Tailfin61

Here are the sales numbers so far this year. Verano is on a roll. I threw in the TSX too for comparison: JAN 2012 TSX - 2266 Regal - 1855 Verano - 795 FEB 2012 TSX - 3373 Regal - 2636 Verano - 1688 MAR TSX - 3355 Regal - 2609 Verano - 2497 APR TSX - 3138 Verano - 2989 Regal - 2852 MAY Verano - 3609 TSX - 2880 Regal - 2550 Another excellent month for Verano in June. It not only outsold Regal, but also TSX/ILX combined. Verano 4091 TSX 2602 Regal 2326 ILX 1081 Verano does it again in July! Verano 4235 TSX 1980 Regal 1784 ILX 1410

Here are the sales numbers so far this year. Verano is on a roll. I threw in the TSX too for comparison: JAN 2012 TSX - 2266 Regal - 1855 Verano - 795 FEB 2012 TSX - 3373 Regal - 2636 Verano - 1688 MAR TSX - 3355 Regal - 2609 Verano - 2497 APR TSX - 3138 Verano - 2989 Regal - 2852 MAY Verano - 3609 TSX - 2880 Regal - 2550 Another excellent month for Verano in June. It not only outsold Regal, but also TSX/ILX combined. Verano 4091 TSX 2602 Regal 2326 ILX 1081

Here are the sales numbers so far this year. Verano is on a roll. I threw in the TSX too for comparison: JAN 2012 TSX - 2266 Regal - 1855 Verano - 795 FEB 2012 TSX - 3373 Regal - 2636 Verano - 1688 MAR TSX - 3355 Regal - 2609 Verano - 2497 APR TSX - 3138 Verano - 2989 Regal - 2852 MAY Verano - 3609 TSX - 2880 Regal - 2550 Another excellent month for Verano in June. It not only outsold Regal, but also TSX/ILX combined. Verano 4091 TSX

Here are the sales numbers so far this year. Verano is on a roll. I threw in the TSX too for comparison: JAN 2012 TSX - 2266 Regal - 1855 Verano - 795 FEB 2012 TSX - 3373 Regal - 2636 Verano - 1688 MAR TSX - 3355 Regal - 2609 Verano - 2497 APR TSX - 3138 Verano - 2989 Regal - 2852 MAY Verano - 3609 TSX - 2880 Regal - 2550

I'm a bit baffled by the headline. Sales are falling? All auto manufacturers reports sales based on current month/year compared to current month/previous year, for example FEB 2012 compared to FEB 2011. Using that method, Volt sales have increased DEC, JAN, FEB. To my knowledge no manufacturer compares consecutive months in the current year. Just sayin' . . .

You can now build your Verano on CARS.com. Here are the highlights: Base $23470 - includes 18" alloy wheels Convenience $24670 - adds heated mirrors, auto dim mirror, pwr driver seat, reverse sensing system. Nav avail $795. Leather $26850 - adds heated steering wheel, heated front seats, 9 speaker stereo. Split spoke 18" wheels avail $450. prices include $885 destination. Other options: sunroof $900 engine block heater $100 9 speaker stereo $595 (std leather) Crystal red paint $325 while diamond $495 navigation $795 (not avail on base) split spoke alloys $450 (leather only) Interior: Base and Convenience - Cashmere or Titanium Interior Leather - Cashmere, Ebony, Choccachino Exterior: White Black Silver Crystal Red White Diamond Mocha Bronze

Not a sports car but definitely sporty. Steering is nicely weighted, feels planted on the road.

6th month update for Volt 1712. Summer went by uneventfully. I continue to drive Monday - Friday gas free with bit of gas used on the weekends. So far I've traveled 5930 miles, 4170 electric and 1760 on gas (70% electric). For the 1760 gas miles the Volt used 42.5 gallons of gas for an average of 41.4 MPG. My overall mileage is 139 MPG, factoring in the cost of electricity it's roughly 89 MPGe. The bulk of gas used was for two long distance trips. One, in July, from CT to the Outer Banks of NC. That round trip was approx. 900 miles. The trip down averaged 44 MPG, the trip home 46 MPG. Those numbers include the 40 miles or so of electric miles at the beginning of each trip. While in NC the Volt charged with the standard 120V charger using an outside outlet at the house we rented. All miles driven while there were electric. We had no issues on that trip. The Volt ran great and the seats proved comfortable for the 12 hour ride. The second trip was to Cape Cod, we averaged 47 MPG on that trip including the 25 electric miles at the start. For this trip we drove to the Cape in MOUNTAIN mode, which essentially allows you to bank some miles. Once at the Cape, I took it out of MOUNTAIN mode and we had 15 miles of electricity available for driving around town. We parked in a public lot over the weekend with no chance to recharge. There was one minor issue that cropped up. At certain highway speeds there was an inter-mitten knocking noise on the passenger side, I found it was the plastic wheel well liner that was slightly loose and knocking against the metal wheel well. I jury-rigged a fix and the dealer corrected it at the 5000 mile service which was basically a tire rotation. Other than that, no issues to support. With no long distance trips on the horizon I'm sure the average mileage will get back up to where it was prior to the summer. Overall, love the Volt.

