Who would buy the Chevy Volt?

[Daryl Z71]

I was watching a preview of Transformers 2 and I noticed how much I really liked the Volt. I figured I would make a topic and see how many people plan to buy the Volt at some point in time. I think it's a sharp looking car for an electric car, and I will probably eventually buy one once the price eventually gets affordable if it ever does.

[SAmadei]

I was watching a preview of Transformers 2 and I noticed how much I really liked the Volt. I figured I would make a topic and see how many people plan to buy the Volt at some point in time. I think it's a sharp looking car for an electric car, and I will probably eventually buy one once the price eventually gets affordable if it ever does.

I'm not as impressed. With the ability to disperse the battery weight and power any wheel, I'm disappointed that its FWD. The Volt, IMHO, needs to be more akin to the ideas Tesla motors has, and not a EpII with batteries.

With the whole cost issue, I fear the Volt will not lead to a craze. The idea of electric cars is like public transportation... we're all for other people using it.

Oddly, as someone who loved his electric golf cart as a kid, I'd love to have a modern, quicker version. The Volt just doesn't thrill me, however.

[Daryl Z71]

I'm not as impressed. With the ability to disperse the battery weight and power any wheel, I'm disappointed that its FWD. The Volt, IMHO, needs to be more akin to the ideas Tesla motors has, and not a EpII with batteries.

With the whole cost issue, I fear the Volt will not lead to a craze. The idea of electric cars is like public transportation... we're all for other people using it.

Oddly, as someone who loved his electric golf cart as a kid, I'd love to have a modern, quicker version. The Volt just doesn't thrill me, however.

I'll tell you what. I rode in a buddy's dads Polaris Razr today (Like a Yamaha Rhino), and I think we should be able to license them to drive on the road. The thing is 800cc Fuel Injected, and you can even get a windshield or cab for it. The thing will go up to 70MPH, and just think of all the gas you would save.

[Justin Bimmer]

My best friends dad who is a doctor is very interested in the volt. He has about a 40 mile round-trip daily commute and it would be perfect for him.

[daves87rs]

I know a few people...

My brother in law, for one.

[mustang84]

Not for me, but I hope they sell well for GM's sake.

I'd rather tool around in something RWD V8.

[vonVeezelsnider]

Nein.

[FAPTurbo]

If it were the Volt Concept, then yes please! But the one coming our way isn't my cup of tea; still, here's hoping it sells well, and the technology expands into other models.

[Croc]

If it drives well, is comfortable, well-put-together, contains high-quality materials, and fits my lifestyle comfortably, then I don't see why not. I'd probably wait a year or two, though, at the very least.

[ocnblu]

Unless we're forced out of internal combustion power, I will sit on the sidelines and cheer, but I don't expect it to be the be-all, end-all of the automobile.

[Dsuupr]

I want one and would love to be one of the first in my area to get it. I wouldn't be as inclined to get one if our electricity wasn't 100% renewable energy, something we can opt for here in Oregon.

[Croc]

I want one and would love to be one of the first in my area to get it. I wouldn't be as inclined to get one if our electricity wasn't 100% renewable energy, something we can opt for here in Oregon.

Ohhh...lucky. I'd love to be able to choose 100% renewable.

[daves87rs]

Ohhh...lucky. I'd love to be able to choose 100% renewable.

+1

[Dsuupr]

Ohhh...lucky. I'd love to be able to choose 100% renewable.

There are advantages to living in a state full of "liberal hippies".

[the_yellow_dart]

I know I initially said that I would (for a while I even said so in my sig). However things have changed for me, I've changed my priorities a bit and a brand new car just isn't one of them. If my Cobalt broke today I really couldn't see myself buying new again.

So I guess my answer now is NO. Not because of anything GM did, or because of the recession or anything like that, just because of a personal change.

[K.C.]

I will reserve judgement until I see a production model. The news and the hype over this vehicle is textbook for the "old GM" and I've taken an "I'll believe it when I see it" mentality regarding future products. This car was marketed to change the automotive world, but I don't see it as anything other than GM's version of the Prius. I'll pass on owning one, but I will cheer it on when it reaches the marketplace.

[daves87rs]

I know I initially said that I would (for a while I even said so in my sig). However things have changed for me, I've changed my priorities a bit and a brand new car just isn't one of them. If my Cobalt broke today I really couldn't see myself buying new again.

So I guess my answer now is NO. Not because of anything GM did, or because of the recession or anything like that, just because of a personal change.

I think many people are thinking the same thing.

[Drew Dowdell]

I would buy a car with the Voltec technology in it, but I probably wouldn't buy a Volt.

