ocnblu

Other than the funny accents, that's a SWEET vid, James! Glad to see you back over here. There's no Holden back now!

...and Camino comes in like a dryer sheet, quelling the sparks...

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wow

Whoever marked me down... SHOW ME THE SALES FIGURES. Where are all these electrified cars being sold? To whom? This is not something I'm making up, this lack of customers. Anyone can find out for themselves if they read. One small example... LaCrosse sales are down, aren't they? Why didn't sales go up if people really wanted e-Assist? LaCrosse is a beautiful car that is not long in the market. Volt and Leaf sales are pathetic... I fail to see where more of this kind of car on the market will change things.

It doesn't matter. The thing that matters is what the customers want to buy. And hybrids and electrics have not taken off around the world the way some ppl are fantasizing. I think we have one member here who owns a Volt. Any others? Who has a hybrid or full electric? Come on, talk is cheap, why isn't anyone putting their money down? In Europe where fuel has been historically high, diesel is the frugal-minded person's power of choice. Not electric or hybrid.

Prolly has worn-out struts or something.

mwah!

I would gather some VINs and get insurance quotes on everything as part of any search. It was a pleasant surprise to learn the Patriot is the 2nd-lowest cost to insure of any vehicle, behind the Sienna minivan. My insurance actually went down after totalling my Fiesta, I was in no way expecting that. The new cars mentioned can likely be had with discounts and rebates. Personally, in a sedan bodystyle, I think the tidy Sonic is the best looking in the class, the others look like the trunk was an afterthought. EDIT: 2012 Sonic LTZ sedan with no options, MSRP $17,460, Edmunds' "True Market Value" of $16,886. I know it's above the limit, but isn't it the only Sonic trim with heated seats? 2012 Sonic LT sedan with alloy wheel/foglamp package, MSRP $16,155, Edmunds' "True Market Value" of $15,780. No heated leatherette, but still a sweet car with a nice long warranty and no worries. Shoot, there's one at the dealer in DuBois just like this in black, according to Chevy's locator service.

I'm guessing it was in a damp shed for a long time or outside. But its beauty shines through and it is definitely worth saving. Cheers!

Jean Gerard

100 miles round trip? Is that winter, spring, summer, or fall? Uphill in either direction? Highway, suburban, or urban? Jeez, so many variables to contend with. Range anxiety is real and justified when you are out there on your own.

The only manufacturer I consistently have a sizable distaste for is Toyota, and it is because of their high opinion of themselves. I like the new Yaris 3-door 4Runner Off Road model Toyobaru Sports Car Lexus IS ...and... Prius C EDIT: whoops, forgot the little bulldog, Scion exD!

Same here, KF. You're a good guy, something will come your way. Keep looking.

Janice Joplin

If I have rated down original articles on electric cars, please go in with admin power and erase those red marks. Comments on said articles are fair game, however.

Point is, if one must have a bit of humming in their vehicle, a Volt is the only car of its kind that would not have to be sold if one moved to the country by choice or circumstance.

What am I supposed to say to that? It is an interesting historical piece of video that I thought added value to the conversation at Cheers & Gears. It's clear you disagree that it added value to the site.

Drew, your above post shows that an electric car is still only practical as a second car for short trips. Who has money for two cars? I want something that can operate in any condition I need it for... As far as the LaCrosse goes, I am simply relaying what Ward's said in their article.

But you must agree that in a car, a transportation device, range is the important aspect with regard to propulsion, not size. The Electrovair maintained all of its passenger room v. the H6-powered version, the batteries didn't encroach in the least. Why on Earth would my original post warrant a red mark? I think it's a very informative piece of GM-produced video. It is true that the same problems faced by engineers then, face them today, 46 years later, when trying to build a practical full-electric car.

Electric trains are practical. They stay on track. I posted an interesting GM video about the 1966 Electrovair II, which has similar range to today's "state of the art" full electric cars. I don't see any leap in range. I've said the Volt is the best electrified car, but it is not worth twice the price of a Cruze. And with diesel coming, the Cruze will continue to be a much more attractive, useful car. We subscribe to Ward's at work. We just got their "10 Best Engines" issue. LaCrosse eAssist is not on the list... why? They go to the trouble of explaining why, their article states the system is barely more efficient than the base 2.4L, but it costs $2k more. They also lay out why the Volt didn't make the list, but I did not take the time to read that part. I should bring the magazine home and read the whole article. They DO like the Volt, but something held them back from adding it. ??? Not that it matters a stitch, but I did have my 2000 GTI to 135 mph. And I'm sure my '86 Camaro would have at least matched that figure, but I only got to 110 before I saw the patrol car. An electric train at 150 mph on a track is under very controlled conditions, more controlled than any roadgoing vehicle. Please do not make this personal, Drew.

Um yeah do it have a battery or do it have a constant hook-up of power?

hahaha omg I was wondering about the first few frames of the presentation. It's wild tho!

I think the US version gets the big wheels: http://www.autoblog....-spark-la-2011/ EDIT: Chevy's press release at the Autoblog article confirms... 15" alloys standard on every model, along with power windows and a/c!

Odd... everywhere else I checked says the massive alloys are 15". But, Edmunds says 17", breaking with the pack. We should all sign up for updates: http://www.chevrolet...i-car/#main_LB0 Balthy, interesting comments about the wheel size... your F-150 had 15" wheels, and they didn't look tiny on there, think of that... how, as vehicle proportions change, our perceptions go along for the ride. My Fiesta had 15" alloys, but before that, my last vehicle with wheels that small was my 2004 Colorado, and they looked proportionate at the time with the 265/75 tires! To be dead serious, that Top Gear video of the black one makes me miss my Fiesta.