issue, " Is it worth it to go do xxxx now?" has gone away. A quick run to town or check some garage sales has hardly any cost.
We have learned some tricks: We live in the mountains. Uphill for 2 or more miles: use gas. Downhill: use the battery and regen. Very cold morning coming out of the insulated garage: Use gas for 5 miles to warm everything including the battery.
And No, it is not a dog. It runs a 1/4 in the low 16s. The whole drive system has an 8 year warranty, and you can cheaply buy an extended plan past the 3-36 portion.
So, have any of you taken a look at one?
Last fall we got a quick test drive in a Chevy Volt. We were quite impressed, so I began to research them. The upshot is that we leased one in early November, and now have 7544 miles.
Not a single issue. Since the gasoline engine runs so little, we are about 1/3 oil life to a change, and the tires are about due to be rotated. The ride and quietness are quite pleasant.
There are some good YouTube videos out there on how the Volt propulsion works. It has three motors: a gas engine with a 300 mile range on 9 gallons, alternator, and an Electric Motor-generator. The wheels are driven by the high voltage alternator even if the gas engine is running. The battery stores enough power to drive 40 miles in the summer, and 35 in sub-35 winter temps.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/xTxNn..._iframe=true&height=340&width=560?autoplay=0&
The Volt is different from the Prius. Toyota almost always runs its gas motor, and it has a very short slow-speed electric range....used mainly for stop-start driving. The Volt defaults to using battery power first.
The Volt has 4 drive modes: All electric until gone, all gas, a sport mode where gas and electric are employed, and a mode that will make about 16 miles of range electricity while burning gas at an increased rate. I think that mode is to make battery power to use in city driving after you have exhausted the home charge. The gas mode is rated at 39 but we get 41-42 MPG.
I conclude that GM has under-explained this car, and it got off to a bad start due to Obama getting his selfie in 2011.
The Volt has GM's best quality record, and has had no fatals or Volt-caused fires. And the price has come down by about $9,000 from the original $41K 2011 price. By far the best way to get one is by leasing especially if you pay less in taxes than the full Federal $7500 credit. ( The battery-motor system has an 8 year 100K warranty. In our case we will either walk away at 39 months, or purchase a GM Extension. I am more likely to repeat a new lease, I like the free option to either buy or sell. My three year cost are pretty certain: no maintenance, 290 gallons of gas, the lease, no trade-in haggle, and a Colorado $4100 credit to me. For the guy asking about owning 21 years: Not likely for me or about anybody. The Clipper Creek charger cost $13 to install by changing the wall 200v plug. If needed I could resell that fast charger. It is not relevant that you kept a rusted Civic for 21 years .)
You might ask, what has been the gas mileage?
With 7544 miles, we have used 57.5 gallons. That works out to 131 MPG...it is 7 gallons a month. But it has to be charged. We use a 220 quick-charger for the 4 hours to go from zero to full, and that costs about $1.20 at our 9c KWH rate. *40 miles*
Our shopping is in a town 18 miles away where we have Walmart, Safeway, Kroger, farmers markets, and grand children. That trip uses the equivalent of one or two can of soda pop of gas. Trips to Church are 26 miles RT, so it uses no gas. The old issue, " Is it worth it to go do xxxx now?" has gone away. A quick run to town or check some garage sales has hardly any cost.
We have learned some tricks: We live in the mountains. Uphill for 2 or more miles: use gas. Downhill: use the battery and regen. Very cold morning coming out of the insulated garage: Use gas for 5 miles to warm everything including the battery.
And No, it is not a dog. It runs a 1/4 in the low 16s. The whole drive system has an 8 year warranty, and you can cheaply buy an extended plan past the 3-36 portion.
So, have any of you taken a look at one?
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