[K.C.]

I am very curious to see the production version of the Converj.

[Nick]

I would buy a car with the Voltec technology in it, but I probably wouldn't buy a Volt.

This.

Edit:

But the technology would have to be adaptable to, say, a rwd architecture and a V8.

Edited May 11, 2009 by Nick

[G. David Felt]

There are advantages to living in a state full of "liberal hippies".

Hey I live in Seattle just north the the Pacific Northwest is not just Liberal Hippies. Most of us are middle of the road Independants due to the idiots that have let their parties be stolen. The GOP is stolen by the Catholic Church and it's drive to make all follow it's rules. The Demo's are stolen by Socialist idiots.

Time for the Peoples Party.

Small Gov, Limited Taxation, equality for all, including the gay and transgender groups, affordable entry level health care for all.

Now back onto the subject. NO I will NOT be buying the Volt! Too small, too low and too Expensive for what it is.

Give me the 100 MPG Hummer RWD / 4x4 H3 from Raser.

http://www.rasertech.com/

[Paolino]

My best friend plans on selling his Toyota for a Volt.

[Intrepidation]

I hope it does well but it isn't on my shopping list. I already drive a small car that gets good fuel economy. When I buy new (and assuming they still exist) I want it to be RWD and powered by 8 cylinders.

[ShadowDog]

If my '04 ever took a sudden and immediate dump, I would give it major scrutiny and test it out. My car only really sees a 35 mile round-trip once or twice a week. I drive it the whole one mile up the hill to go to work on terribly rainy days (pedal bike on good days). I'm the perfect candidate for this car.

[regfootball]

we have to accept that GM will need to produce this car and keep it alive. if they kill it, it will be like the negative press from killing the EV1 will multiply beyond comprehension. it will be the responsibility of government/obama and pelosi motors to pester enough semi popular actors in CA etc. to buy these things to maintain production regardless of price.

at the same time, the product is attractive.

its like what previous poster said. we all want others to have electric cars and take the bus. the moment this thing falls out of favor with the craze, is when creative marketing will kick in because GM this time around will not have the ability to cancel production.

my guess is the volt begets a commerical vehicle in a same vein as the transit connect and chevy makes mucho sales on EREV postal vehicles or airport taxis.

people need to think long term. i doubt the public will back up their talk and buy these things in record numbers but to amortize the science of creating it, I think the technology at some point make financial sense for commercial vehicles and taxis etc.

[A Horse With No Name]

There are advantages to living in a state full of "liberal hippies".

Not just yes but hell yes...to both the Volt and a state full of liberal hippies.

Chris

[trinacriabob]

My next purchase will be something like that. With such a recent purchase, I'll enjoy that for a while before buying an "alternative energy" type of car. It will be interesting.

[trinacriabob]

Hey I live in Seattle just north the the Pacific Northwest is not just Liberal Hippies. Most of us are middle of the road Independants

East Side, baby, East Side. The ONLY side of Seattle to live in, if one's gonna live there.

City central - weird

City south - ghetto and white trash

City north - someone that Heart would sing about

East Side - normal people

City west - well, it's water, so you'd be lunch for a killer whale

Edited May 11, 2009 by trinacriabob

[Daryl Z71]

Like I said I would consider buying one, but its gonna be for the Finace. Now for me I want a new Camaro!

[deftonesfan867]

I have alot of interest in it and if I can afford it when the time comes I will definitely get one.

[Robert Hall]

It's an interesting car in principle, I'm just wondering what will the execution be like--will it have the usual nasty cheap, hard gray plastic Chevy small car interior?

Edited May 11, 2009 by Cubical

[deftonesfan867]

It's an interesting car in principle, I'm just wondering what will the execution be like--will it have the usual nasty cleap, hard gray plastic Chevy small car interior?

Haven't you seen the production model photos?

[G. David Felt]

East Side, baby, East Side. The ONLY side of Seattle to live in, if one's gonna live there.

City central - weird

City south - ghetto and white trash

City north - someone that Heart would sing about

East Side - normal people

City west - well, it's water, so you'd be lunch for a killer whale

City West is all the unionized Seattle workers and west west is the RedNeck Crowd that works in Bremerton.

Yup I agree us Eastside folks in Kirkland area are the normal, laid back Independants.

Edited May 11, 2009 by dfelt

[gm4life]

I will cheer it on and hope it does well for GM. It will be cold day in hell when I can't get a car with a "real" motor. So no Volt for me, until I have no choice, and then I'll buy used. A new Camaro SS or maybe if Pontiac gets set free by GM another one... After that who knows, maybe I'll just go Ford, unless GM gets their $h! straight.

