First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next week

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

Why would anyone want to be an early adopter, paying startup engineering costs for a first generation slightly better than beta hybrid automobile when there is a third gereration, fully tested, constantly updated vehicle that's been around for 10 years that is a lot less expensive? I'm not putting my body in a brand new technology based vehicle till it gets a few million miles under its belt. Its really cold standing on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck around here and I'd rather play the odds that it's less likely to happen in a Prius than a Volt. Heck, it took me 3 years to get on board with HDTV. I can't imagine rushing out to buy a vehicle untested by the masses when I can get one that has been through 10 years of development and has all those red dots at Consumer Reports. Volt's gonna have to earn those red dots on its own before it gets my consideration. Till then it's a nice little novelty worthy of lots of discussion.

 

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

We should all thank the early adopters. Without them there wouldn't have been a Gen2 or Gen3 for us to buy. Some like to be on the leading edge. Some like to be on the bleeding edge. Most like to be on the trailing edge.

 

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

That "source" is useless. The author replied to my request to give the details by saying something it - it will be done later and their rankings are proprietary (and their IP, apparently) !

Thankfully I get 100% green electricity.

 

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

I thought they plan to release it. At least it is peer-reviewed, unlike that dust-to-dust.

 

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

You make a great point, Jim as I type this message into the Beta version of IE 9. I do appreciate early adopters and all they do for us and the risks they take with new technology and the willingness they have to put up with additional costs and upgrades and the frustration of seeing the problems that they are stuck with after putting their hard earned money on the line only to watch those who buy the updated versions enjoy the convenience and stability of the product they helped create with no consideration from the company that sold them the partially degugged unit in the first place. I understand the excitement that goes along with having one of the first units of anything but I for one am just to conservative with that amount of money to be first.

Anyway, back on topic, I just find it interesting that when there is such a huge disparity between a Prius with 10 years of history and a Volt with none, what motivates somebody to look past all this history and buy a Volt. Is it dogged support of "buy American?" Is it more of the Toyota bashing that is so prevalent these days? Or is it the love of early adoption? Any thoughts?

 

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

Just a thought: I suspect that "Toyota bashing" is a major cause ... but as I read other PC post ... I detect a lack of confidence in the Prius by many posters: "What is that noise?" "Does your make that sound?" "Is that normal?" While many prasie the vehicle (including myself), there are too many that seem to be having second thoughts.

And, it is easy to blame the media. The media is always there to inflate any and every issue .... unfortunately, Toyota has received a lot of bad press this year. Even Jay Leno ... as much as he says he loves cars, he is too quick to make a nasty joke about Toyota.

Then there is advertising. Even today I say a Chevy add praising the virtues of their climate friendly vehicles, including the Volt. Never mind that the Volt is not as "green" as some other cars, including the Prius.

Everyone "takes their shots" at number 1 in sports, politics, and automobiles.

 

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

I'm not going to try to explain Volt buyers' motivation as I have too much history with GM. I put a deposit on a car that may see production in a couple of years from a startup because:

1. I fell in love with the styling.
2. I believe the advertised price is fair and that the car will hold its value longer.
3. I like that it is different & likely uncommon.
4. I'm not comfortable converting or having someone build an EV for me.

I'm old enough to have been burned by Beta so I wait for standards. I want a standard charger. I want to be able to plug into a standard outlet.

In 2006 it took a leap of faith to buy that Prius which built the confidence to buy the 2010. Dropping as much as I did on the 2010 makes it easier to drop the pile on the Model S.

 

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

Longest. Sentence. Ever?
And there is no good reason to start a sentence with 'and.'

 

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

There's already a lot of grumbling from new Volt owners about lousy EV range. Gasp! Is it possible GM has exaggerated the Volt's capabilities? Nooooo!

 

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

Not only the range but also the gas engine starting after a few mins of departing home from the plug (preheat).

Ahem... electric cars don't do that but hybrids do. So much for the hype about initial 40 miles without a drop of gas.

 

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

Hi Felt,

I am thinking the Prius styling communicates something to the new batch of owners - more mainstream owners, that the car just is not. And its this feeling of being con'd, down in the subconcious, that is bringing about all this exploration if their car is a lemon, so they might have grounds to take it back.

The 2010 Prius has been "Ricer" styled, yet the car is simply not an acceleration and handling performance car. So, the allot of the new onwers may have been influenced by this visual communication.

The way the 2nd Gen looked, nobody was going to think it was a performance car. The styling of the 3rd Gen as such a performance car is going to result allot of people unfamiliar with what the Prius is going to feel they got what they thought the car was.

