Is it worth buying the Premier versus the 2017 LT
2017 Premier vs. LT worth it?
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100% a personal decision. 'Worth it' to one is not worth it to another
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A month ago I faced the same question. I went with the Premier. My reasoning was I buy a new car so seldom (This is my 3rd, and probably my last new car) that I would kick my self forever if I cheeped out. I second Loboc, that ACC is awesome! And everything else!
I wanted the ACC and lane departure warning so I got the Premier. I had assumed but the lane departure warning would operate in the same manner as one in a Suburban I had just rented but it didn't so I was somewhat disappointed. However I am pleasantly surprised with the ACC, I don't think I could go back to regular cruise control.
Same here, 4th car and with few dealers carrying Volts ⚡ around here, the ones on the lot were all Premiers with both safety packages.
I would've bought a Premier to get the leather and the first safety package, so it wasn't worth waiting months for a custom order.
Since I try and keep my cars for 12-15 years the extra features will be worth it, as long as they don't end up costing me $100/$ks to fix later.
I find the ACC really nice when easing up behind someone. Setting it to the longer distance works well if you're going to turn soon or they're only going a click or two faster so you don't want to pass.
I was planning on looking at an LT, because the Premier was presumably out of my price range. The dealer showed me an LT, and then they realized it was sold and they had no LT's left
So I test drove the Premier and I fell in love with it. They offered me something like $5500 off list by using some kind of Chevy rebate. I was trading in a 2014 base model. I probably would not have upgraded to a 2017 LT, but you only live once, and I like the higher end Base audio, and the leather seats, and the safety packages (1,2). And yeah, the ACC is nice for road trips. But I'm sure the base LT is a very nice car, especially if you don't already own a Volt.PS. I love my 2017!
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I bought a Premier for the leather and safety features. It was worth it to me but only you can decide if it's worth it to you.
I own a 2017 Premier and recently drove a 2017 LT for 4 days as a loaner vehicle. In my experience driving the LT is almost identical to driving the Premier. The standard audio system in the LT actually sounded better than expected (the Premier features the upgraded Bose audio with subwoofer. The fabric covered seats in the LT were fine. The two things I really missed not having in the LT were the blind spot warning/cross traffic alert (this is available on the LT as part of one of the Driver Confidence safety packages) and the ACC (currently only available on the Premier).
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Depending on what you want, you can "option up" the LT a bit (heated seats/leather/bose). But you a hit a wall with some options and an optioned-up LT starts hitting premier $$$ quick.
You can't get the safety packages or ACC (that's the big carrot in my book) on an LT. There is also auto park assist, sensors, lighting, dimming mirror, etc.--basically a bunch of niceties that you could probably live without, but quickly become "must-haves" if you already got them. You can't get the "premier" wheels, but can get the black gloss pocket wheels as a dealer install on an LT (for a steep price, I would negotiate lower). However, you should be able to keep your original wheels and then sell them to help offset the cost (do not let the dealer keep your wheels, unless they are deducting this from your cost).
I think the best deals--if you can live without the safety packages--is the "base model" Premier. They tend to sit around a while because most will not bother spending the money on a premier without the safeties (listed as driver confidence I & II). Find a few of those stale premiers in your area and negotiate hard.
You can't get the safety packages or ACC (that's the big carrot in my book) on an LT. There is also auto park assist, sensors, lighting, dimming mirror, etc.--basically a bunch of niceties that you could probably live without, but quickly become "must-haves" if you already got them. You can't get the "premier" wheels, but can get the black gloss pocket wheels as a dealer install on an LT (for a steep price, I would negotiate lower). However, you should be able to keep your original wheels and then sell them to help offset the cost (do not let the dealer keep your wheels, unless they are deducting this from your cost).
I think the best deals--if you can live without the safety packages--is the "base model" Premier. They tend to sit around a while because most will not bother spending the money on a premier without the safeties (listed as driver confidence I & II). Find a few of those stale premiers in your area and negotiate hard.
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I bought the 2013 Volt Premium for the added features and re-sale value, with low mileage at 10,000 miles. I would never buy a new vehicle. Therefore, wait two years and you can afford the premium model at a used-car price. I like to keep the cost of transportation at around $200 per month, although I repay my auto loan and mortgage at twice the amount of my monthly payment requirement.
As I've gotten older, I recognize the value of the safety features more and more. The Premier comes with front and rear parking assist. (Also the Auto Parking Assist - a "hat trick" which I rarely use.) To me, the Driver Confidence 1 package (blind zone alerts, rear cross traffic alert) is also very valuable. Unfortunately it requires the Premier package to get it. DC 2 maybe less so, but it was only an extra $495 (MSRP). Since I tend to keep my cars well past their "sell by" date, the extra dollars don't make that much difference in the long run. And I figure if they prevent one accident over the life of the car, they will have easily paid for themselves.
One thing GM did right with the Bolt EV pricing is that you can get the DC 1 package without the Premier trim. (Maybe they will do the same with the 2018 Volt?)
One thing GM did right with the Bolt EV pricing is that you can get the DC 1 package without the Premier trim. (Maybe they will do the same with the 2018 Volt?)
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I'm curious, how is the lane departure different in the Volt than the Suburban?
My 2017 Volt is the first car I've driven with this feature and I like how the Volt "gently" steers you back (or you might say gently adds resistance to the steering wheel.
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