Joined
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8 Posts
Hello all,
So glad to find this place!
My story on how I got here is a bit of an odd one, as are most things surrounding my life and motor vehicles.
I've been a rabid car and motorcycle enthusiast since I was tall enough to look out a window and see them go by. Whether it's driving, fixing, modding, or rallying them I can't get enough. It's no surprise then that I also wound up working in the field, first in aftermarket accessory retailing then on to an alloy wheel manufacturer. So my life quite literally revolves around wheels.
However over the last decade or so I've become increasing alarmed about the tidal wave of data showing how what I'm most passionate about is doing a lot of harm to the planet. I've always been a fan of smaller "right-sized" vehicles, and had until recently bought into the idea that improved ICE technology was going be sufficient to combat climate change in the automotive sector. But it's becoming increasingly clear that things need to change at a much quicker pace. The problem is that real enthusiast-oriented cars that can operate partially or exclusively in zero emissions mode until now have been limited to the rarified air of Tesla's Model S or BMW's i8 and such so I was feeling pretty left out. The announcement of Tesla's Model 3 though pushed me over the edge. I immediately caught EV fever and camped out to reserve one. Along the way though I've become immersed in the local EV communities and have since discovered how much fun even existing affordable ones like the Leaf and the Volt are to drive. The Gen 2 Volt in particular impressed me with its well balanced chassis, nice build quality and surprisingly sprightly acceleration. I immediately thought that this was the perfect solution for my better half, who was beginning to come around to my insistence that we both go electric but absolutely couldn't stand the idea of ever being stranded for a charge. One drive in the Volt had her convinced.
The plan was to find her a well-cared for Gen 1 example this spring, but then fate intervened. My 2007 Audi A4, which was supposed to get me through until the Tesla arrived, was rear-ended and written off two weeks before Christmas (thankfully neither of us seriously hurt). So we thought the smart thing to do financially was for me to pick up a used Volt now and then when the Model 3 comes in roll it over to her.
I found exactly what I was looking for in upstate Vermont, a pristine 2013 Cyber Grey Premier with black leather and Bose, and proceeded to import it into Canada without a hitch. Only 10 days later though the dreaded buzz saw sound reared its ugly head, but thanks to the great FAQ page here I knew exactly what it was - stator bearing. Because GM will only reinstate warranties on U.S. cars imported to Canada 6 months or 12,000 kms after they've been here, I thought I was facing an ugly repair bill. Luckily though the good folks at Frenchie's Chevrolet in Massena N.Y., only an hour away from my home in Montreal, were happy to take care of it under the original U.S. warranty.
"Titanium Man", as I've named him, has been running great ever since. Although I'm having a hard time coping with FWD in the snow - I've had AWD Audis exclusively for the last 20 years - I otherwise have to say that even the Gen 1 is more fun to drive than I expected. The low speed response in Sport mode is great and when diving into corners in "L" it will eagerly stand on its nose and turn in like a lighter ICE hot hatch acting on engine compression. I'm also amazed at how solid it is. Having never owned but often rented many GMs over the years I'd been noticing the steady improvement, but this thing feels like a tank. Dead quiet and composed at speeds well beyond any posted highway limits. A little more power at highway speeds would be nice, and in that vein I may look at trying out some of the available performance tunes for it. If I do I will be sure to thoroughly log before-and-after results, something that seems to currently be elusive.
For now I am rather enjoying its company, the lack of gas bills and most especially a much, much cleaner conscience. It's so nice to be able to go out for a quick Sunday morning blast around the countryside and know that I'm essentially running on falling water (Quebec being lucky enough to have 99% hydro electricity).
My sincerest thanks to all of you here who have put together a tremendous site that's proven immeasurably helpful in the short time I've been here. I do hope to be able to at least contribute back in some small way, as this Volt will hopefully be part of our newly electrified family for a long time to come and anything I learn will gladly be shared.
So glad to find this place!
My story on how I got here is a bit of an odd one, as are most things surrounding my life and motor vehicles.
I've been a rabid car and motorcycle enthusiast since I was tall enough to look out a window and see them go by. Whether it's driving, fixing, modding, or rallying them I can't get enough. It's no surprise then that I also wound up working in the field, first in aftermarket accessory retailing then on to an alloy wheel manufacturer. So my life quite literally revolves around wheels.
However over the last decade or so I've become increasing alarmed about the tidal wave of data showing how what I'm most passionate about is doing a lot of harm to the planet. I've always been a fan of smaller "right-sized" vehicles, and had until recently bought into the idea that improved ICE technology was going be sufficient to combat climate change in the automotive sector. But it's becoming increasingly clear that things need to change at a much quicker pace. The problem is that real enthusiast-oriented cars that can operate partially or exclusively in zero emissions mode until now have been limited to the rarified air of Tesla's Model S or BMW's i8 and such so I was feeling pretty left out. The announcement of Tesla's Model 3 though pushed me over the edge. I immediately caught EV fever and camped out to reserve one. Along the way though I've become immersed in the local EV communities and have since discovered how much fun even existing affordable ones like the Leaf and the Volt are to drive. The Gen 2 Volt in particular impressed me with its well balanced chassis, nice build quality and surprisingly sprightly acceleration. I immediately thought that this was the perfect solution for my better half, who was beginning to come around to my insistence that we both go electric but absolutely couldn't stand the idea of ever being stranded for a charge. One drive in the Volt had her convinced.
The plan was to find her a well-cared for Gen 1 example this spring, but then fate intervened. My 2007 Audi A4, which was supposed to get me through until the Tesla arrived, was rear-ended and written off two weeks before Christmas (thankfully neither of us seriously hurt). So we thought the smart thing to do financially was for me to pick up a used Volt now and then when the Model 3 comes in roll it over to her.
I found exactly what I was looking for in upstate Vermont, a pristine 2013 Cyber Grey Premier with black leather and Bose, and proceeded to import it into Canada without a hitch. Only 10 days later though the dreaded buzz saw sound reared its ugly head, but thanks to the great FAQ page here I knew exactly what it was - stator bearing. Because GM will only reinstate warranties on U.S. cars imported to Canada 6 months or 12,000 kms after they've been here, I thought I was facing an ugly repair bill. Luckily though the good folks at Frenchie's Chevrolet in Massena N.Y., only an hour away from my home in Montreal, were happy to take care of it under the original U.S. warranty.
"Titanium Man", as I've named him, has been running great ever since. Although I'm having a hard time coping with FWD in the snow - I've had AWD Audis exclusively for the last 20 years - I otherwise have to say that even the Gen 1 is more fun to drive than I expected. The low speed response in Sport mode is great and when diving into corners in "L" it will eagerly stand on its nose and turn in like a lighter ICE hot hatch acting on engine compression. I'm also amazed at how solid it is. Having never owned but often rented many GMs over the years I'd been noticing the steady improvement, but this thing feels like a tank. Dead quiet and composed at speeds well beyond any posted highway limits. A little more power at highway speeds would be nice, and in that vein I may look at trying out some of the available performance tunes for it. If I do I will be sure to thoroughly log before-and-after results, something that seems to currently be elusive.
For now I am rather enjoying its company, the lack of gas bills and most especially a much, much cleaner conscience. It's so nice to be able to go out for a quick Sunday morning blast around the countryside and know that I'm essentially running on falling water (Quebec being lucky enough to have 99% hydro electricity).
My sincerest thanks to all of you here who have put together a tremendous site that's proven immeasurably helpful in the short time I've been here. I do hope to be able to at least contribute back in some small way, as this Volt will hopefully be part of our newly electrified family for a long time to come and anything I learn will gladly be shared.