I am hoping these new more mainstream buyers will eventually settle with themselves that this is the best car for their needs. But, the marketing approach to the design (bigger engine, more raked body, fancy looking head lights, dramatic albeit design bankrupt interior) of the 3rd Gen Prius could backfire in the US as well.

 

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

The 2nd gen Prius dash and fronts seats are a prime example of poor design and wasted space: Front seats punted up high and stuck close to dash, rear seats with more than ample legroom yet with modest headroom. Brilliant! Absolute brilliance! Throw in small, narrow, short, oddly shaped front seat bottoms, shove the steering wheel good and close to the dash, and it's a recipe for success! Ship 'em to the USA, sell 'em far and wide!! Year after year ... until May of 2009!!

I have driven thousands of miles with the custom, slide back farther height adjustable seat, clearly demonstrating the interior room was always available to accomodate a 6'2" tall guy like me with 35" legs, but where am I going to get a seat bottom cushion worth a darn?

So, with the stock seat back in (for selling purposes of course), I look straight ahead only a couple inches below the sun visors. Driving the car is an arduous task of ducking down to see anything, no thigh support and horribly bent knee to brake. What a stupid mistake to buy it. Yet, I could drop into a 3rd gen and feel normal after 10 seconds of adjusting things.

2nd gen Prius was/is a 'cult' type of car where IF you're lucky enough to fit in it, you are then 'in the club' to be able to drive and enjoy one.

3rd gen Prius is properly desgined to accomodate short drivers under 5ft tall to well over 6ft 2in. Notice I said designed, not 'oh I'm 6'4" and love my gen2 Prius! That's just internet crap. Guarantee you my 6'4" brother in law's knees would hit the dash and head would be within 1" of roof even when ghetto leaned back which is lame anyway.

3rd gen Prius looks more assertive, feels more solid, always bags over 50 MPG for me, engine is quieter, doesn't have the farty sound from the inverter coolant pump/thermos, and last but not least, the floating bridge console is no problem to me, a little unique but no problem.

We'll see if there are any bites for this 2009 @ 14,800 miles priced at $18,750 which is a couple grand less than a dealer would be asking for a pristine package 5.

 

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

Hi Cycledrum,

Well we are physical opposites. The Gen II seats fit me perfectly, and with 30 inch inseam, and even shorter arms , I could orient my left knee outward. Which allowed me to reach for the brake pedal, and actually hit it with raming my knee into anything, like it does in the Gen 3. I am well over 5 foot however, at 5 foot 11".

Yea, they should have made the 2nd Gen seat tracks longer. But, you buy a Toyota, you get the Toyota way - which is to use the same parts in a great variety of cars, even if they are not appropriate in one car of the other. And as they design the Gen 2 for people up to 6 foot 3, and your 6 foot 4, you should expect to have to make modifications. At least you do not have to hem every pair of pants you buy, like I have too.




My comments were not aimed at someone such as yourself. But at the newbie to the HSD system. Some of whom are going to buy the car for its agreesive looks, only to be in a non-agressive car.

I actually hear the regen braking on my 3rd Gen much more clearly than on the 2nd Gen. I actually had to have the sound pointed out to me, as I did not pick up on the 2nd Gen regen sound on my own. And, after they fixed the CHS pump, there was no issue with that noise either.

The 3rd Gen car is a car that tries to key into the cult dogma of the way cars should look to be manly. Its looks have nothing to do with its actual function, just what marketeers think will sell to people who are hooked on the Jeremy Clarksonesqe dogma.

The 2nd Gen with the stiffening plate was just as solid as the 3rd Gen.

 

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

Saw a Volt in LA a few days ago. Completely took me by surprise, looks awesome... great body styling, specially the rear. Now if Dodge/Chrysler could get their act together...

 

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

it regards to trolleys

I've been on the one at the Connecticut trolley museum. the ride was serene and peaceful as it went out by the edge of the marshland. at the end we flipped all the seatbacks so we could face forward for the journey back. if you have the time it is worth the calming experience. canal boat rides are even calmer.


Welcome to the Connecticut Trolley Museum

 

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

Today's Drive section of paper headlines - 'Volt wins North American Car of the Year..'

It reports, since intro in December, Chev. has sold 326 Volts.

Withn two years from now we'll get to sit back and watch the party -

Will the Prius PHV outsell the Volt? That will be fun!

 

Re: First Chevy Volt EV hybrid taken home from dealer today, 360 will be delivered over the next wee

I've been seeing tons of PHEV's priuses on transport trucks in LA for the past few months. YET, I have yet to see one rolling on the ground, they must be storing them somewhere.