Edited May 11, 2009 by gm4life

[Robert Hall]

Haven't you seen the production model photos?

I've seen pics of the production exterior, no interior pics..I would assume it may be similar to the Cruze (a sea of gray plastic)?

Edit: went to the Volt forum, found the prod interior pics..forgot I'd seen those before; looks decent...interesting center stack detailing.

Edited May 11, 2009 by Cubical

[deftonesfan867]

I've seen pics of the production exterior, no interior pics..I would assume it may be similar to the Cruze (a sea of gray plastic)?

Edit: went to the Volt forum, found the prod interior pics..forgot I'd seen those before; looks decent...interesting center stack detailing.

Sea of gray plastic???

Decent???

Both interiors out do the competition.

[Robert Hall]

Sea of gray plastic???

Decent???

Both interiors out do the competition.

Since I haven't sat in either, I can't really say they are competitive or not.

[ZL-1]

I'd consider a production version of the Opel/Saturn Flextreme, but not a Chevrolet Volt.

[Dsuupr]

City West is all the unionized Seattle workers and west west is the RedNeck Crowd that works in Bremerton.

Yup I agree us Eastside folks in Kirkland area are the normal, laid back Independants.

Over the years I have learned that an independent is considered to have a Republican mindset in the Northwest and a liberal mindset in the South. As my Father-in-Law says, he is a liberal in Arkansas and a conservative in Oregon.

[Robert Hall]

Over the years I have learned that an independent is considered to have a Republican mindset in the Northwest and a liberal mindset in the South. As my Father-in-Law says, he is a liberal in Arkansas and a conservative in Oregon.

The people I know in Colorado that call themselves Independents seem to also consider themselves Libertarians, which isn't quite the same as what I usually think of as conservatives.. don't know about AZ..

[A Horse With No Name]

I hope it does well but it isn't on my shopping list. I already drive a small car that gets good fuel economy. When I buy new (and assuming they still exist) I want it to be RWD and powered by 8 cylinders.

Borrow a Delorean from Marty McFly and Doc Brown and you'll go where you can get 8 cyl and RWD.

I think within 5 years RWD and V8's will go the way of the Dodo Bird.

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

Sea of gray plastic???

Decent???

Both interiors out do the competition.

Both interiors are indeed good...

Chris

[CaddyXLR-V]

Borrow a Delorean from Marty McFly and Doc Brown and you'll go where you can get 8 cyl and RWD.

I think within 5 years RWD and V8's will go the way of the Dodo Bird.

Chris

They will still be around, but you will have to spend a lot of money. Luckily for me, I have my GTO that I'm keeping forever. RWD won't go away, but you will see a lot more I4s and V6s with RWD than you will V8 and RWD.

[Daryl Z71]

They will still be around, but you will have to spend a lot of money. Luckily for me, I have my GTO that I'm keeping forever. RWD won't go away, but you will see a lot more I4s and V6s with RWD than you will V8 and RWD.

Because of the gas guzzler tax? *Cough* bull$h! *Cough*

[Robert Hall]

Because of the gas guzzler tax? *Cough* bull$h! *Cough*

More likely to meet the CAFE ratings, fewer V8 models will be built. And if gas goes back to $4 a gallon or more and stays there, demand will drop.

[Satty]

Ohhh...lucky. I'd love to be able to choose 100% renewable.

Missouri voters (not full of liberal hippies, not by a long shot) approved Prop C last fall, it requires energy companies to increase the amount of energy coming from renewable sources to 15%. Its not perfect, but its a start.

As for the Volt, well I drive a Prius, so I like the idea of the Volt. It'll depend on the execution and whether its worth the money. Our Prius was under $30k, its dirt cheap to insure and it takes $20 in gas every month. Since my daily commute is just over 40 miles, the Volt will (theoretically) do it on just battery power, but is it worth $10k more up front to save myself $20/month?

[Satty]

Another thing that just popped into my head. Is the Volt worth the premium over the Fusion Hybrid? Unless you're really that into the technology aspect, the Fusion Hybrid starts at $28k. Thats $12k less than the Volt, as of now.

[the_yellow_dart]

The more I read about the Fusion Hybrid the more I am impressed. Ford finally hit a homerun, the first very good product I've seen them release in my time following the industry.

[daves87rs]

The more I read about the Fusion Hybrid the more I am impressed. Ford finally hit a homerun, the first very good product I've seen them release in my time following the industry.

+1

[frogger]

I live in a 1100 square foot pie in the sky, no plug in spot in my underground parking, so no deal for me.