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My Bolt EV Week 2 and Volt Comparo..

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R

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Today I received one of the best compliments that a man can receive. After 30 plus years of getting "why did you buy that car??", my wife told me that the Bolt was a great choice and it really compliments our Volt... Husband Nirvana!

My first two weeks with the Bolt have been great. I have had Volt owners pull me over to ask questions and a local dealership wants me to attend their EV showroom grand opening to show off the only Bolt in TX...

I have found very little wrong with it. While I have not drained the battery yet, I am always seeing at least 238- 250 miles available in the median range. I have figured out the little quirks in the infotainment system and AA works great with it. I got back in the Volt and realized how much faster the Bolt was and how much stronger the regen was. While I do wish the seats were a bit more robust, they will do and I did purchase a full seat pad and I'll let you know how it works when I receive it.

I think it is time for all of us to start looking at ways for us to even improve on what we have. What aftermarket items do we need to be invented, how to get everything out of a really good car. Who cares when/if the Model 3 comes out, or that it is not sporty, the Bolt fills a certain level of buyer need and I am more than happy with it. Most "nits" are personal preferences rather than a flaw. All I know is that we have used a total of 6 gallons of gas since last July in my Volt and that I save money every day that I run on electrons.

We are a unique group of tip of the iceberg/early adopters. Now let's start having fun!

Rob
 
D

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#2 ·
Seems like you've got all the accolades you need! No higher praise than what you get from your significant other.

Glad to hear you're enjoying your new "smuggled" car. Seems like GM has a hit with the Bolt EV. That's nice because it was a hard slog with the Volt, which was really too bad since it's a fantastic car and a fantastic piece of engineering. I do think that while the Tesla Model 3 has a lot more sizzle, on a daily basis the Bolt EV is far more practical and better to live with. Keep having fun.
 
BAZINGA

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#3 · (Edited)
WOW, seems like the BOLT is getting almost unanimous and positive reviews from all quarters. I don't think folks expected the BOLT to be as good as it is. Hell from what I have read and seen on YouTube videos from owners it's BETTER.

GM that's how you do it, UNDER PROMISE and OVER DELIVER.
 
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B

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S

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#6 ·
I predict the Model 3 will be a disappointment in terms of value. The Bolt interior may surround people in hard plastics, but all that plastic is well designed - nicely sculptured, light colors mixed with dark. The Model 3 interior, especially the dashboard, is spartan looking.

The other major plus the Bolt should have over the M3 is passenger comfort (assuming GM addresses the growing clamor over front seat design/comfort). The sensible design of the Bolt may not appeal to everybody, but it does give passengers upright seating positions and plenty of legroom & headroom. Seating in the M3 appears to be low to the floor which will significantly contrast with the Bolt.... and I foresee many M3 reservationists bailing out for this reason alone.
 
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I

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#10 ·
Great to know.

Although I'm hoping to get a Model 3 in 2018/2019, it's good to know that there's a fallback option.

Also, let me appeal _now_ to you to:
1) attend as many National Drive Electric Week events (in September) as possible
2) offer rides to people

Getting people in electric cars, especially those like the Bolt with some oomph, is the best way to increase consideration.
 
V

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#11 ·
Rob, enjoy your Bolt EV! I know it would be at the top of my list for EVs today.

I am curious where Model 3 is going to give, and my guess is in price or options for the base model. All the demo units we have seen appear to be very well equipped. Given that a Model S starts around $70k, I imagine that the Model 3 will have to give something up, range, performance, etc, or they will destroy sales of their lower level Model S cars.

I guess one of the factors is I imagine a base Model 3 would be 45 kwh to meet 215 mile range given its aerodynamics. That would save significantly over the 60 kwh (usable) in the Bolt EV. Maybe by the time you upgrade to a larger battery and such in a Model 3 you would be up near $60 or $70k, but even then you would have to be careful, a fairly well equipped Model S 60D with AWD is still over $80k, and a Model 3 might be cheaper and better.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see what happens with the Model 3. I guess we find out later this year. I am not buying a new EV for a couple years, or maybe buy a used i3 this year, but will be interesting to see what happens next couple years. Either way the Bolt EV looks like a great choice.
 
C

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#13 ·
Wow, had no idea anyone had managed to get one into Texas. Are you in the DFW or Austin area Rob?
 
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