I took my Volt into the dealer today to leave it overnight for the 5-year 3-coolant-system flush. Due to my work hours I couldn't just drop it off in the morning. So they gave me a loaner to use today and tomorrow: a 2018 Chevrolet Impala, brand new, just 45 miles on it.
In a word: ugh.
For the last 25 months I have driven only my Volt, and now driving a traditional ICE vehicle, I hate it. I am SOOO used to the smooth continuous torque band that the Volt's transmission provides, and the lack of shift points. Having to tromp on the accelerator off the line and waiting for the engine/transmission to actually do something is disconcerting; I'm used to the immediate response of the Volt.
This Impala just seems so sluggish and stuck in mud by comparison. I'm not a jackrabbit starter either. I guess my driving habits have adjusted to what the Volt is capable of providing, and your average run-of-the-mill sedan just pales in comparison. I'm sure that the Impala (or any other ICE vehicle) would trounce the Volt at the top end, but as far as nimble in-town driving, no contest.
On an unrelated note, I am VERY nervous about this service. When I initially called in to get an estimate on the service, they just trotted out the usual "$149.95" which is their standard price for an ICE coolant flush. When I asked them "Does that include all 3 coolant systems?" I got an "Uhhh.... why don't I have you talk to the service manager."
To the service manager's credit, she was at least somewhat familar with the 3 different coolant systems and that the Volt required different coolant and equipment than a standard flush. Rather than just blurt out a price, she asked if she could do some research and get back to me. She also wanted to consult with the service tech that would be doing the work.
Later that day she called me back and told me that they had consulted the service guides for the process and that the service would run me $330 for all 3 systems (which sounds more in line with what I was expecting). They were up front in acknowledging that they have not performed this service before. I appreciate their candor, but I have to admit that it makes me nervous.
This is the dealer I purchased the vehicle from, so in theory I *should* be covered against any eventuality, but still...
Anything I should be alert for when picking up the vehicle and reading the invoice/paperwork?
In a word: ugh.
For the last 25 months I have driven only my Volt, and now driving a traditional ICE vehicle, I hate it. I am SOOO used to the smooth continuous torque band that the Volt's transmission provides, and the lack of shift points. Having to tromp on the accelerator off the line and waiting for the engine/transmission to actually do something is disconcerting; I'm used to the immediate response of the Volt.
This Impala just seems so sluggish and stuck in mud by comparison. I'm not a jackrabbit starter either. I guess my driving habits have adjusted to what the Volt is capable of providing, and your average run-of-the-mill sedan just pales in comparison. I'm sure that the Impala (or any other ICE vehicle) would trounce the Volt at the top end, but as far as nimble in-town driving, no contest.
On an unrelated note, I am VERY nervous about this service. When I initially called in to get an estimate on the service, they just trotted out the usual "$149.95" which is their standard price for an ICE coolant flush. When I asked them "Does that include all 3 coolant systems?" I got an "Uhhh.... why don't I have you talk to the service manager."
To the service manager's credit, she was at least somewhat familar with the 3 different coolant systems and that the Volt required different coolant and equipment than a standard flush. Rather than just blurt out a price, she asked if she could do some research and get back to me. She also wanted to consult with the service tech that would be doing the work.
Later that day she called me back and told me that they had consulted the service guides for the process and that the service would run me $330 for all 3 systems (which sounds more in line with what I was expecting). They were up front in acknowledging that they have not performed this service before. I appreciate their candor, but I have to admit that it makes me nervous.
This is the dealer I purchased the vehicle from, so in theory I *should* be covered against any eventuality, but still...
Anything I should be alert for when picking up the vehicle and reading the invoice/paperwork?