The Cruze vs. Volt fuel cost comparison depends on where you live. Here in CT, it costs me 9 cents per kilowatt hour to charge my Volt. That's roughly 90 cents per charge. Gas here is a bit over $4.00 per gallon. I am easily averaging 45-48 miles per charge. Using 45 miles, I can travel 180 miles for $4.00 vs. the Cruze's 38-40 miles. In my first 3000 miles I used roughly 5 gallons of gas. In July we took a trip to the Outer Banks of NC, approx 900 miles round trip. Including the 45 electric miles on either end of the trip, we averaged 44 MPG while in extended mode; that included a lot of stop-n-go traffic and 103 degree heat with the AC on. The same trip last year in a VW CC yielded 29 MPG. Although I understand your concern regarding the battery replacement costs, there is NO WAY to know TODAY what the replacement costs will be 8 YEARS from now. Like many Volt owners, I did not buy it to save money. I bought it to use less gas, try new technology, and because I actually enjoyed driving it. I'm just about to hit 5000 miles and so far I love the Volt.

The $7500 is a tax CREDIT not a rebate. It's my understanding that you would have to owe taxes in order to see any of that money UP TO $7500. If you owed $1000, that's what you would receive as a credit. Since I get money back on my taxes due to my mortgage deductions, I would not have qualified for the tax credit. If you read anything Chevy puts out, they clearly say that not everyone will qualify. This is one of the reasons I leased my Volt as they added $7500 to the residual, lowering the payment. The lease is really the way to go. As I said, this is how I understand it. If anyone has info to the contrary, please share it. Thanks!

You know, honestly, I don't think I've driven a RWD car since the '76 Fiat Spyder I had back in the early 80's . . . The Volt is definitely fun to drive, though, much more than I expected it to be. You're right, I'm sure that weight low and in the center adds to the feeling of balance.

GM is very attentive to the Volt owners. They assign a Volt advisor who checks in regularly for questions, issues, and feedback. Since I just started to notice the scuffing issue, I will be sure to mention it next time she calls. The Volt compares very favorably to my previous VW CC. I in no way feel I've taken a step backwards. The Volt rides smoother and quieter, taking bumps much better. The handling edge may go to the CC, but neither is a sports car, though definitely sporty. The Volt is actually more fun to drive, with better throttle response and steering. Despite its cool looks, the CC is not as fun to drive as previous VWs I've owned. The CC also had numerous rattles, the Volt does not (at least not yet anyway . . .)

Actually, I do feel guilty when the gas engine comes on, not sure exactly why. Our other car is a convertible. I feel the same way with that when I drive with the top up on a nice day . . .

Month 3 update for Volt 1712: A sense of normalcy and routine has set in for me as the Volt completes month 3. No issues or problems to report. My employer installed electric charge stations late last year and I was the first to use them starting in March. This month, I've been joined by two other Volts. The stations are in the Visitors parking lot, so many folks do a double take when they see the Volts parked there as it's still not a typical sight to see. As I mentioned last month, I've been driving in Low/SPORT and have reached a high of 51.7 miles in EV mode for one charge. I traveled 747 miles in May and used less than a gallon of gas (0.7). As of June 1st, my total miles where 2070, 1913 of them in EV mode. While in extended range mode, I traveled 157 miles on 3.88 gallons for an average of 40.46 mpg. Since March 10th, I've now averaged 145.36 MPGe (using CT gas pricing of $4.15 per gallon of gas, 9 cents per kilowatt hour, and an average of 40 miles per charge). So there must be something I don't like, right? Well, yes. Some of the interior plastics could be a higher quality, or maybe I should say a different quality as they scuff easily, especially around the foot wells and door thresholds. I also purchased the all-weather (rubber) Volt floor mats and cargo mat. They look and fit well, but again, they scuff easily. They were significantly cheaper than the mats I purchased for my VW, but the VW mats didn't have the scuffing issue. I guess you get what you pay for . . . Because of the vehicle's aerodynamics, it is difficult to drive with the windows open without the ear drum busting buffeting noise. It takes some playing around with each window to get the right balance of airflow and buffeting. I had a similar problem with my previous VW CC, but to a much lessor extent. In the CC you could just put all 4 windows totally down and that solved the problem; that doesn't always work with the Volt. The Volt isn't perfect, but the little things I don't care for are totally fixable and have nothing to do with the drivetrain, which is the whole point of the car anyway. It continues to run great, and is really enjoyable to drive. I'll check back in at 6 months. In July I'm taking the Volt from CT to the Outer Banks of NC, so I'm curious to see how that goes. In the meantime, hit me up with any questions. Ken

Will do!

