[Mr.Woolery]

Hi folks,

It's time for me to sell my old '93 Lexus commuter and replace it with the most efficient affordable hybrid on the market. I joined the forum as I'm now looking to buy a used Volt. For now I'll be lurking, looking for information, and asking some questions that'll lead me to buy the right Volt for me.

-I know that I want the back up camera system, are there any easy indicators to the presence of this option without having to ask someone at the dealership (and maybe get the wrong answer)? Maybe another easily spotted option that goes hand in hand with the back up cam system as part of an option package that I can easily see from pictures taken of the car?

-Already learned that I might want to aim for a later production 2014 example as there were some efficiency/range improvements(?) put in place. Does anyone know if there was a VIN cutoff for the changeover in production for these improvements?

-Is GPS navigation the same as the Telematic Navigation? Does one or both require a subscription to OnStar?

Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[Powered7]

Welcome!

If there are pictures of the car, look closely for the backup camera which should be right above the license plate.

GPS Navigation does not require a subscription to OnStar. If you don't get that, you may want to get a subscription to OnStar in order to have the option of receiving guided directions including on-screen updates.

 

[bentbiker]

If you go with a 2015, your backup camera will show moving guide-lines. Not on '13 or '14. Also, you'd have some of the B2B warranty left. I sold my '91 LS400 to buy the Volt and each were successively the best car I ever owned.

 

[freshcut]

My advice, aside from looking for a camera in pictures or relying on it being mentioned in the description is to look for 4 circles on the rear bumper equally spaced from one end to the other for the parking sensors. If they have them on the rear bumper, it will have the rear camera. If they're also on the front, it should have the front camera as well (safety package 1 for rear, package 2 for front). This applies to '13+ as far as I know. Also, for additional detail, If the car has built in navigation, it will also include the upgrade audio (Bose) and all navigation function are built into the car. If it's just listing telematics for the navigation, I understand that's "turn by turn" through OnStar and will require a subscription.

 

[VoltenRock]

There are also handfuls of used '16s and even some '17s hitting the market. Unless you don't qualify for the tax credit, the prices on many recently-used Volts aren't usually that cost-competitive after deducting the $7,500 tax credit plus the not-unusual $4k off MSRP GM discount. However, I'm always wary of low-mileage recently-bought used cars--especially if they were a "manufacturer" vehicle (meaning they may have been bought back under lemon law or customer dissatisfaction).

Basically, a leather '17 with comfort has an MSRP of about $35K. After tax credit, GM discounts (and possible state discounts) you'd need to do LESS than $23k on used to make it worth it--and you risk buying somebody else's problem.

Once you start getting into used Gen 1 vehicles north of $18k, it gets pretty hard to justify avoiding another few thousand for a full warranty, updated range, regular gas, and new car guaranty. If you are lucky enough to live near a still-untitled '15 or '14 Gen 1 (yes, there are some still around), you could probably scoop one up for $22k AND get the $7,500 tax credit and full warranty--that's a good deal. Just my $0.02 for looking at your pricing options.

 

[llninja]

Get a 2015 to remove all doubt about the smaller battery capacity. Look for the rear bumper sensors, if it came with bumper sensors, it has a rear camera.

Bose is nice but not necessary. Nav is nice but I use Siri more than the built in nav.

Gen1s should keep plummeting in price once the bolt is out and demand keeps dropping. When the TM3 arrives, there will be a bunch of volts coming off lease where owners decided to go with something else (Bolt, TM3) so bargains can be found if you can be patient.

 

[kentlucas]

There are also handfuls of used '16s and even some '17s hitting the market. Unless you don't qualify for the tax credit, the prices on many recently-used Volts aren't usually that cost-competitive after deducting the $7,500 tax credit plus the not-unusual $4k off MSRP GM discount. However, I'm always wary of low-mileage recently-bought used cars--especially if they were a "manufacturer" vehicle (meaning they may have been bought back under lemon law or customer dissatisfaction).

Basically, a leather '17 with comfort has an MSRP of about $35K. After tax credit, GM discounts (and possible state discounts) you'd need to do LESS than $23k on used to make it worth it--and you risk buying somebody else's problem.

Once you start getting into used Gen 1 vehicles north of $18k, it gets pretty hard to justify avoiding another few thousand for a full warranty, updated range, regular gas, and new car guaranty. If you are lucky enough to live near a still-untitled '15 or '14 Gen 1 (yes, there are some still around), you could probably scoop one up for $22k AND get the $7,500 tax credit and full warranty--that's a good deal. Just my $0.02 for looking at your pricing options.

I was surprised to learn here on gm-volt, that there are still untitled 2014-15 vehicles out there. That would be a great deal if you can locate one.

 

[Mr.Woolery]

Thank you everyone for the info you've provided so far! I will definitely be using your advice in my search.