Chevy Volt - a first exposure

[kach22i]

Chevy Volt - a first exposure

I did not test drive it, but could have. I just moved it out of the drive and to the street and back so my cousin could leave the football game early. The cool sound of the power-down is awesome, like a turbine shut-down. The car sits low, even lower than my old 911 with chin spoiler. The interior was super nice, the white center console I took a real liking to.

In general the car is about 15% smaller on the outside than I expected, and about 10% larger on the inside than I expected after seeing it in person.

Over 20 photos - some details of the braking pads/system too.
Automobile pictures by kach22i - Photobucket


I really like this car.

[speedracing944]

Only 4 seats? That sucks. How hard is it to put in a rear bench?

Speedy

[Tobra]

Probably can't, the thing is packaged pretty tightly.

So George, if it is that low in the front, any plans to put furniture casters on it?

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Probably can't, the thing is packaged pretty tightly.

So George, if it is that low in the front, any plans to put furniture casters on it?

Don't be an arse.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by speedracing944

Only 4 seats? That sucks. How hard is it to put in a rear bench?

Speedy

A Porsche 911 only has 4 seats too.

[BRPORSCHE]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Don't be an arse.

Ya can't blame him. That got me to giggle.

Also, why is the front end of that thing HUGE. What on Earth does it need to cover up? elventy,000,000,000 batteries? It looks like it hsould have a truck bed tacked onto the rear end.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by BRPORSCHE

Also, why is the front end of that thing HUGE. .

It's not huge, what are you looking at?

I think the gas engine back-up generator may be in the front.

[BRPORSCHE]

I am looking at the Volt name right below the A pillar. It looks massive. Then again, if you lined this car next to a current Ford Taruas I am sure they have similiar front end size.

Still looks massive.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by BRPORSCHE

I am looking at the Volt name right below the A pillar. It looks massive. Then again, if you lined this car next to a current Ford Taruas I am sure they have similiar front end size.

Still looks massive.

It's done with fun-house mirrors, the car in real life is much smaller than any of the photos let on.

It's smaller than a VW Jetta.

[RWebb]

the very 1st question, obviously, is how to hot rod it

[Scuba Steve]

Looks like a little bottle of wine fits in the cupholder nicely.

[Seahawk]

Wankers

George, what are your second, third impressions?

[Normy]

I HATE "Chever-lay" due to its redneck trailer-trash impression....but I want to drive that Chevy Volt. That car is really interesting. I only put about 2500 miles per year on my 928, but I put about another 2500 miles on my Aerostar minivan. It would be expensive miles, but I would enjoy trying that electric car for my airport ride.

-A $40,000 work car? A work car that cost me FOUR times what my Porsche cost?

Probably not, but it would be fun to try.

N!

PS: IGNORE the Nissan Leaf! This car has batteries with insufficient cooling, and the result will be owners stranded on the side of the road! Tesla motors doesn't compete with this car, but their owner, Elon Musk is already screaming about how that car is going to turn people off from electric cars. The Chevy Volt at least has a gas engine to power the car when the batteries die; the Nissan Leaf does NOT and that thing will strand people in hot climates.

N!

[rick-l]

Originally Posted by Normy

PS: IGNORE the Nissan Leaf! This car has batteries with insufficient cooling, and the result will be owners stranded on the side of the road! Tesla motors doesn't compete with this car, but their owner, Elon Musk is already screaming about how that car is going to turn people off from electric cars. The Chevy Volt at least has a gas engine to power the car when the batteries die; the Nissan Leaf does NOT and that thing will strand people in hot climates.

Why did you even bother to type such a poorly thought out opinion based on negligible research?

[john70t]

Yeah, but after purchase can the consumer actually own it?
Or will they be assimilated?

[David]

Originally Posted by Normy

PS: IGNORE the Nissan Leaf! This car has batteries with insufficient cooling, and the result will be owners stranded on the side of the road! Tesla motors doesn't compete with this car, but their owner, Elon Musk is already screaming about how that car is going to turn people off from electric cars. The Chevy Volt at least has a gas engine to power the car when the batteries die; the Nissan Leaf does NOT and that thing will strand people in hot climates.

N!

Houston is one of the first cities to get the Leaf. I guess we'll know how it does in hot climates by next summer.

[Normy]

Originally Posted by rick-l

Why did you even bother to type such a poorly thought out opinion based on negligible research?

DUDE! It comes from Elon Musk! Do a websearch about his opinion on that car!

"poorly thought out opinion based on negligible research?


Talk about negligible research!

N!

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Wankers

George, what are your second, third impressions?

I'll let you know when the owner of the car returns for the next U of M football game. He parks in my drive and always brings the latest pre-production GM car. However, this one I think he bought as he is having 220 wired into his home garage.

10 hour recharge at 110V, down to 4 hours at 220V.

Sure the car is 40K, but I think there is a 7-8k government rebate.

I assume it has regenerative braking, so those funny brake pads caught my eyes.

The owner of the car seemed open to the idea of me driving it when there is no traffic during the game. And he help me put the rubber gaskets on the Porsche headlight rings - I had a couple of beers and could not get the top to click on the lip.

[Normy]

Originally Posted by rick-l

Why did you even bother to type such a poorly thought out opinion based on negligible research?

I'm just quoting you at this point so that I can tell you how STUPID you are a few months from now when the Nissan Leaf turns into a debacle-

[mossguy]

Normy! Grow up! Stop the name-calling.

Tom