Here's the April update on Volt 1712: With the weather warming up here in CT, I am easily seeing 40+ miles in EV range, with a high so far of 48 miles. Staying off the highway and sticking with the back roads is the easiest way to see the higher mileage because of regenerative charge back to the battery during coasting and braking. This isn't always possible or practical or course, and I don't take the back roads just to extend the EV range. I still continue to drive in SPORT mode and have found it has not reduced my range. I'm also experimenting with driving in Low (in lieu of Drive). Some Volt owners on the Voltage site have indicated that driving in Low has extended their range, so I'm giving it a shot. In short, Low allows for more regenerative braking without having to step on the brake, saving your brakes and extending your range. It takes a bit to get used to since when you lift off the "gas" pedal the vehicle really slows down versus coasting when in Drive. Once you get the hang of it, it's actually pretty fun since you can just drive with one foot, accelerating and braking by just lifting off a bit. So far, no reliability issues to report, no squeaks or rattles either. The car is really enjoyable to drive. Most people comment on how good looking they think it is. I think the popularity of the Prius and the general acceptance of that shape has helped but I do think the Volt has improved on that theme. It is definitely more aggressive looking than a Prius, but looks are subjective. As of today, I've covered 1323 miles, 1199 of them in EV range. The Volt's iPhone app provides all the statistical info. I've also used 3.18 gallons over the 124 miles beyond EV, for an average of 39 MPG while in extended mode. If I factor in the cost of electricity in my area (9 cents per k/h) and the cost of premium gas in CT ($4.20) I have averaged a 137.8 MPGe since I've had the car; well above the 93 MPGe estimated by the EPA. It's clear that the more you can drive in EV mode, the better. I did end up getting a 240V charger installed by SPX. It's great for the weekends where I can charge up in very little time (comparatively). I can now also carrying the 110V charger that comes with the car with me wherever I go, in case I can charge while I'm out and about. That's it for now, I'll check in next month.

I came out of a VW CC which has a rather low roof line and is also a 4 passenger car as the rear compartment does not have a center seat. So, in comparison to that, the Volt feels roomy. I'm also not very tall at 5'8. I have not had any rear seat passengers yet. The hatchback versatility is also a plus with the Volt.

Picked up my Volt on March 10th. Volt #1712. Black w/black cloth interior. The only option are the polished wheels, which look great with black exterior and the other touches of chrome trim. Each Volt displays their build number as part of the NAV screen display. I'm not sure if that will always be the case or only for the first model year. I had no real intention of getting one, I had been monitoring my local dealers through CARS.com to see if there was one within 50 miles of me, just so I could see one and perhaps test drive. No dealers had one in JAN or FEB. In early MAR one showed up at a local dealer. I went down on a Saturday to check it out. I was told it was still in transit but would arrive that week. They said that each dealer in CT would only receive 2 for calendar year 2011, one had to be in service as a demo for at least 6 months, one they could sell. The one coming in was available for them to sell and that all those they had on their waiting list either couldn't wait and had already purchased one in NY or NJ, or didn't like the way this particular vehicle was equipped. It came in that following Tuesday. I was already sold on the concept, but really needed the test drive. I'm used to driving European imports so the Volt had to be fun to drive. I was driving a VW CC as a daily driver and also have a SAAB convertible. I was really impressed with the ride and handling, and the QUIET. Very smooth and compliant ride. Fit and finsh was also better than expected, but not up to the level of the CC (which is much better than average for it's price class). I ended up leasing for 36 months. They applied the $7500 tax credit to the residual and I got a very fair deal on my trade. I purchased at O'Neill's Chevrolet in Avon, CT. Scott Anderson was great to work with. My daily commute is around 20 miles round trip. I am keeping a log of my miles and gallons used and will fill up on the first of every month. For March I traveled 568 miles on 1.2 gallons. My per kilowatt hour charge through Northeast Utilities is .09 cents. That would equate to approx 90 cents per day if I was charging a totally depleted battery, but that is seldom the case for me. I'm currently using a standard 120V outlet in my garage, but I do plan on installing a 240V. I'm working through SPX and I'm waiting for the estimate. My employer has also installed charging stations, which are free to use! The car has run flawlessly so far, no bugs that I have found. The transition from EV mode to Extended mode is totally seamless and transparent, as others have noted in their reviews. I drive mostly in SPORT mode as I prefer the feel of the throttle. That's it for now. I'll update next month. Ken

I believe the exposed exhaust tips in the rear bumper are CXS model only. While viewing the youtube vids in this thread, I came across one from a dealership in the US (by the sound of the guys accent) that shows a CX, CXL, and CXS. Only the CXS has the dual exhaust outlets. I have no issue with Buick offering cloth seats (CX model), but why cheapen the exterior with those wheels. It lowers the image of the whole line. Same with the dual exhaust outlets, should be standard across the line. With that said, I'm looking forward to seeing it in person. I like the looks, but need to see it in 3 dimensions to cast final judgement.

Loaded CXS tops out close to 40K . . .

Did anyone else notice that on the LaX page (I believe page 70), that the engine choice for best economy was the 2.4L 4 cylinder? That's the first I've seen of that powerplant for the LaX.

Enclave had a great month.

1. 0 2. Very likely will trade my 2006 Passat for 2010 Invicta/LaX

Autoblog now has a video where the designers discuss the Invicta design: Autoblog Video

I'm in love . . .